Author: Charlie Garrett

Totem Pole.

Saturday, 12 August 2023 

When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” Acts 19:21

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 more closely read, “And after these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the Spirit – having passed through Macedonia and Achaia – to go to Jerusalem, having said, ‘That after I have been there, I must also see Rome” (CG).

The previous verse told of the word of the Lord growing mightily and prevailing. This occurred in Ephesus. Now a new direction takes place with the words, “And after these things were fulfilled.”

There was a time in Ephesus to evangelize, teach, and raise up leaders, and now that time is about to be fulfilled. Verse 19:10 said that this continued for two years. That was in addition to the three months he had spent reasoning in the synagogue. With this time in Ephesus coming to its completion, it next says, “Paul purposed in the Spirit.”

It is debated whether this should simply refer to a willful spirit in Paul or the Holy Spirit. The word is preceded by an article in the Greek text. Of this, Ellicott – who argues it should simply say “in spirit” – says, “The Greek word, however, implies a reference to something more than human volition. The spirit which formed the purpose was in communion with the Divine Spirit.”

If this is true, and it certainly is, then rendering it “in the Spirit” provides the honor of the communion to the Holy Spirit by saying “in the Spirit.” For example, Paul says elsewhere –

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:24-26

This is something he repeats in various ways elsewhere. Paul was walking in the Spirit. He was in communion with the Spirit and thus he “purposed in the Spirit” to take action. Therefore, once the gospel was firmly fixed in Ephesus, he – and the Spirit he was in communion with – couldn’t sit at ease any longer.  And so, it was resolved that it was time to move on. Therefore, it next says, “having passed through Macedonia and Achaia.”

Paul surely yearned to fellowship with the churches he had established. And so, it was his intention that prior to doing anything else, he would go through these areas, certainly anticipating a happy reunion with them, strengthening them, etc. In addition to this, he purposed to use this trip to gather a collection for the saints in Jerusalem. This is noted in his epistles, such as –

“But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. ²⁶ For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. ²⁷ It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. ²⁸ Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. ²⁹ But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” Romans 15:25-29

He also discusses this in great detail in 2 Corinthians 8. As for what he purposed in the Spirit after having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, it was “to go to Jerusalem.”

This was the purpose of the collection he was going to gather from those churches. Those who were in Jerusalem had ministered to the Gentiles in spiritual things. Paul thought it was appropriate to reward them by tending to them in material things. The entire matter concerning this offering was very sensitive. People had made promises and Paul expected them to be fulfilled.

This is especially true because the poorer churches had gone out of their way considering this offering. If the richer churches failed in their promises, it would be an embarrassment to Paul, a stain upon them, and a slap in the face of the poorer churches. Therefore, Paul carefully wrote out the necessity for everything to be handled in a proper fashion.

Once this offering was made, Paul had made plans beyond the trip to Jerusalem. Next, Luke records Paul “having said, ‘That after I have been there, I must also see Rome.’”

This is just what is recorded in the citation from Romans 15 above. He will, in fact, go to Rome. However, it will not be in the manner that he expected as indicated in those words. Of the words of this verse, the Pulpit Commentary, citing Bengel, says –

“Observe also the insatiable appetite of the apostle for spiritual conquests, and his noble contempt for idleness. He has but just won Ephesus and Asia, and already he undertakes Macedonia and Achaia. Nor does his mind stop there, but reaches on to Jerusalem, then stretches onwards to Rome, and meditates the invasion of Spain. Truly neither Alexander, nor Caesar, nor any hero of antiquity was a match for this little Benjamite (paulus) in the magnanimity of his designs.”

Life application: There is never a time that we can say, “I have nothing else to do in my walk with the Lord.” It is true that Paul said to Timothy that he had finished his race, but the context must be considered –

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

In his words, the surrounding verses tell us that Paul’s race was ending only because of his anticipated death. In the verses following this, he continued to give instruction to Timothy which confirmed he was still active and would continue until that day had arrived.

Even if we are on our deathbed, there is no reason to keep silent about Jesus. If a doctor or nurse comes in, it is time to tell them the good news. If an unbelieving family member comes by, it is time to speak about the hope you possess. Let us continue in the good fight until we can no longer speak. Eternal destinies are being decided in those we encounter from moment to moment.

Heavenly Father, give us the strength to speak out about Jesus until our dying breath. And more, instill in us the desire to do so. If we fail to speak, we may miss the only chance someone ever has to hear the good news about Your offer of peace and reconciliation. Yes, Lord, help us to do this until our final day arrives. Amen.

Mossy tree. Washington State.

Friday, 11 August 2023

So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. Acts 19:20

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 construction of the Greek is unusual and is widely translated, but a literal translation would be, “Thus, according to might, the word of the Lord: growing and availing” (CG).

Also, depending on the Greek text, the two main thoughts are reversed –

“Thus, according to might, the word of the Lord: growing and availing.”
“Thus, according to the might of the Lord, the word: growing and availing”

The first will be used for the evaluation.

In the previous verse, the believers who had been meddling in the world of superstition and the occult had brought their books and burned them up, despite the high value that they could have been sold for. With that, it now says, “Thus, according to might.”

The construction of the Greek almost demands that a preposition and a noun be taken together adverbially, as in “And so mightily grew.” Others use the preposition “with” and translate it as “And with might.” However, the word kata doesn’t mean “with.” Rather, it literally means “down from,” as if coming from a higher to a lower plane. As such, the meaning is more like “according to.” To retain the structure, it will be rendered this way, “Thus according to might.”

Therefore, it means that there is power in what is being referred to, which is “the word of the Lord.” Despite the Greek which clearly says, “Lord,” some translations like the KJV say “the word of God.” This error goes back to at least the Tyndale Bible of 1526. It was then corrected by the Coverdale Bible of 1535, but the error was reintroduced in later versions.

Hence, it is not Scripture, the word of God, but the doctrine concerning Christ, the word of the Lord, that is being referred to – His name, His deeds, etc. Further, it is according to might that it is then said to be “growing and availing.”

Again, the words are widely translated. The first, auxanó, is completely ignored by the KJV. It means to cause to increase, to increase, become greater, or grow. The second word is ischuó. It means to have strength, be strong, be in full health and vigor, and even to prevail. For this reason, many translations say, “prevailing.”

It is defined by HELPS Word Studies, noting that for the believer it “refers to the Lord strengthening them with combative, confrontive force to achieve all He gives faith for. That is, facing necessary resistance that brings what the Lord defines is success (His victory…).” As such, the word availing seems appropriate.

The might of the word of the Lord is what is useful in causing the desired outcome to occur. This is just what had been happening with the believers that had heard about the power of the Lord and dedicated themselves more fully to Him. Taking the first clause of the previous verse and connecting it to the words of this verse, the progression is more perfectly seen –

“And many of those who had practiced the meddlings, having collected the books, were burning them before all. … Thus, according to might, the word of the Lord: growing and availing.”

The might, the word of the Lord, was the impetus for the growing and availing of the faith of those who heard it. It proceeded to win out over the false doctrines and names of the enchanters. The believers, in turn, acted upon their increased faith through a demonstration of the change that occurred in them.

Life application: Do you feel ineffective in your walk with the Lord? The words of this verse provide the solution. You are not going to become an effective Christian by watching TV all day. You will not become an effective Christian by listening to life application sermons that build you up for a particular aspect of your life unless they are wholly rooted in the word of God. And even then, you will need to hear and also remember a life application on every possible contingency that life throws at you to be able to apply what you were told in any given situation.

What you really need is to read the word, the Holy Bible, and to contemplate what it says. You must be aware of the power of Jesus, the Lord incarnate, as it is revealed there. From there you can understand what He means in relation to our sinful state. You can consider the covenant faithfulness of God, understanding that when you fail Him, He will never fail you. When you are faithless, He will remain faithful because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).

In other words, if you have believed the gospel, you have been saved. You are now “in Christ.” Because of this, He cannot deny the relationship that exists. You are a part of Him and He cannot deny this. Understanding such things will allow you to grow and to avail in Him because you understand the might of the word of the Lord. In summary: Read your Bible.

Lord God, help us to devote our time wisely by spending time in Your word. Give us the strong and burning desire to know You and to be more like You from day to day. It is Your word that will instruct us in this, and so give us this wisdom and ability that we ask for. Amen.

Big trees in Washington.

Thursday, 10 August 2023

Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. Acts 19:19

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 verse more precisely reads, “And many of those who had practiced the meddlings, having collected the books, were burning them before all. And they calculated the prices of them and found them five myriads of silver” (CG).

The previous verse noted that many who had believed came and confessed by telling their deeds. Now, along with confession, personal deeds of repentance are noted by Luke, beginning with, “And many of those who had practiced the meddlings.”

The word translated as “meddlings” is a plural adjective, periergos. It comes from two words signifying “all around” and “work.” It is only found here and in 1 Timothy 5:13 where it is translated as “busybodies.” Of this word, HELPS Word Studies says, “properly, worked all-around, which describes ‘over-doing’ – i.e. spending excessive time (effort) where it doesn’t belong (or should not happen).”

Further, it denotes types of things requiring care or skill. Thus, it was applied to the arts of “magic, jugglery, and sleight of hand” (Barnes). Today we might see it in fortune tellers, palm readers, horoscopes, feng shui, exorcists, séance folks, Tarot readers, and the like.

It is variously translated as curious arts, magic(al) arts, witchcraft, etc. The Worsley New Testament uniquely says, “inquisitive arts.” To keep it as a single adjective in the plural number, using “meddlings” gets the point across. These people had been spending time prying into matters where they did not belong. Of these people, it next says, “having collected the books.”

They each had their own books of spells and incantations by which they pursued these forbidden arts, using them to tell the future, cast spells, drive out demons, or whatever the books were purposed for. Of the word translated as “books,” Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“Containing magical formulas. Heathen writers often allude to the Ephesian letters. These were symbols, or magical sentences written on slips of parchment, and carried about as amulets. Sometimes they were engraved on seals.”

Realizing that they were meddling in areas that they should not be a part of, especially now that they had received Jesus, they collected them together and “were burning them before all.”

The words are in the imperfect tense, giving the graphic idea of throwing book after book on a burning pile. The idea we are to get from this verse is that they openly practiced pagan arts and so now they are openly avowing Christ and disavowing their past lives.

They made an open and public pronouncement of their commitment to Christ and their renouncement of their old way of life through this act. To most, it probably never dawned on them that what they were doing, or the books they had been keeping, were not acceptable. They had a new life and a new direction, but they had not taken the time to consider how that had replaced their old way of life. Paul’s words to the Corinthians match the new attitude of these people –

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-19

Of these books that were brought and burned, Luke next records, “And they calculated the prices of them.”

Here is a word found only this one time in Scripture, sumpséphizó. It is a compound word signifying “to count together” and thus to calculate. As the word “prices” is plural, one can see them tossing the books on the burning piles and saying, “Well, there goes $900.00. Here goes another $750.00.” They added up the total as they went, “and found them five myriads of silver.”

This is a literal translation, but it would signify five ten thousands and thus fifty thousand of argurion, or silver. It is a word used many times in the gospels, however, it is improbable that it is a Jewish equivalent of money being referred to here. Thus, it is an unknown amount. However, if it is comparable to a drachma, it would still be a whole heap o’ money. Many thousands of dollars would not be unlikely. Marvin R. Vincent (1834-1922), who authored Vincent’s Word Studies, notes, “If reckoned in Jewish money, about thirty-five thousand dollars; if in Greek drachmae, as is more probable, about nine thousand three hundred dollars.”

Life application: Think of what has happened in this and the previous verses and consider it in relation to the salvation of man, especially considering Paul’s words of 2 Corinthians cited above. These were saved believers. They had been saved by faith in the work of Christ and had entered into the New Covenant in His blood.

The blood is a covering and a mark of propitiation for the sins they committed. And yet, they had continued an indeterminate amount of time in pursuing forbidden arts. As noted above, they could be comparable to fortune tellers, palm readers, horoscopes, feng shui, exorcists, séance folks, Tarot readers, and the like.

Did they know they were doing wrong? Apparently not. They had not yet received instruction to tell them that God does not approve of such things. In seeing the events of the Jewish exorcists, they had come to realize more fully the power of Christ, the holiness of God, and the utterly futile state of the nutty things they were involved in.

Now suppose these people had gone to a Billy Graham crusade in 1977. They heard the message, they believed it, and they were saved – having been sealed with the Holy Spirit at that time. From there, one went back to his house and started reading the Bible he bought on the way home. He quickly realized that reading the daily horoscope was bad juju and so he immediately gave that up.

The next started going to the already apostatizing Episcopal church on his island that conducted palm readings at their annual church fair. One went back to his farm that didn’t even have a telephone and he had little contact with anyone outside of his little town, a town with no church at all. They all practiced divining and séances each Saturday.

Eventually, the guy at the Episcopal church went on vacation and attended a Baptist church. He realized that palm reading is not something he should be involved in. He started reading his Bible and left that crummy Episcopal church. He didn’t like the new female priest anyway. In reading his Bible, he found other things the Episcopal church was doing wrong, like having a female priest to lead them.

The guy on the farm got a new truck in 1994 and it had a radio in it. While listening to Moody Radio, he found out that the things he was doing were not right. He remembered when he was saved, recommitted his life to Jesus, started reading the Bible and listening to Moody preachers each day. Further, he told every single person in his town about Jesus and became the town’s pastor.

Which one of these people who continued in his inappropriate lifestyle had lost his salvation? Which one of these men had earned his salvation? The answer to both is, “None of them.” Whether the change came immediately, after a year, or after 20 years – or if it never came – the matter of his salvation was one category. The matter of his doctrine and conduct was another completely separate category. Remember Paul’s words “that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.”

They were under the blood of the New Covenant. It is not they that are required to perform for salvation. Rather, it was Christ who saved, and it remains Christ’s obligation to bring it to its fruition. Their salvation is not in question. Instead, their life in Christ is one that must come with proper instruction and active pursuit of what God expects. Remember this lesson and know that your life in Christ began the moment you believed. That will never change. Now, it is up to you to apply yourself in the pursuit of what will be pleasing to Him.

Lord God, may we learn to keep our categorical boxes concerning our life in You straight. You are the One who saves based on our act of faith. We are to then live out that salvation to Your glory, rejoicing in the fact that we were saved and continue to be saved by Your grace. Thank You, O God, for having saved us unto eternal life. Amen.

Foggy hill, Washington state.

Wednesday, 9 August 2023

And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Acts 19:18

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 NKJV cleared up several errors from the KJV, but it is still better translated as, “And many of those having believed, were coming, confessing and announcing their deeds.”

The previous verse noted that the matter of the man with the evil spirit overpowering the false exorcists became known to all the Jews and Greeks in Ephesus and that fear fell on them and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Because of that, it next says, “And many of those having believed.”

The verb is a perfect participle. They had believed and that was an accomplished fact. When they believed they were saved through that belief. Their confession then is a follow-up to their belief (at which time they were saved), not a precursor to it. The ESV does a good and understandable paraphrase by saying, “many of those who were now believers.”

As can be seen, belief does not necessarily mean living rightly. Proper doctrine and properly aligned faith, leading to a proper walk before the Lord, takes time. No person is saved and is then suddenly a noted theologian. Rather salvation is a one-time and for-all-time matter, but there is much more to follow as a person learns what is right. Of these that had believed, they “were coming.”

The verb is imperfect, and it shows an ongoing procession of people coming forward. What is possibly the case is that someone was convicted of not living rightly for the Lord. In seeing what happened with the false exorcists, he realized he had been accepting falsities into his life.

In his coming forward, another came. After that, another and another came. Each realized as he saw the others coming forward that he also needed to adjust his walk to be a proper and pleasing follower of the Lord. Because of this, they were coming forward “confessing and announcing their deeds.”

Of these words, Vincent’s Word Studies says, “The two words denote the fullest and most open confession. They openly (ἐξ) [ek: from out of] confessed, and declared thoroughly (ἀνά, [ana: upwards] from top to bottom) their deeds.”

Nothing is said about where the confession was made, but it is obvious from the actions of the next verse that it was public. This then has no similarity to the closed confessionals of some churches. Forgiveness and cleansing don’t come from a priest or from works, but from Christ. From there a clear conscience won’t hide what has been forgiven. This was also the case at the time of John the Baptist’s ministry –

“Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him ⁶ and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:5, 6

It is also something that goes back to the time of Solomon. In the Proverbs, he wrote –

“He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Likewise, James speaks of the power of confession –

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

Life application: The people that came forward were saved believers. The use of the perfect participle clearly shows that at some previous point, they were saved, and that salvation adhered to them like glue. And yet, it now acknowledges that they had been caught up in wrong practices. They were convicted, and they came forward to acknowledge that. As noted, this line of thought will continue into the next verse.

So, you might ask, “Which sins were the ones that removed their salvation from them?” Obviously, we have no idea what things they had been doing wrong after being saved, and that appears to be purposeful on Luke’s part. He understood that the litany of transgressions that were confessed had not brought them to a loss of salvation because he understood that salvation is a covenant made by God in Christ and accepted by the one who believes.

Because the covenant is initiated and granted based upon faith, and that it is initiated the moment that faith exists, and because He – at that time – seals the believer with His Holy Spirit, that salvation – by default – is eternal. God, unlike us, does not violate His covenant. Pick your sin that you believe supposedly separates a saved believer from God and try shoving it into the confessions announced in this verse. Oops. Too late. The verb form noted that they were saved and continued in that salvation.

Salvation, by default, is an eternal proclamation by God. If you disagree, you are rong.

Lord God, thank You for saving us despite ourselves. You have entered into a covenant relationship with us through the giving of Your Son. You already know that we will fail and that if it was up to us, our salvation would be lost. But it is by grace and through faith, not by deeds we may or may not do. Thank You for our eternal salvation in Christ. Amen.

A bridge and some pizza.

Tuesday, 8 August 2023

This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Acts 19:17

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 false exorcists were overpowered by the man who was possessed. They all fled out of the house naked and wounded. Because of this, it next says, “This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus.”

As usual, the word all does not necessarily mean all in the absolute sense. In this case, it means any who were willing to hear it. There are people who never get involved in spiritual things. There are people who work all day, come home and eat dinner, and then go to bed, totally uncaring about anything else outside of their small circle of life.

The general statement, Jews and Greeks, gives the sense of the totality of who heard, even if not all Jews and Greeks actually heard. The event occurred, people heard about it, and then they passed that on to others. Eventually, the story generally permeated the entire area of Ephesus. And of those who heard, it next says, “and fear fell on them all.” This is not unlike what was stated in Acts 5 at the time of the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira –

“So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.” Acts 5:11

The people of Ephesus have come to understand one of the traits of the Lord. He is not just merciful and forgiving, but He is also holy. He and His name are to be treated as such. The false exorcists used His name as comparable to any other false god, and from it, they learned a lesson. Therefore, certainly among them as with all who heard, Luke next records, “and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”

This is the purpose of the miracles God did through Paul and it is the purpose of God allowing the man with the evil spirit to overpower the false exorcists. It is a different thing than what occurs in Luke 9 –

Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.” Luke 9:49, 50

Jesus said that if those in Israel were not against Him, they were for Him. These guys in Acts 19 were then clearly not “for” Jesus, but there is another difference as well. Jesus’ earthly ministry to Israel was complete. If these exorcists had succeeded, they could have then stood against Paul, just as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, thereby hardening Pharaoh’s heart.

In contrast to these exocists, fear fell on all the Ephesians. In this, the name of Jesus was given its right place of honor among both Jews and Gentiles in order to meet God’s purposes. If He wanted those in Ephesus hardened as Pharaoh was, then He may have allowed these men to succeed. Remember what happened in Acts 13. When Elymas the sorcerer stood against Paul, Paul spoke out against him –

“Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him ¹⁰ and said, ‘O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? ¹¹ And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.’
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. ¹² Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” Acts 13:9-12

While in Israel during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, it would be a completely different paradigm than what later occurred among the Gentile nations. Jesus’ name was allowed to be proclaimed even by those who didn’t follow Him because it still directed people to His ministry, a ministry that was eventually rejected by Israel as a nation.

On the other hand, the exaltation of Jesus’ name among the Gentiles is of primary importance in it being properly conveyed from place to place. With the Bible complete, there no longer needs to be the same attention placed on this aspect of the ministry of the church. We are to proclaim Jesus, explain our faith in Him, and allow the words of Scripture to support what we believe.

Such things find their proper place when considered from the context of the times in which the events take place.

Life application: Today, it is fashionable for people to openly speak against the name of Jesus. It is also normal and acceptable for people to destroy the Bible publicly, such as tearing it apart, sinking it in wastewater, burning it, etc. Although this may be upsetting to Christians because of the value we place upon the name of Jesus and the sacredness of the word of God, it is obviously not something that God stops or interferes with.

The context of the times in which we live does not necessitate Him doing so. The word is written. It is widely available. Doctrine from it can be obtained by going to a reliable church or listening to teachings in an innumerable number of formats via TV, radio, the internet, etc. For those who hear and reject it, they cut themselves off from the means by which God has offered salvation.

As long as we are directing people to Jesus through evangelism, and as long as the word is promoted for instruction and doctrine in the faith, we are doing our part in bringing people to Jesus. If God wanted to contend with these people, He would do so. As He doesn’t, because the times do not necessitate that He does, then we need to accept that as His decision and not get all bent out of shape at the state of the world and the state of the human heart that rejects Him.

Remember the words of Gideon –

 But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Would you plead for Baal? Would you save him? Let the one who would plead for him be put to death by morning! If he is a god, let him plead for himself, because his altar has been torn down!” ³² Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, “Let Baal plead against him, because he has torn down his altar.” Judges 6:31, 32

Just as Baal (if he was a real god) was to plead against one coming against him, so the Lord (the true God) will plead against those who come against Him at the appropriate time. For now, the times dictate that free will in man allows him to do what God will judge later. Until that day, keep being a proper witness to what you believe. Expressing to others your faith and hope is what is to lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Lord God, help us to rightly think through the times in which we live. May we be faithful servants who are willing to share our faith in You and in the word You have given to us. From there, it is up to those we speak with to decide whether they will believe or not. We don’t need external confirmations of the power You possess. The change in the human heart upon accepting the gospel is a demonstration of Your power all by itself. Thank You for the hope we possess! Amen.