Bible Reading Reflection from Acts 22-28

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ACTS 22:16

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Some people don't require anyone to tell them to baptize, they ask for baptism like the Ethiopian eunuch of Acts 8.

Some people need to be told to be baptized. Interestingly, Paul was asked to, that too, as if Paul was procrastinating, hesitating, like many of us.

May the Lord forgive me if my memory is in error, but I do not remember anyone telling me to be baptized. There was no "Reverend" in my village, and I grew up in a residential school, I had no opportunity of presenting myself during a Baptism season [Passion Week].

I took water baptism after my college graduation just before I went to seminary. I walked 25 kilometers on foot just to take water baptism because nobody other than "Reverend" would do the baptism.

I kind of feel satisfied that baptism didn't come easy for me. I walked 25 km. Kind of achievement! 😂

If you aren't baptized yet, or if you know a professing Christian who is not, "Why are you waiting, delaying, procrastinating? Arise! Be obedient to the ordinance. Be baptized!"

 

ACTS 23:1-5

Top 3 observations:

v1. Paul lived in all good conscience before God until this day. It's soul-searching and soul-stirring.

v3. In the words of Greek Scholar A.T. Robertson, "More self-control might have served Paul better." Indeed, Paul too wasn't immune to sin. [And there are some Christians who think of themselves sinless😬]

v5 Paul admitted his mistake/sin. In the words of Puritan William Hacket, "What can surpass the grace with which he recovered his self-possession, and the frankness with which he acknowledged his error? If his conduct in yielding to the momentary impulse was not that of Christ Himself under a similar provocation (Joh 18:22-23), certainly the manner in which he atoned for his fault was Christ-like"

Btw, there are some godly Bible teachers who have interpreted v3-5 differently than I do. Even the great Baptist theologian John Gill seems to not find fault with Paul and justify Paul.

 

ACTS 24:25-26

"Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’ Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him."

Felix definitely had heard the gospel many times before and even in this trial. Paul had definitely confronted him about his adultery when he said "self-control" for Felix lived with somebody's wife.

Felix even realized the coming Judgement and was fearful of God. He was convicted of God's holiness, of his unrighteousness, of the need for repentance, and of the free offer of grace.

Felix chose to dismiss Paul's reasoning instead of repenting. What a tragedy! He went through all this painful hearing. He was already at the gate of heaven but never went in. Like in the story of The Pilgrim's Progress (if you have read, p69) there are some who have managed to reach heaven's gate but descended to the pit of hell!

As a preacher, my prayer is that my hearers will not be like Felix.

 

ACTS 25:11 " . . . I appeal to Caesar."

Some of the teachings in the Bible are paradoxical. When we read 1Peter, Apostle Peter urges us to give up our rights and suffer.

But in the book of Acts, we have seen Paul appealing for his rights often. Even here, as a Roman citizen, he appealed to be judged by the Caesar court than by the compromised governor Festus.

That's why I am of the conclusion that we Christians must have good lawyers, good politicians, good judges, good bureaucrats, good officers, etc. Someday, we may have to fight in the supreme court (not of Caesar) of India!

So, it's my prayer that our church members become competent scholars, thinkers, bureaucrats, etc. not just to help the poor but even to defend our cause! 🙏

 

ACTS 26:2 "I think myself happy, King Agrippa"

Wow! "Happy!"??

I thought the word "happy" or "happiness" didn't occur in the NT😬

I pulled up my Bible software to investigate further. In NIV, it appears 4 times. NKJV 2 times. NASB only 1 time. And ESV zero.

And the Greek word for this is "makarios" which is often translated as "blessed" as in the Beatitudes. I'd say ESV translators are more accurate and more consistent in rendering this word. So, I think it's safe to say there's no "happiness" or "happy" in the NT.

It matters because word matters. And word matters because theology is developed from it. Just a linguistic observation I have discovered today!

[14:52, 4/13/2021] S.R: The other time the word "happy" occurs in NKJV is Romans 14:22. 

I just checked how Legacy Standard Bible translators dealt with that word. As expected, it's consistent, they render "blessed" instead of "happy". Waiting for the most consistent and most accurate English Bible, LSB to be released!

 

ACTS 27:11

"Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul."

He thought it was unwise to listen to the Apostle Paul. The helmsman is the expert. Peter, being the expert in fishing didn't like fishing advice from Jesus, who BTW is the Creator of fish. Even Christians want to listen to the worldly experts than the faithful teachings of the Scriptures concerning anything, yes, even lockdown and Covid19.

Yes, we have no Jesus in bodily form to listen to. Yes, we don't have the Apostle Paul. But we do have the word of God, infallible, inerrant, and sufficient for us to live life in all its fullness. And people, yes, even Christians prefer to listen to scientists, doctors, and PhDs than to search what the Scriptures say.

Be merciful to us, O Lord, even in your judgment!

 

ACTS 28

v2. "showed us an unusual kindness. . . . made us all welcome"

v7. "entertained us courteously"

v10. "honored us in many ways"

v16. 'was permitted to dwell by himself"

v31. "no one forbidding him"

The last chapter of Acts is interestingly sweet. Paul had suffered enough persecutions, trials, and accusations, but this chapter recorded how people were kind to him, and how he was permitted to teach freely. As if to motivate us to go as a missionary!

 Lord, raise up a missionary in our midst. Lord, awake our souls to support missionaries!

 

[05:31, 4/16/2021] S.R: ACTS 29[😶🙃]

Since there’s no Acts 29, let me exhort . . .

I'd like to believe that we're reading God's word regularly, even if you're not updating, keep meditating, friends!

I'd like to hope that some of us are reading the book of Acts along with me and maybe, even a few chapters ahead or behind, keep reading at your pace.

I'd like to think that those updates were edifying, encouraging, and motivating to you in any way. May they be so!

I'd like to wish you to join me in reading another book, and also to update as often as you can. Don't underestimate your thoughts/insight.

I'd like to thank some of you who have given feedback privately and publicly. And I thank you for reading them without complaint.

It is said that it takes 21 days to form a habit and 90 days to form a lifestyle. If we manage to read through the book of Acts regularly, it means we have spent one additional week, enough to polish our habit! 😇

But that saying is not from the Bible, so, I can't guarantee it! Hahaha!

Bible Reading Reflection from Acts 15-21

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ACTS 15

Thinking through Paul and Barnabas splitting over John Mark

It so happened oftentimes in the pages of the Bible that a great fall or great trial happened after a great success or a great battle.

Paul and Barnabas had just won a great battle against the Judaizers in the Jerusalem Council regarding the Gentile Christians (v1-2). And in the last scene of this chapter, we see Paul and Barnabas in a heated disagreement and separated (v39).

The great baptism of Jesus, confirmed by the Holy Spirit and the voice from Heaven was followed by the great temptation in the wilderness for 40 days.

The great confrontation of Elijah against the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah at Mount Carmel was followed by Elijah fleeing in fear of Jezebel into the cave of Mount Horeb.

The great confession of Peter regarding the person of Jesus Christ was followed by a great rebuke of Christ against Peter.

Hmm! Never be complacent. Never let our guard down. Always recall God's faithfulness in immediate trials. Never enjoy success as if accomplished by self!

 

ACTS 16

Wow! Whatever Paul did in this chapter looks very unlikely of him, but when I think carefully, everything he did was right.

Paul compromised in circumcising Timothy [Why, oh why, would he?], stopped the true proclamation of the slave girl [Why, oh why, would he?] sang songs unto God in pain in prison [Really?], and challenged the magistrates! [Inviting troubles? 🙀]

I love the wisdom, godliness, and courage of Paul! 😇

 

ACTS 17

v3 "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ"

Preacher, is your Jesus the Christ of the Bible? Surely Joel Osteen's Jesus is not the Christ of the Bible, BTW.

v11 "These [Bereans] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they recieved the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so"

Church Members, are you a passive listener, or do you search the Scripture like the Bereans to confirm it from the Scripture? If they dared to evaluate Paul's doctrine, and if Paul commended them for it, won't it be necessary for you to evaluate anyone's teaching?

I have been preaching for 15 years, and have been listening to sermons for over 30 years. It is easier to preach Christ plus or anything than to preach only Christ. And it's easier to believe what the preacher says than to find out for ourselves and develop a conviction of our own!

[22:28, 4/4/2021] S.R: BTW, a few weeks ago, I was listening to Jonathan Osteen, son of Joel Osteen on YouTube. His audience were applauding him for almost every sentence he spoke. The YouTube comment section was full of praises. I saw even my respected school teacher praising the sermon and invoking God's blessing for Osteen Empire.

Unfortunately, Osteen's God is Not the God of the Bible!

 

ACTS 18

v4 "And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks."

v13 “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

I will never, never, never be like Paul [inability], but he called me to imitate him just as he imitated Christ. As a minister of the gospel, my calling is to persuade men to worship God. It is not just to inform or to suggest, or to enforce, but also to persuade...

When was the last time I beg a non-Christian to come to God? When was the last time I beg a Christian brother or sister to mend their way before God?

To scold, to teach, to confront is easier than to beg!

 

ACTS 19:9

"But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus."

Indeed, it is so difficult to preach to anyone whose heart is hardened. But it takes wisdom to discern when to withdraw and when to endure!

God gave up on mankind and sent the flood. Jesus often withdrew himself from the crowd. Jesus commanded His disciples to withdraw themselves from those who didn't receive them. Paul and Barnabas withdrew themselves from the Jews of Antioch. And here Paul withdrew the disciples from the hardened people.

Lord, wherever I am, give me the wisdom to discern when to endure and when to leave, Amen

 

ACTS 20:19

"serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews"

Is my life a demonstration of all humility? Is my life of many tears? Is my life of many trials? Certainly, I don't enjoy trials, and often have I responded to trials in complaints and even grumbling. But church history has revealed that all great men of God faced many great trials.

How often. . .

crying because of desperation, weeping because of compassion, mourning with those who suffer...?

God, would you stir up my soul to follow my Lord, and the great Apostle Paul, and all the faithful saints of God to walk in humility with many tears and rejoicing in all trials!

 

ACTS 21 particularly v1-15

Well, today I just want to leave a few observation questions to think through:

v4 They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.

v14 “The will of the Lord be done.”

v15 "And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem"

Q1. So, Paul went up to Jerusalem. Was Paul being disobedient? 😬😉

Q2. If the Spirit of God warned him not to go, how could Paul's decision be the will of the Lord? 😬 Is Trinity (Jesus and Spirit) in conflict?😉

Q3. Was it unwise of Paul to go up to Jerusalem in spite of several warnings from many: Spirit, disciples, prophet Agabus, (and possibly even the wives and children of v5, Philip the evangelist and his 4 daughters, and perhaps even Luke suggested him not to go)?

I think there are good implications for how we answer these questions!

Bible Reading Reflection from Acts 8-14

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ACTS 8:9-25

Simon was impressed with the works of God. He wasn't convicted. It's one thing to be impressed and sought after, it's another thing to be convicted and be converted.

That's one of the problems I see in certain ministries of Apologetics. Their preaching are oriented to impress people, and not designed to convict the sins of their listeners.

Nobody enters heaven because they are impressed with God. If so, God would have shaken heaven and earth every now and then. Our Lord Jesus, Himself refused to work miracles when demanded. Those who had seen His miracles didn't believe too. It is through repentance and faith in Jesus that brings the wonders in life!

As a preacher, I look at great men of God and would like to be like them, but that could possibly be compared to Simon wanting to be like Philip and the Apostles.

As a preacher, I would like my hearers to listen to me attentively. No sinners want to be offended; they want their ears to be tickled. It's easier to impress them by quoting this and that, talking this and that, but I am called to preach nothing else but only Christ!

 

ACTS 9 Reflection:

5 unique characters:

1. Saul the terrible being converted and becoming a trophy of Grace for Christ.

2. Ananias, a timid disciple who restored sight to Saul the terrible.

3. Barnabas, who knew powerful Apostles, brought Paul to them.

4. Peter the Cephas

5. Simon the host of Peter the Cephas.

All of them, appointed by God, each having his own calling into the ministry!

I've had enough of Paul and Peter😝 I don't think I have the courage of Ananias to go and preach to RSS people. I do not know great people like Barnabas did, to introduce anyone to them. But maybe I can think of Simon the tanner, and work on developing hospitality all the more!

 

ACTS 10:31

"And said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.’"

What a wonderful God we have! No impartiality in Him (v34). Whoever calls on Him will be saved. Cornelius, a gentile called on Him, and God saved Him.

Whoever seeks God will find God. But we know it is God who first seeks us. He is the one who stirs up our hearts to seek Him. We are lost sheep. Jesus is the real seeker. The person to be found is the lost one, a sinner. Sinners are dead people needed to be awakened by the Spirit of God. Ought we to give all credits to God for our salvation!

As we see, God's means of Salvation is the gospel. Peter went and proclaimed the gospel. God didn't just justify Cornelius for those prayers and alms in Caesarea. That's why I am delighted in the ministry of the gospel because it is the only way to save sinners.

Unreached people need the Gospel to hear and believe and obey. God is not going to save those Sentinelese in Andaman and Nicobar Islands or those in Amazon jungles without hearing the gospel!

Lord, stir up a passion to weep for the lost and to reach out to them! For I was once lost and was found by Your grace through Your preachers!

 

ACTS 11

v7 "Rise, Peter, kill and eat."

v9 "What God has cleansed you must not call common"

Hmm! If you aren’t eating pork, you are wasting your life! 🤣😂

Joke aside! But praise God that He hasn't restricted us! Israelites were chosen to be the people of God in the Old Testament. They were to live a different life; thus, they had those dietary laws. In the NT, the people of God are Christians. There is no distinction between a Jew and a Gentile, thus there is no need for dietary distinction.

v18 confirms it: "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." Guys, let's enjoy pork with thanksgiving😇 Btw, I'm texting this just after eating pork! 😂

 

ACTS 12

Herod killed James the apostle for preaching the gospel (v2). Herod enjoyed persecuting Christians and arrested Peter again (v4). But God freed Peter and eventually killed Herod (v8, 23). And with or without persecution, Christians continued to spread the gospel, and more were saved (v24)

The work of Satan is real. And I think even these many restrictions and responses to Covid19 have the hands of Satan. But God is sovereign. And His people shall prevail! There lies my hope, assurance, joy, and peace!

 

ACTS 13 OBSERVATION FROM PAUL'S SERMON

Tone and mood is exhortation/ encouragement (v15)

Audience: chosen people of God and those who fear God (v16)

Theme: God raised up for Israel a Saviour—Jesus (v23). The most repeated word is "raised".

His main exhortation starts at v38 till 41. His exhortation is mostly a negative—warning and ended with a stern warning of doom "lest you marvel and perish" (v41)

His Outline: 3 times he addressed "Men" "brethren" and they serve as his sermon outline.

I. 16-25 God in His promise gives Jesus as Saviour for Israel.

II. 26-37 (but they killed Him) but God in His promise raised up Jesus

III. 38-42 God promises to justify (forgive, save) anyone who believes in Him

Illustration: from Old Testament

Main Theological Doctrine: Justification by Faith (v39)

Main Implication/Application: there is justification (forgiveness) when we believe Christ. v38-39

In short, Believe or Perish!

 

ACTS 14:22

“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’”

If I am living a very comfortable life, well, I must question whether I am really with Jesus or with the world!

If I haven't suffered or lost anything because I chose to follow Christ, well, it's not the Christ of the Bible.

If I am not rejoicing in all the mundane things of life (boredom, wants, challenges, sin, trouble, sickness, and anything), well, I may as well quit Christianity.

If I am looking for a prosperous, secured, and peaceful future, well, Jesus didn't promise those for His ministers, what He promised is tribulation and the sufficiency of His grace in it!

If the lovingkindness of God is not better than life, well, neither heaven nor God is a matter of joy!

But God is my joy! God is my Salvation! God is my life! And therefore, my life is worth living, suffering, and dying! Thank You, Lord 🙏

Bible Reading Reflection from Acts 1-7

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ACTS 1:4

"And being assembled together with them, He COMMANDED them not to depart from Jerusalem, but TO WAIT for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me.’”

Waiting is difficult. But God wants Christians to be people who wait. We wait for Christ's return till today. Jesus could have sent the Holy Spirit on His death to strengthen His timid disciples, or on His ascension, but He delayed.

Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac after God's promise. Paul waited 13 years for His first missionary journey after his Damascus experience. God rejected Saul because He didn't learn to wait. Isaiah 40:31 promises the eagle's strength and glory for those who wait. David became King decades later after His anointment. Our God himself is waiting patiently for all to turn to Him.

Lord, forbid me to be impatient. Help me to learn and to delight in waiting on You! Amen!

 

ACTS 2:13

"Others MOCKING said, "They are full of new wine."

Scoffers are always everywhere at any time. If they had mocked Christ, our Lord (also the Apostles), why would we be exempted? There are those who make fun of Christian virtues, ethics, and principles.

When I was in a Seminary, we had a visiting professor who would come twice a year. He would usually preach powerful sermons. Most of us were convicted (like Acts 2:37-38). But when we walked out of the chapel, there was one guy who would deride him and scoff at his teaching, and it almost took away our convictions. Woe to him that makes others stumble (Luke17:1-2)

Indeed Psalm1:1 says, "Blessed is a man who does not associate with a scoffer."

Help me to stay away from the scoffers, Lord. Help me to be bold like Peter to confront the scoffers. May Your Holy Spirit soften my heart to heed You and strengthen me to stand firm against scoffers, Amen!

 

ACTS 3:6-8

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’”

The modern church is chided, "Nowadays, the church has the silver and the gold, and does not have the power of God to transform lives." Actually, the criticism is true and false.

Well, the greatest transformation in an individual or society anywhere, anytime is the conversion of a soul to God. The church may not have the miraculous gifts to heal people, but we have the living word of God to transform lives.

Even with the wealth the church has accumulated righteously or unrighteously, we may use them to rescue sinners that they too may worship God.

What's the state of my (our/ your) church?

 

ACTS 4

v13 "when they saw the boldness of Peter . . ."

v29 ". . .grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word"

v31 " . . .and they spoke the word of God with boldness"

As I grow older, I realize boldness does not come easy. Sure, one can be bold because one is foolish as the proverb says, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

To be bold based on strong convictions and demonstrated by a righteous life, which of course is a spirit-filled life.

Apostle Paul also asked Ephesians to pray for him that he will be bold to proclaim the gospel (Eph.6:19). If the Apostles needed boldness and asked for prayers, and if the Lord granted them, how much more do we need to ask and pray for boldness for our preachers!?

Let's pray for all the pastors and preachers that the Lord will grant them boldness to preach His word! 🙏

 

ACTS 5: TWO CONTRASTING REACTIONS

Many people say that God of OT is an angry God, and God of NT is a loving God. Is it true? Well, in the first book of NT, we see Jesus taking a whip, overturning tables of businessmen, and driving them away. In Acts 5, God killed a couple just because they didn't bring all their money. (Hmm, I will be glad if a church member sold his lands and give even 5% for a church mission program. 🙃) In the last book of NT, we see Jesus with a sharp two-edged sword. His eyes were like a flame of fire. His garments dipped in blood. He is coming back to slaughter.

 

v1-16: GODLY RESPONSE: Fear God

v5 "so great fear came upon them"

v11 "so great fear came upon all the church"

 

v17-42: SINFUL RESPONSE: Rebel against God

v17 "they are filled with indignation. . . put them in prison"

v33 "they were furious and plotted to kill them"

Lord, increase in me the fear of You, Amen!

 

ACTS 6:4

"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

What stands out (for me) in ACTS 6 has always been v4. And what stands out (for me) in verse 4 is the word "continually". This adverb "continually" is for both prayer and the ministry of the word.

(And for me): Hmmmn! I have received a lot of comments for my devotion to the word, but haven't received much on my prayer life. Not that I want or care about people's comments, but I also know that great men of God are not only deep in their theology but also deep in prayer!

BTW, I put the phrase "for me" in parenthesis and italicized it because prayer is not the primary theme of this passage exegetically, but it strikes me hard, always!

 

ACTS 7

The longest chapter of the Acts of the Apostles is chapter 7. And it is a sermon. So, preach a long sermon 😝😆

Joke aside, Jesus was confrontational in His preaching and it led Him to death. Stephen's confrontation in v51-53 led him to death. John the Baptist confronted Herod and led him to death.

On the softer side, Jesus still confronted Nicodemus, the woman on the well, the paralytic man, His mother, His disciples, and everyone who wanted to follow Him.

The Gospel is indeed good news but it offends everybody too! The problem with us (preachers) today is that nobody wants to kill us anymore! Not that we want to die, but that we are not valiant for the truth!