Author: Charlie Garrett

Saturday, 26 February 2022

and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. Acts 5:18

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 previous verse noted the rising up of the high priest and those with him from the sect of the Sadducees, being filled with indignation. From there it now says, “and laid their hands.” It is essentially the same words found in Acts 4:3, an account that occurred in the same general manner as is happening now –

“Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, ² being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.” Acts 4:1-3

There is an active arrest going on. This time it isn’t just Peter and John, but it more generally says, “on the apostles.” No indication is given if it is all the apostles, or just some of them, but those that had been meeting together at the time are certainly who are being referred to, be it five, eight, or all twelve. From there, it next notes the actions of those arresting them, saying, “and put them in the common prison.”

The translation is not correct. There is no definite article, and the word translated as “prison” signifies “custody” as in Acts 4:3. A literal rendering would be “and put them in public custody.” Once again, trouble from the leading authorities of Israel has come upon those who are proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Life application: There are pastors, evangelists, teachers, etc., who spend their entire lives without ever being confronted with arrest for their teaching. And then, there are some who seem to be hounded by the authorities at every turn. The reason can be as simple as the person is a miscreant who is looking for attention and willingly goes outside of the bounds of propriety in a culture, or even beyond the legally set laws of the land.

There is nothing heroic in this, but such people are often heralded as champions of freedom or lights for the oppressed. But then, there are those men who are simply upholding the values of Scripture and teaching what is distasteful to those in leadership positions, even if they are not doing anything wrong. In this, the leaders are the ones who go beyond the legally set laws of the land, imposing their corrupt power upon the people, attempting to silence anyone who they disagree with.

There are many varied other levels of such things as well. Scripture gives us general guidelines concerning obedience to the governing authorities, but it also teaches that God’s word must come first in all matters. If the word of God is silenced by a nation, then that must be disobeyed.

As far as moral, cultural, or governmental issues not directly addressed by the Bible, each person must evaluate his position within the society and decide if what he intends to do is right or wrong. For example, the constitution of the US grants certain freedoms. At times, the government, usually the lefties, will attempt to override those freedoms. And yet, the issue really has nothing to do with Scripture. In such instances, it is up to the citizens to decide how to respond to such matters.

The Bible should not be used to make cases against government tyranny when the issue has nothing to do with the Bible. But the Bible is to be the ultimate standard for the conduct of believers in Jesus Christ. When a government attempts to silence Christians concerning matters directly related to their faith, or when a government mandates disobedience to the precepts of Scripture, it is incumbent upon men of God to stand against those unlawful edicts.

Let us pray for wisdom in such matters, and may we be firm that the Bible is the ultimate standard by which we will conduct our lives before God.

Most gracious and kind God, please grant us the wisdom to know when to act in matters concerning our faith when it is necessary to do so. But may we refrain from acting improperly concerning such matters when the Bible is silent on them. We need a proper balance in our thinking. And so, Lord, grant us wisdom in these things. To Your glory we pray. Amen.

Friday, 25 February 2022

Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, Acts 5:17

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).

The previous verses spoke of the multitudes who were bringing the sick out into the streets and others coming from surrounding cities, all to be healed. In this, healings were taking place, and it signifies that people were believing that healing was possible. When it came about, the message of the good news would be more readily accepted as well. As such, it would obviously cause consternation to the leaders. This verse now shows that is exactly what occurred, beginning with, “Then the high priest rose up.”

The word “Then” is probably better rendered as “But.” This is given in contrast to the healings. Many people came for healing, but that led to a negative effect on the high priest and other authorities. It seems as if Luke is purposefully stating this directly after the healings which would have caused the people to “rise up” from their beds (for example, see Mark 9:27 where the same word is used) upon being healed. And so, a sort of negative pun is being given. In their healing, the people were “rising up,” but this caused a rising up in anger by the jealous leaders of the people.

But more, the same word is also used of rebels in Acts 5:36, 37. And so another contrast is probably being inferred between the true leadership of the Lord and the rebellious leadership of the high priest against the Lord. Depending on when this occurred, this high priest could be Caiaphas, noted in John 11:49. He was already opposed to Christ and His message. If he is still the high priest, his rebelliousness against the Lord continues on now. Further, Luke next says, “and all those who were with him.”

When one understands that this is a rising up against the purposes of the Lord, which is exactly what is being described, the expression unites these people with the high priest as if they are a bunch of thugs thronging together in order to work their mischief. Of this group, Luke specifically notes it “is the sect of the Sadducees.”

Here is a new word in Scripture, hairesis, translated as “sect.” It is where our modern word “heresy” is derived from. It signifies a philosophical division of adherents. The word especially stresses the personal choice of those who adhere to the particular belief.

Today, the word heresy is used in a manner that is not seen in the New Testament. Rather, because the truth of Jesus Christ is fully expressed in the New Testament, a more definite meaning has arisen. There is the truth of God in Christ, and there are all other incorrect religious philosophies, defined as “heresies,” because they are opposed to God’s truth.

As far as the sect itself, it is those of the Sadducees. This was a group whose philosophies included a belief that there is no resurrection and that there are no angels or spirits (Acts 23:8). This group would find the work of the apostles especially troublesome because of this. The apostles’ main message was that they were sent on behalf of Jesus, who had risen from the dead. Further, they were specifically said to be healing people who had unclean spirits in verse 5:16. These Sadducees will be even more upset when an angel clearly works on behalf of the apostles in verse 5:19.

For now, it states that the high priest, along with these obviously frustrated Sadducees, “were filled with indignation.” The word is zelos. It signifies zeal, eagerness, enthusiasm, and also jealousy. It is this last word, jealousy, that drives them to be zealous against the message of the apostles.

They see the expansion of the church. They see the multitudes surely praising God for the healings they have personally experienced or witnessed, and so on. In this, their jealousy at their own inability to have the same effect on the people would lead to them enthusiastically wanting to end what they perceived as a great threat to their authority, and also to their obviously faulty doctrine.

Life application: Today, heresies need to be identified, and aberrant cults and unsound doctrines need to be highlighted. We are shown this by example (for example, see Galatians 2:11-21), and we are told this explicitly as well (such as in Ephesians 4:14 and elsewhere).

Therefore, it is not wrong – and indeed it is exactly correct – to call out those who are teaching unsound doctrines. But it is also true that when this occurs, those who are teaching these lies and distortions will not sit idly by and take it. They will be just like the high priest and the Sadducees, and they will rise in jealousy against those who speak the truth.

As this is so, those who see this occurring must decide who has the valid argument and the proper doctrine. How are they going to do this? Will it be by casting lots? Should they do it by deciding who is wearing the best clothes? Does a title (such as Dr., Rev., Apostle, and so on) indicate right doctrine? Is a person’s culture (such as being Jewish) an identifier that he knows more than someone of another culture?

What is it that will allow the one being presented with varying doctrines to decide which is wrong and which is right, or if both are wrong? The answer is, “Unless you already know the Bible and what it says on that particular issue, you cannot properly evaluate what is presented.”

Hence, you are directed to read this word, meditate on it, contemplate it, and then defend it. This is what God, in his word, asks you to do. He wants you to be prepared because Satan already is. And Satan has many followers who would gladly steal you away from what is proper. Be in the word! The Sadducees arose against the Lord’s designated apostles. Today, there are innumerable sects that are there to do the same against the truth of the word. Be prepared!

Lord God Almighty, please be with us as we face the many troubling characters who come stealthily into the church and present that which is false so that they can direct attention to themselves. Help us to be responsible and to know Your word, reading it and meditating on it constantly. Give us wisdom in this, O God. May it be so. Amen.

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 5:16

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).

The previous verse spoke of ailing people being brought into the streets in hopes that “the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.” From there, Luke records, “Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem.”

The word “gathered” is an imperfect verb. It should read something like, “Also a multitude were gathering.” The people came, and they just kept on coming. At this point, the ministry is limited to Jerusalem. This is still the beginning of the command of the Lord to the apostles that said, “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” (Acts 1:8).

However, despite not yet going forth into the surrounding cities, the surrounding cities were coming to Jerusalem because of the message of hope which is based upon faith in Christ Jesus. And the gathering was no small group. Rather, Luke records it as a multitude. The word was going forth, and those who heard of it were passing it along so that the streets of Jerusalem were filling up as many were “bringing sick people.”

The word signifies “without strength,” and it indicates those who are feeble, frail, weak, sickly, and so on. It is a general word that is defined well by the simple word “sick.” Any who were generally ailing, for whatever reason, would be brought. Along with them were “those who were tormented by unclean spirits.”

Here, the verb is a present participle. It speaks of those “being tormented.” One can imagine people being brought forth who were actively going through the torments of possession, just as was seen of those brought to Jesus. They may be argumentative, foaming at the mouth, struck dumb, or whatever else. They were in an active state of possession, and there was no other hope but to bring them to Jerusalem where there were apostles of Jesus Christ, proclaiming healing in His name, “and they were all healed.”

It is interesting to note that the previous verse did not include this final statement of healing. People were anticipating the shadow of Peter passing by to fall on the sick. From this, it appears that the term may have been used to indicate a hope for Peter to stop and actually heal the people. In the act of stopping, his shadow would actually fall on the individual while he took the time to proclaim healing in Jesus’ name. It is speculation, but it appears to be a valid thought.

Life application: The word “all” does not always mean “all” in the Bible. Paul says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Because of the words of Paul, some immediately come to the conclusion that there is one judgement for all people. From that springboard, an incredibly confused theology arises. For example, the judgment spoken of by Jesus is suddenly lumped in with what Paul refers to –

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:31, 32

This is a giant problem with this. Actually several. First, Jesus was speaking to Israel about issues that were relevant to Israel. The synoptic gospels focus on His ministry under the law and in anticipation of the coming millennial kingdom. Paul, on the other hand, was writing to Gentiles in the church – a completely separate body in a completely different dispensation.

Secondly, even if that is misunderstood, Paul clearly states that those being judged are saved and their judgment has nothing to do with condemnation. On the other hand, those Jesus refers to will either be brought in to inherit the kingdom or they will be cast into the everlasting fire. And so on.

Thus, the word “all” used by Paul is clearly not speaking of the same group of people mentioned by Jesus. In other words, context must be maintained or a pretext will naturally be the result. Understanding this, the “all” mentioned in Acts 5:16 does not have to mean that everyone who was so afflicted was healed, but that all who met up with the apostles were.

It is not Jerusalem that brought about healing, nor is it Azusa Street that somehow has power to bring about healing, revival, and so forth. Likewise, it is not an individual – like Peter or Paul – that brought about healing. Rather, it is God who supernaturally healed in all instances. And there are those instances recorded in Scripture where healing by an apostle did not occur, such as 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Philippians 2:25-30, 1 Timothy 5:23, 2 Timothy 4:20, and so on.

With the Bible recorded and the epistles completed, we are to refer to those same epistles for our doctrine and our instruction. We are to pray for others, we are to ask for the Lord’s hand of healing upon us if it is His will, and we are to take the appropriate measures concerning physical healing that are developed by competent people in whatever field they are trained in.

At times, the same people who refuse medical treatment of one kind or another (or all medical treatment) because of some inane religious reasoning will still put on warm clothes when it gets cold, wash their hands with soap, use disinfectants (natural or otherwise), and so on. The disconnect in thinking is astonishing.

Taking preventative measures and not taking curative measures is about as smart as buying a gun and not buying bullets for it. Or maybe the same person will buy both a gun and bullets, but never put the bullets in the gun. Such would indicate a very unclear thinker indeed.

Think things through, use reason, and remember to take everything in context. In failing to do so, there will always be faulty doctrine in your life.

Heavenly Father, help us to reasonably consider Your word and to take what it says in the proper context at all times. In this, we will avoid many pitfalls that come before us in order to trip us up. Yes, Lord, help us to be sound in our thinking and theology. Amen.

Wednesday, 23 February 2022

so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Acts 5:15

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).

The previous verse noted how believers were increasingly added to the Lord. With that stated, it now says, “so that they brought the sick out into the streets.” The words seem to logically connect to verse 5:12 –

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people…so that they brought the sick out into the streets.”

As such, the words “so that they” would then be speaking of the people. It is the populace who would bring any person who was sick out into the streets, probably at the time they knew Peter would be going to the temple (Solomon’s Porch, noted in verse 5:12) or returning from it. With this thought in mind, it next says, “and laid them on beds and couches.”

The words in Greek are klinōn and krabattōn. The words are suitably described by Albert Barnes –

klinōn. “This word denotes usually the ‘soft’ and ‘valuable’ beds on which the rich commonly lay.”

krabatōn. “The coarse and hard couches on which the poor used to lie.”

The meaning then is that people of every social class, from the rich to the poor, understood that Peter was able to heal. It signifies a hopeful belief that his passing might bring the person to restoration. That is seen in the next words, saying, “that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.”

The translation is deficient. Rather, it reads, “that at the coming of Peter, even his shadow might overshadow some one of them” (YLT).

It is not that Peter’s shadow would pass by, but that as Peter came by, his shadow might come upon them. It is possible that this means that they hoped his shadow passing over them might heal them, and this is how it is generally taken. In Acts 19, a similarly unusual type of healing is noted –

“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.” Acts 19:11, 12

This more closely aligns with the thought of the people touching the hem of Jesus’ garment as is recorded in Matthew and Mark. There is physical contact.

As the physical contact is highlighted, and because of the way the words are written concerning Peter coming by, it very well may be a way of saying, “that at the coming of Peter, he might stop to heal them.” In the act of stopping, his shadow would thus be over them.

If this is the case, it is not the mere passing of the shadow, but the fact that Peter was willing to stop and be attentive to the sick. While he was there, his shadow (his presence) would be on them.

Whatever the actual meaning, the words do not in any way negate the notion of the other apostles also healing. The point is not that Peter is the only one who heals, but that the focus of the narrative is on him. As noted elsewhere, the focus is on Peter in the first twelve chapters of Acts, and then it moves to Paul in chapters 13-28.

In this, a point is being made about the transfer of the spiritual banner from Jew to Gentile, Peter being the apostle to the circumcision, and Paul being the apostle to the Gentiles. The accounts are given to show this movement away from Israel and to the Gentiles.

Life application: It is common for Pentecostals to claim all kinds of spiritual occurrences, including healings, by merely being around a particular area or person. Such a sensationalist approach is certainly based on verses from Acts, as if what happened through the apostles is still normative for the church today.

This is a poor way of arranging one’s theological position because the accounts in Acts prescribe nothing. They only describe what occurred, and when rightly considered, what is described is to make a point concerning what is going on in the greater picture of redemptive history.

In interpreting Acts already, many of the verses that describe various events are simply ignored by these same Pentecostals, as if the “good stuff” still applies today, but the “other things” don’t. This is a pick and choose theology that is not supported by the epistles.

As far as the epistles, they establish doctrine, they set the guidelines for conduct in the church, and the things they do not address (casting out demons, for example) means that those things are not to be considered as a part of Christian faith and practice. God has not left anything out of His word that we need to conduct affairs in the church, and He has not put things into His word that are superfluous. Rather, what is there is given for us to evaluate based on the context in which it is presented.

Be careful what you accept, be sure it is supported by the epistles (which are prescriptive for the church age), and be sound in your doctrine lest you get misdirected down many strange and unhealthy paths.

Heavenly Father, keep us from those who are unschooled in properly handling Your word. May we not get pulled down the wrong paths as we live out our lives. Instead, help us to think clearly on Your word, rightly applying its precepts to our lives. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, Acts 5:14

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 previous verse noted that “none of the rest dared join them.” The words are debatable, but they were seen to possibly be referring to joining the apostles during their open, public speaking. People would hear and quietly listen, but not openly attach themselves to the group while among the multitudes.

However, this verse now does note that growth did continue. As Luke records, “And believers.” This is referring to people who have heard the gospel that Christ died for their sins, that He was buried, and that He had risen again. They believed this, accepting the words as true. Thus, they are reckoned among believers. It is to people of this group, believers, that they “were increasingly added.”

The verb is imperfect, signifying an ongoing process. They were increasingly (kept on being) added. It shows a continued growth that means people were truly converted, and they had been saved according to the words of the Lord that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The Lord’s work was finished, the people accepted Him as their Messiah, and they were saved. Thus, the next words, “to the Lord,” refer to Jesus. It is the Greek word kurios that can be used in a multitude of contexts to mean a variety of things. In this case, it speaks of Jesus who is the God/Man. He is the Master of the faith, and the One who saves those who come to Him.

Luke next records that this included “multitudes of both men and women.” Despite being a somewhat common word, the plural of the word “multitudes” is found only here. It reveals the great expansion in numbers that occurred, so much so that the exact numbers are no longer included as the narrative continues. Also, the inclusion of women is an expected thing for Luke to note. He was careful to include them in many narratives in his gospel account, and he continues with this in Acts.

Life application: The early church expanded quickly, and this is not an unexpected thing. The people of Israel had heard Jesus speak throughout His ministry. The things that He did were brought into conversations throughout the land. The connection between their sacrificial system and His fulfillment of the typology would be easy to make and simple to understand.

They had the culture, the Scriptures, and the personal connection to what the anticipated Messiah would come to do. As these things were the case, many believed. However, the word “many” was still just a small portion in relation to the whole society. And further, until the leaders accepted Him, it could not be considered a national turning of the heart.

To this day, there has been no such turning. While nations have arisen and received the gospel message, even to its highest authorities, Israel has languished under the curses of Deuteronomy 28 for their failure to recognize Christ for who He is.

Be sure to pray for Israel’s collective eyes to be opened, and be ready to evangelize any who come your way, Jew or Gentile. But be sure to present your words to Jews in a manner that includes the thought that Jesus isn’t some Gentile person who is followed by Gentile nations, but that He is the fulfillment of their own Scriptures and the true Messiah of Israel. Many have no idea that this is so.

Once they realize He is a Jew who shares in the same culture as they do, they can more easily break through the barriers that have been erected around them by their religious leaders for so very long.

Heavenly Father, help us to get the word out about Jesus! Help us to present Him in a way that is understandable and relevant to each person we talk to. May we be about this most important task. Thank You that You allow us to share this precious message of life and restoration. Amen.