Macedonian Jail Break

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 16:6-40

 

Acts 16:31

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

(NKJV)

 

One of the roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of a disciple of Christ is providing direction as a counselor. Paul and Silas experienced this with the Holy Spirit directing them to Macedonia, but this led to their imprisonment and a miraculous jailbreak, leading the keeper of the jail to Christ. God’s plans for us may not go smoothly, but they are in accordance with His plans.

 

Paul and Silas go to Phrygia and Bithynia but are forbidden to preach the Word there by the Holy Spirit (Acts16:6-7). After arriving at Troas, Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia, pleading with Paul to come and help them (Acts 16:8-9). After this, Paul concluded that Macedonia was the place the Lord wanted him and Silas to go (Acts 16:10). They then left Troas and arrived at Philippi, where they determined to stay for some time (Acts 16:11-12). On the Sabbath, they went out of the city to the riverside where prayer is customarily made, speaking to the women who met there (Acts 16:13). A certain woman heard them at the riverside whose name was Lydia, heeding the things spoken of by Paul (Acts 16:14). After Lydia and her family were baptized, she begged Paul and Silas to stay in her household, which they did (Acts 16:15).

 

It happened that while staying there, they encountered a woman with a spirit of divination. A slave girl who brought her masters much profit from fortunetelling (Acts 16:16). This girl followed Paul and those with him, declaring that they were servants of the Most High God who had come to declare the way of salvation (Acts 16:17). The woman's actions continued for many days, which annoyed Paul, and he told the spirit of divination to leave the woman immediately, which it did (Acts 16:18). However, when the girl’s masters realized their profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, dragging them into the marketplace and to the authorities (Acts 16:19). The accusations brought against Paul and Silas were that they were Jews bring trouble to the city by teaching customs not lawful for Romans to receive or observe (Acts 16:20-21). The multitude rose up against Paul and Silas, with the magistrates tearing off their clothes and commanding that they be beaten with rods and, after receiving many stripes, threw them in prison (Acts 16:22-23). The keeper of the Jail had them placed in the inner prison, with their feet fastened in the stocks (Acts 16:24).

 

At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns with the prisoners listening, when a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opening the doors and loosening the shackles from the prisoners (Acts 16:25-26). Presuming the prisoners had escaped, the keeper of the prison drew his sword to kill himself, but Paul cried out in a loud voice, telling him to do no harm to himself, for they were all still there (Acts 16:27-28). The prison keeper got a light and ran in, falling down before Paul and Silas, asking what he must do to be saved, and was told he must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:29-31). Paul and Silas shared the word with him and all that were in his household, and they were immediately baptized after cleaning the stripes of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:32-33). He then brought them into his household and fed them, rejoicing gladly at having believed in God with his household (Acts 16:34).

 

When daytime came, the magistrates told the prison officials to let the prisoners go, prompting the keeper of the jail to tell Paul he could now leave and depart in peace (Acts 16:35-36). Paul refuses to go because the magistrates had them beaten publicly as uncondemned Romans, demanding that the magistrates come themselves to release them (Acts 16:37). Finding out that Paul and Silas were Romans brought great fear upon the magistrates, so they pleaded with them to depart the city (Acts 16:38-39). They left the prison for the house of Lydia, and after encouraging the brethren, left the city (Acts 16:40).

 

After the Holy Spirit forbids Paul from going to Asia and Bithynia, Paul receives a vision telling him to go to Macedonia. Paul and Silas, who are sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, immediately obey and end up in Philippi, where they encounter a woman possessed by a spirit of divination, casting the spirit from the woman. The men profiting from her divination see an end to their profitability and have Paul and Silas arrested. Their obedience has hit a roadblock, but they serve God, who is the master of plowing through roadblocks or giving us a path around them. In this case, God provides an earthquake that opens the roadblock of prison doors, but not until they confront their jailers and the keeper of the prison is saved (Acts 16:25-40).

 

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for each of our lives, a plan for our good and not our harm. Our plans can conflict with God’s plans for us, but if we are listening to God’s still small voice through the Holy Spirit, God will correct the course of our plans (Acts 16:6-10; 1 Kings 19:11-12). However, this is no guarantee that all will go well, since we live in a fallen world of sin and corruption that places obstacles to our fulfilling God’s plan in our lives. Paul and Silas praised God from their prison cell and experienced a miracle of deliverance through a divine jailbreak. While there will be times when God’s plan for our lives is not going well, God is working all things for our good for those following His calling and purpose for our lives (Romans 8:28). When trouble comes, it does not mean I am outside of His will for my life, but I should always search my heart to ensure I am following His calling and purpose.

 

The first step in determining if I am in God’s will for my life is to make Jesus the Lord of my life by confessing my heartfelt belief that He came, died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead for my sins. If you have never taken this first step, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

A Prayer of Lament and Restoration

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 79-80

 

Psalm 80:19

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
Cause Your face to shine,
And we shall be saved!

(NKJV)

 

Times of trouble in one’s life bring feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, and even despair. It would be nice if becoming a disciple of Christ carried with it a life free of trouble, but that is not what Jesus told us would happen (John 16:33). In these two psalms, Asaph provides a pattern for surviving these times of trouble through honest lamentation with the Lord of our feelings and offering a prayer of faith in God’s ability to restore us.

 

Psalm 79, a Psalm of lamentation, begins with Asaph lamenting the state of the inheritance of the Lord, His temple, and Jerusalem (Psalm 79:1). He then provides details of their condition with their dead bodies given as food for the birds, their flesh given to the beasts of the earth, their blood shed like water, and no place to bury them (Psalm 79:2-3). Israel has become a reproach, scorn, and derision to their neighbors around them, lamenting whether the Lord will be angry forever with his jealousy burning like fire (Psalm 79:4-5). Asaph then asks the Lord to pour out His wrath on the nations who do not know Him and the kingdoms that do not call upon His name, because they have devoured Jacob and laid waste to the Lord’s dwelling place (Psalm 79:6-7).

 

Asaph then asks the Lord to forget their former iniquities and for the Lord to meet them with his tender mercies, because they have been brought very low (Psalm 79:8). Asaph then asks the God of his salvation to help Israel for the glory of His name, delivering them and providing atonement for their sins for His name’s sake (Psalm 79:9). Asaph wonders why the nations should be allowed to ask where the God is Israel is but to instead see God avenging the shed blood or His servants (Psalm 79:10). He then asks that the groaning of the prisoner come before Him in accordance with the greatness of His power, preserving those appointed to die (Psalm 79:11). Asaph concludes his lamentation by asking the Lord to return sevenfold upon Israel’s neighbors the reproach they heaped upon them, so they will give Him thinks forever and shot forth His praise to all generations (Psalm 79:12-13)

 

Psalm 80 is a Psalm of Asaph praying for Israel’s restoration. It begins with Asaph addressing the Shepherd of Israel, asking Him to stir up His strength to save His people (Psalm 80:1-2). He then asks the Lord to restore them, causing His face to shine, so they shall be saved (Psalm 80:3). Asaph pleads with the God of hosts, asking how long He will be angry and against the prayer of His people, having fed them the bread of tears with them drinking tears in great measure, making Israel a strife to their neighbors and a laughingstock to their enemies (Psalm 80:4-6). Asaph again asks the Lord to restore them, so that his face may shine and they can be saved (Psalm 80:7).

 

The Lord brought a vine out of Egypt, planting it in the land of Canaan by making room for them by casting out the nations living there, so Israel took deep root and filled the land (Psalm 80:8-9). The vine covered the hills with its shadow and the mighty cedars with its boughs, which extended to the Sea with her branches extending to the River (Psalm 80:10-11). Asaph then wonders why the Lord has broken the vine's hedges so that all passing by pluck its fruit; the boar comes out of the woods and uproots it, and the wild beast devours it (Psalm 80:12-13).

 

Asaph asks the Lord God to return and look down from heaven at the vine, the vineyard which His right hand planted, and the branch He made strong for Himself (Psalm 80:14-15). He asks the Lord to look down and see that the vine is burned with fire and cut down, perishing at the rebuke of the Lord’s countenance (Psalm 80:16). Asaph asks the hand of the Lord to be upon the man of His right hand, upon the son of man whom He made strong for Himself, for then they will not turn back from Him, asking the Lord to revive them so they will call upon His name (Psalm 80:17-18). The psalm concludes with Asaph asking again for the Lord’s restoration, causing his countenance to shine, and they shall be saved (Psalm 80:19).  

 

These psalms of Asaph can be studied together. These psalms do not specify when this time of Israel’s trouble occurred but are the pleading of the heart of a man of God, lamenting the situation and praying for restoration.

 

• Psalm 79 Lamentation: This psalm is a lamentation where Asaph opens his heart, letting the Lord know how he feels about the plight of His people. Granted, the Lord already knows the feelings of our hearts, but He loves us and wants us to be open and honest with Him, letting Him know our feelings. This is not a sign of weakness on the part of Asaph, but indicates his faith and love for the Lord, coming to Him with his concerns.
• Psalm 80 Prayer for Restoration: Upon hearing of the plight of the Jews in Jerusalem, Nehemiah begins praying both a prayer of lament and asking for restoration (Nehemiah 1). Nehemiah’s prayer is a prayer of repentance, reminding the Lord of the promise he made to Moses that if the people of the Lord turn back to Him in repentance, He will return them to their land (Nehemiah 1:8-9). 2 Chronicles 7:14 also reminds us of the mercy and grace of the Lord.

 

Jesus told his disciples that in this world they would experience trouble (John 16:33), but He reminded them that He had overcome the world. It is therefore not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith for a disciple of Christ to open his or her heart when trouble comes, letting the Lord know how he or she feels. Faith is moving on from this lamentation of our troubles and praying to God, trusting in His mercy and grace to save us. This prayer should include repentance for any sin in our lives and faith in God's grace and mercy to save us. This is the prayer of faith (James 5:15).

 

The first prayer of faith one aspiring to become a disciple of Jesus Christ must pray is a prayer of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, providing salvation from sins (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10). If you have never prayed this prayer of faith and want to involve the Lord Jesus, the overcomer, in your current problems, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know that God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.  

Paul and Barnabas Part Ways

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 15:30-41, 16:1-5

 

Acts 16:4-5

And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.

(NKJV)

 

After the Jerusalem Council and the resulting Jerusalem Decree, the church was strengthened and continued to grow. However, a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas could have done irreparable damage to the church continuing its mission of spreading the gospel. While Satan intended to use this disagreement to damage the church, the Lord used it to strengthen the church and bring growth in numbers.

 

Paul and Barnabas returned from Jerusalem to Antioch and delivered the letter regarding the Jerusalem Decree, with the church rejoicing over its encouragement (Acts 15:30-31). Judas and Silas, who were prophets, also exhorted and strengthened the brethren in Antioch, and after staying there awhile, returned to Jerusalem (Acts 15:32-33). However, it seemed good to Silas to remain in Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, preaching and teaching the Word of God alongside many others (Acts 15:34-35).

 

Paul then told Barnabas that they should go back and visit the brethren in every city they had visited and preached the word of the Lord, to see how they were doing (Acts 15:36). Barnabas was determined to take John/Mark with him, but Paul insisted they should not take him since he had left them in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13; 15:37-38). The contention between Paul and Barnabas became so heated that they parted ways, with Barnabas sailing to Cyprus with John/Mark and Paul going with Silas to strengthen the churches in Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:39-41).

 

Paul and Silas came to Derbe and Lystra where they met a disciple named Timothy, whose father was Greek and whose mother was a Jewish believer (Acts 16:1). Timothy was spoken well of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium (Acts 16:2). Paul decided he wanted to take Timothy with him, but since his father was Greek, he had Timothy circumcised because of the Jews in the region (Acts 16:3). As Paul, Silas, and Timothy went through the cities, they delivered the decrees from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with the churches strengthened in the faith and increasing in numbers daily (Acts 16:4-5).

 

After the drafting of a letter proclaiming the Jerusalem Decree, Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas deliver the letter to the disciples in Antioch, where it is received with gladness (Acts 15:31). Paul then tells Barnabas he wants to go back and visit the brethren in every city in which they had preached the word, but Barnabas is determined to take John/Mark with them. Paul disagrees with Barnabas over this because John/Mark had left them in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). This disagreement caused Paul and Barnabas to separate, with Barnabas going to Cyprus with John and Paul going with Silas to Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches there. This division was not over doctrine but instead over who should accompany them, with Paul not able to forgive John for leaving them in Pamphylia. Paul and John/Mark later reconciled, with Paul telling the Colossians to welcome him (Colossians 4:10). This division was used by God to make it possible for Paul to meet Timothy, the man who would become Paul's protégé.

 

Divisions in the church are not a promotion of the unity Jesus envisioned for the church (John 13:34-35). These divisions are especially dangerous when they are over doctrine, as occurred over the need for the Gentile believers to be circumcised (Acts 15:1-2). The Jerusalem Council and its decree are examples to the church on how to resolve doctrinal differences without a schism occurring in the church. The division between Paul and Barnabas was due to Paul being unable to forgive John/Mark for leaving them in Pamphylia. While the separation of Paul and Barnabas was unfortunate, it did allow Paul to meet Timothy and groom him for ministry. This type of division occurs when someone leaves a church to plant a church in another city or become a missionary. We hate to see them go, but must understand it is part of God’s plan for spreading the gospel. However, if the separation is due to unforgiveness, there must be reconciliation, which did occur between Paul and John/Mark (Colossians 4:10). 

 

While church history is full of division, Jesus is still the only way to salvation (John 14:6), with the church given the mission of declaring this message to the world (Mark 16:15). The church is made up of flawed people who will have disagreements, this should not stop one from finding forgiveness from their sins and eternal life through believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have not prayed to accept the gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23), I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

God’s Kindness Despite Rebellion (Part 2)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 78:40-72

 

Psalm 78:70-71

He also chose David His servant,
And took him from the sheepfolds;
⁷¹ From following the ewes that had young He brought him,
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.

(NKJV)

 

In this section of Psalm 78, Asaph provides details of how God delivered his people held captive in Egypt, and gave them an inheritance in the Promised Land by driving out the Canaanites. However, God’s people still rebelled, but God showed them mercy by raising up David, a shepherd boy, to be king. From the descendants of this shepherd boy would come Jesus, the Son of God, who would, through His death, bring salvation to a lost and fallen world.

 

Asaph continues by reminding the people of Israel how they provoked Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert, limiting the Holy One of Israel (Psalm 78:40-41). The children of Israel did not remember God’s power when He redeemed them from the enemy and worked signs in Egypt (Psalm 78:42-43). These signs of God’s power included turning their rivers to blood, so the water was undrinkable, sending swarms of flies to devour them and frogs to destroy them (Psalm 78:44-45). Their crops were destroyed by caterpillars and locusts, with their vines destroyed by hail and their sycamore trees by frost (Psalm 78:46-47). Their cattle were also destroyed by the hail and their flocks by fiery lightning (Psalm 78:48). Egypt was subject to the fierceness of the Lord’s anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, by the Lord sending them angels of destruction (Psalm 78:49). The Lord made a path for His anger that did not spare their souls from death, destroying the firstborn of Egypt (Psalm 78:50-51). God’s people went forth like sheep, guided in the wilderness like a flock, led safely with the sea overwhelming their enemies, bringing them to Mount Sinai (Psalm 78:52-54). When they crossed over into the Promised Land, the Lord drove out their enemies so they could claim their inheritance (Psalm 78:55).

 

However, despite these demonstrations of power, the children of Israel provoked the Most High God by not keeping His testimonies, turning back, and acting unfaithfully like their fathers (Psalm 78:56-57). They provoked the Lord to anger with their high places and moved Him to jealousy with their carved images, causing God to become furious, greatly abhorring Israel (Psalm 78:58-59). God forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh and delivered His strength into captivity and His glory into the enemy’s hand (Psalm 78:60-61). God was furious with His inheritance, giving His people over to the sword, with fire consuming their young men, their maidens not given in marriage, the priests falling by the sword, and their widows making no lamentation (Psalm 78:62-64).

 

Then God awoke as from sleep, beating back His enemies, and putting them in a perpetual reproach (Psalm 78:65-66). The Lord rejected the tent of Joseph and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, instead choosing Judah and Mount Zion, which He loved (Psalm 78:67-68). God built His sanctuary like the heights and the earth which He has established forever (Psalm 78:69). God chose David, taking him from the sheepfolds to shepherd Jacob, His people and inheritance, shepherding them according to the integrity of his heart, guiding them by the skillfulness of his hands (Psalm 78:70-72).

 

God has given His people many demonstrations of his redemption and kindness, yet they rebelled. However, God continues to be merciful to his people. God miraculously delivered His people from Egyptian bondage through plagues brought upon the Egyptians, climaxing with the death of the Egyptian firstborn (Exodus 7:14-12:30; Psalm 78:43-51). When the approaching Egyptian army had them trapped at the Red Sea, God parted the sea, and they passed across on dry land with the Egyptian army drowned (Exodus 14; Psalm 78:52-53). God then drove out the Canaanites and gave His people an inheritance in the Promised Land (Psalm 78:54-55). Despite these demonstrations of the power of God, Israel rebelled, but God was merciful and chose David, His servant, to shepherd His people (Psalm 78:67-72).

 

The Church is the bride of Christ, with Jesus purchasing them through his death, burial, and resurrection. Our redemption came at a high price for God: the sacrifice of His Son. However, like Israel, People still reject the truth of the Gospel when shared with them. The church too has rebelled against God and taken his grace for granted, becoming lukewarm, like the church in Laodicea, leaving Jesus outside knocking to come in (Revelation 3:14-22). What the lost world needs is more churches like the faithful church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed to accept the gift of salvation given to everyone through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Legalism Versus Grace

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 15:1-29

 

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

(NKJV)

 

Do I do good works to win God’s approval in my life, or am I saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; James 2:14-17)? This is a debate that has lingered in the Church since its beginning, as illustrated in the text of this posting. The decision of the Jerusalem Council in this text provides a balance in this debate, something discussed in this post.

 

A group of men came to where Paul and Barnabas were, from Judea and began teaching the brethren that they needed to be circumcised to be saved (Acts 15:1). Paul and Barnabas had a large discussion with these men over the matter, and it was determined they needed to take the matter to the apostles and elders (Acts 15:2). On their way to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles, causing great joy (Acts 15:3). When Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and reported all that God had done with them, but a sect of the Pharisees, who believed, argued that these new converts needed to be circumcised (Acts 15:4-5).

 

The apostles and elders then came together to consider the matter (Acts 15:6). After much dispute, Peter rose up and told how a long while ago God called Peter to share the word of the gospel to the Gentiles, acknowledging it by giving them the Holy Spirit as He did to them (Acts 10, 15:7-8). This demonstrated to Peter that God makes no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles (Acts 15:9). Peter then questions those wanting to impose circumcision on the Gentiles, regarding why they want to place a burden on them that even they could not bear, expressing his belief that it is the grace of God that saves both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 15:10-11).

 

This silenced the multitude gathered with them listening to Paul and Barnabas giving a report of the miracles and wonders God worked through them upon the Gentiles (Acts 15:12). James then spoke up, telling how Peter has declared how God visited the Gentiles to take out a people for His name in fulfillment of Amos 9:11-12 (Acts 15:13-17). James then tells them not to trouble the Gentiles by requiring circumcision but to tell them to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and blood (Acts 5:18-20). As for circumcision, it is preached in every city in the synagogues every Sabbath (Acts 15:21). The Jerusalem Decree is then drafted, and Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas are chosen to deliver it to the Gentiles (Acts 15:22-29).

 

A doctrinal dispute has arisen between Jewish believers in Jesus as Messiah and Paul and Barnabas. The dispute concerns whether it is necessary for the new Gentile disciples to be circumcised. Perhaps among these Jewish believers are Pharisees who believe they can persuade one of their own, Paul, to agree with circumcising the new Gentile believers. However, Paul and Barnabas do not immediately jump on the circumcision bandwagon, and recommend having the apostles, the ones who were physically with Jesus, rule on the matter. The ruling of the Jerusalem council calls for the Gentile converts to abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, blood, and things strangled. The desire is for the Gentile converts to worship God only, live lives of sexual purity so they are not distracted by the lusts of the flesh, and to practice dietary safety by avoiding blood and things strangled that still have the blood in them.

 

This debate continues to this day, with some believing one is saved by grace and not as the result of their works (Ephesians 2:8-9), and others citing James 2:14-17, believing one must have good works to have saving faith. The decision from the Jerusalem Council can provide a balance between these two extremes. If good works could save us, why was it necessary for Jesus to come, since we already had God’s law to follow for good works? Good works are not what saves us but are the result of one becoming a disciple of Christ living a fruitful life (Galatians 5:22-23). We know this because, when taken in context, James 2:14-17 is not speaking to the lost but to believers in Christ whose faith is dead because no fruit accompanies their profession of faith in Jesus as their Savior.

 

The grace of God saves one and, as a result, one should be a fruitful disciple of Christ, wanting to do good works for our Savior who loves us.  If you are reading this and have yet to take the first step to becoming a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ by confessing your belief in His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.

 

God’s Kindness Despite Rebellion (Part 1)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 78:1-39

 

Psalm 78:34-35

When He slew them, then they sought Him;
And they returned and sought earnestly for God.
³⁵ Then they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer.

(NKJV)

 

The Book of Judges in the Bible chronicles a cycle of following God, rebelling against Him, suffering for this rebellion, seeking repentance, and returning to God. Sadly, the church, throughout its history, has followed this pattern, with many instances today of lukewarmness and failure to carry out its mission (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). For revival to come, the church must focus on its mission, as in the Book of Acts.

 

Asaph begins this psalm with a call for God’s people to give ear to God’s law and to listen to the words of the Lord’s mouth, because He is about to give them a parable, uttering dark sayings of old (Psalm 78:1-2). The sayings the Lord is about to give are things they have heard and known because their fathers have told them (Psalm 78:3). They will not hide these things from their children, and tell them to the generation to come, things praising the Lord and extolling His strength and wonderful works (Psalm 78:4). God has established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded to their fathers so they could make it known to their children, and their children's children (Psalm 78:5-6). This is so the next generation can set their hope in God, not forgetting His works, and keeping His commandments, so they are not like their fathers who were stubborn and rebellious (Psalm 78:7-8).  

 

Asaph then reminds them that Ephraim, who was armed, turned back in the day of battle, refusing to keep the covenant of God, to walk in His law, and to forgot about His works and wonders (Psalm 78:9-11). Among these works and wonders are the parting of the Red Sea, leading them by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (Psalm 78:12-14). God also provided water from a rock to drink that flowed like a river (Psalm 78:15-16). However, they sinned and rebelled against God in the wilderness, testing Him with their hearts by asking for the food of their fancy, wondering if God could prepare a table in the wilderness (Psalm 78:17-19). They acknowledged that God could strike a rock and provide water, but could he also provide bread and meat (Psalm 78:20)?

 

Upon hearing this, God became furious, kindling a fire against Jacob and anger against Israel, because they did not believe in God and trust in His salvation (Psalm 78:21-22). Despite this rebellion, God was merciful, opening the doors of heaven to provide Manna, the bread of heaven and angels’ food (Psalm 78:23-25). The Lord then caused an east wind to blow in the heavens, bringing a south wind that caused meat to rain on them like dust and feathered fowl like the sand of the sea, falling in the camp around their dwellings (Psalm 78: 26-28). The people ate and were filled, but while the food was still in their mouths, God’s wrath came upon them, slaying the stoutest and choicest men of Israel (Psalm 78:29-31). Despite this, the people still sinned and did not believe in God’s wondrous works, ending their days in futility and their years in fear (Psalm 78:32-33).

 

After God slew them, they sought earnestly for Him, remembering He was their rock and Redeemer (Psalm 78:34-35). However, this confession was flattery of their mouths and lies with their tongues because their hearts were not steadfast with the Lord, with them unfaithful in His covenant (Psalm 78:36-37). However, God, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them, turning his anger away from them many times and not stirring up His wrath (Psalm 78:38). God knew they were flesh, a breath that passes away and does not come again (Psalm 78:39).

 

The story of the nation of Israel recorded in Scripture is one of rebellion, restoration, and redemption. Beginning with the children of Israel in slavery in Egypt, God performed wondrous signs, climaxing with the parting of the Red Sea and the drowning of the Egyptian army (Exodus 5-14). God provided water from a rock in the dry desert and food from heaven to feed them (Exodus 16-17:7). Despite these miraculous works, they rebelled and complained, abandoning God and worshipping a golden calf (Exodus 32). Yet God did not destroy them, and the nation of Israel exists today despite the rejection of their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

 

The church is comprised of people of flesh who also have a history of rebellion, restoration, and redemption.  The church of the Book of Acts was on fire, with a reputation of turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). However, the church today more resembles the Laodicean Church, a lukewarm church, basking in their riches and wealth, claiming to need nothing while in a wretched state (Revelation 3:14-17). The Lord Jesus is not present in this Church and stands outside the door, knocking to come in (Revelation 3:20). We live in a dark world full of evil, with people seeking answers. Unfortunately, they seek answers in politics, career, education, and pleasure when the answer is in Jesus.

Every person has a God-shaped void in their hearts that can only be filled by accepting the gift of salvation offered by the grace of God. Jesus said that if He is lifted up, He will draw people to Him (John 12:32). If you are reading this and feel God drawing you to Him, I invite you to pray with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know that God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

 

The Ministry Continues Along with Persecution

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 14:1-28

 

Acts 14:3-4

Therefore, they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

⁴ But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

(NKJV)

 

The Church, like any other human-run organization, can lose sight of its mission and how it became successful. In addition, new technologies can emerge that increase effectiveness and outreach but can become a distraction if depended on instead of depending upon God and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Church in the Book of Acts turned its world upside down (Acts 17:6) without modern technology by depending upon God. Today’s church must do the same for revival to come.

 

This passage begins with Paul and Barnabas arriving at Iconium and going into the synagogue, speaking to a multitude of Jews and Greeks who came to believe (Acts 14:1). However, a group of unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, poisoning their minds against the brethren (Acts 14:2). This does not deter Paul and Barnabas who stay and speak boldly in the Lord who bore witness to the word of grace through signs and wonders done by their hands (Acts 14:3). This led to a multitude of the city becoming divided with some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles, turning to a violent attempt to abuse and stone Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:4-5). They became aware of this plot and fled to Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region and preached the gospel there (Acts 14:6-7).

 

In Lystra, they met a man crippled from birth who was intently listening to Paul, with Paul observing he had faith to be healed (Acts 14:8-9). Paul then spoke to the man and, in a loud voice, told him to stand up on his feet, which he did (Acts 14:10). The people, seeing this, raised their voices and said the gods had come down in the likeness of men, calling Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes because he was the messenger (Acts 14:11-12). This led to the priests of Zeus, from the temple in front of the city, bringing oxen and garlands, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes (Acts 14:13). Not wanting to be the object of worship, Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes and tell the people stop for they are men just like them, preaching to stop worshipping their gods and to worship God the creator (Acts 14:14-15). Even though God has allowed all nations to walk in their own ways, He still provides good for them through rain, fruitful seasons, and hearts full of food and gladness (Acts 14:16-17). However, this did not restrain the multitude from sacrificing to them (Acts 14:18).

 

Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the multitudes to stone Paul and drag him out of the city, supposing him to be dead (Acts 14:19). The disciples then gathered around Paul, and he arose, with him and Barnabas departing for Derbe the next day (Acts 14:20). After preaching the gospel in Derbe, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples in the faith, reminding them they must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:21-22). They then appointed elders in every church and with praying and fasting, commended them to the Lord (Acts 14:23). After passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia and, after preaching the word in Perga, went down to Attalia, where they sailed to Antioch, the place where they were commended by God’s grace for the work they were called to complete (Acts 14:24-26). They then gathered the church together and reported how the Lord had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, remaining there a long time with the disciples (Acts 14:27-28).

 

Paul and Barnabas, out of obedience to God, have embarked on the work God has commissioned them to do. They experience much success, with many coming to believe, but they also endured much tribulation on the way. While many Jews and Greeks came to believe in Iconium, the enemy brought deception that poisoned their minds, bringing division in the city. In Lystra, the miracles done through the ministry of Paul and Barnabas were seen as their pagan gods coming to them, with the people planning to worship Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes. Even at the urging of Paul, the people insisted on worshipping them, opening the door for Jews from Antioch to persuade them to stone Paul and leave him for dead. However, God was not done with Paul, and he rose up and departed for Derbe with Barnabas. Despite all this, Paul and Barnabas returned to the church in Antioch with a good report and stayed there to be refreshed.

 

The mission of the Church today remains the same, but unlike Paul and Barnabas, the modern church has tools available like the internet, live streaming of church services, and social media. While these are useful and powerful tools, the mission remains the same. The Book of Acts reminds us of how effective the church can be, even without the modern tools the church now has available, turning their world upside down (Acts 17:6). While these modern tools can increase church outreach, we must not lose sight of the church mission to take the Gospel to the world like the church did in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). I pray we do not rely on the tools provided by modern technology and remember to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4; John 7:37-39).

 

In obedience to the mission of the church, I want to reach out to anyone reading this who has not prayed to accept the gift of salvation offered by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you truly believe in your heart that Jesus came and died for your sins, was buried for three days in a tomb, and resurrected from the dead three days later, you can be saved. I urge you to pray with me now to confess that belief.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer but must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.