Acts (Written)

Washington State Capitol

Saturday, 13 May 2023

Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. Acts 16:32

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).

In the previous verse, the instructions concerning salvation were presented to the ears of the jailor, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” It was noted that this doesn’t mean that his household would be saved if he believed. Rather, it means that the opportunity is available to any in his household if they too believe. It is not something limited to the master of the house.

In confirmation of that thought, the next words are provided, saying, “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.” If, as is wrongly assumed by some, his salvation also meant the household’s salvation, there would be no need for the apostles to also speak to those in his house.

However, that is what took place. The message of Jesus was communicated to all of them. Those who would believe were then saved. As an advanced happy note, verse 34 will confirm that all his household believed. As for the words, “they spoke the word of the Lord to him,” the guard already knew that these men proclaimed the way of salvation. The fact that he came to them asking how he could be saved meant that he understood they knew the answer.

As noted at that time, it is probable that he had already heard some of their words concerning the Lord, maybe while they were talking to each other or maybe while talking to the other prisoners. Something gave him the knowledge that they proclaimed salvation. He may have disregarded it thinking, “Ha, they are the ones in prison.” However, because of their willingness to stay in the cell, even when it was opened by the earthquake, he realized that they were men of integrity.

Their actions had led to his reconsideration of the matter. Their conduct and words had now brought them out of prison and to his home. And their witness of the Lord Jesus had brought the message of salvation to him and his household.

Life application: One of the truly damaging rites of churches is that of infant baptism. It gives a false sense of security to the family concerning salvation. If you doubt this, talk to a dyed-in-the-wool Roman Catholics or Lutherans about their prospects of heaven. Inevitably, they will bring in the fact that they were baptized into the church, as if that somehow makes them pleasing to God.

The thinking permeates those of many denominations, and it is a point of hope and even seemingly hopeful surety that they possess eternal life. Unfortunately, it is a misdirected hope. Infant baptism is as effective in securing salvation as is giving a baby a bath in Epsom salts. It is a showy but meritless ritual that has no basis in biblical Christianity.

Infant baptism puts the cart before the horse and provides a false sense of security that is damaging to a true and heartfelt relationship with Jesus Christ. In the coming verses, the matter of salvation and what is to come after it will be seen.

Lord God, thank You for Your precious word that gives us the necessary information for us to know that we need to be saved, how that can come about, and what to do once we are saved. Your word is our vital instruction manual for our spiritual lives. And, above all, thank You for Jesus Christ who is the focal point of it all. Yes, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Washington State Capitol.

Friday, 12 May 2023

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31

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).

In the previous verse, the jailor had brought Paul and Silas out of their cell and then asked them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The words recorded by Luke speak volumes. First, he notes, “So they said.”

The use of the third person plural tells us that both Paul and Silas responded. Their voice and the substance of their response are united in thought. They were in complete agreement concerning the matter, saying, “Believe.”

In the Greek, as in the English, their first word excludes any work at all. They simply instruct him to believe. They don’t bring up their culture or heritage by introducing the Law of Moses. They don’t ask for anything, nor do they tell him he must vow, offer, or sacrifice anything. They simply tell him to believe.

The next word, epi, is rightly translated, on or upon. It is the same one that was used in Acts 3:16. At that time, it was noted that Peter had healed the man because of the faith found in (based upon) the name of Jesus. Here in Acts 16, Paul and Silas instruct the jailor to believe upon the One they will name, meaning He is to be the foundational subject of his faith. They then say that this belief is to be upon “the Lord Jesus Christ.’”

The jailor had just called the two men kurioi, lords. They now immediately subordinate themselves to the One Lord – Jesus Christ, the Kurion. Ultimately, there is one Lord that all other lords are subject to, whether they acknowledge it now or not.

What is evident, without it being said, is that their words elevate Jesus above all these other lords because they ascribe salvation to him. If Caesar could save, they would have said so. If any other “lord” could save, they would have said so. But by directly responding to the jailor with a single named Lord, it means that He – by default – is above all other lords.

It should be noted that some manuscripts leave off the word Christ. The word has the same meaning, Anointed One, as the Hebrew word Messiah, even if it has a different signification to the Jews than it would to the Greeks. However, in this case, that seems to be irrelevant because it is accompanied by the name Jesus.

This seems to tell us that the jailor had already been made aware of who Jesus is. If this were not the case, there would have been a much fuller explanation recorded by Luke. Otherwise, the jailor’s obvious question would have been, “Who is the Lord Jesus?”

The next verse will indicate that more explanation is given, but it seems likely by the direct response of these men that the jailor had already been made aware of Jesus’ name through either direct conversation or through listening while Paul and Silas talked with the other prisoners. Therefore, it is not a strong argument to say that the word Christ isn’t original based on its signification to a Greek.

Once someone has been instructed on who Jesus is, meaning being the Christ, the term is applied to Him as a fixed appellation from that point on. This is evidenced by its use hundreds of times by Paul in his epistles that are written to Gentiles.

But more, because the name Jesus was a common name at the time, there may have been many lords (meaning masters) named Jesus in Israel. But there is only one Messiah. To say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus” would not carry the same weight as saying, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” It identifies the Person, and it explains who He is.

A more comprehensive explanation of what Christ means would necessarily be needed to complete the thought. That would include that He is God incarnate, that He died for the sins of the world, that He was buried, and that He rose again. This fuller explanation was probably something that the jailor was already exposed to, at least partially, through the words of Paul and Silas as they talked about their faith to the other prisoners.

Therefore, whether the word Christ is original or not is not something to be so cavalierly dismissed as is done by scholars. With that, Luke next records, “and you will be saved.”

This is the completion of the thought in response to his question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” He wanted to know what would bring him personal salvation and they provided the necessary answer. The only requirement for him to be saved is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. But with that explanation out of the way, they continue their words with a fuller explanation, saying, “you and your household.”

This is an important addition. Jesus is not just the Savior of a certain group of people, nor is He the Savior of a limited number of people. He is the Savior of all who come to Him. Their response to the jailor is in line with what the messenger had said to the house of Cornelius –

“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, ¹⁴ who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’” Acts 11:13, 14

Neither the messenger noted in Acts 11, nor Paul and Silas in Acts 16, mean that the household is saved through the master’s faith.

Peter’s words to the house of Cornelius were to be the good news of salvation, the gospel. Upon conveying them, those who believed would be saved. The term, “you and all your household,” does not mean that Cornelius’ salvation would lead directly to the salvation of his household as if his faith was sufficient to cover everyone. Earlier in Acts 10, it had said –

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, ² a devout man and one who feared God with all his household.” Acts 10:1, 2

The family was already a family that feared God. The saving of the household spoken of was to be a salvation that was based upon the faith they already possessed. It just needed to be directed properly toward Jesus Christ. Likewise, Paul and Silas are not telling the jailor that his salvation would result in his family’s salvation, but that the necessary condition for any of them to be saved was to believe. Those who did, meaning any in all his household, would be saved.

Life application: For such a simple set of words, there is a great deal of underlying meaning in what has been conveyed. The main substance of it, however, is that there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, who is capable of saving. The simplicity of the response to the question excludes any other possible option.

But more, the words clearly indicate that one must believe in the right Jesus. Paul conveys this thought elsewhere, saying –

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ⁴ For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” 2 Corinthians 11:3, 4

There is not another Jesus who can save. There is also no other gospel that can save. In Galatians 1:6-8, Paul says any other such notion is anathema. Let us be precise when we give the gospel so that the message is clearly understood. Once it is, if the person believes the message, he will be saved. For those who have believed in a false Jesus or a false gospel, explain to them what was in error and ask them to reconsider what they have believed. It’s important.

Lord God, help us to properly convey the gospel so that those who hear it will have the chance to accept our words and be saved. May we be precise in our explanation so that those to whom we speak understand the importance of our words. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Salvation around the next corner.

Thursday, 11 May 2023

And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30

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).

Note: As with the previous verse, the verbs here are thoroughly botched by the NKJV. A literal rendering would be, “and having brought them out, he was saying, ‘Sirs, what is necessary of me to do, that I may be saved?’” (CG). This will be used for the evaluation.

In the previous verse, Luke carefully described the jailor’s actions after he had refrained from killing himself. That verse and this verse now are one continuous thought. Taken together, they read – “And having called for lights, having rushed in, and having become terrified, having fallen down before Paul and Silas, and having brought them out, he was saying, ‘Sirs, what is necessary of me to do, that I may be saved?’”

One can see how Luke has carefully used participles to lead to the final thought, revealing it as if it is the most important question ever uttered. In this verse, Luke begins with “and having brought them out.”

He had just fallen on his face before Paul and Silas, utterly terrified at the events that had occurred, knowing that if Paul had not called out as he did, he would now be dead. The thought of this overwhelmed him. With them now out of the prison cell, and with his thoughts collected, Luke now changes from participles to an imperfect verb, rendered as “he was saying.”

Being imperfect, there is a sense of progression. Thus far, each event has been completed but with the anticipation of another event to follow. This question now progresses forward anticipating a final resolution. With that, the jailor begins his question with the word “Sirs.”

The Greek word is Kyrioi. A more formal English word would be “Lords.” In the use of this word, he has elevated his captors above himself, stating a title of respect that is spoken towards masters or those of higher power or authority.

What seems evident is that the jailor had at least a partial idea about what had transpired in the public square that had led to the imprisonment of Paul and Silas. Along with that, he may have heard some of what Paul and Silas were speaking about before he fell asleep. They may have recounted the events of the past days to the other prisoners, explaining what had brought them to the point of incarceration.

In whatever manner he heard the rough details, he now understood that what he had heard was true. And so, he completes his question with, “what is necessary of me to do, that I may be saved?”

The jailor could not have asked this question unless he already knew that they proclaimed how to be saved. When he had put away his sword and gone into the cell and found the prisoners unbound, he realized that what he had heard was true. There was no hidden agenda, no pretense, and no falsity in them. Rather, whatever he had heard was now confirmed in his mind to be true.

As for his question, the word translated as “to do” is poieó. It signifies to make, manufacture, construct, etc. It is an action that leads to a result. When a tree bears fruit, it puts forth of itself so that it will produce seeds to continue the cycle of life. When a person gives to the poor, he is looking for a resulting change in their miserable state. Similarly, the jailor is looking to do one thing so that another thing may come about.

With his question presented, it is worthwhile to compare the words of the girl with the spirit of Python from verse 16:17 and his words now –

• These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation.
• Sirs, what is necessary of me to do, that I may be saved?

As noted earlier, the jailor had heard at least some of what had transpired, and which resulted in the incarceration of the apostles. This certainly included the words of the girl. Whether he had heard of her or not, it seems he had heard what she had proclaimed. But more, their response to him will show that he had already heard about Jesus, at least to some degree. This will be seen in the next verse.

Life application: The prison cell where Paul and Silas were would have been filthy and stinky. Despite this, the guard fell before them in the cell. Once he had gained his composure, only then did he bring them out. Having brought them out, he then addressed them as superiors.

The actions of Paul and Silas brought about a mark of total respect by the jailor. So much was this the case, that he humbled himself before them in the confines of the dirty jail cell.

One can see from this that it is not expensive clothing, material possessions, or a high position in this world that makes a person truly worthy of respect. Rather, each person must be judged as an individual. Some people of wealth or power do not deserve the respect one would offer to a dog. Others who are in lowly jobs or humble circumstances may be the most honorable people in town.

Do not rush to judgment by looking at mere appearances. Rather, be willing to evaluate people based on their character and conduct, and then proceed from there.

Lord God, help us to treat people properly. May we not look at the externals and come to erroneous conclusions. Instead, may we be willing to look at each person and see what their true makeup is. Our impartiality will demonstrate that we are also people of character. This is especially important because people who are curious about Jesus will make their judgments based on us. May our actions lead them to want to know You more. Amen.

Wednesday, 10 May 2023

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Acts 16:29

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).

Note: The NKJV follows the six translational errors of the KJV for this verse and cannot be salvaged. A more precise reading would be – “And having called for lights, having rushed in, and having become terrified, having fallen down before Paul and Silas…” (CG).

The translation requires the words of the following verse to be fully appreciated. Together there is a constant stream of verbs, mostly participles, revealing one action following another.

Paul had just called out loudly to the jailor, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” With those words called out, the sequence of actions by the jailor commences, beginning with, “And having called for lights.”

The word is plural, phōta. The use of the singular by the KJV, which is followed by the NKJV, robs the intent of what is occurring. It is certain that the jailor carried in his own torch or other such source of light. However, as was seen in verse 27, it was insufficient to see anything other than the fact that the prison doors were open. Having seen this, he assumed that the prisoners had escaped.

Now, he calls for lights to be brought. Despite the prisoners having called out, he could not know if this was a trap. If he walked into the cell alone and with insufficient lighting, would he be overwhelmed? That would be contrary to the loud call made by Paul, but if they were still bound in their chains, his suicide outside of the cell would still leave them bound. But if they could get him into the cell, they would have a better chance of getting free by possibly 1) using keys if he had them, 2) using his sword to pry at the locks, or 3) using his life as leverage to get freedom.

Therefore, he cautiously called for lights. The meaning is that he would not only have sufficient lighting but also the guards who held the lights. Only then would it be safe to enter. With that, it next says, “having rushed in.”

The word translated as “rushed in” is eispédaó. It was seen in Acts 14:14 and it literally means “to leap in,” or “to spring in.” This shows that the jailor surely thought it was a trap. He rushed in expecting to be pounced upon by those inside the cell. But with the area now lit and seeing the prisoners all there, without any chains restricting them and yet having not attempted to escape, he was floored. As it next says, “and having become terrified.”

The obvious thought to be deduced from this is that the jailor had heard the conversation between Paul and Silas and probably with the other prisoners as well. This will become more evident when the words of the next verse are presented. But for now, this is a valid assumption.

The jailor had surely heard the words that Paul and Silas spoke concerning salvation, judgment, etc. He may not have paid much attention, but he was aware of the general sense of what they were saying. Now, realizing that these men’s words were backed up by their actions, he felt the weight of judgment having fallen upon him and it terrified him.

The jailor wasn’t terrified of the threat of being overwhelmed by prisoners any longer. Rather, he was terrified that his life had almost ended by his own hand, and he was not ready to meet his Maker on the terms determined by Him. Therefore, he was overwhelmed by the moment, terrified of looming judgment, and now hoping for mercy from the Creator. This begins to be seen in the next words, “having fallen down before Paul and Silas…”

The man who has custody of the prisoners assigned to him now places himself under them and into their care. He is about to place his request before them, hoping that they will have a suitable answer to the terrifying dilemma that is facing him, and which has been brought to light by the events that have just taken place.

Life application: The active nature of Luke’s writing brings the reader directly into what is occurring. Step by step, the thoughts are presented to have us carefully consider each event as it occurs before moving to the next one.

Likewise, a proper translation of the word “lights” rather than “light” makes an amazing difference in what one will perceive concerning what is happening. If Luke had said “light,” it would mean that the jailor stupidly walked into a darkened prison area without his own light. Calling for a light would mean he needed it to see anything at all.

But by calling for lights, it does not exclude him having already brought his own. He just needs more lights and more guards to prepare for whatever lies ahead. As noted above, the KJV and the later NKJV provide six errors in translation in this single verse. The NKJV also changed the translation of the KJV from “sprang in” to “ran in.” Both thoughts are acceptable, but “sprang in” is closer to the original than “ran in.” It was as if the guards leaped into the cell, ready to pounce on whoever was in there waiting to attack them.

All these nuances help us to rightly discern what is being said. Thus, our conclusions will be closer to what Luke truly intended to convey. There is a need in the human soul that cannot be fixed by us. Each of us is just one heartbeat away from having that need forever removed from us.

Be sure to get out and tell people what they need to know. From there, each person can then decide if what he or she has heard is acceptable to them. At least they will have this chance. But if we don’t speak, they may never have it. Go forth and speak!

Heavenly Father, how desperately we need to be reconciled to You! Thank You that You have sent Jesus to bring this about. May we not withhold the precious words of restoration from those we meet along life’s path. Help us to be faithful in this. Amen.

More piles of shells. Nummy for the tummy.

Tuesday, 9 May 2023

But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Acts 16:28

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, the jailor was prepared to kill himself, having drawn his sword for that purpose. With that obviously seen by Paul, Luke next records, “But Paul called with a loud voice.”

One might question why Paul could see the jailor, but the jailor didn’t notice Paul. The answer is that the jailor has come into the cell area from the outside. There would have been no lights as there are today. There would have been no reason to provide lamps at night. And so, the cells would have been pitch black.

Based on what is said in verse 29, even if he had his own torch, it wasn’t sufficient to light the area. Rather, it was only light enough so that he could notice that the cells were open. He surely assumed everyone had skedaddled while he slept. It would have been an obvious inference on any other occasion. The poor lighting would not have been able to pierce into the darker recesses of the cell where the prisoners were.

With his eyes straining to look into the pitch dark, his soul would have become even darker, losing hope of life itself. In that state, the sword would have been drawn and readied for its final plunge. But before that could happen, Paul called out with a loud voice, “saying, ‘Do yourself no harm.’”

Paul’s voice was certainly intentionally loud to arrest the suicidal thoughts of the man. The abruptness and loudness of his voice would have shocked the jailor enough to halt any action with the sword. With that happily effected, he continued his words, saying, “for we are all here.”

Nothing is said of how many were in the prison. The word “all” generally implies more than two people. That makes at least three. But verse 25 had said “the prisoners were listening to them.” The plural indicates at least two others. Therefore, at a minimum, there were four prisoners but there could have been even more.

But the point is made, there were at least four people whose chains had been loosed and whose doors were opened. And yet, they remained in the prison. The obvious question is, “Why would the other prisoners also have remained.” Though the narrative doesn’t say, the answer Luke intends to convey is obvious.

Luke purposefully noted that Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. Unless there is a specific reason that he penned this fact, it is an otherwise irrelevant bit of information. Yes, it makes for great sermon material and allows later writers to make grand statements about the happiness one can experience even in terrible times. But that can be deduced in many other ways.

Luke included those words to introduce the next clause, “and the prisoners were listening to them.” This would be an even more irrelevant statement than the previous one except for the continued narrative. Paul and Silas had such a profound effect on the other prisoners that when they were freed from their bonds, they had chosen to remain in the cell rather than escape.

It can be deduced that even if they wanted to escape, Paul and Silas had convinced them that the life of the jailor would be in jeopardy and to not leave. It can be further surmised that these prisoners may have even been converted in the previous hours as they lay chained in the darkness. Whether this is the case or not, Paul and Silas at least had enough sway to convince them of their need to stay. And they did.

Life application: The general tenor of the words in Acts 16 has been played out time and again since it was recorded. Christians have patiently waited on the Lord through trials, troubles, tribulations, and testing. They have praised him through storms while those around them have seen and desired a faith like theirs.

An example of this is seen in the life of John Wesley. The familiar story is cited from the Methodist.org.uk website –

John and Charles Wesley set out for America in 1735, enthused at the idea of preaching the Gospel to Native American people. During the voyage the ship was struck by a terrifying storm. John was afraid. He prayed with the English passengers, one of whom brought him a baby to baptise in case they were all about to die.

Shortly afterwards he was at another service with a group of German Moravians when a huge wave engulfed the ship and water poured down into the cabins. While the English passengers screamed in terror, the Moravians continued singing – men, women and children seemingly untroubled.

Later he asked one of the Moravians if they hadn’t been afraid. He replied that not even the women and children had been afraid. None of them were afraid to die. John knew that they had something he didn’t, an absolute trust in God. They were prepared to lose their lives because they knew that God was never going to let them go. John was deeply impressed.

His time in America was unsuccessful in many ways, and he and Charles returned home after two years. All the time John was nagged by the thought that he did not have full faith in God. But this was about to change.

Just as the faithful patience and singing of Paul and Silas brought a change in the prisoners with them, the faithful endurance and singing of the Moravians were able to pull at the soul of John Wesley.

Let us consider this as we face terrible times. Our faithful composure and even elation at our salvation may be all that is needed to convict lost sinners who see. From there, the gospel can be proclaimed to the saving of their souls.

Glorious heavenly Father, we have the absolute assurance of eternal life in Your presence because of the finished, final, full, and forever work of Jesus Christ. Help us to act with that assurance when times are tough. May we be as lights in the darkness to those who need to find their way back to You. Amen.