Acts (Written)

More Utah landscape. Notice the definite “Noah’s Flood” markers…

Sunday, 30 October 2022

And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, Acts 11:13

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).

Peter just explained that the Spirit had told him to go and not doubt, and that six men accompanied him. Upon arriving at Caesarea, they all entered his house. With that stated, he now explains what occurred with Cornelius, beginning with, “And he told us how he had seen an angel.”

Rather, it is “the angel,” or “the messenger.” What Peter had heard as a rumor from the men sent to collect him from Joppa is now a definite claim by Cornelius. And further, the angel was “standing in his house.”

The words are from an aorist participle. More correctly, it reads, “having stood in his house.” The angel was there, and he was clearly positioned in the house. The thought of the words is not unimportant. If an angel, a messenger from God, had stood in the house of Cornelius, it could not be that Peter could then refrain from entering the house as if it was defiled. And more, it could not be that those gathered together could charge him with wrongdoing either.

A messenger from God is a holy messenger. To refuse entry after such an appearance would be as if Peter was claiming a holiness greater than the angel himself. Grasping this truth, Peter next continues, saying, “who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa.’”

Again, it is an aorist participle. It more appropriately reads, “having said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa.’” The narrative is very direct and clear in how it is presenting each word. The angel gave very specific instructions as well. Cornelius was in Caesarea and yet the angel is directing him to send men to a city quite some distance away with a particular intent. That intent was “and call for Simon whose surname is Peter.”

This clearly settles the matter that Simon Peter is the object of the discourse and that his actions were wholly in accord with the will of God. To identify a particular person in a particular city in a vision from God can mean nothing other than his presence is needed, it is called for, and what will afterward transpire is wholly in accord with the will of God.

The narrative will continue, but it will do so with the understanding that Peter is the key point of focus and that what he does is fully acceptable to the Lord, even if it was somehow unacceptable to those he was speaking to.

Life application: Peter was specifically called to go into the house of a Gentile. This occurred after a vision that specifically showed him that God had declared all the animals and birds clean before him. The law had set up barriers between Israel and the people of the world for a set and specific purpose, and those barriers were now removed with the completion of Jesus’ work.

In Job, it asks –

“How then can man be righteous before God?
Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?” Job 25:4

In and of ourselves, this is impossible. However, because of Jesus, it is not only possible, it has come about. God is looking for people of faith. He is not at all concerned about deeds accomplished by people who are unclean before Him. Their deeds, no matter what they are, are unacceptable to Him because the people are already defiled.

However, for those who are cleansed by the shed blood of Christ, God can now look upon us and have a relationship with us. Our deeds, when done in faith concerning the Lord, are acceptable to Him. A new standard is introduced, and it is one that places us in a completely different category than we ever were before.

Being “in Christ” is to be united to God, once and forever, as adopted sons of God. Let us remember this as we live out our lives. We may fail Him, but He is no longer counting such things against us. However, He is reckoning our deeds of faith to an account that will bring eternal rewards. Think about this and be pleased to rest in the wonderous position you have now been granted. God has accepted you. Thank God for Jesus who has made this possible!

Most glorious and gracious heavenly Father, thank You for what You have done. We were Your enemies and yet You sent Jesus. We stand in awe of Your great love with which You have loved us. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Choo choo. Utah.

Saturday, 29 October 2022

Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. Acts 11:12

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 told of the three men who were sent from Caesarea and who came and stood before the house where Peter was. This happened at the very moment his vision had ended. With that, it next says, “Then the Spirit told me to go with them.”

Peter has been telling of the events before the men came. Now in a supportable defense against those who were accusing him, he notes that his actions were Spirit-directed. Peter had a vision that he  may or may not have immediately understood, nor clued him in to what was going to happen, but the arrival of men from Cornelius would prove direct confirmation. Along with that, he was to be “doubting nothing.”

The meaning is that he was to accompany them without any misgivings, although some manuscripts change the word from the middle to the active voice. In this, the sense is changed to “make a distinction,” meaning that he should not discriminate against those who had come to collect him. Either way, the directive is given by the Spirit and Peter was to go with the men without any qualms. From there, it next says, “Moreover these six brethren accompanied me.”

The words are clearly intended to show that it wasn’t just Peter who had gone with the Gentiles, but that the whole group had. That these six men accompanied Peter would argue any possible criticism for Peter staying with Gentiles. As such, there were many more witnesses than required by the law to substantiate everything that he was saying. And more than just going with them, Peter was completely obedient to the situation as directed by the Spirit because he next says, “and we entered the man’s house.”

Here, Peter changes the accusation of verse 3 where the plural was used, “uncircumcised men.” Rather, he says in the singular “the man’s house.” It wasn’t as if he was having a party with a bunch of uncircumcised men. Rather, he was called to a specific house owned by a certain man. The number of people in the house was irrelevant and the status of the man was as well. Peter was given a clear and specific set of instructions and he followed through with them accordingly.

Life application: Peter clearly ate with the uncircumcised, as is indicated in verse 11:3. He did this in Antioch as is recorded in Galatians 2:11 as well. And yet, in the very next verse, Galatians 2:12, he withdrew himself from their fellowship when the Jews who came from James showed up. He failed to conduct himself as he had previously been instructed to do by the Spirit.

His weakness caused harm to the purity of the gospel and Paul called him out on it. However, it became a later lesson to those who were troubled by the Judaizers in Galatia. And it should be a continuing lesson for those who are troubled by the false teachers of the Hebrew Roots movement today.

God can take our faults and our failings and turn them around for good. So don’t beat yourself up too much when you have a moment of doubt or weakness. Like Peter, turn back to the straight path and live out your freedom in Christ as you should. And when you have the chance, you can tell others about how you failed. Sometimes people need to hear that they are not alone in falling into temptations.

In the end, each of us has our own failings, but Jesus is greater than them. If you are in Christ, He has already forgiven you. So, press on and do what is right henceforth.

Lord God, thank You for the forgiveness we possess because of what Jesus has done. In Him, we have a surety that goes beyond our failings because He has prevailed. We know that nothing can separate us from You again, but we may need reminders at times that it is so. Help us to be refreshed in this thought often so that our walk before You will be one of joy. Amen.

Train moving stuff. Utah.

Friday, 28 October 2022

At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. Acts 11:11

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).

After Peter explained that the object with all the animals in it had been drawn up into heaven, he now says, “At that very moment.” Though the intent is the same, the Greek more closely says, “And behold, immediately…”

Exactly as the vision ended, the next event occurred. Because the two events are connected, as he later discovered, it highlights the purposeful intent of the vision coming at the exact time it did. The next event is that “three men stood before the house where I was.”

As noted in the previous commentary, it seems that there may be a connection between the three times the vision repeated itself and the three men coming. Peter would possibly have made this mental correlation. Whether this is the case or not, the three times the event occurred were certainly provided to ensure to him that God had determined the matter and it was set. God determines what is clean and what is unclean. When He does, the matter is settled. With this stated, the verse finishes with the note that the men were at the house, “having been sent to me from Caesarea.”

The length of such a trip meant that the arrival could have come at any time. Peter had no idea if they left long before sunrise or if they left the day before. They may have made one stop or four. All he knew was at the exact moment the vision was complete, these Gentiles had shown up at his door. The connection was obvious, and he is explaining it as such to those before him.

Life application: There are certainly times in our lives when something happens, and we struggle to understand why things occurred as they did. It may be the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or a flat tire on the way to Bible class.

At such times, our confusion about the matter may cause frustration, sadness, or other feelings that burden us. And yet, in due time, the event brings about some other event that perfectly suits our life. If that thing didn’t happen, then this thing would not have happened. Such things may be “time and chance” as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 9:11, or there may have been a greater purpose that God intended all along.

Either way, we cannot change time and chance, and we cannot know what God has planned. So, we should do our best to take life as it comes and have gratitude towards God in all things. One thing is for certain: He has a grand plan that is being brought about and we, because of our faith in Jesus, are a part of that plan. So, let us be convinced that our lives are being directed toward that good end.

Because we are in Christ, He is carefully tending to us each step of the way. Let us be confident in that. David had that attitude. He may not have had all the information concerning a given matter, but he handed the events of his life over to the Lord –

“Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

Let us have a like-minded attitude. Let us wait patiently on His guiding hand in all things.

Lord God, thank You for directing our steps on the path of life. We may not always know where the next step will lead, but we can be confident that, ultimately, they all are getting us to the wonderful goal which You have promised Your people. Thank You that our path is known to You and that You are directing us on it according to Your wisdom. Amen.

Utah landscape. Looks like a great flood happened here…

Thursday, 27 October 2022

Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. Acts 11:10

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).

Peter had just noted that for a second time the voice had said, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Having said that, he continues by saying, “Now this was done three times.”

It may or may not be a coincidence that the next verse will specifically note that three men from Cornelius will arrive at the door. Not only was the event seen three times, confirming that it was a purposeful and determined incident, but having three Gentiles arrive just then may confirm to Peter that he should pay heed to the vision. As for the great object filled with the animals of the earth, Peter next says, “and all were drawn up again into heaven.”

In Acts 10:16, the word analambanó was used. It means “to take up,” such as when Christ was taken up into heaven in Acts 1:2. Luke now uses the word anaspaó. That signifies “to pull up,” or “to draw up.” It is used only one other time, also by Luke –

“Then He answered them, saying, ‘Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?’” Luke 14:5

One might challenge the reliability of the text because of this, claiming that the use of two words shows an inconsistency. But there is no reason for this. Luke was the one to describe the events of Acts 10 as they were conveyed to him. Peter is now the one to describe what he saw in Acts 11. Rather than demonstrating an inconsistency, it shows that the use of the words is a recounting that is being described as anyone would do it, using words familiar to the mind at the time.

Of the words of Jesus just cited from Luke 14, the same thought is found in Matthew 12 using a completely different set of words to describe what he said –

“Then He said to them, ‘What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?’” Matthew 12:11

Rather than an inconsistency, we have a personal eyewitness being relayed by two different sources using words that are appropriate to their mental state at the time. Any person might at one time say, “I saw the object pulled up to heaven.” The next time he describes the event, he might say, “I saw the object drawn up to heaven.” What is seen here is the recording of a natural discourse as it would normally occur.

Life application: Someone trying to tear apart the Bible would naturally claim that the use of various words when describing a single account shows an inconsistency. And yet, that same person would say, “Those two accounts are just copied, one from the other,” when they were identical. There is no winning with someone like that.

God has allowed man’s moods, predispositions, and current state of mind to enter into His word as it was conveyed by those who wrote it out. It is thus a living and active word that reflects more than just a set and rigid state of mind. Rather, it demonstrates to us a beauty all its own.

When a person plays a song on a guitar, it would become stagnant and boring to play the exact same notes every single time. Rather, a great player will take the original song and follow it while also adding in various personal notes. As such, it will be uniquely played even while it is the same song that has been played all along.

The Bible allows for something comparable when similar accounts are relayed to us. And yet, despite this, the exact intent of God is conveyed through His inspiration. We have the very words of God that reflect the very heart of His chosen instruments for conveying that word. Rejoice in the beauty of this word all your days. When you read the psalms of David, you can know that David is the author, even though you can also know that God is the ultimate inspiration and Author behind what is written. Think about this and revel in this precious and sacred word.

Heavenly Father, our hearts rejoice at the beauty of Your word. It is a treasure to come to and to consider from day to day. We are filled with hope, inspiration, joy, and more as we move from page to page. We can be angry at that which angers You. We can be molded into godly people through it. There is so much life and beauty in Your word. Thank You for this precious word. Amen.

Landscape in Utah.

Wednesday, 26 October 2022

But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common. Acts 11:9

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, Peter explained his response to the voice from heaven, saying, “Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.” Now, Peter continues with, “But the voice answered me again from heaven.”

The Greek is more precise, saying, “But the voice answered a second time out of the heaven.” Peter is giving an exacting sequence of what occurred so that his hearers will mentally participate in what he has already personally experienced. With this noted, Peter next quotes the voice from heaven, saying, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

The wording in the Greek is just the same as Acts 10:15. This is exactly what was said, and Peter repeats it without any changes at all.

Life application: The voice from heaven has specifically said that God has cleansed these animals. The uncleanness of the animals, however, caused a perception of uncleanness in the Gentiles among the Jews. However, if God had cleansed the animals, the Jews could not use this precept as a point of considering the Gentiles unclean, even if other things could still cause that perception.

With this understood, how did God cleanse the animals? Were they not considered clean for Noah? The answer is, “Yes, they were.” Genesis 9:3 explicitly says, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you.” So, what is it that made the animals unclean? It was the prohibition for Israel to eat them as contained within the law.

If God has cleansed them (meaning for the Jews), it means that the law is no longer in effect. The prohibition came from the law, causing uncleanness before the law when the prohibition is violated. The cleansing came from the fulfillment and ending of the law through Christ’s work, including His sacrificial death.

Paul says, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). There can be no knowledge of sin if the law does not exist. As this is so, and as the animals are now deemed as cleansed because of the fulfillment of the law, then the Jews could no longer consider the Gentiles as “unclean” because of their diet.

But this then brings in a new kind of declaration of uncleanness. If the Gentiles are not unclean because of a precept of the law which is now ended in Christ, and if these same Gentiles come to Christ through the gospel, then they are wholly sanctified to the Lord because of that fact. And so, if a Gentile is wholly cleansed before the Lord because of Christ, what is the state of a Jew who has not come to Christ? He is wholly unclean before the Lord.

Such a person is still bound to the law because of his rejection of Christ. As such, he stands guilty before the law – in every precept. But more, he still bears the stain of Adam’s sin. In God’s eyes, he is wholly defiled. Paul explains this in Romans 2:25-29. The law was given by God to highlight sin in man, not to remove it from man. Jesus’ fulfillment of the law, because of His perfection before the law, is what purifies man. This is what the law was intended to reveal –

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Galatians 3:24, 25

Thank God for Jesus who has done it! In coming to Him, we find a new freedom. Sin no longer has mastery over us. Yes, thank God for Jesus!

Lord God, it is beyond our ability to fully grasp the magnitude of what has been done in the coming of Jesus. We can think about it and understand one point after another about what He did, but with every new thought, there is more to consider beyond what we have learned. Everything is so perfectly complete in Him. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.