Author: Charlie Garrett

Inside the Texas House of Representatives. Austin Texas.

Sunday, 12 June 2022

For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. Acts 8:7

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 previous verse referred to Philip being heeded by the multitudes when hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. That now is explained in this verse. It should be noted that there are several differences in the structure of the words in this verse in various manuscripts. However, none of them change the meaning. Rather it is mostly variations in the tense of verbs. Luke begins the words with, “For unclean spirits.”

What occurs here in the various ailments that are cured are given to confirm the ongoing work of the Lord through the disciples now. For example, the casting out of unclean spirits by Jesus is seen in the gospels, such as in Luke 4 –

“Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. ³² And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. ³³ Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴ saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’
³⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. ³⁶ Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, ‘What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.’ ³⁷ And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.” Luke 4:31-37

These unclean spirits were subject to the power of Christ Jesus, and now they are shown to be subject to the power of Christ working through the disciples, such as Philip. This continues to be seen with the next words, saying that they were “crying with a loud voice.”

These unclean spirits had found a home in the people they possessed, and they afflicted the people, controlling them or greatly influencing them. As they were cast out, the process was seen to be a noisy one. The one in Luke 4 recognized the power and authority of Christ. This is certainly what is happening now. They cry out loudly acknowledging that the power of the Holy Spirit had been endowed upon these followers of Jesus. As such, they “came out of many who were possessed.”

These visual and audible workings of the Spirit were given to confirm the work of Jesus. Acts is given as a record that they really occurred. The unclean spirits are shown to be under the control and authority of this power of the Spirit in them. It is a testament to the world that, in coming to Christ, the power of God is greater than anything that once defiled a person. Along with these unclean spirits, Luke also records physical healings by Philip, saying, “and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.”

This is also what Jesus did throughout the gospels, such as in Luke 5. In that account it says –

“When He saw their faith, He said to him, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’
²¹ And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’
²² But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, ‘Why are you reasoning in your hearts? ²³ Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Rise up and walk”? ²⁴ But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—He said to the man who was paralyzed, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’” Luke 5:20-24

In other words, the physical healing was a sign that Jesus has the power to forgive sin. By performing the healing, it confirmed that His words concerning forgiveness were true. As the disciples of Jesus proclaimed forgiveness of sins through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, the healings that were done in His name were given as signs that what they claimed concerning forgiveness was also true.

Life application: There are various views concerning the healing power of Jesus in today’s world. Some say it continues on and that disciples have the power to heal just as they did in Acts. Some say that healings have completely ceased and no longer occur. Some say that healings can occur, but they are not accomplished by any particular people like in Acts, but that the healing – if it comes – is brought about through prayer.

The third option is correct. God may choose to heal in accord with the prayers of His people. We are instructed to pray in the epistles for exactly this reason. If it were not so, and if all healings ended with the apostolic age, then we would not be given explicit instruction in the epistles to pray for such things.

It should be noted that even the apostles were not always able to heal those around them who were sick. The healings and casting out of demons were to be signs to the people concerning the work of Christ. As we now have the Bible that witnesses to these things, we no longer need such signs. The Bible is a testament to itself of God’s workings in Christ. Hence, we are to pray in hopes of healing, but we are to leave it up to God and His purposes for the healing to occur or not.

If healing comes about, who will receive the credit? God will leave it up to the faith of the person to decide, just as His word in the epistles says. We are to live by faith and not by sight. If we have sight, faith is excluded. The Bible will never contradict itself because the Bible is God’s word, and it is a reflection of who He is – unchanging, fixed, and non-contradictory in His being.

Have faith, pray for the sick, and be sure to give credit to God for the healing – even if a medicine, a doctor, or an extended stay at a hospital is involved.

Lord God, Your word asks us to pray for the sick, and so we do. But may we have faith that our words are heard, regardless of the outcome of our requests. You may have a different purpose for us than to be healed, and so may we be careful to never impute wrongdoing to You in the process, but to accept Your will as it is revealed through the person we pray for. Amen.

Texas State House of Representatives.

Saturday, 11 June 2022

And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Acts 8:6

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 previous verse found Philip having gone down to the city of Samaria and preaching Christ to them. With that, Luke now records, “And the multitudes with one accord.” The meaning is that with the preaching of Philip, there is a united response.

This is something that is not unusual. When a multitude is presented with something, if one pays heed, those around him will too. Eventually, the entire multitude will respond in the same way. It may be a favorable response or one which is unfavorable, but either way, it is how things often transpire. In this case, Luke notes that this large crowd unitedly “heeded the things spoken by Philip.”

The first verb is imperfect and the second is a present participle. More rightly, it says that they “were giving heed to the things being spoken by Philip.” Luke draws his reader into what was occurring and presents it clearly and precisely. There is an active element to what is being presented.

Philip was there preaching to the people. As he spoke, another ear turns to listen, and then another, and soon the whole crowd is engaged as he continues to speak. With that set before us, Luke next describes the ongoing scene as the people were “hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”

More correctly, the word translated as “miracles” signifies “signs.” Also, the final verb is a present participle. They were “hearing and seeing the signs which he was doing.” Everything is presented for the reader’s mind to participate in what is said. Philip is performing signs that point to the truth of his presentation of Jesus as the Messiah, and while he is doing these things, those watching are engaged in the process, carefully paying attention. With this in mind, Luke will next explain what the signs Philip is performing are.

Life application: At times, it is better to have a small audience that is personal in order to convey one’s intent. However, there are times when a person is skilled enough in speaking or in performing that going into a public space will have the most impact. One has to decide what his own level of skill and confidence is in order to know if he will be able to effectively hold captive a large gathering.

Additionally, it must be considered whether one’s message is going to be received favorably or not. If it will be, that is a bonus. But if the people are not sympathetic to the words being presented, he may end up like Stephen instead of Philip. A message may also be received favorably at the beginning, but then it gets redirected in some manner so that the mood of the crowd changes. This is what will happen to Paul and Barnabas while they are in the city of Lystra (Acts 14).

One must be able to quickly adapt to a changing crowd, or the message may go from being received favorably to one where a shower is needed because of all the tomatoes being thrown. Regardless of the size of the crowd though, it is right that we do our best to tell those we encounter about Jesus. This should be a main goal of each person who has been saved by Him. Whether by handing out a tract, inviting someone to church, or actively speaking about Him, let us do our best to always convey this message of hope.

Lord God, help us to be bold in our willingness to speak out the gospel message to others. It is Your powerful message that can save, but it will not do so if it is not shared. Help us in this so that the people we encounter will at least be given the chance to respond. To Your glory, Amen.

Looking down from second level of state Capitol, Austin, Texas.

Friday, 10 June 2022

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. Acts 8:5

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 previous verse said, “Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” That is now built upon by Luke, beginning with, “Then Philip.”

This is not Philip of the apostles who is recorded in the gospels, such as in Luke 6:14. Rather, this may be the same man named Philip found in Acts 6:5 who is named among the seven chosen as deacons. If it is the same Philip, he will be seen again in Acts 21:8 where he is called Philip the evangelist. As for him, it says he “went down to the city of Samaria.”

The verb is an aorist participle and should read, “having gone down.” In having gone down, then the actions continue on at some point. As far as the city, Samaria is a region, and so it is probably the principal city of the region at the time. If so, Cambridge says that it was called Sebaste at this time. Sebaste carries the same meaning as Augusta, and it was named in honor of Augustus Caesar. It was probably at this location that it next says, “and preached.”

The verb is imperfect. He didn’t just preach, but he was preaching. He continued on in his proclamation with conviction and stating it as authoritative. This can be seen in the use of the word translated as “preach.” It is a different word than the previous verse. There, it was the word euaggelizó, to evangelize or “carry the good news.” Here it is kérussó, to proclaim, herald, or preach. Luke finishes by stating that he was preaching “Christ to them.”

More correctly, the words state that he was preaching the Christ to them. The definite article sets off his proclamation as specifically being about Jesus who is the Christ. Prior to the coming of Jesus, people may have preached Christ, such as, “Messiah is coming! Scripture says He will be born in Bethlehem,” and so on. However, Philip’s words are specific about “the Christ.” One can see him standing in front of a crowd and saying, “The Messiah has come! He has accomplished all things necessary for salvation, and He has fulfilled the law and the prophets!” His words would set Jesus apart from any other preaching that had been proclaimed before.

Life application: Evangelizing is similar to the preaching noted here, and they can overlap. The main thing to remember is that anyone can evangelize. If you just take the time to remember the basics of the good news concerning Jesus, there should be no reason why you can’t convey to the people you meet that there is hope in Him. Keep it simple and let them know the good news (the only good news!) that can save them.

Having tracts to hand out is a plus because they can carry a reminder of what you spoke about. As with what you speak about, keep tracts simple. They can have longer messages about hope and the like, but the gospel presentation should be basic. There is a universal need that all have, which is deliverance from sin. Jesus is the One who can fill that need. As long as the simple gospel is conveyed, there does not need to be an overload of theology to distract the person’s attention.

Above all, what is proclaimed should be with conviction and with the assurance that Christ Jesus is the answer to man’s dilemma, and more – that He is the only answer to it. With that, you will have properly done your duty to share the good news that God has presented to the world!

Lord God, help us to be bold in our proclamation of the good news concerning the Lord Jesus. May we never water down the truth of this message. Sin is the problem, Jesus is the answer, and in Him there is freedom from the guilt that separates man from God. Thank You for Jesus. May we be faithful to proclaim what You have done through Him. Amen.

Snazzy stairway floor. State capitol. Austin Texas.

Thursday, 9 June 2022

Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:4

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, Saul was seen to make havoc on the church, dragging people off and putting them in prison. With that, Luke next records, “Therefore.”

It is because of the persecution of the church, notably by Saul, that the events now about to happen will actually come about, and which concerns “those who were scattered.”

In their desire to not be dragged away and put in prison, the believers in Jerusalem got up and left. This is what was already stated in verse 8:1, and which is being repeated now after the reason for their scattering has been explicitly stated –

“At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:1

It is true that this must have been a time of both fear and stress on the believers. Being uprooted suddenly and then rushing off to another place is a difficult change on most people, but we are being told these things for a specific reason, which is that those who were scattered “went everywhere preaching the word.”

The word translated as “everywhere” is dierchomai. It comes from dia (through) and erchomai (to come or go). It’s not that they went everywhere and preached, but that they preached everywhere they went. Wherever they passed through, on the way to the next place, they would boldly tell the people about what they knew.

As can be seen, the information now fills in what was first stated in verse 8:1. Now, and for the next several chapters, many details will continue to be filled in, and then in verse 11:19, this narrative will be called to mind again –

“Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. ²⁰ But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:19-21

This will be stated after the conversion of some from the mixed-race of the Samaritans, after the conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch, after Saul’s conversion, and after the conversion of an Italian centurion living in Caesarea. Thus, the words of Jesus in Acts 1:8 will be on their way to total fulfillment with each step being meticulously recorded by Luke –

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Life application: As difficult as it must have been for the believers to be uprooted by the persecution they faced, and as difficult as it must have been for Paul to later contemplate his actions towards the believers he persecuted, the word of the Lord was actually being fulfilled through these things.

As the Lord said that the word would be spread even to the end of the earth, we can know that the things that seem difficult or even terrible that happen now are a part of the larger plan to make this happen. Nothing is happening that is outside of the knowledge of God, and He has the ability to use all that happens to meet His greater plan.

Let us trust this and do our best to remember it when our own times of upheaval and trial come. He is working all things out for a good end for those who are His. The word says that it is so –

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30

Surely, we know that You are in control of all things Lord God. In our own times of trial and distress, we may lose sight of that. So, Lord, send us reminders along the way to help us keep our focus. We are wholly dependent on You in this, O God. May our hearts be prepared for the challenges ahead until the day when You bring us home to glory. Amen.

Fancy architecture, Texas capitol.

Wednesday, 8 June 2022

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Acts 8:3

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).

It was just noted that Stephen was carried to his burial. But that did not stop the persecution of the church. In fact, Luke’s next words show that it continued, highlighting the very person who guarded the clothes of those who stoned Stephen, saying, “As for Saul.”

The name Saul is from the Hebrew Shaul. That comes from the verb shaal, meaning to inquire or ask for. Thus, it means “Asked For.” What may be implied is “Asked for (of Yah).” For example, the people of Israel had asked for a king, and the Lord gave them Saul, the first king to reign over Israel. Or it could be that a parent asks for a child and the Lord responds by granting one. The word, however, is identical in spelling to the word sheol, or the place of the dead. In this, one can imagine the grave calling out for the souls of humanity, asking for them to come and join it. Of Saul, Luke notes that “he made havoc of the church.”

The tense is imperfect. It says, “making havoc.” It shows that there was a continuous stream of him relentlessly going after the people. Also, here is a word found just this one time in Scripture and translated as “made havoc.” It signifies outrage or to maltreat. Of this word, Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“In Septuagint, Psalm 79:13, it is used of the laying waste of a vineyard by the wild boar. … Canon Farrar observes: ‘The part which he played at this time in the horrid work of persecution has, I fear, been always underrated. It is only when we collect the separate passages – they are no less than eight in number – in which allusion is made to this sad period, it is only when we weigh the terrible significance of the expressions used that we feel the load of remorse which must have lain upon him, and the taunts to which he was liable from malignant enemies’ (‘Life and Work of St. Paul’). Note the imperfect, of continued action.”

It has already been noted that the church was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. However, the next verse will explain that this was a result of Saul’s actions. As such, it can be concluded that as soon as Stephen was stoned, he immediately started going after the believers. As mere speculation, it could be that those in the council said, “We need to crush this teaching right now, when we have the initiative.” With that, Saul responded with zeal. This would be in accord with his own words of Acts 26 –

“This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. ¹¹ And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.” Acts 26:10, 11

With this in mind, Luke says that Saul was “entering every house.” It would explain why it says “devout men” rather than “brethren” who were there to bury Stephen. The believers had fled. Only the devout non-believers were left. The persecution began right away, and the believers were hiding in their homes or taking the roads back to their own hometowns. For those who were apprehended, Luke next notes that Saul was “dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.”

The verbs continue to show an active and ongoing action by Saul. He came after the people and he kept coming after them, tirelessly chasing them down and having them incarcerated. The word “dragging” indicates that they were in a rage as they arrested the people, so much so that they grabbed body parts – the hair, the arms, the legs – and simply dragged them out to be bound up and taken away.

Noting both men and women was to show that there was no tolerance at all for anyone who held to the name of Jesus. Even if the men were primarily responsible for the households, the women were a part of the households and were thus subject to the same charges of apostasy as the men.

Life application: Saul was really the first persecutor of the church. But it didn’t end with his conversion. Rather, it has gone on steadily since those early days. One of the greatest persecutors of those who have faithfully held to Scripture is, not unsurprisingly, the Roman Catholic Church. While they have been caught up in a system of traditions, unbiblical rites and rituals, and in the adoration of the dead and of idols, faithful people have stood against this. And in their actions, they have been rounded up, sent through terrible tortures, and many were martyred.

Likewise, Christians have been killed in vast numbers by Muslims, Hindus, and people of other religions, or by those who deny any God exists – such as communists. This has been the norm, not the exception for much of the church age. The persecution of Christians has been on the increase in places like Canada, the US, Australia, Germany, and the UK in recent years. Legal battles have been played out in courts, but tolerance for the gospel has decreased in the minds of so many that it is only a matter of time before even worse comes upon believers.

Should the Lord tarry, the lines will surely be divided up between those who truly love Christ and are willing to stand up for His gospel, and those who either pay lip service to Him or are at odds with Him. Now is the time to prepare yourself for holding fast to the Lord. Stay in the word, keep Jesus in your heart and mind at all times, and determine now to never let this temporary world pull you away from Him!

Lord God, may we be found faithful to You until the end. It is a tough world, and many of us have never had to face persecutions or trials of faith. May we be prepared now so that should those times come, we will hold fast to our proclamation that Jesus is the answer to the world’s problems. Help us in this, O God. Amen.