Author: Charlie Garrett

Artwork by Doug Kallerson.

Friday, 17 March 2023

‘After this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up; Acts 15:16

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

James just noted that the words of the prophets agree with the idea that God first visited to take out of nations a people for His name. With that, he now cites Amos 9:11 & 12 to confirm this. As is often the case in the New Testament, the quote is from the Greek translation, not the Hebrew. Further, there is even a bit of deviation from the Greek in verse 15:16.

That verse begins with, “After this I will return.” Rather, the word translated as “this” is a plural demonstrative pronoun. It reads, “After these things I will return.” The reference is to what is said in the earlier verses of Amos 9. They speak of Israel’s destruction and exile. In those verses, the Lord says –

“‘Are you not like the people of Ethiopia to Me,
O children of Israel?’ says the Lord.
‘Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt,
The Philistines from Caphtor,
And the Syrians from Kir?’” Amos 9:7

In essence, the Lord is saying to Israel, “You are just like any other people. Other than your relationship with Me, you are just people.” To show them this, He was going to take a different direction, working among the Gentiles of whom they thought they were better. Because of their sinful state, rejecting the Lord, they would enter a time of punishment, being scattered among the nations. It is “After these things” that the Lord will return.

The meaning of that is that He will revisit Israel. It is as if he had departed from them and was now returned to them. His attention was on their destruction, but it would be changed to their re-establishment and prosperity. It is at this prophesied time that it next says, “And will rebuild the tabernacle of David.”

The tabernacle is a booth or temporary shelter used during the Feast of Tabernacles. This was a feast where the people gathered in Jerusalem, meeting to acknowledge that the Lord was Israel’s protector. They had been brought out of Egypt, having been rescued from their bondage. They were wholly dependent on the Lord and were living in close and intimate contact with Him.

The “tabernacle of David” is specifically speaking of the royal house of David. Despite being the king, he too would have participated in the annual festival, dwelling in a tabernacle in this intimate fellowship with the Lord. What is being conveyed is that the rule and authority of Israel under the House of David would be restored to Israel, but it would be in a way that resembled the tabernacle, or booth.

Thus, it refers to the Person of Jesus, the Messiah who is the Greater David. For example, the verb form of the word is used when speaking of Christ in John 1 –

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

The noun form is used when referring to the intimate dwelling together of God and man in Revelation 21 –

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’” Revelation 21:3

It is the intimate fellowship between the House of David and the Lord that would be rebuilt. Understanding this, the next words read, “which has fallen down.”

The Davidic line of kings ceased at the time of the Babylonian exile. From that time on there was no Israelite king of the line of David, in the sense of leading the nation. The line of kingship in the house of David was prophesied to end by Jeremiah –

 “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet on My right hand, yet I would pluck you off; ²⁵ and I will give you into the hand of those who seek your life, and into the hand of those whose face you fear—the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the hand of the Chaldeans.’” Jeremiah 22:24, 25

However, the line of David itself was not cut off. After the exile, it continued on as is testified to in Haggai –

And again the word of the Lord came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, ²¹ “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying:
‘I will shake heaven and earth.
²² I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms;
I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms.
I will overthrow the chariots
And those who ride in them;
The horses and their riders shall come down,
Every one by the sword of his brother.
²³ ‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:20-23

The royal line was cut off in Coniah, but it was re-established after the exile to Babylon in Zerubbabel. It is Zerubbabel who is listed in Jesus’ genealogy in Luke 3:27, continuing this royal line leading to Israel’s Messiah.

This does not mean, however, that Zerubbabel was the rebuilt tabernacle signifying the rule of the House of David. Israel had no Davidic king again. Rather, they were ruled by other nations. Even when Herod ruled over Israel this is true. He was neither of the line of David nor was he the final authority over Israel. His rule fell under the jurisdiction of Rome.

With this understood, the words of the prophet being cited by James continue with, “I will rebuild its ruins.” Again, it is referring to the tabernacle of David, meaning the intimate fellowship with the Lord of the kingship of Israel over the people. The wording is speaking of a time when Davidic rule would again be realized in the land. This has never occurred since the time of Coniah whom Jeremiah referred to.

Of these words, Albert Barnes rightly states, “The ruins thereof – Heb. ‘close up the breaches thereof.’ That is, it would be restored to its former prosperity and magnificence; an emblem of the favor of God, and of the spiritual blessings that would in future times descend on the Jewish people.” This is what James is saying would occur. With that, the words of this verse end with, “And I will set it up.”

As with the previous clause, it is still referring to the tabernacle of David. There is a time prophesied that will come when the Davidic rule will again be established over Israel. It must be remembered that the words “After these things” set the tone for what is being debated in the council. It is based on these words of the prophet now being cited by James. That is based on the words of verse 15:14 that God first visited to take out of nations a people for His name.

In other words, the things being cited from Amos are not referring to the time leading up to the coming of Jesus and His spiritual rule over the church at this time, but to the second coming of Jesus and a literal rule over Israel. This is important to understand. Equating these words with the church is a completely false notion that is not supported by the words of Amos nor by the rest of Scripture. This will be seen more clearly with the evaluation of the next verse.

Life application: It is true that much of the church rejects a literal re-establishment of Israel and a millennial reign of Christ. These things are spiritualized forming the doctrine of replacement theology which says the church has replaced Israel and that everything spoken of in the past was referring not to Israel’s future, but to the current state of the world where Christ rules the church.

This cannot be. The surrounding words of Amos do not support this, nor do the rest of the words of Moses and the prophets. Even the New Testament cannot be seen to agree with this. If God has rejected Israel as a nation, it means the words of the covenant made between the Lord and Israel cannot be trusted. If that is true, then the words of the New Covenant cannot be trusted either. The same Lord who established the Mosaic Covenant is the Lord who has established the New Covenant.

Have faith that despite Israel’s failings, the Lord will never reject them as His people. Likewise, despite your failings, the Lord will never reject you because of what He has done through Christ Jesus. When the terms of the covenant are met, the deal is done. If you have believed the gospel, you have been saved, once and for all time.

Lord God, thank You for the lesson of Israel. Despite their continued unfaithfulness, You have remained faithful to them. We can learn from this that despite our unfaithfulness, You will always remain faithful to us. Thank You for this assurance in our hope of eternal life. Thank You! Amen.

Hi Ho Magnolia! Away!

Thursday, 16 March 2023

“And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: Acts 15:15

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

James, speaking to the assembly in Jerusalem, just noted how God first visited to take out of the nations a people for His name. He now continues, saying, “And with this the words of the prophets agree.”

James has noted what occurred. He has indicated that it is ongoing since the coming of Jesus. But to demonstrate that his conclusion will not simply be a reasoned deduction or best guess as to what he will determine, he supports what he will say with words already prophesied hundreds of years earlier.

By saying “prophets” in the plural, even when he will only cite one prophet, he is indicating that the prophetic writings are a unified whole, inspired by God. What Jeremiah says may be different in content than what Amos says, but they are from the same source and are harmoniously in agreement in thought. With that understood, he next says, “just as it is written.”

As is normally the case, the verb is perfect – “as it has been written.” The words are complete, finalized, and recorded for all time.

Life application: If we treat the Bible as James has done, we would be more fixed and determined to treat it as the complete and unchanging holy document that it is. The Greek perfect verb is always a true perfect and cannot be substituted for the simple past. There is a sense of absolute completeness that will not be added to or amended.

This is how the word of God is. God has spoken. Those words have been written. With the final words of the final book penned, the Bible has been completed. The completed Bible has become the final authority for all matters pertaining to life and godliness in Christ.

Think of the many cults, denominations, and churches, and even individuals active today that claim a word from the Lord, a vision, a dream, etc. What is it that tells us they are false? Only the Bible can do so. If revelation from God is an ongoing process in the church today, then the Bible is not the final word for believers. Think of the mayhem that this line of thinking has brought forth!

Let us not get diverted by anyone who claims an authority over Scripture, such as the RCC. Let us not get misled by anyone who claims additional revelation beyond Scripture. Rather, let us hold fast to the word of God. Even if those people’s claims were true, we have lost nothing in the end. But if they are not, we have been diverted from the soundness of God’s fully revealed word. It is sufficient, so stand on it alone and you will do well.

O God, because of our failure to rightly divide what is said, there is already enough confusion in the church over what You have inspired in Your word. How much more confused we would be if we accepted that You are still breathing out words to direct us. Rather, help us to hold fast to Your word alone, and then to spend our time meditating on it and maintaining context as we evaluate it. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Memorial to the great George Washington. Knowing Virginia, they will probably take it down and replace it with the loser George Floyd.

Wednesday, 15 March 2023

“Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. Acts 15:14

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The words of the NKJV give a completely different sense than what the Greek is conveying. Placing the two side by side, the variation becomes noticeable:

* Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. (NKJV)
* Simeon has declared how first God visited to take out of nations a people upon His name. (CG)

The difference is a great one. God did not visit the Gentiles, as if that was the only purpose of Christ’s Advent. Rather, God visited. In His visit, it was His intent to take out of Gentiles a people upon (meaning fitting for) His name. This translation will be used to evaluate what is said.

In the previous verse, after the gathering had become silent, James began to speak. His words now begin with the name of the subject of his words, “Simeon.” This and 2 Peter 1:1 are the only times that this spelling of the name is referring to Simon Peter. And even 2 Peter 1:1 is disputed based on various manuscripts. If James is referring to Simon Peter, using “Simeon” instead of “Simon” is not inappropriate that this form would be used because James is a Jew of the land of Israel and speaking to those in a gathering in the land. Even if not inappropriate, it is highly unusual.

However, and this may be a complete stretch of the intent of James’ words, there is another Simeon in the New Testament who did exactly what James will next convey. Those words spoken by Simeon will be explained accordingly. For now, James continues with a note that Simeon, “has declared how first God visited.”

The word translated as “visited” signifies just that. It comes from two words signifying “upon” and “to inspect.” By extension, it carries the thought of “being concerned with.” When one visits, it is to be concerned about the one visited.

James is equating the coming of Jesus Christ to God’s visitation. He concerned Himself in the narrative of human existence in a particular way. The terminology is found throughout Scripture. When God visits, it is a manifestation of His workings at a particular time and place. This is seen, for example, in Ruth –

“Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread.” Ruth 1:6

It is of note that by saying “how God first visited” there is the implication of a first advent to be followed by a second advent. If this were not the case, then the word “first” would be superfluous.

Of this visitation of God, James specifically says it is “to take out of nations.” The word translated as Gentiles, ethnos, signifies “nations,” and it usually excludes Israel. This is not always the case, though. For example, the word refers to Israel in Luke 7:5 –

“And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, ⁵ ‘for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.’” Luke 7:4, 5

As there is no article before the word ethnos here, it is more rightly translated as “nations” rather than “the Gentiles.” This is because God visited in the Person of Jesus Christ to be a light to both Israel and the Gentiles, meaning all nations. This was for the purpose of obtaining “a people upon His name.” As noted earlier, the word translated as “upon” signifies fitting for His name. It is the Greek word epi. It is that which fits, such as skin (the epidermis) fits upon a person.

Also, as noted above, there is another Simeon that is noted in the New Testament who did exactly what James says would be the case. In Luke 2, this is recorded –

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, ²⁸ he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
²⁹ ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation
³¹ Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
³² A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.’” Luke 2:25-32

As he prophesied these words over Baby Jesus, and as his prophecy would have been well known to the apostles gathered at this time – certainly having become a part of the annual Passover story among the believers – this is not an impossible interpretation, especially considering that the name Simeon is used only one other time when referring to Simon Peter. There, it by his own hand in an epistle. Jesus addressed Simon Peter as Simon many times but never recorded as Simeon. In total, the name Simon is used about seventy-five times in the New Testament.

The prophecy of Simeon is exactly what James is now saying, referring to both the Gentiles and Israel. The prophesied work of this Baby would be for the salvation of both.

Thus, the meaning, regardless of which person James is referring to, is that God had sent Jesus on His first advent to take a particular people out for Himself from among the nations, inclusive of Israel. This is the church, a group of people comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, which would be separate and distinct from national Israel.

Life application: Very few translations of the Bible give the proper sense of what is conveyed in this verse. To see this, you can go to this link to compare what is said in a great many translations: https://biblehub.com/parallel/acts/15-14.htm.

The literal translations tend to get this right. But, surprisingly, the two catholic translations do as well. This is not uncommon. Despite having extremely flawed biblical theology in the Roman Catholic Church, their translations are often very literal and precise. Even when not literal, their paraphrasing will often be an exacting representation of the intent of the Greek.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! Read multiple translations and compare them with the original. In this, you will find that many beloved translations, like the King James Version, are extremely faulty in their presentation of the original languages. This is so much the case that the inevitable result will be a flawed sense of the original, leading to incorrect theology.

Take time to consider the word! Ponder what is being said! Hold fast to what is good in translations and reject that which is flawed. In this, you will show yourself as one who truly cares about the words of Scripture and how they can direct your steps in understanding what God is doing in the world.

Lord God, what an absolute joy it is to search out Your word. It is so rich and beautiful. It is filled with treasures waiting for us to dig up and consider. Help us to cherish this marvelous word all the days of our lives. To Your glory, we pray this. Amen.

More of downtown Richmond.

Tuesday, 14 March 2023

And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: Acts 15:13

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, the words of Barnabas and Paul concerning their evangelism of the Gentiles were recorded, God having worked through the apostles with signs and wonders. With that, it now says, “And after they had become silent.”

It is certainly referring to the words of Barnabas and Paul as well as the voices of anyone else who may have had questions or comments. In other words, the dialogue has wound down and now a decision must be rendered by the council. With that, “James answered, saying.”

It is generally (though not universally) agreed that this is James, the son of Alpheus, also known as the brother of the Lord. He was the one singled out by Peter in Acts 12:17. Later, in Galatians 2:9, he is noted by Paul as one of the pillars of the church. The words here in Acts indicate that he is presiding over the council. As with other clues in Acts, it reveals that this James was the accepted leader of the church at this time.

Without the matter being explained in Acts, and though not explicitly stated, the implication is that James held the administrative reigns in church matters. He was obviously qualified to handle the affairs of the church in a better manner than the apostles. As such, he now addresses the assembly, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me.”

As the assembly fell silent, and as James now addresses them to sum up the deliberations, it is certain that he is the overseer of the church at this time. His coming words will show that he was a man of understanding in Scripture and one who was able to come to a sound conclusion. With his conclusion, he will also render a judgment for the church to adhere to.

Life application: As noted above, nothing is said in Acts about how James came to be the leader of the church at this time. That would seem to be a glaring omission unless one understands that it is irrelevant to the purpose of the book. Acts has been written with various main themes and purposes in mind, but one of them is not how to structure the church.

Surprisingly, the epistles give scant information on how to do so as well. The pastoral epistles provide relevant information on some key points, but nothing is said about meeting times or places, order of worship, frequency of various events to be held, what to do with church resources (with but a few exceptions such as provision for widows in 1 Timothy 5), etc.

Individual churches are given great latitude in how they operate. The primary role of the church is certainly to bring forth the word of God to people, both the saved and the unsaved. The word is what explains the defect of sin in man and the sending of Jesus to bring him back to God through the forgiveness of sin. Once reconciliation between the two has been made, it is then time to properly instruct believers in the word.

Churches that get too far off from this main idea will eventually devolve into nothing more than a social meeting or a congregation that is constantly trying to earn what Christ offers for free. Be sure that where you attend the word is read and explained at every gathering.

Lord God, help us not to get misdirected from the main goal and purpose of the church, which is to get out the word concerning Jesus. You have sent Him to bring the world back to You through Him. Unless that is expressed and explained, we are not competently handling our time. Guide us, O God. Help us to get the good news out! Amen.

Down town Richmond, directly opposite the Capitol building.

Monday, 13 March 2023

Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. Acts 15:12

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Peter completed his words in support of Paul’s position that the Gentiles were not to be placed under the yoke of the law. With that, Luke next records, “Then all the multitude kept silent.”

The verb is imperfect. They were silent and they continued in silence as the next part of the hearing was presented. The group had gathered and listened to Peter explain what had occurred in Caesarea and what he had learned from that experience. He realized that the law was not a means to an end. Rather, it was a step in the process of learning what God would do in Christ.

With his words completed, and with it understood that his position was that the Gentiles were not bound to adherence to the Law of Moses, the attention of the audience was redirected. They held their peace so that they could hear directly from those who had evangelized the Gentiles. In this, they remained silent “and listened to Barnabas and Paul.”

Unlike in Antioch in Acts 15:2, Luke places Barnabas first. Despite Paul being called as an apostle, Barnabas was certainly more closely associated with the church in Jerusalem than Paul. Thus, he is highlighted now.

Further, Paul probably voluntarily yielded his speech to whatever Barnabas had to say because he was a Pharisee. As it was the party of the Pharisees who demanded law observance for the Gentiles in verse 15:5, Paul probably wanted to avoid any hint of a personal dispute between himself and those he was once so closely identified with. Together, Barnabas and Paul were “declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked.”

The Greek more precisely reads, “declaring what God had done – signs and wonders.” Thus, there is an emphasis on how God was working through their ministry. They went out as directed by the Holy Spirit, and as they followed the Spirit’s leading, God worked through them. That is reflected, for example, in Acts 14:3 –

“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by [literally “through”] their hands.”

That thought is then more fully expressed with the final words of the verse, saying,
“through them among the Gentiles.” More literally, the entire thought says –

“…declaring what God had done – signs and wonders – among the Gentiles through them.”

God accomplished the work, the signs and wonders, among the Gentiles. Barnabas and Paul were merely the instruments through which these things came about. This is perfectly in accord with the thought expressed in verse 14:3 which was just noted.

The point of this is that these signs and wonders were accomplished by God just as freely as they had been accomplished among the Jews, both by Jesus during His earthly ministry and through the apostles after His ascension. And all this occurred apart from the Law of Moses.

God had granted these things to be done among people who had never heard of the law and who were saved apart from the law. And more, those under the law who saw them had rejected what was done by God through Barnabas and Paul, clearly demonstrating that the law was not a part of what God was doing. Rather, it had become a hindrance to it.

Life application: Acts 14:3 said that the Lord (meaning the Lord Jesus) had accomplished the signs and wonders through the hands of Barnabas and Paul. This verse now says that God had accomplished these signs and wonders. What this implies is that Jesus is God. Unless one simply dismisses the literal meaning and sense of the words, no other conclusion can be deduced from what is said.

This is not an isolated instance either. The deity of Jesus Christ is a concept and a precept that is on prominent display throughout Scripture. Don’t allow anyone to steal the truth of the word from you through cunning and deception. Accept that God is not fickle and that His word is not convoluted. Scripture clearly presents the fact that God came in the flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ. Hold fast to this fundamental truth.

Lord God, Your word is sure, and it is certain. We don’t need to even wonder about the deity of Jesus Christ. It is such a clear teaching that we should only wonder why people would attempt to deny it. We honor You, O God, when we honor the Son. May we always hold this truth close and remember the greatness of what You have done in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.