Acts (Written)

Vietnam war dead. West Virginia Capitol.

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

“This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. Acts 24:16

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).

More precisely, the text reads, “And in this, I train myself to have an inoffensive conscience toward God and men through all” (CG).

In the last verse, Paul noted his hope in God, affirming his belief in a resurrection of dead, both just and unjust. Because of this, he next says, “And in this, I train myself.”

Here, he uses a word found only this one time in Scripture: askeó. It is a verb signifying to train, practice, or exercise. Despite it being found only here in the New Testament, it was a common medical term of the time. It is another indication of Luke’s authorship. It gives the idea of working raw material to form something. A kindred adjective to this is where our word ascetic comes from. Next, Paul says, “to have an inoffensive conscience.”

The word translated as “inoffensive,” aproskopos, is new. It will be used only three times in Scripture. Here, it is used in a passive sense. This is the same as in Philippians 1:10. However, in 1 Corinthians 10:32, it is used in the active sense. In essence, he attempted to always be blameless in his conduct, looking forward to the hope found in the promises of God.

Because of his hope in God, and because of his firm belief that there would be a resurrection, he endeavored to keep his conscience clear, knowing that a judgment lay ahead for all men. This sentiment, now being expressed by Paul to Felix, is more fully explained in 2 Corinthians 5 –

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

With that stated, Paul completes this verse, saying, “toward God and men through all.” Paul’s conduct was not just directed toward God. Rather, he conducted his affairs in this way towards his fellow man.

It is true that before his conversion, he likewise lived in this manner, but it was misdirected. He thought he was doing a service to God by destroying Christians. Further, if his actions were correct, they would have been a service to his fellow man by removing the heretics of the world. However, he found that attitude to be faulty when he met Christ.

Therefore, there is a disconnect between his actions and those of his accusers. They did not accept the work of Christ Jesus. They, therefore, remained at enmity to the goals and purposes of God as revealed in Jesus’ life and work.

Life application: Later in 2 Corinthians 5, Paul says –

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

As this is the state that we are now in because of faith in Christ, we should do our very best to live in accord with it. It is contrary to a holy life in Christ to continue to conduct ourselves in a manner that is at odds with this new life.

This doesn’t mean we cannot associate with those of the world. Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 5. However, when we are engaging the world, it should be in a manner that sets us as examples of a right and proper walk in Christ. If it is our job to share the message of reconciliation, and we are acting as if we were never reconciled, then where is there to go for those we are sharing such a message with?

Think on this and be willing to share the truth that God is holding all people to account for their lives either apart from Christ or our lives in Christ.

Lord God, we have been redeemed through the precious blood of Christ. May we remind ourselves of this and live in a manner that is holy and acceptable to You. May our conduct be appropriate to lead others to understand their need to act likewise. Yes, Lord, may our lives and actions be pleasing to You and glorifying of You. Amen.

Died in defense of the nation. West Virginia Capitol.

Tuesday, 6 February 2024

“I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Acts 24:15

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).

A more literal rendering would be, “Having a hope toward God which they themselves also embrace: a resurrection of dead shall be, both just and unjust” (CG).

Paul, speaking to Felix, had noted in the previous verse that he worships the God of the fathers, believing all things written in the Law and the Prophets. Now, in order to explain that further, he says, “Having a hope toward God.”

This confirms his stand on the authority of Scripture. The belief was that their Scriptures were from God through His chosen prophets and holy men. As this is so, then what the Scriptures said, when believed, demonstrated a hope toward God concerning what Scripture proclaims.

The connection is that if the God of Scripture is who Paul serves, then his hope must be in that God. This hope is the same one that his accusers accepted in part or in whole. Other than the Sadducees, this hope was one “which they themselves also embrace.”

The word here rendered as embrace is prosdechomai. It is translated by some as allow or await. It can also have the meaning of looking for. Thus, it is a hope that is anticipated, even eagerly. Thus, because this is a future hope that is eagerly anticipated, the word embrace suits the meaning well. And what is being embraced is the thought that “a resurrection of dead shall be.”

The word translated as “dead” is not in all manuscripts. In those manuscripts where it is used, there is no article before dead. Because of this, the words seem vague, but Paul is making a distinction between physically dead and living people. Not all dead are, however, dead in the spiritual sense of the word.

This is probably why Paul states the word without the article. The resurrection is a hope that permeates Scripture. From the implicit words of Eve when she named Cain, to the hopes of Job, and to the explicit promises to Isaiah and Daniel of the Old Testament (e.g. Job 19:23-27, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2).

It is also something that was known to the common people of Israel at that time (John 11:24). However, Felix may or may not have been aware of this. Therefore, Paul gives him an explanation of what his faith consists of. Comprised within that faith is not just that the just shall be raised. Instead, he next says, “both just and unjust.”

This is an all-encompassing explanation of a resurrection of physically dead people. No article was necessary because the words are qualified now by “just and unjust.” This thought from Paul must be taken as a point of evangelism for Felix and a continued defense for himself.

If he were to believe in such a resurrection and there was a distinction between the just and the unjust, then it implies that he must surely be living according to the law that told of the coming resurrection. Only a fool who believed in such a resurrection would willfully be disobedient to the God who promised a different end based on one’s standing before Him.

Life application: The physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is a central point of theology found in Scripture. His physical body died. It went into the grave. And that same body rose to life again.

This was not a rapture (an exchange of one state for another), a spiritual resurrection, or any other such event. It was also not simply a reward for right living. Instead, it was a necessary outcome for having lived in sinless perfection. Man dies because of sin. He is condemned the moment he comes into existence (see Psalm 51:5 and John 3:18) because he inherits Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12).

The Lord God united with human flesh in the womb of Mary. This is the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Because He did not have a human father to transmit sin to Him, He was conceived in sinless perfection. He was born in that state, and He never sinned in that state. In His death, He could then atone for the sins of the people of the world. The physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the proof of this.

To deny the physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus is to deny what God in Christ has done. As this is a part of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4), no person who denies the resurrection of Jesus Christ can be saved. It is that simple, and it is that profound. Be sure to tell those who believe someone can be saved in any other way that they are espousing heresy. There is one path to restoration with God and one alone.

To God be the glory for what He has done in and through Christ Jesus!

Heavenly Father, thank You for the sinless perfection of Christ Jesus our Lord. All glory and honor belong to You for what You have done. May we boldly proclaim the truth that He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Only through Jesus can man be restored to You. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WWI fallen. West Virginia Capitol.

Monday, 5 February 2024

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. Acts 24:14

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 words are more literally rendered, “And I confess this to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the father’s God, believing all throughout the Law and that has been written in the Prophets” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul noted that those who stood against him could not prove the things of which they now accused him. As a concession to his position in relation to them, he next says, “And I confess this to you.”

The reason he is doing this is to show the true reason why they have brought charges against him. They have a personal beef against him that has brought about their false charges. Without directly saying it, he is calling into question their integrity and honesty before Felix. With that, he next says, “that according to the Way which they call a sect.”

The word translated as “sect” is the same as was used in 24:5: hairesis. It is etymologically connected to the word heresy that we use today. Therefore, some versions incorrectly translate it as “sect” in verse 5 and then “heresy” here. However, this makes no sense.

Paul explains that what they call a “sect” is what he calls the Way. They should both be translated as sect because the word specifically means “a strong, distinctive opinion” (HELPS Word Studies). To say verse 5 should be “sect” and verse 14 should be “heresy” causes a logical contradiction in thought because Paul now says, “they call.”

If they called it something in verse 5, then all he is doing is repeating what they called it, not stating something new. The word “is used in the NT of individual ‘parties (sects)’ that operated within Judaism. The term stresses the personal aspect of choice – and hence how being a Sadducee (Ac 5:17) was sharply distinguished from being a Pharisee (Ac 15:5; 26:5)” (HELPS Word Studies).

It is this “sect” that he now calls “the Way.” In doing so, he elevates it in a manner of protest against any degradation of the term to something less disrespectful. Instead, the term has been brought to a level of distinction and honor. Understanding this, Paul next says, “so I serve the father’s God.”

The word translated as serve, latreuó, is not the same as in verse 11, proskuneó. Here, unlike the NKJV, it is better translated as serve. Worship is encompassed in this word, but it also carries a further signification than merely worship. It is derived from the word latris, which means a hired servant.

The fact that he was in the temple, serving the God of his fathers, was sufficient proof to show that he was not engaged in heresy, which is the second charge made against him. With that understood, Paul next says, “believing all throughout the Law and that has been written in the Prophets.”

The words are a direct denial of him being the leader of an aberrant sect. By stating that he believed all things in the Law and the Prophets, it is a way of acknowledging that he was no different than any Pharisee.

What is being argued then is a matter of interpretation of the Law and Prophets, not whether they were authoritative or not. He affirms that they are, in fact, authoritative. The question is whether Christ is the fulfillment of them.

As this is so, then Felix would have no ability to even handle this charge, being unschooled in what the Law and Prophets claimed. This would be no different than asking a secular judge to determine whether replacement theology or dispensationalism is correct. Both claim that the Bible is the inspired word of God. How that word is to be properly interpreted is the matter. Having said that, dispensationalism is correct .

Life application: If you want to know if the church has replaced Israel, you need to read your Bible. If you want to know if dispensationalism is correct, you need to read your Bible. If you want to know if God approves of abortion or if divorce is acceptable to Him, the way you will find out is by reading your Bible.

Just because a pastor, preacher, or priest says something is correct, it does not mean it is so. One must go to the source of a matter to find out whether what is said is true or not. It doesn’t matter what the issue is. If someone says that drinking water in Guatemala is safe, until you check it out, you will never know if that is true.

And you can check it out in various ways. You can follow the scientific method and have the water tested. You can test it observationally by going to Guatemala with a friend and having him drink it while you watch. Or you can test it experientially by going there and drinking it yourself.

The scientific method is only as good as the process and materials that are used. What is more, some people may be affected differently than others. The people of Guatemala drink their water all day long and suffer no ill consequences.

Having a friend test it may not work either. Depending on his stomach and other variables, it may not affect him at all. However, if you check out the water for yourself, you will certainly find out whether you should have done so or not. Montezuma’s revenge probably awaits J.

The point is that until you personally check things out, you can never know if what you believe to be true is actually true or not. The Bible will not cause you harm, but it will certainly keep you from it. Therefore, even if you have a pastor you trust to be honest, he may not be well-versed in the Bible. Are you willing to receive incorrect instruction on a matter that could affect your standing when you appear before the Lord?

Rather, read and know your Bible! This is the defense against potential problems that will be far worse than a case of Montezuma’s revenge.

Thank You, O God, for the precious contents You have carefully laid out in Your word. We can know what You expect of us, and we can know what doctrines are sound and which are incorrect. May we be responsible concerning our interactions with You by knowing what You expect of us. Thank You that the word makes this possible. Amen.

CMH Recipients, West Virginia Capitol.

Sunday, 4 February 2024

“Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. Acts 24:13

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).

Paul just said to Felix that he was neither found in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting a crowd. He then added that this was true in the synagogues and in the city as well. He now adds in an almost challenging note to his accusers, saying, “Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.”

His words here, especially the word for “prove,” are actually a calling and a challenge to his accusers to come forward with evidence. He is the plaintiff and, therefore, they are under the burden of the law to stand behind the charges they have made.

The word he uses, paristémi, means to place beside or to stand beside. In other words, those who have made the accusations should now be ready (standing near) to present their proof. As there is none, the charges against Paul cannot stand.

Life application: As discussed in the previous verse, the world is getting more wicked and depraved daily. This, unfortunately, includes accusations being made against people that are wholly untrue. A lack of evidence or manipulated evidence, even when found out to be such, no longer matters.

In fact, evidence that exonerates people who have been charged is often completely ignored. Police have been arrested for simply doing their jobs. When evidence proves their innocence, it is ignored when what they were charged with carries political value.

Peaceful protestors are being arrested, and bogus charges are leveled against them when they are of a particular political party. This has gone even to the level of bringing innumerable charges against former leaders, not only in the US but in other countries as well. Anyone who bucks the globalist agenda is being targeted openly and flagrantly.

Conservative journalists are harassed and sued to silence them. These things will continue to get worse. Be wise and discerning as you go out into the world. Your stand as a Christian will be one that brings you under the watchful eye of the government. In China, this is now ubiquitous. Other countries of the world are quickly following that same path.

Wonderful Lord God, we are grateful to You for the honor of carrying the name of Jesus our Lord. Help us to be faithful to exalt Him, no matter what challenge is brought against us. The world is temporary, but what You have promised is eternal. May we be prepared to face the eternal, having never denied the Name that we now bear. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Vietnam War Memorial. West Virginia Capitol.

Saturday, 3 February 2024

“And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Acts 24:12

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).

A more literal translation is, “And neither found me disputing with anyone in the temple, or making a crowd revolt, nor in the synagogues or in the city” (CG).

Paul, in giving his defense to Felix, just noted that he just told him that it was only twelve days since he went up to Jerusalem to worship. He continues now, saying, “And neither found me disputing with anyone in the temple, or making a crowd revolt.”

These words introduce another new word to Scripture: episustasis. It signifies a conspiracy, concourse, tumult, etc. It is found only here and in 2 Corinthians 11:28, where Paul says, “I face daily the pressure (episustasis) of my concern for all the churches” (MSB).

What he says completely contradicts the words of Tertullus. Either one is true, and the other is lying, or both have fabricated a portion of his words, but both cannot be true. He never disputed with anyone in the temple, and there will be no proof of him making a revolt because such an event never took place.

The only ruckus that arose was because of accusations leveled against him, not because of his agitating anyone. This was carefully detailed by Luke in Chapter 21 –

“Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, ²⁸ crying out, ‘Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.’ ²⁹ (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
³⁰ And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.” Acts 21:27-30

His words to Felix mean that he never got into either a civil or a religious dispute, contradicting Tertullus’ accusations. Further, he claims that he incited no one, and he adds in an all-inclusive “nor in the synagogues or in the city.”

This could be easily substantiated by those Paul stayed with, if necessary. Unless the Jews were ready to present false witnesses, the matter would have to be decided based on who Felix believed was telling the truth. At this time, and based on Paul’s rebuttal, the Jews had neither a civil nor a religious claim against him that would stand up to eyewitness testimony.

Life application: The world is not normally a fair place. In many places, that is becoming more so as each day goes by. The corruption of the human heart is steadily taking over humanity, just as it did in the days of Noah. Soon enough, there will be no remedy, and God will remove His restraining power.

Sometime after that, the antichrist will come upon the scene, and the world will devolve into utter chaos and turmoil. But, as just noted, the world is on a path to that time now. If you are expecting to be protected from the power of wicked people, that may not be the case. Therefore, it is best to live your life quietly and not cause any trouble.

And yet, we are obligated to be bearers of the truth of God in Christ. Therefore, if you are faithful to this calling, you may be in the same position Paul found himself in. Be ready to stand on the truth as revealed in the word.

Paul and the other apostles, and so many since their time, have chosen that right path, even to the point of death. But a crown awaits them as it will you. So don’t fear what man can do to you. A better Day is ahead. The promises are sure, and the One who has given them is reliable. In this, you can safely trust.

O God, the world in which we live is quickly turning away from any semblance of right morality and holy living. Christians will inevitably be marked out as miscreants because of their refusal to support the depravity and wickedness that will be openly condoned. Until You call us home, give us the fortitude and courage to continue to proclaim Your truth. Amen.