Author: Charlie Garrett

Sgt York’s military dress, Bible, and etc.

Sunday, 6 February 2022

and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Acts 4:35

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 showed the state of life among the disciples when there was the practice of selling lands or houses and bringing the proceeds of such things that were sold. This verse now will tell what becomes of that money, saying, “and laid them.”

The verb is imperfect and should read, “and were laying them.” Luke is giving the account as if it is ongoing. One can think of people, from time to time, coming forward and laying these things down. It is not just, “Oh, this happened and then it was done.” It is more like, “Well, from time to time they were coming, and they were laying them down.”

The word “them” is inserted for clarity, but it is an acceptable insertion that speaks of the proceeds themselves. One would assume this was in the common currency and minted, for the most part, in silver. Other metals were used, but silver was the standard at the time. So, one can think of a bag of silver – of whatever amount – being brought forward as an offering. In this manner, they are laid “at the apostles’ feet.”

The meaning of this is symbolic and figurative, but it probably still literally happened. One can think of royal subjects coming forward to make an offering to a king, of devotees coming forward to make an offering to a priest, of students making an offering to a teacher, or of a diplomatic procession coming forward to offer to a greater nation’s representative.

Each is coming to offer something to one in a higher position, and they will place the offering before the receiver, on the ground at his feet. In the case of the king or teacher, he is the final recipient. However, for the priest or the ambassador, they simply receive the offering on behalf of the one they represent. Thus, this is an offering to the Lord through their apostles, or “sent ones.”

The meaning of the act is that of authority. The place where the foot is represents that which is under the authority of the person. This is seen in Exodus 4 when Zipporah circumcised her son and touched the foreskin to the feet of the one standing there –

“and Zipporah takes a flint, and cuts off the foreskin of her son, and causes [it] to touch his feet, and says, ‘You [are] surely a bridegroom of blood to me.’” Exodus 4:25 (LST)

Although many translations insert Moses’s name, saying, “Moses’ feet,” this is not what is being conveyed. Rather, it was to the Lord’s feet that it was taken, demonstrating His authority over the matter. To get a fuller understanding of such symbology, a short (but limited) study will help you to see this. See Deuteronomy 11:24, Psalm 110:1, 2, and Revelation 10:2. Scripture, however, has a multitude of such examples.

With this beautiful imagery understood, it next says, “and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”

The authority of the proceeds was transferred from the previous owner to those who are the Lord’s designated representatives. From there, they were allowed to do with it as they saw fit. As needs arose, they would be evaluated and tended to.

Life application: Acts 4:34 and 4:35 are a good set of verses to, once again, highlight the need to understand proper context, and to remember and consider whether a verse is descriptive or prescriptive. For example, the same people who demand that you must be baptized in order to be saved and receive the Spirit would never say, “You must sell everything you have and put it at the feet of Mr. XYZ.”

And yet, we are dealing with the same group of people (Israel without a single Gentile yet introduced), the same context (early church as it develops and without any New Testament epistles), and the same figure of authority who has led to this point (Peter). The disconnect in thinking is astonishing.

When someone tells you that you must do some particular thing described in Acts, be ready to explain to him why his thinking is flawed. Explain what determining the context first means, and then explain why what is being claimed is based on a descriptive passage where nothing is prescribed.

If that person is still adamant about his stand, ignore him. Almost nobody lives in a communal society today, and of them, it is surely not the habit of the people to sell their possessions and lay them at the feet of the leader. If that is going on, you can bet it is an abusive cult that has swallowed up those who are involved in it.

Rather than everyone relying on everyone else to survive, we are to work with our hands, tend to those things the epistles tell us to, and live out our lives in anticipation of the life that is truly life, and which still lies ahead of us now.

Lord God, help us to think clearly concerning Your word. Give us instructors who will lead us in sound instruction, who will make us hungry for You and Your word, and who will not lead us down strange paths that do nothing to solidify our walk with You. To Your glory. Amen.

The burial of Sgt. York. Rest well. Jesus will be back for you in due time.

Saturday, 5 February 2022

Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, Acts 4:34

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 past couple of verses have shown the state of how the believer’s lives were in the Jerusalem community that had arisen. The description now continues with, “Nor was there anyone among them who lacked.”

The meaning is that there were no unfulfilled needs. Everyone had food enough, and all their other needs were met. This would have been a great time of abundance, and it would have been even overflowing because the apostles were there to tell of all that happened over the years of Jesus’ ministry.

Nothing is said of the people maintaining employment. If that had ended, which in many cases seems likely – because Israel was mostly an agrarian society where livelihood came from working one’s own field, this model would eventually become unsustainable. This begins to be seen in the next words, “for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them.”

The verbs should read that they “were selling them.” Also, the word “all” is incorrect. The Greek word, hosos, is indefinite. It signifies something closer to “those that” without specifically meaning “each and every.” This will be seen in the next chapter where Peter will say, “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?” (Acts 5:4).

To say “all” implies that this was an absolute, but such was not the case. To understand the laws concerning the land and its use, one would need to especially study Leviticus – Deuteronomy from the books of Moses. There, the parceling out of the land, the selling of land and houses, and so on, are all minutely detailed.

The land was never actually owned by the people, but they were the Lord’s stewards of it. Hence, certain intervals of time were set up for people to sell their land, and then it was automatically reacquired by that person or family upon the coming of the year of Jubilee.

The rest of Scripture is mostly silent on whether these practices from the law were actually followed at any time in Israel’s history. However, these were precepts of the law. As such, there was a possible remedy for the eventually financial train wreck that lay ahead, at least temporarily. Once the land was reacquired, it could be worked, rented, or even sold again.

In such a state, impending financial troubles could be pushed further down the line. But as the number of new people joined the movement, the more tenuous the ability to make ends meet for the whole would be.

The book of Acts doesn’t go into any detail concerning the employment of the people, or much of the other information needed to know exactly how they managed. And so, lining their situation up with the precepts of the law is difficult. For now, Luke next refers to what happened to the money once land or house was sold with the words, “and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold.”

Again, the verbs need to be corrected to read, “and were bringing the proceeds of that which is sold.” Luke is writing the account as if he is sitting there watching it happen. Thus, he was probably carefully writing down the words of someone like Peter who described to him what had taken place.

The money from the sales was being brought forth for use by the whole.

Life application: A model like this could only sustain itself if there was a way to place such money in a type of bank or other interest-bearing entity, and to allow it to grow along with the use of it. The larger the number of people who joined such a community, the more mouths there would be to feed.

Unless people were productively working, the dependence upon the top to take care of every need would become unsupportable. Communist countries have tried this, even while making their people work, and it has never succeeded. In a perfect society, without all of the problems of this fallen world, a perfect community could be realized, but people get sick, people get old, things get broken, and money is used up.

For today’s world, we have been given instructions directly from the word –

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

Voting for people who promise you ease while you sit around waiting on the Lord will not help anyone except those who are voted in. They will get fat off of what they have robbed from you. The Lord will be back in due time. Until then, do not vote for those on the left. They will promise ease and fairness, but only corruption of individuals and of the society will result.

Get up, get to work, and don’t expect others to carry your weight.

Lord God and Heavenly Father, how good it is that You tend to our needs. And surely one of the ways which You do this is to give us hands and feet to work for ourselves in the fields of life. We can earn as much as we are willing to expend our time earning. For those who are incapable of working, help us to be gracious and helpful according to our ability to do so. May our lives be productive and may our sharing for the needy be pleasing to You. Amen.

WWI Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. Alvin C. York

Friday, 4 February 2022

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33

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 state of the believers as all being of one heart and soul, and that they held all things in common. Luke next records, “And with great power.”

The word translated as “power” is often translated as “miracles,” “mighty works,” and so on. In this case the idea is probably to be taken as the preaching itself and not as any demonstrations that went along with it. The word was preached, and the power of the word is what is being referred to. That seems both reasonable and correct when considering the rest of the words of the verse, beginning with, “the apostles gave witness.”

The word, as it is translated “gave,” is insufficient for two reasons. First, it is an indefinite verb. Secondly, the word itself means more than “gave,” but it more rightly signifies “to return,” “restore,” “give back,” and so on. In other words, the seemingly abrupt change from the previous verse is only so because the faulty rendering of this word now –

“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. ³³ And with great power the apostles gave [lit: were returning] witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”

The people had decided to give up on claims to personal possessions, but what was to be gained from that? The answer is that they lived in such a way that they were the recipients of the preaching of the apostles. This wasn’t just a group of people benefitting off the converted masses, but there was a yielding of the people to the whole, and there was a returning by the apostles to the people, through the preaching of the word, a great and powerful understanding of what God had done in Christ, pointing “to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”

This is the central point of everything that mattered. If Jesus was crucified and did not resurrect, that would be as common as raindrops in a monsoon. But the apostles had walked with the Lord, they had participated in His life and seen the power of His miracles. And then, they saw Him taken away under guard and they had seen Him crucified. And yet, they saw Him alive again.

They were able to bear witness to the resurrection because they had borne witness to it. With this knowledge, they could then tie all of Scripture into a book with meaning never even imagined before. Everything fits from the word when the resurrection of the Lord Jesus is properly understood. With that in mind, the verse finishes with, “And great grace was upon them all.”

The translation of these words is not complicated, but the meaning is somewhat difficult to determine. There can be one of several meanings, but the two most likely will be considered. The first is that the grace of God rested upon the disciples. If this is correct, it would be in accord with Luke 2:40 –

“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40

The second possibility is that it speaks of the favor of the people resting upon the disciples. A parallel to this would be Acts 2 where the same Greek word is translated as “favor” –

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46, 47

Either way, there was a state of grace which existed because of the situation.

Life application: The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is the central point of our faith, because without these occurring there is nothing to have faith in. There have been innumerable spiritual leaders over the span of man’s existence, but their teachings are simply various aspects about what is right or wrong, what is morally acceptable or objectionable, and so on.

However, in the cross and resurrection of Jesus there is the indisputable evidence that God has favored His ministry, accepting it as the way to reconciliation with Him. Anyone can speak eloquently and with convincing arguments, but upon the death of that person, the stream of his knowledge and wisdom ends. This is not so with Christ Jesus. Rather, because of the resurrection, we know that His infinite knowledge continues on and will continue to do so for all eternity.

Let us hold fast to the glory that is found in Christ Jesus. May our lives be witnesses to others of what God has done, and what God is still doing, among the sons of men.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the surety we possess in our faith. It is backed up by the greatest event in all of human history, because You have so ordained it. May we be willing to share the knowledge of this wondrous story to any and all we encounter. To Your glory! Amen.

Sgt York, in the Ardenne Forest.

Thursday, 3 February 2022

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.  Acts 4:32

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).

With the ending of the event in the house where the disciples prayed, the story now changes its direction, beginning with, “Now the multitude of those who believed.”

Acts 4:4 said the number of men had arisen to five thousand. Adding in women and children, it would be a rather large number, and it was one that was surely growing quickly after the event with the healing. Of this large group, it next says, “were of one heart and one soul.”

The Greek uses the word “one” only once – “were of one heart and soul.” It is an idiomatic expression revealing a closeness as if they were literally one body. The blood pumping through them would be as if one. But more, because the heart reflects the seat of reasoning in the Bible, they also had a united purpose.

The animation of the soul is, likewise, as with one united purpose. That makes it the closest bond of all. The expression is seen in the love found between David and Jonathan –

“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:1

In this state, they were like one living organism. Because of this, Luke next records “neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own.” Unlike the communist model where the state forcibly takes over the private property of the people, this is a completely voluntary thing. The people were pleased to say, “What’s mine is yours.”

This approach to the possessions of the people is an unsustainable one, as will be seen, but it was probably based on the thought that the Lord would be returning soon. If this was on their mind, it was a wonderful expression of hope in the event, but it would eventually lead these people to require charity themselves, as will be noted later and in the epistles.

Luke finishes the verse with, “but they had all things in common.” This is a close model to the modern kibbutz found in Israel. That has worked pretty well, but this is because the people work together and have a united purpose in making the kibbutz run properly. As for these early believers, their model was not as developed, and it would eventually not work out. However, with this, and with persecution of these believers ahead, it will be an impetus for the people to spread out and share the message beyond the area of Jerusalem.

Life application: Even if believers do not share all personal goods in common today, we can still attempt to be of one heart and soul. It is a difficult thing to do because sin fills our lives, but it should be the goal of the body to act in such a manner.

Obviously, doctrinal differences can be so great that it is simply impossible to fellowship with some who have called on Christ. As much as it is possible, however, we should do our best to be closely united with those who are the redeemed of the Lord –

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11

Heavenly Father, while it isn’t always easy to be close and in a united mind with other believers, we know that this is what You would desire for us. Help us to live in this way, overlooking faults, forgiving disagreements, and loving others just as You have loved us. Help it to be so in our lives. Amen.

A depiction of Sgt York doing his thing in the Ardenne, WWI.

Wednesday, 2 February 2022

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31

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).

With the prayer of the previous verses complete, we receive a description of what next occurred. Luke begins with, “And when they had prayed.” The idea behind these words is that of a connection to whatever follows. There was the prayer by this group, and then there was an event that resulted from the prayer. The two are tied together. As such, it is an acknowledgment that the prayer has been accepted. This is seen in the next words, saying, “the place where they were assembled together was shaken.”

The Greek word, translated as shaken, comes from another word, salos. That is used just one time, but its use may give a sense of what it was like in the place where they were –

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;” Luke 21:25

There may have been a rush of wind into their quarters that caused everything inside to fly about, or a mild earthquake may have hit the area at that exact moment. Whatever occurred, such an event was taken by them as a clear indication that the Lord was behind it. The presence of such trembling in conjunction with the coming of the Lord is seen elsewhere –

“The earth shook;
The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.” Psalm 68:8

With that understood, Luke next says, “and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” The verb is passive. The prayer and praise to God allowed them to be opened up and filled. Just as wine cups are simply ready to receive a filling, this group had been prepared for the filling which then came upon them. As they were all believers, and because they had already received the Spirit, the meaning here is that of confidence, encouragement, and a renewal of determination to act boldly on behalf of the Lord and His gospel message.

That is clearly seen and understood as Luke next records, “and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” This is the result of the filling of the Spirit. It brings about a sense of joy, determination, renewed anticipation of what God has in store for His people, and so on. These believers understood from the shaking they experienced that the Lord had fully approved of the events that took place, that the threats to Peter and John were worth the cost, and that continuing on as they had been was the right thing to do.

Life application: Such passages in Acts are given as a descriptive account of what occurred during the early establishment of the church. They are not to be considered normative for all of the church age, nor do they prescribe anything at all.

If we keep reminding ourselves of this, we will find our own walk with the Lord much more grounded. These early believers did not have the New Testament writings, and so the Lord worked in a manner that should no longer be expected. When we read the Bible, we should be shaken in our souls at the majesty of what is recorded there. We have no need for outward displays of the Lord’s power to confirm we are on the right path.

The word itself reveals the power of God. Let us hold fast to this word, cherish this word, and be pleased in our hearts and souls that we have so much more than what the early believers had. We have the word of God! Let us rejoice in this.

Lord God, thank You for Your precious and sacred word. Amen.