Serve One Another

Today I want to look at two similar “one anothers”. The first is written by Paul, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13). The second is written by Peter, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (I Peter 4:10).

In our first verse, Galatians 5:13, the Greek word for “serve” is speaking of the kind of service performed by one who is enslaved. According to Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary, such a slave “conducts himself in total service to another…in complete devotion to his or her master.”

This same Greek word is used by Jesus when He says, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Since total and complete devotion is required, it is truly an impossibility to serve two masters. Zodhiates’ Complete Word Study Dictionary further explains that such a person is not merely “in the position of a servant”, but also acts accordingly! Zodhiates’ lists two antonyms (opposites) for this verb – “to be idle” and “to be at leisure”. It would seem that such service is a full-time job in the extreme sense.

A couple more thoughts before moving on to Peter’s statement, the freedom Paul speaks of here is our freedom from sin and the Law that we now have in Christ (Galatians 5:1). The “flesh” he warns us about is enslavement to our selfish desires and the results are spelled out as “the deeds of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21. Both of these ideas speak to our motives when serving one another. We are not to be legalistic, adding rules, making a long list of “shoulds” that are burdensome and rob us of our freedom in Christ. Neither are we to selfishly serve others with the hopes of personal gain.

Lastly, let’s take a quick look at Paul’s phrase “through love”. The love spoken of here is agape love, the most devoted kind of love possible. This is the love referred to in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” Agape love gives what is best and what is most needful. As for the Greek word use for “through”, it can also be translated as “on account of…” and “because of…” Therefore, our service to one another is to be on account of and because of the agape love we have found in Christ and it is that same sort of love we pass on to others. I John 4:19 says simply, “We love, because He first loved us.”

In I Peter 4:10, the Greek word for “serving” is the verb diakoneo, it literally means to be a waiter of tables. According to Zodhiates, the word generally means, “to care for someone’s needs, bringing advantage to others”. The antonyms he lists are “to harm, to cause loss, to destroy, to corrupt”. Clearly, the word means a lot more than serving food if the withholding of such service would bring destruction or corruption!

Historically, seven diakoneo table waiters were chosen in Acts 6:1-6 to help ensure the fair treatment of widows. The men selected for this job were to be of “good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Later we find Paul instructing Timothy on similar requirements for choosing Deacons (diakonos) to help with church administration (I Timothy 3:8-13).

The thing I find most interesting about Peter’s statement “serving [diakoneo] one another” is that he is not speaking to just a few Deacons put in charge of this or that. His letter is addressed to all the believers living throughout Asia. Furthermore, I Peter 4:10 says “each one” has received a gift to be used in serving (diakoneo) others. In other words, every believer has been given the responsibility of serving as a deacon, whether they hold that title or not.

Notice also that Peter says we each have “received a special gift” (I Peter 4:10). Therefore, the way I serve will not be the exact way you serve; we are uniquely gifted and are intended to also uniquely serve.

Peter goes on to say our serving is to be done “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10b). Stewards are managers put in charge of distributing and apportioning the goods on behalf of the owner. In Genesis 39:4, we find Joseph serving Pharaoh in this manner and later he is put in charge of distributing the grain during Egypt’s famine (Genesis 41:38-57). Likewise, Peter teaches that as we serve, we are stewards put in charge of distributing God’s many forms of grace to others.

To summarize, let’s pull all these various terms together and paint a biblical portrait of what it means to “serve one another” –

Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
•    Service is a by-product of our freedom in Christ
•    Biblical serving is not motivated by selfish desires of the flesh
•    We serve because of God’s agape love and we share that same love with others
•    Our serving shows an all-consuming devotion to our Master, Christ Jesus

I Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
•    Each believer is uniquely gifted to uniquely serve the Body of Christ
•    Such service is required of all believers, not a select few
•    Biblical serving demands we actually help someone, “bringing advantage to others”
•    We are stewards in charge of distributing God’s grace to those we serve

Ephesians 5:15-16 “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

Be Devoted to One Another

Today’s “one another” comes from Romans 12:10, it starts out by saying, “be devoted to one another in brotherly love”. I had a hard time putting into words exactly what it would mean to be devoted to someone so I checked out the Greek word using my Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. It turns out this is the only place in the Bible this particular word is used, not that it matters, but I always find that interesting. The original Greek word Paul used here means “tenderly loving”.

I also looked at the Greek words for “brotherly love”, it turns out there isn’t two different words, the phrase has been translated from a single Greek word “philadelphia” which speaks of a family sort of relationship and literally means, “coming from the same womb”. We are to feel such closeness to our fellow believers that we see them as having come from the same womb we did – and this is true since we’re all born of the same Spirit.

When I think of brotherly love in the Bible, I usually think of the Old Testament example of Jonathan and David. But today I was also reminded of how the believers in Ephesus treated Paul as he was departing. In Acts 20:36-38 we read, “When he (Paul) had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.”

Sometimes showing brotherly love can be difficult, especially if you’ve come from a dysfunctional family or even just a family where affections were more presumed than demonstrated. Personally, I think it has taken me a lot of years to be as good at this as I am, and I know I have a long way to go. But the good news is that I am moving in the right direction, and hopefully, you are as well!

I John 4:20-21 “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”

Discussion Questions:

How have you shown devotion to another Christian? How was that received? Does fear of rejection keep us from adequately showing devotion to one another?

Accept One Another

In Romans 15:7, Paul teaches that we are to “accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”  In looking at the context of this verse, we find that the previous section of Romans speaks about eating and not eating meat offered to idols. Paul is teaching us here that we need to be accepting of each other’s differing behaviors brought about by matters of conscience – not matters of sin, but matters of conscience. That being said, before I can correctly judge such a situation, I better be sure I know what the Bible says or doesn’t say on the matter.

I also looked up the Greek word used here for “accept” using Zodhiates’ Complete Word Study Dictionary – “to admit to one’s society and fellowship, receive and treat with kindness.” This reminded me of another passage of Scripture where James gives the example of dinner guests getting different treatment based on their expensive clothing. He concludes, “If you show partiality, you are committing sin” (James 2:9). When we behave like members of a high school clique rather than members of the Body of Christ, we are destroying the unity Jesus prayed for and commanded of us.

Another lesson to be seen in this definition is regarding prejudice. In some areas, we’ve come a long way towards overcoming racial prejudice. In others, it seems we’ve only begun. It can be difficult to be truly accepting of people we may have little in common with or know very little about. Therefore, when I’m in such a situation, I think it is important to extend an extra measure of kindness and effort to get acquainted so everyone feels comfortable and acceptance will follow.

I find it interesting that Peter took about five years from the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 to the conversion of the gentile Cornelius in Acts 10 for him to accept that the God of Israel was also accepting of gentiles. “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.” (Acts 10:34-35).

If you’ve realized there is a brother or sister in Christ that you are not fully accepting, consider doing something special for that person. Sometimes this is what our heart needs to eventually get in line with what our mind knows is right… or vice versa!

Discussion Questions:

How is “accepting one another” being carried out in your church? What can you personally do to promote a spirit of acceptance in your local congregation?

Neglecting the Harvest

It’s summertime and my zucchini and tomato plants are going nuts; the harvest is plentiful! I have more than I can eat and I’m busy passing produce along to my family and neighbors.

Today this has reminded me of harvesting men’s souls. Proverbs 10:5 says, “He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.”

The harvest is now, it’s been going on since the Day of Pentecost described in Acts 2. As Christians, we need to wake-up and be busy about our Father’s business.

It would be shameful of me to let the produce rot on the vines, neglecting the opportunity to share what I have with others. Even more so, I shouldn’t neglect sharing my most valuable possession: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul on the Road to Damascus

As I write this, the Bereans’ class is wrapping up the book of Acts and will be moving on to Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. But I can’t possibly do Luke’s book of Acts any justice if I don’t comment on Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). Not only are the actual events given quite a bit of space, but Luke also records for us the details as re-told by Paul twice more (Acts 22:1-21 and 26:1-23).

Saul, accuser and persecutor of the Saints, sees a blinding light, hears a mysterious voice, and becomes Paul – Christ’s Ambassador and Apostle to the Gentiles. As Christians, we often marvel at having such a wonderful conversion story to tell – and at the powerful and undeniable change in Paul that resulted.

While it is true, not everyone has such a dramatic conversion experience; the Bible is clear that everyone is to be dramatically changed by their conversion experience. Your life “in Christ” is new! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” (II Corinthians 5:17).

This being the case, does your current lifestyle significantly differ from your pre-conversion lifestyle? Another way to look at this, is to ask if the way you live looks any different than those you know who are unsaved? Do you both watch the same television shows, share the same expensive, time-consuming hobbies, and both equally maxed out with personal credit card debt?

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 that we are not to be “conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (NASB). The Greek word for “transformed” is “mĕtamŏrphŏō”. Using the old KJV Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, I found this meaning: to transform (literally or figuratively “metamorphose”) – change, transfigure, transform.

This definition really improved my understanding of Romans 12:2. First, I was completely amazed to find the root of this word being so similar to our word for metamorphosis – the miraculous change of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Let me share with you a bit about this insect’s life cycle. The tiny eggs look like flecks of dust on a twig or leaf. They hatch out caterpillars so small you would hardly notice their squirming little bodies. Then they eat, and they eat, and they eat. As you might guess, they also grow! Soon they form their chrysalis cocoons and the miracle of transformation takes place.

I think it is interesting to realize this change would not be possible without the critter’s voracious appetite. Can you imagine their dismal failure if they ate only a few nibbles of a leaf, a couple times a week? They would die of starvation – with no transformation at all. I think that’s what happens to some new Christians when they aren’t given enough encouragement to be faithful in the Word. Jesus tells us in the Parable of the Sower that the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life can choke out our time in God’s Word and rob us of maturity as well as our fruit-bearing ability (Luke 8:14).

Sometimes I think we seem to encourage new believers to not study the Bible. When we say, “Congratulations – now you have eternal life!”, we imply they’ve arrived and there’s nothing else to do but wait to die and receive their reward. But can you imagine the explosion of growth in their tiny, imperceptible spiritual life if they went right home and read John’s gospel that same day? Then the next day they read 3 or 4 short epistles and the 3rd day plowed through Matthew?

We all want Christ-likeness, but the truth is, you can’t be or do what you don’t know. To be a disciple of Christ is to be a learner - to be a disciplined student of the things of God. We can’t hope to transform our minds if we won’t “eat” God’s Word like a hungry caterpillar! After Paul’s conversion, he spent three years in Arabia, consuming and transforming before beginning his ministry as Apostle and Ambassador for Christ (Galatians 1:15-18). Likewise, the transformation of our lives begins with radically different thinking and that happens as we are immersed in the teachings of Jesus, being His continual, steadfast disciple.

The other thing that jumped out at me from the definition of “mĕtamŏrphŏō”, is how this word seems to equally mean both “transform” and “transfigure”.  Transformation seems like a gradual process and transfigure seems more instantaneous. After a little more digging, I was able to learn that this Greek word is only used four times in the entire New Testament.

Twice this word is used in the gospels where Jesus is “transfigured” as He meets with Elijah and Moses (Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2). It is hard for us to know exactly what changes occurred that caused the gospel writers to use this particular word; but just imagine – it was something as dramatic as a caterpillar metamorphosing into a butterfly! Furthermore, in Romans 12:2, we can now see that Paul says we are to dramatically re-align our thinking to this same extent. How can we do this? By hungering for God’s word like a caterpillar munches leaves!

The fourth New Testament reference using this Greek word is found in II Corinthians 3:18, here Paul is talking about how we are to be transformed into the very image of Christ. Now that’s dramatic!

So again, let’s consider Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus – was it unique? Yes, the manner of each person’s conversion is different. But no, we should each be radically transformed by a genuine encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here are journaling suggestions for you to try:

Describe the changes that have occurred in your life since receiving Christ as your Savior.

Put down on paper the details of your personal conversion experience.

No Other Name

As I began to study the book of Acts, I came across an old familiar verse, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). I remember learning that as a memory verse when I first became a Christian. The assignment was part of a Bible study class and they wanted us to learn verses so we could share our faith with others. The idea was a good one, but I remember being so frustrated with this verse because it didn’t say the actual name “Jesus” and so I always kept my eye out for a better verse. I know it sounds sort of silly, but I really did want the whole gospel in one easy to learn verse that I could spring on unsuspecting unbelievers in a “ah-ha” moment during some spirited debate.

Anyway, here I am about 28 years later, coming across this same verse and it still seemed odd to me that it didn’t say the word “Jesus”. So, now being the good Berean I am, I got out my shovel and I started digging! I began by looking up the Greek word for “name”. I found that our “name” isn’t the sound of the letters used to address us; instead our “name” in the biblical sense refers to our title, position, honor, authority, character, fame, possessions, etc.
 
This made sense to me as I realized I have two collections of books by various authors: one that talks about the names of God, and the other about God’s attributes. Even a casual glance through these books reveals that the topics covered are the same – for in every name God has given us, He also reveals to us an aspect of His NAME – an attribute with which to better understand Who He is.

Jesus means, “God saves” and that is an important Truth. But it isn’t the 5-letter word “Jesus” that saves – I think this has to be biblically correct because there are thousands of babies born in Mexico who are given the same name – and regardless of your sincere faith or the extent of your trust in them, not one of these can offer you eternal life! Instead, our salvation is in the One beheld behind the NAME: The Only Beloved Son of God, Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, the sinless Lamb of God who died on the cross, the Resurrected Lord of the Universe, God  Incarnate, Living Word, Messiah, Christ, and Glorious King who reigns eternal!

Furthermore, we are not called by the name of Jesus (Jesusians or Jesusites) but we are called by His NAME – by His title as Christ – Christians, and our faith is called Christianity. This may be just a coincidence, but I think not. It shows that even in the days of Jesus that there may well have been more than one man by this name; but through all of time, in every land, and every tongue, in all the earth, there has only been ONE who has the NAME – title, position, honor, and authority of the Christ.

Look at Acts 4:12 again in this way: And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other title, position, honor, and authority under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. And there are many other verses in the New Testament that oddly omit the word “Jesus” yet clearly refer to Him. Luke 10:17 says the disciples healed and cast out demons “in His name”. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 tells us to baptize “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Peter preached the Good News saying, “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 10:43). Finally, in John 14:13, Jesus teaches us to pray, asking “in His name”.

Jesus asked His disciples the most important question anyone could ever answer: “Who do you say that I am?” He is not the Santa Clause figure of the health and wealth prosperity gospel preachers. Nor is He a hippie-like pacifist love-guru (Jesus taught more on hell than He ever did heaven!) The Apostle Peter’s correct response is recorded for us in Matthew 16:16; “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” There are those whose opinion of Jesus is so unbiblical that they practice a form of idolatry when they worship! Have you studied the Bible to know Him well enough that you easily recognize a counterfeit?

My purpose here is to encourage you to be more careful about how you think of the name of Jesus, to take the time to think through if you hold a correct and biblical worldview of who He is. I also want to ask that you encourage others to do the same. There are so many cults and false religions that claim the name of Jesus—but they do so without understanding His NAME; they do not know of His title, position, honor, and authority. They mistakenly think that Jesus was just a good and moral teacher, the spirit-brother of Lucifer, a transformed angel-being, or another one in a long line of Jewish prophets. And at the root of all these thoughts, they have each denied His deity. Furthermore, Jesus Christ has no equal, no substitute, and no vicar who can speak for God and forgive our sins.

Beginning today, when you hear someone say that they “believe in Jesus”, spend a few minutes with them and make sure they know more than just the 5-letter word, “Jesus”; see if they know the NAME of Jesus. Don’t be one of those folks who think they shouldn’t ever talk to people about their faith. Introduce them to the Real Jesus -- the only NAME given under heaven by which men must be saved.

Philippians 2:9-11 “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Here are journaling suggestions to try:

Write about what prompted you in choosing a particular memory verse.

Describe the outcome of a recent witnessing experience.

The Feasts of the Lord

Happy Spring! Our Bereans’ class has finished Luke and is about half way through the book of Acts. It’s been a windy March outside and I can feel a whirlwind in my mind too as I’ve been racing to keep up with all the key events going on in these chapters. Luke, of course, ends with the crucifixion and resurrection events and then Acts picks up with Pentecost and the early beginnings of the Church. These familiar Bible stories are each linked to a Jewish spring festival. Leviticus 23:4 tells us that these festivals are more properly called, “The Feasts of the Lord”, in other words, they belong to Him. These are not holidays like Mother’s Day here in the United States which was begun by a presidential proclamation. The Lord God Himself established these Holy Days. There are seven feasts in total and they depict the entire redemptive work done by the Messiah. Four of the seven feasts are observed in the spring and their meaning was fulfilled in the chapters we studied this past month. The other three feasts are observed in the fall.

The first “Feast of the Lord” is Passover. Jesus IS the Passover Lamb, His perfect sacrifice on the cross makes possible our redemption from Satan’s bondage. If you haven’t read this in a while, I suggest you curl up with your Bible some evening soon to enjoy the first 14 chapters of the book of Exodus. Yes, the story is familiar, but it is so much better than anything you’ll find on your television!

 The very next day after Passover, begins the week long “Feast of Unleavened Bread”. In Bible times, Jewish people commonly referred to the entire holiday season by this name (Mark 4:12). Today however, they usually lump all these holidays together in the word “Passover”. In orthodox Jewish homes, the tradition is still carried out where they search the house for all leavened bread – even the crumbs - and ceremoniously remove it. Leaven is a symbol for sin and, like yeast, it takes only a tiny bit to ferment or rot an entire batch of dough. The day after the Lord’s crucifixion, His body was in the tomb. Yet it did not, and could not, decay   because there was no sin (leaven) to be found in Him.

The third day is called “The Feast of Firstfruits”. It is in the spring that the first green blades of barley appear. The first sheaf is cut and presented to the Lord. If it is accepted, it is His promise, His earnest pledge, that there will be a full harvest. The resurrection of the Lord on the third day is evidence of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. How dear it is to know we are part of the harvest to come, pledged nearly 2000 years ago when God the Father accepted Jesus as the Firstfruit.

Then there is a fourth spring festival, “The Feast of Weeks”. We commonly call this “Pentecost” meaning “fiftieth day” because it is observed on the day after seven weeks beginning with the “Festival of Firstfruits”. 7 x 7 is 49, then the next day is Pentecost, or 50 days after our Easter Sunday.

Most everyone recognizes this day as when the Holy Spirit fell from heaven and the New Testament Church began to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. But there’s more to it than that! “Pentecost” marks the beginning of the Jewish harvest season. Did you catch that? The celebration of Pentecost is the birth of the Church and the beginning of the harvest; but not just any harvest, this is the Lord’s harvest of souls!

Now let’s look closer at the promise of the Holy Spirit: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Notice that Jesus tells the disciples that the gospel message is to spread in three stages throughout the world. This is a key verse in the book of Acts and actually forms an outline of how the message was indeed carried to the world. In Chapter 2, the message is preached in Jerusalem, in Chapter 8, it spreads to Samaria, finally in Chapter 10, the message breaks out into the entire world with the household of Cornelius being the first Gentile converts.

If we study carefully the instructions given for the harvest as begun on the Day of Pentecost in the Old Testament, we learn that the gospel’s spread was long ago foretold. Leviticus 23:22, “When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the Lord your God.” Note that there are three parts to this harvest: the main harvest, the far corners, and the gleanings. And there are three groups of people who will enjoy these harvest sections – the land owners, the poor, and the aliens or strangers. Each of these corresponds to one of the groups of people in Acts 1:8. The Jewish people are the land owners, the Samaritans are the poor, and the Gentiles are the aliens and strangers.

The next Feast of the Lord on the Jewish calendar is celebrated in the fall at the end of the harvest, known as the Feast of Trumpets. This Holy Day will be fulfilled when Christ returns at the sound of the trumpet on the Day of the Lord.

As for today, Jesus tells us, “lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35). Let this spring mark a time of harvest in the lives of people you know, begin now to pray for those you will invite to church this Easter – April 8th. For today is the day of salvation! (Hebrews 3:13).

Luke the Historian

A long time family friend has directed me to an online resource of evidence for the truthfulness of the gospel writing being verified from external as well as internal resources.

The URL -  http://themoorings.org/apologetics/Gospels/relia3.html

I am just beginning my personal "dig" around this site but I wanted to post this here for everyone to enjoy. This is, in part, what I have found:

"As we said earlier, the Gospel of Luke was originally combined with Acts in a single work. The author, Luke the physician, was a careful and conscientious historian. The accuracy of Acts led one eminent archaeologist at the turn of the century—Sir William Ramsay—to become a believer in Christ. Through his extensive excavations in Asia Minor, Ramsay himself made many discoveries showing the historical reliability of Acts. Ramsay concluded,

Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy; he is possessed of the true historic sense; he fixes his mind on the idea and plan that rules in the evolution of history; and proportions the scale of his treatment to the importance of each incident (6).

One of many striking confirmations of Luke's accuracy is his use of titles. The many titles that he brings into his narrative would, if he were careless or uninformed, most certainly give rise to errors. He notes that when pagan opponents of Christianity rioted in Ephesus, there was more than one proconsul of Asia (Acts 19:38). Sergius Paullus appears in Luke's history as "proconsul of Cyprus" (Acts 13:7) and Gallio as "proconsul of Achaia" (Acts 18:12), although the province was ordinarily known as Greece. The local authorities in Ephesus are "Asiarchs" (Acts 19:31). The magistrates of Philippi are "praetors" and their assistants "lictors" (Acts 16:20, 35), but the magistrates of Thessalonica are "politarchs" (Acts 17:6). The chief official of Malta is protos—first man of the island (Acts 28:7). Herod Antipas, known to his subjects as a king, is designated a "tetrarch" (Luke 3:1). And Lysanias is called "tetrarch of Abilene" (Luke 3:1). All these names and titles have been verified as correct, in some instances by archaeological discoveries within the last century (7). Luke's accuracy is all the more remarkable when we consider the difficulty of his task. Roman political titles were in a constant state of flux. Moreover, a writer in antiquity could not check his facts by going to a local library." (emphasis added)

P.S. I have looked more at this site and think this might be one of the better links, it is lesson 5 on the truthfulness of the gospels:  http://themoorings.org/apologetics/Gospels/relia5.html

Creation Matters to Salvation

I suppose everyone has that one thing that makes it so hard to bite your tongue when you hear it. Maybe you’ve just overheard the conversation of two total strangers and you’re arguing with your inner-self over whether to speak up or not. Or maybe someone on television says something and you just can’t help talking back to them as though they can hear your passion and reasoning. . . .

For me, that “one thing” is when Bible-believers deny the Genesis account of Creation. I know there’s a group of readers who just rolled their eyes. Maybe you think this Old Testament stuff isn’t important – what really matters is Jesus and spreading the gospel. Maybe you feel the debate over Creation and Evolution is pointless, even silly. And the last thing you need is to be dragged into an argument that can’t be won.

But the Bible is jam-packed with passages saying Divine Creation is very important to God. You can’t really read the Psalms, the discourse of God with Job, or the account of the Creation week in Genesis without realizing the Bible’s clear statement that God is the Creator. However, there are also New Testament passages I think most Christians overlook. The doctrine of Divine Creation plays a pivotal role in evangelizing un-churched people, both here and abroad.

Beginning with the four gospels, there is a notable difference in the writers’ presentations. John wrote to the Gentiles and begins his gospel declaring Jesus to be the Eternal Word, and Creator of the World. John 1:3 “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” On the other hand, Matthew, Mark and Luke were written to the Jews who were already well-schooled since childhood regarding God as Creator. Their familiarity with Genesis, Job, and the Psalms meant these gospel-writers could skip this lesson and jump right into arguing Jesus to be their promised Messiah.

This pattern is continued by Paul in the book of Acts. Whenever he preached to the Gentiles, he began by introducing God as Creator. Acts 14:15 “. . . you should turn from these vain things to a living God, ‘who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them’” And Paul says to those who “worship in ignorance” to an unknown god in Acts 17:24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth . . .”

But when Paul spoke directly to the Jews, he omitted this fact. Here, he begins his sermon recounting the nation’s time in Egypt -- Acts 13:16, 17 “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt . . .” And here is Paul reasoning with the Jews in their synagogue -- Acts17:3 “explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.’”

When witnessing to the lost, we need to follow the examples of John and Paul and begin with the beginning of the story – God created! Many Christians today fail to recognize how un-churched our country has become. We often assume everyone knows God is the Creator, but nothing could be further from the truth.

However, our biggest mistake is when we act or speak as if the whole issue doesn’t matter at all. For you see, one isn’t truly saved by believing in a false Jesus -- someone other than the true Jesus. And the true Jesus IS our Creator.

Colossians 1:16, 17 “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

You can’t hope to win a lost soul by introducing Christ and not making it clear exactly who He is: by Him all things were created! Presenting a Jesus that is not our Creator, leads to faith in a false Jesus.

But for me, the most interesting Creation passage is found in the book of Revelation. We’re told throughout the New Testament to spread the gospel of Good News that leads to salvation. Here John shows us the doctrine of Divine Creation is critical to that gospel message.

Revelation 14:6-7 “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

From this single passage, it is possible to argue that declaring a gospel without saying “God created” is not really the complete biblical gospel.

So if we take the time to look honestly at these passages we will find the doctrine of Divine Creation clearly matters to the Lord God and to our eternal salvation. Therefore, it should greatly matter to every Bible-believing Christian as well. After all, could it really be that an all-wise and loving God would start His great book of divine wisdom and revelation to us with words that are trivial and unimportant?

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

On Being Content

Luke 4:40 “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.” The first time I read this verse, I paid attention to the healing that was going on; you probably did too just now. But I want to take a look at the opening words – “while the sun was setting”.

Chapter 4 of Luke’s gospel has been telling about a busy day in the earthly ministry of Jesus. Our Lord had been teaching at the synagogue in the morning and was confronted there by a demon-possessed man. He casts out the demon and is invited to Peter’s house to heal his very ill mother-in-law. And now the sun is setting. No doubt the news had traveled quickly that day throughout the area that Jesus had taught “with authority” and also demonstrated authority over demons and disease.

No doubt as well that people were anxious to bring their sick or lame loved ones to Jesus for healing. But here we read a curious thing – the people did not start arriving till sundown . . . . The time here is an important part of the story, but Luke seems to miss telling his Greek readers why this matters and I’m guessing it is because they wouldn’t understand why it was such a big deal. And I’m not sure I really “get it” either, but here’s my best shot:

The sun was setting meant the Sabbath was ending!  Sabbath laws forbid traveling or carrying things. These people had in their midst a healer, THE Healer, and they couldn’t overcome their legalism and traditions to take their loved ones to Him for healing. This is so very sad! I’m not familiar with any orthodox Jewish families and so it is very difficult for me to imagine this mind set. But how do you wait all day to take your loved one (who may be literally dying!) to see the One who can bring healing? But that’s just what they did. “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick . . . brought them to Him.”

I’m so much a loss for words here. I really am just not sure why this story grips me so – but it does. My eyes begin to swell with tears at the thought of people waiting all afternoon, anxiously watching the sun creep along its path in the sky – and then finally heading out to seek the Healer! Really? Tears? Yes, I know it sounds so pathetic and I can’t explain it. But the sadness doesn’t end here . . . .

Luke 5:39 “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” These have got to be some of the saddest words ever spoken! How often has the gospel been preached to someone who already has “religion” and they reply “no thank you, my old religion is good enough!”? And here these Jewish folks have the Living Gospel right in their midst and they would rather follow their traditions and thousands of rules than turn their lives and their sick loved ones over to Him who can truly heal. They are comfortable and content with the faith of their parents and can’t bring themselves to part ways with family tradition.

It was for this reason that Peter INSISTS that the Jewish converts on the day of Pentecost are baptized – he knows their hearts’ desire to just patch on this new found religion to their old ways. But he won’t let them, and so the call to repent is followed with “and be baptized” into Christ! (Acts 2:38). Make a clean break from the religion of your families and publicly show everyone in Jerusalem that you are now IN CHRIST.  Some of those 3,000 baptized that day may have been left with nowhere to go, literally they had just turned their backs on their families and they were no longer welcome at home!

I am sure that some of the sharing of possessions that we see in the opening chapters of Acts came from heart-felt joy and love, but I'm equally sure that some of that was brought about by necessity. Many of those who chose to be "baptized into Jesus Christ" would have nowhere to go. Unless their entire family was baptized with them, they would be un-welcomed in their homes that evening. Furthermore, many would soon become unemployed if their Jewish employers learned of their baptism into Christ. Sharing was a very needful thing for these folks.

Interesting, I heard tell that the crowds estimated on that day in Jerusalem were over one million – that means less than one-third of one percent actually decided to become baptized into Christ. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He did not change the path to eternal life on that Day of Pentecost. Jesus tells us that the way is NARROW and FEW are those who find it. The way did not become "wide" for that day and then somehow become "narrow" again later.

Lesson: Be careful what you are content with! Luke 5:39 “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” Sad words indeed.

The Health and Wealth Prosperity Gospel

What is the biblical definition of success? Joshua was told to obey all that was commanded – for then he would be prosperous and have success (Joshua 1:6-9). Do you think God’s view of success is anything like ours?

I’m relating this passage to Psalm 1 – it also promises success and prosperity if we mediate on and follow the “Book of the Law”. However, my mind is filled with images of Paul, chained to a stone wall in a dank, dark prison cell. Prosperity and success…? Paul successfully witnessed to the jailor and his whole household was saved. He was rejoicing for the opportunity to share the gospel with a captive audience while in prison (Acts 16: 22-34).

I’m also remembering the blessings poured out on Job after he withstood his trials – but before those blessings came, and none were promised to come, Job’s faith stood fast. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, Blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21). Job saw his relationship with the Lord in much the same way as a marriage covenant – in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer – regardless of our circumstances, we are to love the Lord and bless His holy name.

I guess the bottom line is this, if I were obeying God because of His promises of success and prosperity, it wouldn’t really be obedience at all. God commands that first of all, we love Him with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds (Deuteronomy 6:5).