Author: Charlie Garrett

Senate or house (?) of Vermont capitol.

Friday, 20 January 2023

“Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: Acts 13:40

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).

Paul has spoken of Israel’s history, the coming of Christ, the treatment Jesus received from the hands of Israel, and the good news that this was all a part of God’s plan for the redemption of the world. Because it is this way, it is through Him that forgiveness of sins is received and that, through faith in Him, justification that could not come through the Law of Moses is received.

Having said that, there is an obvious point that has not been explicitly stated even if it is implied. If Jesus has initiated a New Covenant, and if that is now in effect for the forgiveness of sins, then the Mosaic Covenant is annulled in Him. The offering of forgiveness of sins through the sacrificial system, including the Day of Atonement, is no longer effectual. Because of that obvious point, Paul next says, “Beware therefore.”

This is not a threat, but a solemn warning. Paul has shown that what he has stated was prophesied in advance and recorded in Scripture. He will next demonstrate that even the consequences for rejection of God’s offer of Christ Jesus had been prophesied. As this is so, then those who reject that offer are continuing to fulfill prophecies that were written concerning this new and exclusive path to salvation. That is made perfectly clear from his continued words, “lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you.”

Paul began his talk to the people with the selection of Israel and their being exalted while dwelling “in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out.” Immediately after that, he then said, “Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.”

That was a time of the rejection of the Lord’s deliverance. It resulted in the death of every man, twenty and above, who perished for their lack of faith. Paul is now tying the account of Jesus directly in with that as he closes out his speech. The words are as bookends on his speech. The Lord exalted Israel in their own type of Egypt, being under the bondage of the law. He brought them out with an uplifted arm via the cross of Calvary. And yet, the nation has already rejected this offer for the most part.

But this was known by God, and it was spoken of in advance through the prophets. Paul’s words are telling the people that just as Moses had to fashion a fiery serpent in the wilderness and hold it up for any who looked to it to live, even while national Israel was being punished and perishing, so each Jew would have to do the same with the cross of Christ. They could individually look to the cross and be saved.

To support this, he will next cite the prophet Habakkuk to close out his discourse to those at the synagogue.

Life application: Paul has spoken his gospel message to those in the synagogue. This included Gentiles as will be explicitly stated in verse 42. He has given them the gospel; the same gospel was extended to all who heard. There were not two separate speeches to the two categories of people conveying two separate gospel messages (hyperdispensationalism).

The consequences for national Israel’s rejection of Christ Jesus are implied in his words, and they will receive their just punishment for this rejection. However, Paul’s appeal has been to individuals of the Jewish nation as well as to those Gentiles who were in attendance. Now each will have a choice to make. Will they accept the gospel he presented and be saved, or will they reject it and perish?

This same offering has continued to be extended to all people, Jews and Gentiles, for the past two thousand years. Each person who has heard it will either accept it and be saved, or reject it and perish. God is not forcing this upon people, choosing them apart from their free will (Calvinism). This will be evident in the citation from Habakkuk.

Likewise, Paul has shown in his words that the law is ineffectual to save while Jesus’ offering is fully effectual to do so. His words imply that the Law of Moses is now no longer in effect for forgiveness of sins. To remain under this law (Jews), or to place oneself under it (Gentiles) as taught by the Judaizers, Adventists, Hebrew Roots Movement, etc., is thus a rejection of Jesus and a point of condemnation.

Further, Paul has noted that “everyone who believes is justified from all things” (Acts 13:39). This is a clear refutation of the doctrine of Arminius and those who follow him concerning loss of salvation. To be justified from all things is to have all things removed from penal consequences. Those who are so cleansed are also no longer under law, but grace. As this is so, then there can be no further imputation of sin. Salvation is eternal.

By simply paying attention to the words of Paul, the correction of defective doctrine or even heresy can come about. Don’t be a heretic! Come to Jesus, drop the foolish things that keep you separate from the truth of the gospel, and live out your life in the contented bliss of knowing that you are not just saved, but that you are also living out your salvation in the proper manner.

Again, come to Jesus! Believe the word! And walk in soundness of doctrine, thinking through the various principles that are presented in Scripture.

Lord God, how simple the plan of salvation is. You have sent Jesus and made the offer of salvation through Him. And yet, we seem to desperately try to muddy up those pure waters with all kinds of crazy ideas. Help us not to do this, but to follow Jesus in the purity of the gospel and in the assurance of our salvation for all our days. Amen.

Fancy. Vermont State Capitol.

Thursday, 19 January 2023

“and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39

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, Paul stated, “through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins.” This is the heart of the matter. Jesus didn’t come to exalt Israel over Rome. He didn’t come to give the people ease and comfort. He didn’t come to do a thousand things that people think of when they think of their earthly lives and how the Messiah could make them better. Rather, Paul focuses on the forgiveness of sin. This aligns with John’s words from his first epistle –

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Like Paul, John highlights the problem, sin. But he also identifies the source of the problem, the devil. Complete clarity of why the story of the fall of man in the very first pages of Scripture is realized. Everything about what is recorded after that is a part of God’s workings to highlight this, to show that it must be resolved for harmony to be restored between Him and man, and how He would bring that about.

Paul now calls that fact forward, saying, “and by Him.” This is speaking of Jesus. He is “this Man” of the previous verse. He is the One “whom God raised up and saw no corruption” of the verse before that. Paul is revealing to the Jews, and also any Gentiles in attendance, the purpose of Jesus’ coming.

As this is his argument, then it means that everything referring to the Messiah in their Scriptures will support his words. The historical stories, the prophecies, the songs, the genealogical listings, the love stories, and all else are anticipating this great role of the Messiah and those things will in some way be connected to this fact. The words of Scripture cannot be disassociated from the overall purpose of Scripture. And so, to highlight this in the fullest and most poignant manner, Paul continues by saying that “everyone who believes.”

The word pas is a word of totality. It can refer to people, geographical locations, the words of Scripture, and so on. In this case, it is being used to identify people. This is obvious because Paul just said, “through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins.” Thus, it is identifying the category – human beings. In saying “everyone who believes,” it thus extends beyond the Jews to all people without distinction. No matter who hears the words, all are included in the action which is that they are “justified from all things.”

The word Paul uses, dikaioó, is connected to the idea of the forgiveness of sins from the previous verse. Simply, it means “approved.” However, it carries with it a legal and authoritative sense. As the words are connected to forgiveness of sins, Paul is saying that through Jesus, all charges against a person, and the punishment that should be meted out because of them, are cleared.

The slate is wiped clean and total forgiveness is realized. Without Jesus, there is defeat because of sin. But with Him, there is victory and vindication. With this stated and revealed to the ears of his audience, Paul next provides a contrast to Jesus. In doing so, he will highlight exactly what was stated above: that everything in Scripture is ultimately anticipating the great role of the Messiah. He does this by saying that the word of Jesus provides man’s needed justification “from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

Bengel is correct in saying that the words about Jesus, “in Him,” are the antithesis of “the law of Moses.” Moses is the standard set forth by God for justification. That is stated explicitly in Leviticus 18 –

“You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. ⁵ You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 18:4, 5

The law was given, and it promised life. With it set before Israel, it was then provided about fourteen hundred years to be worked out. The record of the people, both individuals and as a collective, was carefully kept so that Israel could see they needed something else, something even greater than the law to live. The law only brought about the realization of more sin and thus, more condemnation.

Therefore, Paul is not only speaking to the Jews sitting there, but he is speaking to the Gentiles who were curious about the religion of the Jews. If they had the words of promised life for obedience to their laws set before them, and if that law was unable to bring about a state of justification to them, then the Gentiles would be crazy to ignore Paul’s words and place themselves under the law.

*The law is the standard.
*The law is unable to provide what it offers because the law only highlights sin.
*Jesus provides what the law cannot provide because He had no sin and committed no sin under the law.

Because Jesus fulfilled the law through obedience to it, including His death, He embodies the law. In other words, in Him is life – the life promised in Leviticus 18. Through faith in Jesus, that life is imparted to the believer because justification is imputed to him. Forgiveness is realized, the slate is clean, and eternal life is the result. This is the gospel that Paul is meticulously explaining to the ears of his audience.

Life application: If only those who follow the Judaizers and Hebrew Roots Movement cults would think through what Paul is saying to those in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia, they would run as quickly as they could to Jesus. They would shun what these heretics offer, which highlight sin, condemnation, and death. Instead, they would hold fast to Jesus which means justification from sin, a declaration of righteousness, and life.

Jesus! It is all about Jesus. In Him and in Him alone comes the forgiveness of our debts and a return to paradise. Who cares about how “holy” you appear because of your dietary restrictions, the days you observe, or the feasts you participate in? These are just shadows and types of the coming Christ. They can never make a person holy. But Jesus can and He will. Just come to Him by faith. This is what God asks of you.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for attempting to earn what You have already offered. Forgive us for our arrogance and pride in trying to do better than what You have done. The perfection of Christ and of His work is all we will ever need to be right before You. So, Lord, help us to hold fast to Him and to Him alone as we await our renewal. And may that day be soon! Amen.

Some guy from Vermont. Vermont state capitol.

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; Acts 13:38

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).

Paul proclaimed to those in the synagogue that Jesus, who God raised up, saw no corruption. It is because of this work of God that Paul now explicitly states the purpose of this, beginning with, “Therefore let it be known to you.”

Q: Who is speaking?
A: Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Q: Who is Paul speaking to?
A: Jews in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia.

Q: As Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles, is his proclamation limited to them?
A: No, refer to Acts 9:15 – “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.’”

Q: So, you are saying that his apostleship to the Gentiles is merely the focus of his gospel, but that it is the same gospel as that of the other apostles?
A: Yes. There is one and only one gospel. We are not heretics here. See 1 Corinthians 15:11.

Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ. There is one Christ and one work of Christ that is effectual for all people. The Jews that Paul is addressing in Antioch of Pisidia may or may not have even heard of Jesus. If they had, they would need to have their thinking about Him corrected (repenting, meaning changing their mind about Him). If they had not, which can be assumed, then there is no repentance necessary, as will be seen from the text itself.

With this understood, Paul next says, “brethren.” Rather, the Greek reads, “men, brethren.” It is the same formula used many times so far in Acts. Paul is addressing the congregation. If women were there, they are included under the masculine. He uses this term to demonstrate the bond that binds them as members of the nation and culture of Israel, and that he is a part of that nation.

Israel is the nation through which the Messiah would come, and so he stands making his fraternal appeal to them about Jesus, who is that Messiah. With that, he continues, saying, “that through this Man.”

Paul’s words at this time focus on the humanity of Jesus, but it is an incorruptible humanity as was clearly detailed in the preceding verses. As such, the implication is that Jesus is also God, whether Paul has explicitly stated this or not.

Only a sinless Man is incorruptible, and only the God/Man could be sinless due to the biblically understood doctrine of original sin. If He were not both God and Man, He would have inherited sin and He would have remained dead, corrupting as all other men do. With this understood, Paul says that through this incorruptible Man “is preached to you the forgiveness of sins.”

Paul has completed his gospel presentation with these words, even if his words are not yet finished. It is the EXACT SAME gospel he preaches elsewhere to the Gentiles –

Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3 / Acts 13:38).
Christ was buried (1 Corinthians 15:4 / Acts 13:29).
Christ rose again (1 Corinthians 15:4 / Acts 13:30, 33, 37).

Paul has not said a single word about repentance to his audience, except as it applied to John the Baptist’s preaching prior to the coming of the Messiah (Acts 13:24). Now that the Messiah has come, and with His work complete, Paul has given this congregation the simple gospel. They must now decide whether to accept the proposition or reject it.

This is the gospel, the one and only gospel, that is acceptable for the saving of man. The address by Peter in Acts 2 where the call to repent was given was a necessary condition for them because they had just rejected Jesus. They had to change their mind about what they had done to be saved. This congregation before Paul is under a completely different set of parameters, and thus they are given the gospel with no further stipulations added.

If those in this congregation reject Paul’s word, then they will – by default – have to repent (change their minds) about Jesus if they later accept Him. Currently, however, that is not a part of Paul’s appeal. As for the nation of Israel, they must nationally repent of their rejection of Christ. But everyone, Jew or Gentile, must accept or reject the simple gospel.

Life application: Some people would rather remain heretics, accepting and teaching what is false concerning the gospel, than admit that they have been wrong about their thinking. This is true with many sects and cults. When speaking to a Jehovah’s witness about the deity of Christ, a tenet implied in the gospel as noted above, they would normally rather remain unconverted than admit they are wrong.

The same is true with the erroneous doctrine of the Seventh Day Adventists, Judaizers, hyperdispensationalists, Mormons, etc. There is a point where the callousness of the heart takes over and prevents a person from accepting what the Bible is clearly presenting. It is a sad place to be, but it is our human nature to want to go down with the ship. Let us not be found in such a position.

Instead, when we are faced with a clear teaching about a doctrine, be it a minor doctrine such as the timing of the rapture, or something major like the deity of Christ, let us be willing to admit our fault in thinking and so be renewed in our minds.

Above all, let us thank God for the simplicity of the gospel that has come at the high cost of the giving of Jesus Christ for our sins. He died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again! Praise God for what He has done in and through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Glorious Lord Jesus, thank You for what You have done for us. We are lost. We are on the road to condemnation. And yet, You came to redirect us to the heavenly highway if we will simply believe the gospel message. May we submit our hearts and lives to You through accepting this wonderful message of restoration. Amen.

Roof and super interesting chandelier in Vermont capitol.

Tuesday, 17 January 2023

“but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. Acts 13:37

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).

While speaking in the synagogue, Paul just noted that by the will of God David served his own generation, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption. Therefore, his words concerning God’s Holy One not seeing corruption could not have been referring to him. They were, instead, a prophecy of the coming Messiah. Paul now proclaims that the prophesied Messiah has come, fulfilling David’s words. Paul’s words begin with, “but He.”

The Subject is Jesus, specifically noted in verse 13:23, and who has been the main Subject of Paul’s words since –

“From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus.”

It is this Jesus “whom God raised up.” In the Greek, three words translated as “raised up” are used. Each carries a specific meaning not fully perceived because of the translation. Notice the progression of his words –

*From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up [agó] for Israel a Savior—Jesus. Acts 13:23 (to bring forth). God brought forth a Savior for Israel according to the promise.

*But God raised [egeiró] Him from the dead. Acts 13:30 (To arouse or awaken). God aroused Jesus from the state of death despite being put to death.

*God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up [anistémi] Jesus. Acts 13:33 (To stand up or raise up). God raised up Jesus according to the promise both among Israel in His incarnation and which is then confirmed in raising Him out of the dead in the resurrection.

*And that He raised Him [anistémi] from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: Acts 13:34 (To stand up or raise up). God raised Jesus, standing Him up from His place and position of death.

*but He whom God raised up [egeiró] saw no corruption. Acts 13:37 (To arouse or awaken). Unlike David, God aroused Jesus without seeing corruption.

Under inspiration of the Spirit, Paul has carefully spoken his words to ensure that every point about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is fully understood. He doesn’t need to include the words “from the dead” in this verse because it is understood from the context of the previous verse. Jesus’ arousal is contrasted to David’s non-arousal. David remained in the grave and corrupted. On the other hand, Jesus “saw no corruption.”

The incorruptible nature of Jesus is what is highlighted by Paul now. The importance of this point will be made manifest in his next words to the people of the synagogue, and thus to all people because his words are now recorded in Scripture.

Life application: Word studies, such as the one above, will help alleviate misconceptions about what is being said. Three different words have been translated in the same manner by the NKJV. Although there is nothing wrong with this, without knowing what each Greek word is saying, a misunderstanding of the overall picture may arise in our minds.

Therefore, when time permits, it is always a fun and rewarding thing to do a careful word study of a passage. This is especially so if you are set to lead a class on a particular passage. The time you spend analyzing such things will be well worth the effort you put into it.

Glorious God, may we be willing to carefully handle Your word, ensuring that what we convey to others about it is correct and well thought out. Help us to not hurriedly come to conclusions that may not be grounded in reality. Rather, give us the desire to study this precious word thoroughly in order to explain it properly to others. Amen.

Fancy Room. Vermont State Capitol.

Monday, 16 January 2023

“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; Acts 13:36

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).

Paul just cited Psalm 16:10, claiming it refers to the coming Messiah. That said, “You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Having stated this, he will now defend that notion. He will follow the same logical reasoning as Peter did in Acts 2.

The words of this verse are a bit difficult to understand in the Greek, but an exacting literal translation, which will be used below, is, “for David, indeed, his own generation having served by the will of God, did fall asleep, and was added unto his fathers, and saw corruption” (YLT). With this in mind, Paul begins with, “for David.”

David is the author of Psalm 16 as noted in the psalm’s opening statement. Because of this, it cannot be that he is referring to himself in those words. Rather, he must be prophesying concerning the coming Messiah. This is because, as Paul continues, “indeed, his own generation having served.”

David was the king for a certain amount of time, forty years according to 2 Samuel 5:4 and 1 Kings 2:11. And more, 2 Samuel 5:4 noted that David was thirty years old when he began to reign. Hence, he lived to be seventy years old. Of the timeframe of his kingship, Paul says that it was “by the will of God.”

God set David on the throne of Israel, and God determined when he would die. It was set according to the foreknowledge of God, and it came about according to His plan. After that time, Paul next says that David “did fall asleep.”

The meaning is that he died. To fall asleep is a biblical euphemism for this. It implies that there is a continuance of the soul even if the body has died. It thus speaks of the eternal nature of the soul. Once he fell asleep, Paul next says, “and was added unto his fathers.”

Though David was buried, the thought of being added to the fathers has a dual thought involved in it. Being added to the fathers means that his soul has joined them in the pit (Hebrew: sheol) where they will remain until the resurrection. But it also means that his physical body is committed to the grave where the others who had gone before him also went. In the case of his physical body, Paul next says, “and saw corruption.”

This proves that David’s inspired words of the psalm could not be speaking of him. He died, he was buried, and his body saw corruption. There was no resurrection involved in the process. When the resurrection takes place, it will not be in the body he had because that has returned to the earth. As such, David’s words must refer to someone else, specifically, the Messiah. That will be seen in the next verse.

Life application: For the Christian, there is always the hope of the rapture. But that hope has gone unfulfilled for two thousand years. Those who are alive at that blessed moment will be changed from their earthly bodies to spiritual bodies. However, for those who die before that time, we should not feel any less excited for them. They have shed this earthly body of corruption.

Their souls have been separated from the pains, trials, sorrows, and troubles of this life and they are in the capable hands of their Lord, awaiting the moment when the call is made for them to rise and be granted their eternal, spiritual body. Though we may suffer the pain of separation, we should not mourn as the world mourns.

In Christ, there is the absolute certain hope that they will be raised. And so, let us rejoice, even in our sorrows. The redeemed of the Lord shall rise. Nothing can stop that from happening. And so let us thank God for what He has done in the giving of Jesus!

Lord God, how grateful we are for the sure and blessed hope we possess concerning Your promises to us. We have eternal life because of Jesus. And so, even if we have trials in this life, help us to not be consumed by them. Instead, may we hold fast to the joy set before us as we await the time of our glorification. Thank You, O God, for what You have granted to us. Amen.