Acts (Written)

Parked for the night. Nice spot.

Wednesday, 9 November 2022

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Acts 11:23

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, Barnabas was sent out to go as far as Antioch. With that, it next says, “When he came and had seen the grace of God.”

The meaning is clear. These were people who were once unsaved but who had come to believe the gospel. The grace of God through the giving of Jesus had been realized in them and they were now reconciled to Him forever. Because of this, “he was glad.”

As seen in verse 20, it is unclear whether these were Gentiles or Greek-speaking Jews. Other than just one word which varies in Greek texts, it is only an assumption that this is speaking of Gentiles. As such, it would be unwise to say “Gentile conversion” was the reason for Barnabas’ rejoicing.

Rather, his rejoicing is in the conversion of people outside of the borders of Israel, simply through the preaching of the word. Whether they are Jews or Gentiles, the conversion itself is the source of rejoicing. In this state, it next says, “and encouraged them all.”

The verb is imperfect, showing its ongoing nature. It more appropriately says that he “was encouraging them all.” The translation of this word mostly varies between “encourage” and “exhort.” In this case, translating it as “encourage” captures the thought because a pun is being made.

In Acts 4:36, he was called “Son of Encouragement” using the Greek noun paraklésis. Here, he is said to encourage them using the verb form of the same word, parakaleó. This was certainly one reason why he was sent in the first place, and it shows that he lived up to the name he was given. With that in mind, it next notes that his ongoing encouragement for them all was “that with purpose of heart.”

The word translated as “purpose” has been seen three times so far, in Matthew 12:4, Mark 2:26, and Luke 6:4. Each time, it was used to describe the consecrated bread (the showbread) set before the Lord at the tabernacle/temple. The idea here is that Barnabas was setting something before them as an object to be attained.

He was fully aware of people’s tendencies to become idle in life, be it in going to work, keeping up the roof on a house so it remained strong, or pursuing holiness before the Lord. Unless man is vigilant in tending to things, those things can get overtaken by other matters. In no time at all, doing what is right and/or necessary can be overlooked or even forgotten.

Because of this, Barnabas’ encouragement was that “they should continue with the Lord.” The Bible is filled with failure in this regard. Saul, the first king of Israel, started well, but he failed to continue with the Lord. The same is true with Solomon and other kings as well. And the same is true with Israel as a nation. Time and time again, they failed to set the Lord before them, and they suffered because of it.

So pronounced was this that the proper knowledge of how to serve him was entirely forgotten –

“Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, ‘I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.’ And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. ⁹ So Shaphan the scribe went to the king, bringing the king word, saying, ‘Your servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of those who do the work, who oversee the house of the Lord.’ ¹⁰ Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, ‘Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.’ And Shaphan read it before the king.” 2 Kings 22:8-10

The priests of Israel, those responsible for maintaining and teaching the Law of Moses, as well as the king of Israel who was supposed to write out his own copy of the law and read it all the days of his life (Deuteronomy 17:18-20), didn’t even know the law existed. They had failed to be attentive and to set the Lord before themselves. As such, the nation went into one time of apostasy after another. Eventually, they were exiled. After their exile, they failed to see Jesus for who He is, and they were destroyed and exiled again.

Barnabas was there to encourage them to not allow their new faith in the Lord to get set aside, but to hold fast to it all their days.

Life application: Solomon, who wrote out the Proverbs, said –

“Because of laziness the building decays,
And through idleness of hands the house leaks.” Ecclesiastes 10:18

People may be attentive in one area, but lazy in another. But priorities must be set and maintained. It is more important to be attentive to the house than it is to be attentive to football scores. However, it is more important to be attentive to the Lord and His word than anything else. We all must set our priorities and then determine to follow through with maintaining them.

If we fail in this, we will not lose our salvation, but we may be the cause of our own family members never even coming to the Lord. What a sad day it will be when someone who is saved at a young age and then fails to follow through with it finds that his own children died apart from the Lord because of his negligence.

Let us be wise and consider our state before the Lord and then set Him as our chief priority all the days of our lives. Eternity is forever and it begins right now, so be attentive to the long term, even while walking in this short, futile world.

Glorious Heavenly Father, today we pray that You will keep us from backsliding or simply walking away from the commitment we made to You. We are prone to such things, so we ask You to personally intervene in our lives, reminding us of our duty to You above all else. May we be wise in this short walk before You. Amen.

All the luxuries of home.

Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. Acts 11:22

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).

Verses 19-21 spoke of the preaching of the word in Antioch. As noted, there is a debate about whether the word was preached to Gentiles or only to Greek-speaking Jews. Either way, the previous verse said that a great number believed and turned to the Lord. With that stated, it now says, “Then news of these things.”

This is referring to the expansion of the church even as far as Antioch. This still does not answer the question as to who was evangelized, but it was a source of great news either way because word of it “came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem.”

Be it Jew or Gentile, the fact is that the word had gone out and was being multiplied outside of the borders of Israel. This is what is known and what has been conveyed to the people’s ears in Jerusalem. With this good tiding having come to them, they then responded, as it next says, “and they sent out Barnabas.”

Barnabas was introduced into the Bible in Acts 4:36 where it said several things about him that would make him an obvious choice to go. First, his name means Son of Encouragement. His real name being Joses, tells us that he was called Barnabas because it fit his character. Thus, he would be well-suited to the task of encouraging those believers he encountered.

Secondly, he was a Levite. By nature of their tribe, Levites were teachers of the law and those who were set aside to give instruction and help to others within the Jewish community. Therefore, he would be well-suited to such work outside of Israel. And this is especially so because it also says he was from Cyprus. As such, he would certainly be fluent in Greek and the native tongue of the area as well.

And so, it was he who was selected “to go as far as Antioch.” The wording means that he was not just sent “to” Antioch, but “until” Antioch. In other words, he wasn’t just sent to one location, but to wherever the reports had come back from. Those who were scattered told of Jesus here and there. Barnabas was chosen to go to those various locations and encourage and strengthen them, as will be seen in the words to come.

Life application: One of the things about evangelism is that it needs to be followed up with both instruction and encouragement. If someone was traveling and went to a church or a crusade meeting where he heard the gospel, he may respond by believing and receiving the Lord. However, if there is no follow-up, he may return to his hometown and settle back into his old life, never becoming productive in his salvation.

Or he may assume all churches are the same and go to an Episcopal church where homosexuals are ordained as priests and think that is normal. He may even stop at the local Jehovah’s Witnesses and get led astray by their nonsense. Hence, it is always good to follow up with those who have received the Lord and instruct them to get into the Bible and read it. Also, they should attend a sound church that accepts the Bible as the literal word of God.

Barnabas was sent out to further instruct those who had accepted the message of the Lord, ensuring that what they heard was correct and in accord with what is sound and proper. If this is not done, a person can get so far from their moment of salvation that he actually can forget he was saved. Take time to read 2 Peter 1:1-9 to see how this can come about. Verse 9 explicitly says that it is so. However, the good news is that God does not forget. The salvation of that individual is not in question as is also perfectly clear from verse 9.

Lord God, help us to be responsible to tell others about the saving message concerning Jesus. And Lord, help us to follow up with that by telling the important precept that those who call on Jesus should learn what that means, growing in Your word and in a closer relationship with Him each day. May we be responsible in this. Amen.

Something to read at the spot where I parked for the night in Vermont.

Monday, 7 November 2022

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:21

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse noted that those of the scattering that occurred after Stephen’s stoning who were from Cyprus and Cyrene “spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.” As noted then, there is a dispute as to whether this was referring to Greek-speaking Jews or Gentiles. What seems likely is that it was speaking of Greek-speaking Jews. Either way, however, it now says, “And the hand of the Lord was with them.”

This is referring to those who preached about Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and they were able to effectively communicate the good news, bringing others to salvation. That is explicitly noted with the words, “and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.”

Whether Greek-speaking Jew or Gentile, there was an extensive harvest of those who believed in Antioch. The church grew quickly because of the efforts of those who were a part of the scattering.

Life application: There are many Hebraisms brought forward from the Old Testament into the New. In reading and understanding the Old, the New is much livelier and much more easily understood. An example of this is the term “the hand of the Lord.” This is found many times in the Old Testament where the “hand” is equated to power. In this case, it is the effective power of the Lord to bring about a change.

An example of this is found in Exodus 14:31 –

“and Israel seeth the great hand with which Jehovah hath wrought against the Egyptians, and the people fear Jehovah, and remain stedfast in Jehovah, and in Moses His servant” (YLT)

This is translated by others as –

“Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.”

There are an innumerable number of such terms used in Scripture to help us see how the Bible portrays things. The finger of God, the arm of the Lord, walking in the way of the Lord, and on and on. Such terms, when understood, can help us to more clearly see how God is revealing things to us.

As you go through the Bible next time, maybe take the time to highlight such things. As seen in the translation of the NKJV, some of these Hebraisms are rendered in order to accommodate our understanding, but many are left equivalent to the Hebrew idiom. So, pay heed to them and think about why God chose to express Himself in these various ways. This is a great tool to help you understand the Bible more clearly.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your precious word. It is a light to our understanding. It is a beacon to call us to You. It is a guide for our walk in this life. And it is a book of hope and joy for us to revel in. Indeed, O God, thank You for Your most precious word. Amen.

Vermont moose a’playing in the field.

Sunday, 6 November 2022

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. Acts 11:20

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The last verse spoke of those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen. They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. While they went, they preached, but only to the Jews. However, it now says, “But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene.”

In other words, these men had been in Jerusalem, but when Stephen was stoned and the great time of tribulation came against the saints, some of the people who were scattered to the cities previously mentioned were Jews who originally came from Cyprus and Cyrene.

As such, they would speak the native languages and they would be able to effectively relay the word about Jesus to people in those areas. And more, they would be more comfortable having conversations with the native people, including Gentiles. Having noted that, it next says, “who, when they had come to Antioch.”

This is referring to the same location named Antioch in the previous verse. These Jews who spoke either Greek or the native language of the area (or both) had returned home or were in an area where they could easily converse with the local population. With that noted, the next words are highly debated, and the meaning depends on which Greek texts are correct. It says they “spoke to the Hellenists.”

The issue is that some manuscripts say Ἑλληνιστάς (Hellénistés) meaning Greek-speaking Jews while others say Ἕλληνας (Hellénes) meaning Gentile Greeks. As noted, the previous verse said that those scattered spoke to the Jews only. The words of this verse are set in contrast to that thought. And so, it could be assumed that these people were speaking to the Gentiles. This is how Vincent’s Word Studies takes it –

“The express object of the narrative has been to describe the admission of Gentiles into the church. There would have been nothing remarkable in these men preaching to Hellenists who had long before been received into the church, and formed a large part of the church at Jerusalem. It is better to follow the rendering of A. V. and Rev., though the other reading has the stronger MS. evidence. Note, also, the contrast with the statement in Acts 11:19, to the Jews only. There is no contrast between Jews and Hellenists, since Hellenists are included in the general term Jews.”

Albert Barnes agrees and even says, “The connection would lead us to suppose that they had heard of what had been done by Peter, and that, imitating his example, they preached the gospel now to the Gentiles also.”

However, this is an incorrect idea because the account is backing up to the dispersion that took place after Stephen’s stoning. The event with Peter (Acts 10) came later in time even though it is recorded earlier in this passage in Acts 11. The two accounts are now meeting up after both events have occurred –

Stephen was stoned resulting in persecution and a scattering of the people. After this:

• Some of those scattered went as far as Antioch and spread the good news.
• The events of Chapters 8, 9, and 10 (and Peter’s explanation in Acts 11) were ongoing at the same time.

As such, this does not mean that these Jews who were scattered didn’t speak to the Gentiles, which is the matter in question, but that the reasoning used by Barnes is incorrect.

John Gill, on the other hand, says, “which when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians; or Hellenist Jews, who were born and brought up in Greece, and spoke the Greek language; though the Alexandrian copy, and the Syriac version, read ‘Greeks’, as if they were native Greeks, and properly Gentiles, to whom these ministers spoke the word of the Lord; but the former seems most likely.”

A logical argument is made for either rendering, but it appears that without the knowledge of Cornelius’ conversion, these Jews would have been unlikely to speak to Gentiles directly. In fact, Paul is sought out by Barnabas in Acts 11:25. From there, he and Barnabas travel quite a bit as is recorded in Acts 13, but nothing is said of preaching to Gentiles until Acts 13:42. Before that, only interaction with Jews is made. It is in Acts 13:44-48 that this is recorded –

“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:
“I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.”’
⁴⁸ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”

As this is the case, the most likely translation now in Acts 11 is that this is referring to the Greek-speaking Jews, not the Gentiles. In other words, the Jews are given every chance possible to come to Christ as a nation. The majority of those in Israel had rejected the word. From there, the account will show that the majority of Jews outside of Israel will also reject the word. At that time, the account will show that the Gentiles, in contrast to the Jews, will come flooding to the good news of Jesus, setting up the Gentile-led church for the long period that has continued since. As for now, the verse finishes with the note that these people of the scattering caused by Stephen’s stoning were “preaching the Lord Jesus.”

The words more precisely read, “proclaiming good news – the Lord Jesus” (YLT). The word is going out from Israel to the Jews of the diaspora. This appears to be the main point of the narrative at this time.

As noted above, it is believed by many scholars that this is speaking of a conversion of the Gentiles, and that is a possibility. However, the internal markings of what has occurred and what will continue to occur appear to show that it is only the Greek-speaking Jews that are being referred to at this point. Either way, the main point is that word is going forth outside of the borders of Israel.

Life application: One of the key things to take away from these words is that God used the stoning of Stephen to expand the preaching of the gospel. Surely Stephen would approve of this, knowing that the ending of his life would be a way of bringing many others to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

We should be willing to have this same heart for the lost. How far are we willing to go in order that others might be saved? This is something we should ask ourselves. Our temporary afflictions, whatever they may be, can be used for great gain in the spreading of the gospel. So, let’s look for ways to have this come about. It is the most important thing that can occur in another person’s life. Without this good news, there is only bad news ahead for them.

Let us consider this always. Stephen would certainly agree. He would tell you, “Don’t worry about this life. God has a plan that is so marvelous you just won’t believe it. Trust Him and He will do great things with you and for you.”

Lord God, use us now while we are here! May we be vessels ready to be poured out in whatever way You choose for the furtherance of Your good news. Help us to see the lost and to have pity on them. And then prompt us to act so that they might hear and respond while there is time. To Your glory, we pray this. Amen.

Vermontanese Moose.

Saturday, 5 November 2022

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. Acts 11:19

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

With the matter of Gentile inclusion clearly established and settled based on Peter’s words to those in Jerusalem, the narrative now takes on a new and significant direction. The direction and focus of Acts will now begin to head out into the world beyond the borders of Israel and, eventually, the gospel will predominantly be seen to go forth to the Gentiles. In order to reveal this, the account will also go back to events that occurred in previous chapters so that the narrative catches up with events that occurred there, such as in Acts 7, 8, and 9.

With that understood, the words begin with, “Now those who were scattered.” This takes the reader back to Acts 8:1 –

“Now Saul was consenting to his death.
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.”

This was referring to the events that took place among the Jews and it occurred “after the persecution that arose over Stephen.”

This goes back even further, to Acts 7 and the account of Stephen’s stoning. The persecution that is recorded in Acts 8:1 is based upon that. Also, rather than “persecution,” the Greek word here signifies “tribulation.” It is a wholly different word than that used in Acts 8:1. The persecution led to tribulation. Because of this, these Jews were not only scattered within the borders of Israel, but they continued on and “traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.”

The first location, Phoenicia, is introduced here. The name is believed to come from the Greek word phoinix, meaning a palm tree, most especially the date palm. Albert Barnes describes the location, saying, “Phoenice, or Phoenicia, was a province of Syria, which in its largest sense comprehended a narrow strip of country lying on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, and extending from Antioch to the borders of Egypt. But Phenice Proper extended only from the cities of Laodicea to Tyre, and included only the territories of Tyre and Sidon. This country was called sometimes simply ‘Canaan.’”

The next location, Cyprus, is also introduced here, although the name of the inhabitants was mentioned in Acts 4:36. The origin of the name is uncertain. Again, Barnes describes it, saying, “An island off the coast of Asia Minor, in the Mediterranean Sea.”

Finally, this is also the introduction of Antioch. Albert Barnes again describes the place, saying, “There were two cities of this name, one situated in Pisidia in Asia Minor (see Acts 13:14); the other, referred to here, was situated on the Orontes River, and was long, the capital of Syria. It was built by Seleucus Nicanor, and was called Antioch in honor of his father Antiochus. It was founded in 301 b.c. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but is several times mentioned in the Apocrypha and in the New Testament. It was long the most powerful city of the East, and was inferior only to Seleucia and Alexandria. It was famous for the fact that the right of citizenship was conferred by Seleucus on the Jews as well as the Greeks and Macedonians, so that here they had the privilege of worship in their own way without molestation. It is probable that the Christians would be regarded merely as a sect of Jews, and would be here suffered to celebrate their worship without interruption.”

With these locations noted, the verse finishes with the thought that those scattered were “preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.” Although true to some extent, this is not so much because they “had the common prejudices of the Jews, that the offers of salvation were made only to the Jews” (Barnes), but that they probably had no idea that Gentiles would even be included in God’s offer of Christ Jesus.

In other words, it is true that the Jews had these prejudices, but without even knowing something is available to others, those prejudices would not even arise. Peter found out that Gentiles could be included, and he set aside any such prejudices. These Jews were as of yet uninformed as to what God was going to do for the Gentiles. Therefore, they simply went about telling their own fellow Jews that the Messiah had come.

Life application: The narrative in Acts is marvelously structured to show how events unfolded, but the events are placed in a manner that allows us to go forward with certain events and then go back to older events to see how other things occurred while those first set of recorded events were happening.

In this, we can get a marvelous sense of how the narrative is simultaneously unfolding in several directions. As you read Acts, consider such things and think about why each section is placed where it is. Like all of Scripture, God is slowly and methodically revealing to us what His plans are for the people of the world. At the same time, He is showing us why trouble has come upon Israel during this dispensation and where He would lead things during their time of exile.

Everything is carefully and meticulously placed to help us see how the great story of man’s redemption through the Person and work of Jesus Christ has come about, is coming about, and will continue to come about. Luke’s record of Acts is a wonderful part of this. If we pay heed to how he has laid things out, we can get a marvelous sense of the structure of this beautiful plan.

Lord God, thank You for the careful detail You have placed in Your word to help us know and understand why things are the way they are. You have set a plan for man’s redemption, and it is so beautifully and methodically detailed for us to see. Give us insight into Your word so that we can more fully grasp every nuance that You have placed there for us to understand what is going on. Thank You, O God. Amen.