Category: Mining the Scriptures

Acts 2 begins with one of the most significant events in the plan of God to redeem man, the establishment of Christ’s church. As the first verse indicates it was on the day of Pentecost. (The first Pentecost following Jesus’ resurrection from the dead). This was in accord with Jesus promise, “..and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

The events of the day were accompanied by signs from God, to establish the legitimacy of the events. As indicated in Peter’s words later in the chapter (cf. vss. 16-21), these events were the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy of Joel 2:28-32.

The sound of a rushing mighty wind filled the place where they sat. Divided tongues, as of fire, sat upon each of them. (Both audible and visual signs of God’s validation of the apostle’s words. Finally, they (the twelve, now including Matthias) were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in languages they didn’t know.

Here we have a plain demonstration of John the Baptist’s work of preparing the world for the ministry of the Lord.  John’s declarations regarding Jesus establishes many truths about the Lord.  He is the Lamb of God (Revelation 7:17). He is the One who “takes away” the world’s sins (Romans 5:6-9). He is greater than John, and John’s purpose was to come before Him to prepare His way (Malachi 3:1).

John witnessed first hand the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Lord to alight and remain with Him (Matthew 3:14-17). He testified that this coming of the Spirit was a message from God to identify the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).

In conclusion, John said, “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”  His statement supplies for us proof and confidence that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be while He was with us on the earth (Luke 22:70).

Our text reflects Mary’s praise to God while she visited her relative Elizabeth in the preceding verses.

In the first three verses she gave thanks for God’s consideration for her. She was to give birth to the prophesied Messiah, the son of David, “Immanuel” (cf. Matthew 1:23), and she praised the Lord saying, “And holy is His name” (49).

Verses 50-55 are a statement of Christ’s purpose in being sent.  God’s plan for redeeming man from their sins.  God’s mercy is shown to those who fear Him.  He resists pride and willfulness, but shows His mercy to the lowly, exalting them; and the hungry, feeding them.  As Mary said, “He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever” (54-55).

Verse 56 says Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months before returning to her own home. John the Baptist and Jesus were about 6 months different in age (cf. 36, 41, 56-57).

Mark 1 details certain miracles Jesus performed early in his Galilean ministry in Capernaum. The chapter mentions his casting out an unclean spirit (21-28, and healing Peter’s mother-in-law (29-31). It also mentions in our text — healing the sick, and casting out demons.

It also mentions how it captured the imaginations of the people. In verse 28, “And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.” Verse 33, “And the whole city was gathered together…”

Finally, it notes that in casting out the demons, “He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him” (34).  (Cf. James 2:19). The simplest and most entertained explanation of this act on His part is that He did not desire or need the testimony of the wicked demons. His words, (see Mark 1:25) were authoritative and severe. I.e., “be muzzled.”  The testimony of these evil beings did not serve Jesus purpose, (cf. Mark 3:22).

Matthew begins his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus.  He refers to Him as the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Thus, we have an introduction to God’s scheme of Redemption for man.  The Redeemer would descend from Abraham, through Isaac, the son of promise (Genesis 12:3), and come from Judah, a descendent of King David (Jeremiah 23:5-6). This listed genealogy is an important piece of evidence that Jesus is our Christ, the Redeemer come from God.

Matthew’s observation of this lineage coming from Joseph, Jesus’ legal father, indicates that this lineage was used by Matthew to express Jesus’ legal right through genealogy to ascend to the position of King, as a descendent of David. The genealogy does not contain all  Jesus’ predecessors, only 42 Generations, which served his purpose, and through its artificial grouping of 3 sets of 14 generations served the important purpose of establishing a means of easy memorization. See Luke 3 for a different approach.

In Revelation 1, John saw a vision while “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day”, on Patmos, while in exile. Jesus spoke to him in the vision, first in verse 11, then in verse 17-20.

John describes the one (the Lord) who spoke to him in verses 12-16.  He saw seven golden lampstands, and in their midst was the Lord, with fine garments, a head and hair white like wool, eyes like a flame of fire, feet like fine brass, a voice as the sound of many waters, and holding in His right hand seven stars. A sharp two-edged sword proceeded out of His mouth, and His countenance was shining like the son.

This picture indicates the perfection of Jesus (the number seven), His purity (the color white, the eyes like a flame of fire, the fine brass purged from impurities ),  His message (His voice as the sound of many waters), and His place (the One who influences and convicts, seen in the stars and the two-edged sword).

Truly, Jesus is the great Redeemer of all mankind!

Jude ends here with a doxology.  A doxology is an expression of praise and glory to God.  It is fitting that this conclusion is given at the end of an epistle that exhorts all to contend for the faith.  The false teachers Jude warned about in the epistle were in their doctrine undermining God.

Redemption is possible only through God’s grace.  Praise Him. He is able to expunge our sin through the sacrifice of His Son, and we can be reconciled to Him for eternity with such purity.

God is the One who saves us.  God is the One who is wise.  This is clearly seen in His revealed scheme of redeeming us, formed before our very creation, as indicated in Ephesians 1:3-14.

It is only right and proper that we praise Him.  We ascribe to him glory, majesty, dominion and power.  We acknowledge that such a preeminent position is well deserved (as our Creator), and as our Savior.  It is a position that is eternal, and one we rejoice in.  There is no other God, “Both now and forever. Amen”

There are several ways to explain the text. The most simple is to consider that John is writing to three groups of Christians, little children, young men, and fathers.  It is not dogmatic, but  Barnes suggests years to approximate 20 & below, 20-40, & above 40.

The little children (note, there are two different words translated in this way in 12a and 13b which may or may not have any significance), are told by John he writing was “because your sins are forgiven you” and “because you have known the Father.” John was certainly writing to young Christians to mature them in faith.

Young men, “because you have overcome the wicked one,” and “because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”  This indicates valiant and strong  Christians, who receive strength from John’s words.

Fathers, “because you have known Him who is from the beginning.” This is repeated twice, a confirmation of their long held faith, close acquaintance, and trust in God the Father.

Here Peter begins describing the false teachers about which he is warning his readers.  First, Peter expresses disdain about their nature, comparing them to wild (and irrational) animals whose purpose is only to be caught and destroyed. Second, their actions are based on ignorance, criticizing and demeaning when they have no real knowledge of a matter. He argues that such actions will eventually be the cause of their own ruin, “will utterly perish in their own corruption” (12).

Third, their evil actions will receive “the wages of unrighteousness” (13).  As Paul noted, the “wages of sin” is spiritual death (cf. Romans 6:23).  Fourth, they are stains, “spots and blemishes” that sully what otherwise should be pure and white “with you” (13).

Fifth, they are unfaithful, here described as having “eyes of adultery.” They not only continually sin, but are guilty of “enticing” others. Sixth, and finally, they are covetous (greedy desire).

The text continues the call for righteous living by noting that each person is treated the same way by God.  He judges “without partiality”, and “according to each one’s work.” This is imminently fair.  God does not play favorites.  Your standing before Him is a result of appropriate rules He has established that are the same for all men.

So, our sojourn on this earth should be characterized by a respect for the rules of God. Anarchy or rebellion is not acceptable, and will be judged harshly.  The gift of grace is much too precious to be treated with disdain.  How precious? Our redemption is purchased with something far greater than worldly treasures.

Our redemption is purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ.  He who lived perfectly died a sacrificial and vicarious death.  He died for us!  Isaiah wrote, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (53:5).

The final two verses of this first chapter of James contain a contrast between vain religion and pure religion.

First, vain (useless) religion is a religion that does not change a person for the better. Specifically, James describes one who thinks himself to be religious, but it has not touched his tongue (or his heart), cf. Matthew 15:18.

Second, pure (and undefiled) religion is characterized by both what is not done, and what is done.   One whose religion is pure will show it by righteousness. He will keep himself “unspotted from the world,” cf. 1 Peter 4:3. Additionally, he does his duty, what God requires of Him.  He visits “orphans and widows in their trouble,” cf. Galatians 6:10.

Simply put, our religion must first be true (accepting Jesus Christ as the Anointed, the Son of God), and also life changing.  We must be a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), living our lives according to Jesus’ own will (Galatians 2:20).

The first 6 verses of Hebrews 3 compare and contrast Jesus with Moses.  First, the comparison in verses 1-2.

We begin with identification of Jesus as the Apostle and High priest of our confession. Notice the definite article. He is ‘the’ Apostle — a delegate or ambassador. In these last days, Jesus was the One (the only One) sent to man by God. He is also the only High Priest of the New Covenant, of the order of Melchizedek, (cf. Hebrews 6:20). He is the only high priest needed.  “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Like Moses, Jesus was “faithful to Him who appointed Him” (2). He Himself said, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). Moses was faithful as well, living his life in service to Jehovah. There are differences between the two, but as stewards, fulfilling God’s desire for them, they were certainly alike in their faithfulness to execute God’s will!

At the end of chapter 2, Paul tells Titus to speak to his charges with “all authority.”  In chapter 3 he begins by writing certain charges of which Titus should remind them.

First to be subject to rulers and authorities.  While Christianity is radical, and we must obey God rather then men when there is a conflict between men and God’s will, in general we are be obedient to our civil government.  This is made clear in Romans 13:1-7, as well as Jesus’ willingness to pay taxes to Caesar, cf. Matthew 22:15-22.

Obedience in general should be characteristic of the child of God.  To parents, to civil authorities, in the church itself.

They were to be ready to do good, and to refuse to treat others badly.  “To speak evil of no one.”

Their character needed to be Christlike, (peaceable, gentle, humble), towards all men.  Not living like the Gentiles, rather having the character of their Lord (cf. Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-7, et al).

As Christians, we are to be different than we were, and than others continue to be.

Our text gives three illustrations to examine truths that come with discipleship.

First is the necessity of enduring hardship. We are described as soldiers, and our discipleship should mirror that. Just as a soldier suffers loss and sacrifice as he gives himself over totally to serving his country, the Christian must do the same to be a faithful disciple (cf. Luke 14:26).

Second, you must carefully follow Christ’s “rules” or requirements to win your crown.  An athlete who competes only wins his reward if he is not disqualified by cheating.  A violation of the rules is equally problematic to a disciple of Christ (cf. Matthew 7:21-23).

Finally, developing skills to help others will first benefit you! Just as a farmer who plants crops to sell to and feed others, first feeds himself with his produce, the Christian is the first to benefit from his efforts to bring others to Christ! (cf. James 1:25).

Important truths to consider, and to understand! (cf. 7)

Here Paul established the basis of his standing before God.  It was not his merit. His salvation came despite his condition as a sinner. He described his pre-conversion life and person by writing he was a blasphemer, persecutor, insolent, and ignorant. In fact, he wrote, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (vs 15).

Despite Paul’s shortcomings and sin, Jesus Christ chose him to be an apostle. It is understandable that Paul would state that the grace of the Lord (freely given gift) was “exceedingly abundant” toward him.

The phrase, “because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” Does indicate the good conscience of Paul (cf. Acts 23:1), but good intentions do not equal acceptance. Paul had to do what everyone has to do to receive that grace from God. (We can read from Acts 9 and Acts 22 to see what that was).

God grants second chances (and more) to the penitent and honest individuals who want to change and serve him. If he did it for Paul (chief among sinners), he will do it for anyone.