The Effective Prayer of a Righteous Person Has Great Power1
Acts 12:1-19
1About that time Herod the king (the grandson of Herod the Great) laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2He killed James the brother of John with the sword, (Troubles rarely travel alone. First the famine and then persecution. The church can endure all things.) 3and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. (What a blessed “but”! Persistent guards were baffled by persistent prayer. Some would say, “What can prayer do?” But the early church was not infected with such doubting. They prayed on and Herod’s plans came to nothing.)
6Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” (When the Lord rescues, he rescues completely. Peter must not leave even a sandal or cloak behind. He is to come out of prison with everything he took in.)
9And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
12When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (Peter knew where the church prayed, and expected to find them there, and he did! If he were to come today would he find the church members at prayer meetings? Sadly, many of them never go to what they wickedly call “only a prayer meeting.”) 13And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda (or Rose) came to answer. 14Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” (If God wishes to surprise his people all he has to do is to answer their prayers, because their unbelief outruns their faith.)
16But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James (the Lord’s brother), and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. (This is an outstanding example of the power of prayer. Those who will just try it will find that prayer is as mighty as ever.)
18Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
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1 James 5:16 (alternate reading).
Year Two, September 2
We Preach Christ Crucified1
Acts 13:1-16; 38-42
1Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Here we have the wonderful appointment of the first missionaries. The Lord raised up qualified men from a living and thriving church. And after humble prayer the church sent them out.)
4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. (Here begin the voyages and travels of that greatest of missionaries, Saul of Tarsus. The man who had once been an enemy of the cross chartered the first foreign missionary ship.) 5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John (or John Mark) to assist them. 6When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus (or Son of Jesus). 7He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? (He called himself “son of Jesus,” but Paul called him “son of the devil.” He had also taken the name of Elymas, which means “wise,” but Paul correctly described him as full of all deceit and criminal behavior.) 11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
He had refused spiritual light and now he lost the natural light of the sun. He tried to lead others in the wrong direction and now he must depend on others to lead him.
12Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
13Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, (John Mark deserted the two missionaries. From what we read about him later, it would appear that he was wrong to do so. The hard work and dangers of missionary work were too much for him. If we have put our hand to the plow let us not look back.2) 14but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:
“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.” (Then he went on to describe how the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, and how he removed King Saul from office and chose David as king. He preached Jesus and his salvation to them. Then he said,) 38“ Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
Paul preached free grace and full forgiveness and contrasted it with the law that condemns. This is an excellent way to preach.
42As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. (The good news had won their attention. They were eager to know more about it right away. How happy we are that every Lord’s day brings us the holy word. It is so common that perhaps we do not value it as much as we should.)
1 1 Corinthians 1:23
2 Luke 9:62, “Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’”
Year Two, September 3
He Has Revealed His Righteousness in the Sight of the Nations1
Acts 13:43-52
43And after the meeting of the synagogue (in Antioch) broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. (These serious people wanted to talk personally with Paul and Barnabas about the gospel. Ministers are always hopeful about these kinds of listeners. We must not be shy when it comes to talking to God’s servants about our souls.)
44The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. (The news spread and so did the excitement. Those who are critical of the power that draws large congregations should stop and consider that people cannot learn the gospel if they never hear it. What wonderful days we would see if almost the whole of our population would come together to hear the word of God.) 45But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. (When the gospel dove is driven away, it looks for a more welcome place to build its nest. We cannot force people to be saved. Therefore when we present the gospel and it is rejected, we must carry it to others. In this way the eternal purposes of God will be fulfilled and his own elect will be gathered in.) 49And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.
These intolerant Jews thought that new teachers coming to their city might make them look bad. Were they not already honored enough, were their egos that fragile? They joined the vengeful Jews and chased Paul and Barnabas away. It is not often that we read in the Bible about women, and devout women at that, who oppose the gospel. Yet it is no uncommon thing for “proper” self-righteous ladies to be very bitter against those who dare to differ from them.
51But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 14:1-7
1Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. (Like the dog in the manger,2 they would not allow others to feed on that which they rejected. If they chose to be unbelievers, why do they feel the need to be persecutors?) 3So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7and there they continued to preach the gospel.
However much they are harassed, they keep to their life work. Nothing can stop them, not even the fear of a cruel death. Are we as bold to speak about Jesus to anyone? If not, we fall short of our duty. Let us change our ways and display the Savior’s love everywhere we are.
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1 Psalm 98:2
2 dog in the manger - a person who has no need or use of something that would be of use to others, but who will not allow others to have it. A dog will not eat the hay in a manger, but will not let other animals eat it.
Year Two, September 4
Thanks Be to God, Who in Christ, Always Leads Us in Triumphal Procession1
Acts 14:8-27
8Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.
This represents the helplessness of all people in spiritual things until the grace of God puts strength into them. “While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”2
9He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” (Even today, foolish people will talk about a new minister as if he were a god. And, after a short time, they will change their minds and oppose him.)
12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments (We do not find that they tore their clothes when the people talked about stoning them, but when they spoke of worshiping them, they could not bear it. They were more concerned for God’s honor than their own.) and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15“Men why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that 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. 16In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
19But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
This is popularity: Yesterday a god, today a criminal. First garlands, afterwards stones. Mankind is fickle!
20(Paul was left for dead.) But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, (Paul was a true hero. The garlands did not influence him, nor the stones defeat him. He had young converts to cheer and he would enter the city again no matter what the risk.) and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (The apostles themselves had endured much tribulation and they very truthfully assured the converts that they must expect the same. If we think the road to heaven is a smooth path, then we deceive ourselves.)
23And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Churches must have pastors. Those assemblies that have no ministers do not follow the apostles’ example.)
24Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
The returning missionaries held one of the first missionary meetings. Their speeches were made up of the details of God’s work through them. This made the saints in Antioch extremely glad.
As a family, do we help missionaries and their missions as we should? The world is perishing; are we innocent of their blood?
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1 2 Corinthians 2:14
2 Romans 5:6 (NASB)
Year Two, September 5
We Are Not Under Law but Under Grace1
Acts 15:1-2; 4-20; 30-31
1But some men came down (to Antioch) from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
It was time for this question to be settled, before it caused a split in the church. The first question, “Can the Gentiles be saved?” had been answered. The second, “Must they be circumcised?” is the one before us.
4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” (The old leaven that Jesus had warned about had risen again.2 The old ways and thoughts cling closely, even to believers!)
6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (This is the essential teaching of Christianity: Salvation is by grace and that grace is revealed in our crucified Lord. Luther says, “We must not surrender nor give up this doctrine though heaven and earth should pass away.”3 Peter’s short and important speech was a great contribution to the Gentile cause.)
12And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. (These speeches would have great weight in the discussion.) 13After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord who makes these things 18known from of old.’
19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.” (In this way, James summed up the evidence, and the assembly clearly saw the right thing to do. Their decision was positive and unanimous. Barnabas and Silas were sent back to Antioch with a letter containing the opinion that had been so skillfully stated by James and supported by all the disciples. Oh, that all disagreements among Christians could be settled in this way!)
30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. (The decision of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem was a great comfort for the Gentile saints. It confirmed their freedom from the Jewish yoke, silenced the troublemakers, and further encouraged Gentiles to receive the gospel. The Antioch Christians had done the right thing in trying to find a solution to a troublesome problem.)
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1 Romans 6:15
2 Matthew 16:6, “Jesus said to them, ‘Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
3 Martin Luther (1483-1546).
Year Two, September 6
Come Over…and Help Us1
Acts 15:35-41
35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” (An active spirit will not rest for very long. Love for Jesus gets people working for his cause and leads them to stir up others. This is what Paul did to Barnabas.) 37Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark, 38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
Paul would not go out a second time with someone who lacked courage and had deserted them. He was right! On the other hand, Barnabas believed that John Mark had repented for what he had done and would be faithful from now on. He wanted to give him another chance. He was right, too! Now, since these two brothers in Christ each had right on his side, neither would give in to the other, because doing so would violate their honest judgment. We are not surprised that the disagreement became heated. The Holy Spirit is very attentive to record the difficulties that occurred between even two inspired men. How can we expect to always agree when Paul and Barnabas differed?
39And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
There was no solution to the problem except to part ways. Barnabas went one way with his nephew and Paul another with Silas. Mark turned out well and justified the opinion of Barnabas. But Paul could not foresee that and is not be condemned for acting on the general rule that, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”2 The reason for this separation was painful, but it brought about an excellent result. There was no need for two people like Paul and Barnabas to work together, because they were both able to lead the way alone. By splitting up, double the good was accomplished.
Acts 16:1-12
1Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
6And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (This is the great missionary call and it continues sounding in the ears of the church of God night and day. Here we see Europe calling out to Asia for help. Do we not hear the whole world now calling, “Come over and help us”?)
10And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (The story of Paul’s missionary journey now uses the words “we” and “us.” This shows us that Luke, who wrote the Book of Acts, had now joined Paul. We now see Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke crossing over into Macedonia as soon as the heavenly call came. All servants of Christ should be just as prompt to obey Christ’s words.)
11So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. (This is the way the gospel came to Europe and then to England and then to America. Blessed be God for calling Paul to cross the sea. May other countries also rejoice in missionaries of the cross who travel to them from our country.)
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1 From Acts 16:9
2 Luke 9:62
Year Two, September 7
In My Name They Will Cast out Demons1
Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke, set sail from Troas and came to “Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.”2
Acts 16:13-24
13And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
All sorts of places have been made holy by prayer; the field, the seashore, a prison, even the belly of a fish and a fiery furnace. The gospel is sure to receive a warm welcome from praying people. It is worth noting that the first gospel sermon delivered in Europe was heard at a prayer meeting. We should value the prayer meeting very highly.
14One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (The apostle did not bring crowds to Jesus on this occasion. But his effort was well repaid by the conversion of this one woman. Providence had brought Lydia on purpose, during a routine business trip, so that she might be saved. Notice that it was not Paul who converted her, but the Lord himself. Paul’s knocking at the door of her heart would have been useless, unless he who has the key of all hearts opened it. Lord, open all our hearts to pay attention to your word.)
15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. (Lydia showed her faith by her humble words and generous actions. She was probably a well-off businesswoman and wanted her beloved teachers to share the comforts of her house. A hundred years before, the bloody Battle of Philippi was fought to decide the future of the Roman Empire. The bloodless victory of Paul was far more glorious and the outcome was far more useful to coming generations.)
16As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” and it came out that very hour. (This poor creature was considered to be a prophetess, even as some very ignorant people today think wicked fortunetellers can actually see into the future. Satan used her as his method for deceiving the people. The unclean spirit pretended to praise Paul and his friends. This was either in hopes of puffing them up with pride, or to disgust more sensible people by leading them to associate this demon possessed girl with the gospel. A great deal of money was paid to this poor woman by superstitious people for her fortune telling. It is much the same today. Unbelievers will pay a lot of money to have their fortunes told or attend a spiritualist séance, but think believers are wasteful if they give generously for the spread of the gospel.)
19But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers. 20And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. (The reward they gave these good physicians for curing this slave girl was the same given to their Lord before them. We may be sure they would rather be beaten by the crowd than be praised by the devil.)
23And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. (So ended a day that began with a miracle. But Satan’s brief victory was turned into total defeat within a few hours. Saints may be beaten, but they still conquer, and God is glorified.)
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1 Mark 16:17
2 Acts 16:12
Year Two, September 8
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and You Will Be Saved, You and Your Household1
The battle for Philippi was not over yet. The enemies were yet to be overcome by those whom they had taken prisoner.
Acts 16:25-40
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, (“True Christians,” as one has well said, “may convert even a porch of death and a gate of hell, by prayer and praise, into a sanctuary and a gate of heaven.”2 With bleeding backs and their feet fastened in the stocks, they sang like angels and made the harsh walls of the prison ring with joy. No groans and moans were heard. Only nocturnal music, like that dungeon never heard before, echoed from its walls.) 26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were open, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. (The earthquake was obviously supernatural. It was a great wonder, but greater wonders were yet to come. The doors were opened, but hearts were also to be opened.)
27When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. (His fate for allowing the prisoners to escape would have been death and dishonor. He was desperate and frantic. He was on the borders of hell, but grace plucked him as a brand from the burning.3) 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
The prisoners were so in shock by the miracle that no one left their cell. God can hold people in their places without chains or locks.
29And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
The answer was quickly given in a few words. Is salvation really that simple? Yes, it is! Have we believed and have we gained mercy for our house? If not, let us pray in faith.
32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
His entire household believed and all were baptized. This was the man Paul saw in the vision saying, “Come over and help us.”4
34Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. (His faith brought forth fruit. His change of heart proves this. Why else would this rough jailor entertain his prisoners so courteously?)
35But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison, and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. (Paul sets us an example of claiming our civil rights when doing so will promote justice and teach oppressors that they cannot violate laws whenever they choose. Yet this example must be followed cautiously. The apostle also appealed to Caesar and lost more than he gained.)
40And they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. (They did not leave the city immediately. They called on Lydia and relieved her mind by telling her about the work of God in the prison. Then, to prevent more rioting, they went on their way.)
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1 Acts 16:31
2 Lange’s Commentary quoting Starke
3 Amos 4:11, “You were as a brand plucked out of the burning.” That is, like a piece of wood rescued from the burning fire.
4 Acts 16:9
Year Two, September 9
Is God the God of Jews Only? Is He Not the God of Gentiles Also?1
We will continue to follow Paul in his missionary journeys. Silas and Timothy were still with him.
Acts 17:1-15
1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” (The apostle’s practice was to reason from the Scriptures. Surely there is no weapon as powerful as that which is taken from the arsenal of inspiration.)
4And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. (On a previous occasion Satan employed the leading citizens to disturb the apostle’s work. This time he uses the low fellows of the marketplace. Satan cares little what tool he uses, as long as he can achieve his goals. The mob attacked Jason’s house, because they thought that was where Paul and Silas were. The story reads like the history of the persecution the early Methodists endured.)
6And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” (Committed Christians have often been attacked with this handy weapon: They are bringing new ideas and want to change our way of living, they are the enemies of our laws, they are causing countless disturbances with their newfangled ways. Truly, church history repeats itself.) 8And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Jason posted a bond for any alleged damage these visitors might cause. Honor is due to Jason because he supported Paul and Silas. He stood with those with whom the world was furious, but “of whom the world was not worthy.”2
10The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. (See how they carry on. They are at their old work again.) 11Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
The honesty of these Bereans was their strong point. They did not condemn without investigating the matter. They knew the Old Testament was the word of God and tested the gospel by it.
12Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (They tested all things and then held fast to what is good.3) 13But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. (Passionate saints have passionate enemies. The Jews were pleased with their success at Thessalonica, so they came to Berea and used the same strategy. But they only gave wings to the feet of the missionaries and kept the light of the gospel moving on.)
14Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. (What Berea lost Athens gained, because Paul arrived there all the sooner. Let Satan do what he may, he only speeds on the cause that he wants to hold back. All the glory goes to God, for conquering evil with good.)
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1 Romans 3:29
2 Hebrews 11:38
3 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Year Two, September 10
In Him We Live and Move and Have Our Being1
Acts 17:16-34
16Now when Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
Was it not good that the troublesome Jews drove the apostle to Athens ahead of his companions? In this way, he was able to inspect the idolatrous city of Athens alone, to find topics of interest to gain the attention of his hearers.
17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. (In the marketplace he met idle people who were ready to listen to anything and everything that was new. This might seem like poor soil, but like the sower in the parable, Paul scattered his seed.) 18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”--because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
Nothing could have pleased Paul better than to speak to such a large and important an assembly as that which gathered on Mars’s Hill. The philosophers were very courteous and invited Paul to speak to them. They were quite curious about this new teaching. The doctrine of the resurrection seemed to have troubled them. They had already heard that the soul was immortal, but the resurrection of the body was a new idea to them. Paul spoke to them both faithfully and thoughtfully. Not many people could have reasoned with these educated people as he did. This was a beautiful speech.
22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. 23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”(What could be more courteous, more convincing, and more skillful? He points to their own altars, he quotes their own poets, he appeals to their common sense. He knew the way of putting the truth to attract and not drive away. Only a few of his hearers were saved, yet a worthy testimony was carried to people of intelligence. They would talk of what they heard with many in their society where the gospel would otherwise have been unknown.)
32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33So Paul went out from their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. (Not many “wise according to worldly standards” are called, but a few are.2 If only one person is saved the preacher is well rewarded for his efforts. Paul’s speaking in Athens was not useless. A church was formed and flourished in even that unfriendly soil.)
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1 Acts 17:28
2 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”
Year Two, September 11
I Have Many in This City Who Are My People1
Acts 18:1-17
1After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
Probably at first they accepted Paul as a companion because of their common trade; through his influence and instruction they were led to receive the common faith. It is good to turn association in business into a way for winning souls.
4And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
He was more dedicated than ever and passionately urged the Jews to believe in Jesus.
6And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. (If he could not go inside the synagogue, he would stay as close to it as possible, so those who wished to hear would know where to find him.) 8Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
9And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (This was good news for the apostle. He was to preach fearlessly because the Lord intended to bless abundantly. Some have said, “If the Lord has an elect people, why do we need to preach to them?” The answer is, If the Lord had not already decided to save some, preaching would certainly be useless.) 11And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
This was quite a long stay for Paul. During this time he probably wrote both the first and second letters to the Thessalonians. His time was also well spent in building up the Corinthian church, which became large and important. As the Christians worshiped next door to the Jewish synagogue, their growing numbers soon stirred up the Jews. They brought charges against Paul before the Roman regional governor.
12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16And he drove them from the tribunal. (Gallio would not interfere in religious matters, but kept to his proper area of authority. In this respect, he proved to be a far more sensible ruler than many in our modern times.)
17And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. (The Jews gained nothing by beating Sosthenes. They only made the Gentiles resent them. Gallio should have done his duty and protected Sosthenes from violence. He was right in refusing to act against Paul’s conscience, but he was wrong in not protecting the civil rights of Sosthenes. It will be a happy day when civil rulers neither overstep their authority nor neglect the duties of their office. May God bless all who are in authority over us.)
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1 Acts 18:10
Year Two, September 12
Did You Receive the Holy Spirit When You Believed?1
The Jews persecuted Paul in Corinth and tried to have him condemned by Gallio the proconsul. After that, Paul remained in Corinth “many days longer” and then sailed to Ephesus. In Ephesus, the Jews “asked him to stay for a longer period,” but he thought it best to sail to Jerusalem by way of Caesarea. “When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there, he departed and went” on another mission tour. This determined apostle was always at work, spending and being spent for the Lord Jesus.2
Acts 19:1-20
1bPaul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
Even now, there are professing Christians who know nothing of the Holy Spirit. They have no understanding of the spirit of repentance, of the new birth, of adoption, of holy joy, or of sanctified fellowship. What does each one of us personally know about the Holy Spirit working in our lives?
3And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7There were about twelve men in all.
8And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
“Temple, or house, or barn, or school,
(The gospel consecrates the place,)
No matter where, if Jesus rule,
And touch the lessons with his grace.”3
10This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
11And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” (Unfortunate is that person who uses the name of Jesus for their own ends and knows nothing of its power in their own heart. It is to be feared that many do this even in our day.) 14Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
The evil spirit laughs at those whom God has not sent out into the ministry. They may use religious language, but they do not have divine power. Hell will make fun of them.
17And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. (Equal to several years wages. Bad books and bad pictures never look so much in their place as when blazing away in a bonfire.
“Your cards, and foolish books disdain,
And cast your plays into the flame.”4)
20So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. (May a similar good work be done all around us. There is great need of it.)
1 Acts 19:2
2 2 Corinthians 12:15a, Paul said, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”
3 From The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley.
4 John Wesley (1703-1791)
Year Two, September 13
Why Do the Nations Rage?1
Paul was about to leave Ephesus and travel to Jerusalem, when a riot broke out.
Acts 19:23-41
23About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. (He employed a large number of skilled workers who made shrines. Pilgrims who came to Ephesus to worship Artemis would buy these shrines to take home as something to remind them of their goddess. Demetrius was afraid the spreading of Christian teaching would hurt his business. Therefore he stirred up his men.)
25These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” (Demetrius is careful to hide self-interest under the cover of religion. Selfishness is the most powerful enemy to the cause of truth.)
28When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (Yes, and greatly profitable was the trade of shrine making!) 29So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31And even some of the Asiarchs (high-ranking officers of the province of Asia), who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. (Had it not been for these strong pleas the heroic apostle would have faced the crowd.)
32Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. (If this man was Alexander the coppersmith, we can understand why the Jews pushed him forward as their representative. They would have assumed he would have great influence with his fellow craftsmen. The Jews wanted to show they were not connected with Paul and also how much they hated the Christians.) And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (The mob thought Judaism and Christianity were the same religion. They were in no mood to hear any explanation.)
35And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. (Paul’s language had been reasonable and winning. He had not used any abusive language when talking about the idol.) 38If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”
41And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. (Calmed by his wise speech, the mob broke up, and the danger for the Christians was over. The Lord can control the raging of the people and preserve his own servants from threatening danger.)
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1 Psalm 2:1
Year Two, September 14
Let Us Not Sleep, As Others Do1
Acts 20:1-16
The town clerk of Ephesus was able to calm the mob and end the growing riot with his sensible words.
1After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
Paul waited until all danger was over before leaving Ephesus. The apostle did not flee from the battle like a coward. See with what love he said farewell to the disciples, encouraging them as a father does his children. He then carried the war into other regions.
2When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. (With tireless energy he worked to spread the gospel. The words of Luke the historian are few, but we know from Paul’s letters that each day was crowded with work for Jesus.) 4Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. (Paul, having met with the dear church in Philippi, came over with Luke and joined his seven companions at Troas.)
7On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. (He felt that he would never speak to them again, and, therefore, he extended his speech.) 8There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
The oil lamps and the crowd heated the room and made it stuffy. It was not easy for those listening to stay awake.
9And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” (Remember, if we go to sleep during a sermon and die, there are no apostles to restore us to life. The word of God deserves our wakeful attention.2) 11And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
13But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. (A quiet lonely walk of twenty miles was good for Paul. It would give him time for prayer and mediation, and help him to shake off some of the depression that had gathered over his mind during the preceding months. Those who work much for the Lord must have their times of privacy for self-examination, prayer, communion with God, and preparation for future efforts.)
14And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
These descriptions of Paul’s activities teach us to be active and energetic for our Lord. We can never do enough for him to whom we owe everything. What are we doing? There is something for each one of us to do, whether old or young. Are we doing it? Are we in earnest, or are we subject to the guilt of worthless servants?3
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1 1 Thessalonians 5:6
2 I am certain that Mr. Spurgeon was absolutely serious when he wrote this comment. However, I wonder if he might have had a smile on his face (as I do right now). Very early in his ministry in London, where he preached weekly in The New Park Street Chapel, the following incident took place. We quote Spurgeon’s own words. “I mentioned to my New Park Street deacons, several times, my opinion that the upper panes of the iron-framed windows had better be taken out, as the windows were not made to open, yet nothing came of my remarks; but it providentially happened, one Monday, that somebody removed most of those panes in a masterly manner, almost as well as if they had been taken out by a glazier. There was considerable consternation, and much conjecture, as to who had committed the crime, and I proposed that a reward of five pounds should be offered for the discovery of the offender, who when found should receive the amount as a present. The reward was not forthcoming, and therefore I have not felt it to be my duty to inform against the individual. I trust none will suspect me, but if they do, I shall have to confess that I have walked with the stick which let the oxygen into that stifling structure.” —ed
3 Matthew 25:30, “And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Year Two, September 15
It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive1
The apostle was hurrying to Jerusalem, and since he knew that if he called at Ephesus he would be delayed, he chose a ship that did not stop at that port. However, the ship was evidently delayed at Miletus, which was only twenty or thirty miles from Ephesus.
Acts 20:17-38
17Now from Miletus [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
24“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
29“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. 32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
The apostle’s innermost heart is seen in this touching farewell. His whole concern was for the dear ones to whom his ministry had been useful, but whom he must now leave, knowing they would face intense trials. He forgot his own troubles in his concern for the converts. What a challenge he was able to give these elders when he encouraged them to remember his work and his tears! His example could not help but inspire them to work hard for the Lord. Should we not be so inspired too? Are we living like Paul? We owe as much to Jesus as he did. How are we returning his love? May the Lord make us ashamed of our negligence and lead us to make great changes in our dedication to his glory.
36And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
If parting for a while from those we love brings such great sorrow, how much sharper will the pains of unbelievers be at the last day when they are parted forever from their godly friends! How terrible it will be to be separated for eternity! God grant it may not be our case, for Jesus’ sake.
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1 1 Acts 20:35
Year Two, September 16
Strive Together With Me in Your Prayers1
What was Paul planning to do to spread the gospel after the uproar at Ephesus? We find our answer in his letter to the church in Rome.
Romans 15:18-33
18For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed, 19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
Paul’s plan was aggressive. He pushed into the enemy’s territory. All of God’s servants should try to do the same, because multitudes still do not know about the name of Jesus.
22This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. (Little did he know in what way he would enter Rome. He thought he would travel as a free man at his own expense. But the Lord had other plans for him. Paul would enter Rome, but only as a prisoner.)
25At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. (It seems that his business at Jerusalem was, for a second time, to carry help to the needy church. Such generous gifts of love from the new converts would greatly tend to break down the prejudice against the Gentiles, which still continued in the Jewish capital.) 27For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. (We are all indebted to believing Jews. For that reason we should always be twice as ready to help them in time of need. To despise or have cruel thoughts toward a Jew is very unbecoming to those who adore “The King of the Jews.”)
28When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
And in this he was not disappointed. His lesser expectations failed, but the most important were fulfilled. It will be the same in our own situations as we journey through life. Our most important concerns will be safe, though we will experience failure in matters of less importance.
30I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. (Even an apostle hungers for the prayers of saints, and even prayer for physical needs. We can never place too much value on prayer. Everything we do should be done in the spirit of prayer, if we want to succeed. Yet how strangely prayers are answered. Paul did go to Rome, but it was as an ambassador2 in chains. His wish was granted, but not in the way he would have preferred.)
33May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (This is a sweet benediction.3 Lord, answer this prayer for all of us at this hour.)
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1 Romans 15:30
2 ambassador - A representative, usually for a country or high ranking official. 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
3 benediction - a short prayer for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of a worship service.
Year Two, September 17
Let Us Pursue What Makes for Peace1
Luke describes Paul’s meeting with the brothers at Jerusalem as follows:
Acts 21:17-24; 26-36
17When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. (He did not give himself credit for anything, but modestly and truthfully spoke about what the Lord had done through him.) 20And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.”
Even the Jewish Christians were prejudiced against Paul. It should not surprise us, then, that the unbelieving Jews were irritated at his presence! The elders, therefore, urged Paul to demonstrate that he did not oppose the law of Moses. They strongly suggested that he take part in a ceremony that was hardly ever performed except by the most zealous Jews.
23“Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.”
26Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
It is an open question whether Paul should have followed the advice of the elders. He was certainly carrying the principle of being all things to all people quite as far as it could be defended.2 He must have felt that legal purifications were out of date, and he could only have agreed to perform them to please the Christian Jews. We should admire his desire for peace, yet we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that peace was not the result after all. On the contrary, this act to win over his brothers led to the apostle’s imprisonment, and to his being carried to Rome in chains.
27When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. (The charges against the apostle were completely false. He had never spoken against the Jews, nor their temple. As for their accusation that he was defiling the temple, he was treating it with more respect than it actually deserved. Servants of God must expect to be misunderstood, and perhaps, all the more so when they compromise for the sake of peace and harmony.)
30Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. (To prevent defiling the temple with riot and murder.) 31And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. (The Roman soldiers were stationed in the castle of Antonia that had a clear view of the temple below.) And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35And when he came to the steps (which led up from the temple to the fortress), he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” (He was safe from their fury. The Lord has ways of rescuing his servants out of the most dangerous situations.)
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1 Romans 14:19
2 1 Corinthians 9:22b, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”
Year Two, September 18
My Heart’s Desire and Prayer to God for Them Is That They May Be Saved1
We left the apostle in the hands of the Roman tribune and his soldiers, who were carrying him away to their barracks.
Acts 21:37-40
37As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” (The request, spoken in the Greek language, startled the tribune.) And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you permit me to speak to the people.” (The best of people are often mistaken for the very worst. This should not surprise us. Even our Lord was condemned as a criminal.) 40And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, (The storm subsided and there was calm. Paul, the bravest of the brave, with great composure, began to speak to the crowd.) saying:
Acts 22:1-22
1“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
2And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
3“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. (He showed that he had once been as furious against the Christians as they themselves now were. This was intended to win their attention so they would listen to the rest of his defense.)
6“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
12“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ (When baptism comes after repentance and is accompanied by a believing calling on the name of the Lord, it becomes a beautiful picture of washing away sins, that is graciously given to all believers. Paul told his audience about his own conversion. He understood that God often blesses personal stories of trusting in Christ. He then went on to explain his reason for preaching to the Gentiles.)
17“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
22Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” (Their national prejudice was fired up. They could not tolerate the idea that God cared for the Gentiles. May the Lord save us from a spirit of bitterness and bigotry.)
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1 Romans 10:1
Year Two, September 19
The Lord Stood By Him1
Paul received permission from the Roman tribune to speak to the Jews. When he mentioned the Lord’s grace toward Gentiles, the infuriated mob raved like madmen.
Acts 22:23-30
23And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26When the centurion (who was appointed to whip him) heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
30But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
Acts 23:1-11
1And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” (Paul’s temper was roused by the unjust behavior of the high priest. His prophecy was horribly fulfilled. Almost at the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem Ananias fell by the daggers of his enemies. We cannot help noting the difference between the meek silence of Jesus, and the indignant reply of Paul.) 4Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” (The apostle obeyed Jesus’ instruction, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”2 He saw how hopeless it was to plead his case before such a prejudiced assembly. Therefore he brought up another issue. He knew that the Pharisees and Sadducees hated each other even more than they hated him. So he threw a spark on their combustible materials and set them ablaze. The two parties forgot about their victim and turned their weapons against each other.)
10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Had it not been for this heavenly visitation, the heart of the apostle would have been shattered by the unpleasant sights and sounds of the soldiers’ barracks. Jesus will not leave his faithful servants alone. He will reveal himself to us when we are in painful distress. Let us never lose hope, because the Lord has more work for us to do.)
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1 Acts 23:11
2 Matthew 10:16
Year Two, September 20
Persecuted, But Not Forsaken1
The Roman tribune had Paul taken to the soldiers’ barracks for his own safety and the following night the Lord stood by the apostle and encouraged him.
Acts 23:12-30; 34-35
12When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul 13There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” (They intended to assassinate Paul on the stairs that led down from the Roman fortress to the temple court. Seldom has a greater crime been planned in the name of religion. However, the Lord had a spy in their secret meeting and their plan was defeated. The Lord easily overcomes even the most diabolical schemes of hell.)
16Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”
23Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” (Forty had sworn to murder him, but five hundred protectors are found for him. The angels of the Lord surround his people and the Lord can use a band of soldiers for the same purpose. The apostle left Jerusalem like a prince with his bodyguard. His enemies were powerless to touch a hair of his head. He went down to Caesarea and was out of reach of the daggers of his enemies.) 25And [the tribune] wrote a letter to this effect:
26“Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
34On reading the letter, he asked what province [Paul] was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium (or judgment hall). (The apostle was not placed in a public prison, but kept in a room of a palace built by Herod the Great. He must have greatly praised the way the Lord protected him! Let us trust in God, and be very courageous for the gospel, and the Lord himself will shield us from all harm.)
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1 2 Corinthians 4:9
Year Two, September 21
The Simple Are Killed By Their Turning Away1
Felix, the governor of Judea, placed Paul under guard in the capital city of Caesarea while he waited for Paul’s accusers to arrive from Jerusalem.
Acts 24:1-27
1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.”
He flattered the despicable Felix, of whom it was hard to say almost anything good. Men will stoop to anything to achieve their goals.
4“But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. [And we would have judged him according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come before you.]2 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
10And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
17“Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia-- 19they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
22But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” (This old sinner had persuaded Drusilla to leave her husband when she was a girl about eighteen years old. Felix was a criminal in almost every way, including living in open sin with Drusilla. Paul was right to preach to Felix about the judgment of God. That cowardly lover of pleasure was alarmed, but continued in his sins.) 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. (He wanted bribes and therefore kept his innocent prisoner captive. People will do anything for money. This man felt the power of Paul’s sermon, but loved the wages of sin too much to repent. If we also are saying, “When I get an opportunity I will summon you,” is it not because we have no intention of giving up our sins?)
27When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
The apostle remained in prison for two whole years, and was then forced to appeal to Caesar to avoid being taken up to Jerusalem, and murdered on the journey. While he was waiting to be sent to Rome, he was brought before Agrippa. Our next lesson will cover what Paul said before King Agrippa and his response.
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1 Proverbs 1:32
2 The ESV includes these portions of verses 6-8 as a footnote beginning, “Some manuscripts add.”
Year Two, September 22
Turn at My Reproof1
The new governor, Festus, arranged to have Paul the prisoner brought before King Agrippa and Bernice to present his case. Also in attendance were the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city.
Acts 26
1So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
2“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
9“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
12“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15And I said, ‘Who are your, Lord?’
“And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles--to whom I am sending you 18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am--except for these chains.”
30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
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1 Proverbs 1:23
Year Two, September 23
I Have Faith in God That It Will Be Exactly As I Have Been Told1
Paul spoke before King Agrippa and his court in Caesarea, telling them about his conversion to Jesus Christ. Sometime after that Paul was sent to Rome to appeal his case before Caesar.
Acts 27:1-26
1And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3The next day we put in at Sidon, And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
13Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear (that is, the sea-anchor or possibly the mainsail), and thus they were driven along. 18Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
21Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26But we must run aground on some island.”
For the sake of one good man everyone on board the ship was spared. (May the Lord also save everyone among us.) These included Luke and the other believers who accompanied Paul. There were also the courteous Roman commander Julius, several prisoners, a crew of rough sailors, and a band of fierce soldiers. God gave the apostle everyone that sailed with him. We pray that everyone in our family, our fellow church members, our neighbors, our coworkers, and even our enemies, may be saved. Our hearts should be large enough to pray for all of them. May the Lord give us faith to pray for them. What a joy it will be if they all come safely through the storms of life to the shores of heaven! Grant it, oh Lord! Amen and amen.
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1 Acts 27:25
Year Two, September 24
The LORD on High Is Mightier Than the Thunders of Many Waters1
The storm tossed the ship, which Paul and his companions were on, for many days. The crew had thrown most of the cargo as well as the ship’s tackle overboard. Then an angel of God told Paul all life on board would be saved, but the ship would be lost.
Acts 27:27-44
27When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms (about 120 feet). A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms (about 90 feet). 29And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” (The sailors, under pretense of letting down anchors from the bow, lowered the boat to make their escape. They were willing to leave the ship and all the passengers to certain destruction. But Paul saw through their cowardly plan and stopped it. It is shameful to leave others to die when we can offer them real help.) 32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.
33As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” (Picture this one brave man, in the dim twilight, standing in the midst of nearly three hundred exhausted faces. He speaks calmly and gives them very sensible advice. Faith uplifts believers and makes them comforters of others.)
35And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. (Such calm devotion spreads courage and optimism all around. If Paul, even in a storm, gave thanks, what shall be said of those people who rush upon their meals like pigs, and never thank the Lord who provides for them?) 36Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37(We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. (Having recovered from losing all hope of living through the storm, they threw the remaining cargo overboard, deciding to lighten the ship, and run her onto the beach.)
39Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. (The soldiers were responsible for the prisoners. The penalty for allowing them to escape was death. Therefore we should not be surprised by their cruel plan of action.) 43But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
We see here the promise of God kept to the letter. The danger was great, but everyone was saved from death. God has never broken his word and he never will. It is only right that we should believe his promises without thinking twice. If we do trust his promises, then our lives will be free from care, and we will have good reasons to rejoice every day. May unbelief be thrown overboard this day and childlike confidence rule our lives.
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1 From Psalm 93:4
Year Two, September 25
You Will Tread on the Lion and the Adder1
The ship was broken up on the reef, but everyone on board reached shore.
Acts 28:1-15
1After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. (Compassion and kindness are such precious things, that the Spirit of God records them on behalf of the barbarians of Malta. Should not kindness be found even more abundantly in the followers of Jesus? Jesus will remember even a cup of cold water given to his disciples.2) 3When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
The apostle Paul was not too proud to gather sticks. No Christian should think they are so important that any work that may minister to the comfort of others is beneath them. It seemed strange that there was only one viper and that it should fasten on the apostle’s hand. Snake bites can wound even the most kind and holy people.
4When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” (We are too ready to interpret every accident as a judgment from God. But such a cruel habit is unfair. An event like this should cure us of crying out, “God is judging him!” whenever a sudden disaster happens to someone. God’s judgments are reserved for another world, and are rarely seen in this life.) 5He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. (Paul was not swayed by changing human opinion. One minute they thought he was a murderer and the next a god. But he did not allow what they thought to influence his holy faith. We must not allow the opinions of others to affect our thinking or we will be changing our minds like the wind.)
7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. 9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. (The shipwreck of the vessel had not shipwrecked the cause of the gospel. In fact, it had given the inhabitants of Malta a wonderful opportunity to hear the gospel. The apostle made good use of his time there.)
11After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. (God has hidden his people everywhere. Puteoli was a seaport about 150 miles from Rome. Puteoli and neighboring cities like Pompeii, Naples and Baia were extremely immoral. But there were saints found even in places like these who met Paul when he landed at Puteoli. It was also close to the beginning of the Appian Way, which was a strategic and important road that led to Rome, and on which Paul traveled on his way to the capital city. The news of his arrival reached the church in Rome during the week Paul stayed at Puteoli and groups immediately set out to meet him. This was thoughtful love, and showed that they were not ashamed to be identified with Christ’s suffering servant.)
15And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius (about forty miles from Rome,) and Three Taverns (about twenty miles) to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
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1 Psalm 91:13
2 Matthew 10:42, Jesus said, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will be no means lose his reward.”
Year Two, September 26
The Word of God Is Not Bound1
Acts 28:16-31
16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him. (Paul no doubt, had a house near the barracks of the soldiers who guarded the emperor’s generals.2 He enjoyed more liberty than if he was kept in a prison, but he had a soldier chained to his arm. This was a constant discomfort to him, however courteous the soldier might be.)
17After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar--though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”
21And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” (This has always been the mark of real Christians, they are “spoken against.” Yet, for all that, they conquer the hearts of people. The world has always hated Christ and his faithful church. They have always regarded the true church as a false form of true religion and always will.3)
23When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. (Such hard work should put us to shame. Paul was not satisfied with delivering a sermon every day. He kept his house open to those who wanted more information and continually poured out a stream of holy teaching.) 24And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. (That is always the case, no matter who the preacher is. Seed sown on rocky ground brings forth no harvest, even if the sower is an apostle.4 Do we believe? Or, are we still unbelievers?) 25And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” (If we continue in our unbelief, God may take the gospel from us, and send it to others who will accept it. That would be a dreadful thing indeed. How long will it be before we believe in Jesus? Do we intend to anger the Lord until he abandons us forever?) [29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves.]5
30He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Luke began his history at Jerusalem and closes it at Rome. He followed the footprints of the gospel from the Mount of Olives to the City of the Seven Hills, showing how the foundations of the church were laid in both Asia and Europe. What began with so much bravery and courage should be continued with passionate devotion, because we are assured that the same Lord is still mighty and expects us to continue carrying out his heavenly plans.)
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1 2 Timothy 2:9
2 Spurgeon: Praetorian barracks. The Praetorian Guard was Caesar’s elite force and the bodyguard of Roman generals.
3 John 15:18-19, Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own, but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
4 A reference to the parable of the sower, found in Matthew 13:1-9.
5 The ESV has verse 29 as a footnote beginning, “Some manuscripts add verse 29.”
Year Two, September 27
Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God1
The Letter to the Romans is one of the greatest of Paul’s writings. It is more like a theological essay than a letter. He probably wrote it in Corinth, three years before arriving in Rome. Dean Alford says, “There is not a grander thing in literature than this opening of the Letter to the Romans.”2
Romans 1:1-23
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, (As to his humanity, he was a direct descendant of David, but his higher nature was most powerfully shown to be divine by his resurrection from the dead. If he had not risen, he could not have been God. Rising from the dead on his own power clearly showed he is God.) Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all nations, 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-- 12that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Little did he dream that his prayers were to be answered by his being taken in chains to the great city. The Lord’s ways of granting our requests are very mysterious.)
13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. (His office as an apostle and his God-given gifts obligated him to work for their conversion to Christ. Every Christian, according to their ability, is under the same obligation. Are we doing the work the Lord has given us to do?) 15So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
He was not afraid of danger; he was willing to come right into Caesar’s palace. At the appropriate time his desire would be realized.
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,3 as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
They must have known better. No person in their right mind can worship birds and animals without feeling ashamed of it. Natural reason is opposed to such an insult to God. They would not listen to the voice of reason, so God let them fall into their sinful crimes against him. Let us never ignore the jabs of our conscience or we too might be given over to our own impure hearts. No doom could be more horrible.
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1 1 Corinthians 1:24
2 Dr. Henry Alford (1810-1871) Dean of Canterbury and acclaimed Greek textual critic, scholar and poet.
3 Or, “The righteousness of God is revealed beginning and ending in faith.” (From ESV translator’s footnote.)
Year Two, September 28
We Have Peace With God1
At this time we will read a short but very precious portion from the Book of Romans. Paul writes about the wonderful privileges and perfect security of believers.
Romans 5:1-11
1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith clings to the righteousness of Jesus that makes us innocent before the Lord. It also brings a heavenly peace into the soul. No confidence in ourselves can ever do this. Our own good works are defective at best. They will never make peace between us and God, nor bring peace to our conscience. What a joy it is to be justified before God and know we are “accepted in the Beloved.”2 No wonder that the person who is so favored enjoys peace of soul.
2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Being at perfect peace with God we are allowed to approach him and have complete joy in his presence. Do we know anything about this? Let each of us answer this question personally.) 3Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, (Whatever privileges we enjoy, there are more to follow, and we may add, “Not only that.” We eventually come to the point where we find joy even in our sorrows, because we know they work for our spiritual good.) knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
See how one precious stone is arranged next to another, course upon course of priceless jewels; building a heavenly character like the very temple of God. We are that temple, and the love of God comes into us like the divine glory into the holy place, and lights it all up with a heavenly magnificence.3 Happy is the believer who understands he has all the wealth of heaven!
6For while we were still [without strength],4 at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
This is a rich gospel verse in which every word overflows with meaning. We were unable to come to him, but Jesus came to us. He came at the right time and he came to die for us. He died for us when we had no faith in him, and did not deserve to be saved, and had nothing in us worthy of his amazing love. Surely, we must praise him for this, or the very stones will cry out.5
7For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- 8but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We were neither righteous nor merciful. We had no claim to his divine love. Yet the Lord did everything that even infinite love could do. He died for us while we were still rebels and enemies. What love can even begin to be like this?
9Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (He died for us when we were his enemies. Will he now abandon us and pour out his wrath on us? Impossible!) 10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (He justified us when we were sinners. Will he leave us now? He made us his friends when we were his enemies. Will he not save us now that we are his friends? If his death has done so much, what will his life not do? Paul’s threefold argument in these verses is overwhelming. God cannot and he will not allow us to perish! His wrath has been turned away from us. If we have believed in Jesus, then God’s love for us is guaranteed for all eternity. Have we believed? This is the great question.) 11More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
God himself is now our joy. We dreaded him once, but no longer. We are now at one with him through Jesus and the love of God is now the overflowing fountain of joy to us. Again, let each one of us ask, Is it so with me? Parents, children, guests, is it so with you?
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1 Romans 5:1
2 Ephesians 1:6 (New King James Version)
3 1 Kings 8:11b, “The glory of the LORD filled the [temple] of the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
4 ESV "weak" from the Greek asthenon meaning "strengthless" or "without strength."
5 Luke 19:40 Jesus said, If my disciples “were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Year Two, September 29
Our Old Self Was Crucified With Him1
Romans 6
1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
Because salvation is all of grace shall we plunge into yet more sin? Some of the children of darkness have been sickening enough to reason this way. Will the believer adopt the same disgusting argument?
2By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (We are new persons. We cannot delight in sin. Our nature has undergone a change that makes us hate the argument that we can continue in sin because we are saved by grace. We are dead to sin. Our baptism was an open declaration of that. We would be very wrong if we lived to sin like we used to.) 3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (We are one with Jesus. We have died with him and risen to new life in him. We have been born again to live the new life, and see ourselves as dead to all the sinful joys of our past. Oh for grace to do this to the utmost.)
12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey its passions. 13Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from the death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Sin was our old king. We can no longer obey him. We are now citizens of a new kingdom and must serve our glorious new King.) 14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
The law cursed you for sinning and the result was you sinned even more. But now eternal love has set you free. You cannot become slaves of sin again.
15What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? (In fact, if we continued in sin and said it was okay because we believed in free grace, it would prove that we were still slaves of sin and not under grace at all.) 17But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (How true this is! We once served a bad master for bad wages. Will we not now devote ourselves to the delightful service of our Redeemer, and do it with far greater zeal than we gave to our old master?) 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (We no longer work for wages. Everything we receive is a gift. Therefore let gratitude cause us to obey, and compel us to be holy before the Lord. The person who lives under the law works to be good for what they can get out of it. Gratitude for God’s eternal love will be a far greater force in our hearts. By the help of the Holy Spirit, we will abound in good works because grace abounds in our lives.)
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1 Romans 6:6
Year Two, September 30
When I Want to Do Right, Evil Lies Close at Hand1
Romans 7
We ended our last reading with Paul’s words, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1Or do you not know, brothers--for I am speaking to those who know the law--that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? (Only death can deliver us from the power of the law. But, blessed be God, we were crucified with Christ and are new creations under the rule of grace. The law no longer governs us.) 2For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
4Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Jesus is our husband. Grace is the ruling standard of his house. Holiness is the result of the marriage. Praise God for this!) 5For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. (The law pushed our old nature to rebel. Grace causes the new nature to obey.)
7What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.
The evil in us resented God’s holy law. It stirred up our hostility to God and rushed us to our death. This was not the fault of the law. It was the fault of our wicked hearts.
11For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
13Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (Our situation is very complicated. We are new creations, but the old nature within us struggles to control us.)
16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells with me. (The new “Me” does not sin, but the old nature IS sin, and does not change.) 18For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21So I find it to be a law (or rule) that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (This is the believer’s riddle. Only a person who has been born again can understand it. Do we know what it means?) 24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. (So that on the one hand the Christian wrestles with sin, but on the other hand they are victorious over it. Being disgusted with our sin and glorying in Christ is our daily experience. Our efforts to be holy seems hopeless, but we find our holiness in Jesus. We both sigh and sing, repent and rejoice, fight and conquer. This is not the experience of our past, it is what we live with every day. The person who feels this within is a true heir of heaven.)
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1 Romans 7:21
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