Category: Uncategorized

^7 “When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. ⁸ On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.” (Acts 21:7–9)

As Paul and his companions continued their journey, they departed from Tyre and sailed to Ptolemais, an ancient Phoenician port city. Upon their arrival, they sought our fellow believers as they had at Tyre. They stayed with them for one day.

They then traveled to Caesarea. Caesarea was named in honor of Augustus Caesar. The city was built by Herod the Great from 22 to 10 bc. The 8,000-acre (3,240-hectare) site lies 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of modern Haifa, in the beautiful Plain of Sharon on Israel’s Mediterranean coast. Known as Caesarea Marittima, it became the administrative center of the country throughout the period of Roman occupation. Three Roman governors of Palestine lived there: Felix (Acts 24), Festus (25:1, 4–6, 13), and Pontius Pilate, who visited Jerusalem on special occasions (as in John 19). Archaeologists found Pilate’s name carved in stone in the theater at Caesarea.

Caesarea served as the major seaport of Judea in NT times. Since the southern Palestinian coastline lacked a good harbor, Herod created one by building two huge breakwaters that could shelter ships from Mediterranean storms.

It was while they were in Caesarea, that Paul and his companions lodged with Phillip the evangelist, one of the first deacons of the church (Acts 6; 8). Luke also noted that Phillip had four unmarried daughters. Each of them prophesied.

Dr. R. C. Sproul notes that Phillip was “one of the seven chosen to handle the food distribution (Acts 6:1-6). He has preached to the Samaritans, the Ethiopian eunuch, and the people along the Palestinian coast (Acts 8). Although originally ordained to perform mercy ministry within the church, the gospel witness in Samaria, the Ethiopian, and the coastal towns warrants the title evangelist, an office mentioned rarely in the NT (Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5).”

Dr. John Walvoord comments that, “He (Phillip) had four unmarried (parthenoi, lit., “virgins”) daughters who had the gift of prophecy. This spiritual gift, evident in the early church, was not limited to men (cf. 1 Cor. 11:5). Their apparent silence in view of all the other prophecies regarding Paul’s suffering in Jerusalem is surprising.”

It was while Paul was staying at Phillips’ home that he would receive a providential visitor. We will study this encounter when next we meet. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Two: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. Part 1.

1. There is but one only^a living and true God,^b who is infinite in being and perfection,^c a most pure spirit,^d invisible,^e without body, parts,^f or passions,^g immutable,^h immense,ⁱ eternal,^k incomprehensible,^l almighty,^m most wise,ⁿ most holy,^o most free,^p most absolute,^q working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will,^r for his own glory;^s most loving,^t gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin;^u the rewarder of them that diligently seek him;^w and withal most just and terrible in his judgments;^x hating all sin,^y and who will by no means clear the guilty.^z
2. a. Deut 6:4; 1 Cor 8:4, 6. • b. Jer 10:10; 1 Thes 1:9. • c. Job 11:7-9; 26:14. • d. John 4:24. • e. 1 Tim 1:17. • f. Deut 4:15-16; John 4:24 with Luke 24:39. • g. Acts 14:11, 15. • h. Mal 3:6; James 1:17. • i. 1 Kings 8:27; Jer 23:23-24. • k. Psa 90:2; 1 Tim 1:17. • l. Psa 145:3. • m. Gen 17:1; Rev 4:8. • n. Rom 16:27. • o. Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8. • p. Psa 115:3. • q. Exod 3:14. • r. Eph 1:11. • s. Prov 16:4; Rom 11:36. • t. 1 John 4:8, 16. • u. Exod 34:6-7. • w. Heb 11:6. • x. Neh 9:32-33. • y. Psa 5:5-6. • z. Exod 34:7; Nahum 1:2-3.

Take the time today to read each attribute along with its corresponding biblical reference. You will be blessed and edified.

Soli deo Gloria!

^4 “And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed ⁶ and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.” (Acts 21:4–6)

Upon arriving at the seacoast city of Tyre, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, the Apostle Paul sought out fellow believers in Christ. Upon finding them, he remained there a week. During that time, the believers implored Paul not to go the Jerusalem.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Paul is not disobedient to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is compelling him to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22), while also giving prophecies that hardship awaits him there (20:23). In response to such predictions, Paul’s friends, assuming that he should avoid such suffering if possible, tried to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:11-12).”

However, in spite of their earnest pleas Paul was determined to reach Jerusalem. When the seven days were concluded, Paul, Luke and their other companions (Acts 20:4-6), resumed their journey.

The believers accompanied Paul and his companions to the docks. These fellow Christians included women and children. Upon arriving at the beach, they all knelt, prayed, and said goodbye to one another. Following this, the missionaries boarded their ship.

Dr. John Walvoord comments that, “This was Paul’s first contact with this church at Tyre, and yet after only one week there was a strong bond of love. The departure scene is not as poignant as the one at Miletus (20:37), but it was meaningful.”

Such is the heartfelt fellowship Christians have with one another. The bond of love is strong and lifelong. Make every effort to foster such bonds of love with believers in Christ that you personally know. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Three: Of the Civil Magistrate. Part 2.

3. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven:^a yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the Church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire; that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed; all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed; and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed.^b For the better effecting whereof, he hath power to call synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God.^c

a. 2 Chron 2:8 • b. Isa 49:23 • c. 2 Chron 19:8

4. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,^a to honor their persons,^b to pay them tribute and other dues,^c to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience’ sake.^d Infidelity or difference in religion doth not make void the magistrate’s just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to him:^e from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted;^f much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and least of all to deprive them of their dominions or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretense whatsoever.^g

a. 1 Tim 2:1-2. • b. 1 Pet 2:17. • c. Rom 13:6-7. • d. Rom 13:5; Titus 1:3. • e. 1 Pet 2:13-14, 16. • f. 1 Kings 2:35; Acts 25:9-11; Rom 13:1; 2 Pet 2:1, 10-11; Jude 1:8-11. • g. 2 Thes 2:4; Rev 13:15-17.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. ² And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.” (Acts 21:1–3)

Following the Apostle Paul’s encounter with the Ephesian church elders (Acts 20:17-38), Luke resumed his record of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. Again, it should be observed that Luke inserted himself in the narrative by using the personal pronoun “we.”  It is very possible that Luke, along with the other companions (Acts 20:1-6), were passive observers to Paul’s final words to the elders.

Departing from Miletus (Acts 20:17), the missionaries came by a straight course to the Island of Cos. Cos was an island of the Sporades group in the Aegean, containing a city of the same name. Located off the coast of Caria in Asia Minor, it was a major shipping center, famous for its wheat, ointments, wines, and silk. It eventually became one of the financial centers of the eastern Mediterranean.

Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” was born and practiced medicine there in the fifth and fourth centuries bc. Under King Herod’s rule, Cos received perpetual revenues, and a statue was built there to honor his son Herod Antipas.

The following day, Luke records that the group sailed to Rhodes. The island of Rhodes, an area of more than 500 square miles (1,295 square kilometers), is situated near the southeast coast of modern Turkey.

The Tyndale Bible Commentary states, “In Paul’s time the island had long been an important establishment of Dorian Greek culture, with several cities. Rhodes, the capital, lay on the busiest ancient sea route between the ports of Italy and the province of Asia to the west, and those of Syria and Egypt to the east. It was distinguished for its natural harbor and public works. Rhodes was a prominent center for business and supplied most of the precedents for Roman law of the sea.”

From Rhodes, Paul and his companions sailed for Patara, a seaport of the ancient region of Lycia, now located in modern Turkey. The ancient city, one of the largest and most prosperous of the region, was a center of trade and commerce. A temple to Apollo stood in Patara. Remains of a theater and baths still exist. Prevailing winds made Patara a convenient place for ships to begin their voyages to the eastern Mediterranean.

Finally, setting sail from Patara, the group journeyed to Phoenicia, which was a strip of land on the coastal plain of Syria. It was there that the city of Tyre existed. Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast 20 miles (32.2 kilometers) south of Sidon and 23 miles (37 kilometers) north of Acre. Tyre consisted of two major parts: an older port city on the mainland and an island city a half mile (.8 kilometer) from the coast where the majority of the population lived.

Paul was coming ever closer to his destination of Jerusalem. More to come as we witness the Lord’s providence in the life of the apostle.  

Soli deo Gloria!

^33 “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. ³⁵ In 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.’ ” (Acts 20:33–35)

One of the telltale signs of a pastor’s and elder’s integrity is the handling of their personal, and church, finances. How an individual handles money, especially if one is in the ministry, speaks volumes.

How well I remember the PTL scandal of 1987. Not only was the personal, immoral behavior of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker called into question, but also the mismanagement and frivolous way the ministry’s finances were handled. I personally knew people who supported the PTL Club and Heritage USA. They were devastated by the deceit from Christian leaders they trusted. How tragic and how sad.

It is interesting that the Apostle Paul stressed how he handled money with the utmost care. He did not covet other people’s wealth or their resplendent clothing. Paul indicated how he worked hard for his personal necessities. Paul was not afraid of working hard. He also indicated how he financially helped those who were his colleagues.

Paul’s reason for this transparency with the Ephesian church elders was so that his motives in preaching the Gospel would never be called into question. How often have we noticed those in full-time Christian service, especially televangelists, who place great emphasis on people giving to their ministry so that they can live a lavish lifestyle?

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “In short, he had not exploited anyone, for his was a ministry of giving. In this, too, the elders should consider him an example for their own conduct. His activities should instruct them to care for the weak, poor, destitute, and sick who are often cast aside in the world of this time. And they should see how his conduct fits with the proverb Paul attributed to Jesus, though it is recorded nowhere in the gospels: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

I encourage you to be discerning when giving finances to a particular ministry, or church. Are the finances conducted in a transparent and ethical manner? The church of which I am a member is particularly excellent in this matter. I have the utmost confidence that the tithes and offerings which I give, along with others, are handled in a way which glorifies the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“And 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.” (Acts 20:32)

The Church at Antioch commended the Apostle Paul to “the grace of God” when he and Barnabas were set to embark on their first missionary journey (Acts 14:26). Later on, Paul and Barnabas did the same thing to the newly established churches and their elders (Acts 14:23).

As Paul was set to conclude his encouraging words to the Ephesian church elders, he likewise commended them. The word commend (παρατίθημι; paratithemai) means to entrust and to show something, or someone, to be true. Paul’s entrusting of the Ephesian church to the elders in question was an ongoing commendation: not only to God but also the word of his grace.

God himself, and the word of his grace, are the instruments to build biblical church leaders. These are the means God gives to strengthen leaders as they face the difficulties of leading a local church in the midst of a fallen world, sinful temptations, and the devil himself.

Not only did Paul say that God would build the elders up and strengthen them, but He would also give them an inheritance. Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Though trust in God is essential, it must be accompanied by obedience to His Word. This will lead to edification (it will build you up) and to an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (cf. 26:18; Eph. 1:18; Col. 1:12; 1 Peter 1:4).

To be sanctified means to be made holy. Like all who live by the Word of God, and as a result grow in holiness, God promises an eternal inheritance. This inheritance is not based on the believer’s personal holiness, but rather the believer’s personal holiness is the evidence of eternal life, God’s inheritance, which the believer has presently by faith, will be possessed by sight and in its fullness in heaven

God’s Word enables human leaders to be bold watchmen for God on behalf of the church, God’s flock. Take the opportunity today to pray for your church’s elders and pastors.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.” (Acts 20:31)

Following his directive to the Ephesian church elders to pay careful attention (Acts 20:28), the Apostle Paul now commands them to be alert. To be alert (γρηγορέω; gregoreo) is a present, active imperative verb. It means to always be vigilant, awake and watchful regarding false teachers.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The apostle’s warning concerns false teachers. Like foolish sheep, the believers will give heed to popular newcomers on the Christian scene, itinerant teachers with new and exciting (thought unorthodox) messages. They will be quick to divide in factions as some in their own ranks depart from the truth and seek to pull others along with them.”

Not if, but when, this occurs, and even prior to it occurring, faithful church elders are to constantly be on the alert for false teaching by false teachers. There can be no excuses for letting one’s guard down. The well-being of the church is a stake.

Paul used himself as an example to the church elders. Paul gave his all in admonishing the believers in the truth. Dr. Simon Kistemaker states, “Implicitly, Paul is exhorting the elders to follow his example as they assume the responsibility of caring for the church of God.”

Sometimes when Paul warned and instructed the believers in Ephesus, he did so with great intensity and emotion. He was passionate about God’s truth. Paul could be ruthless when it concerned confronting false teaching and false teachers.

May each of us pray for our church elders and other church leaders. May each of them know the Word of God and possess the strength and courage to defend the truth.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter One: The Holy Scriptures. Part 6.

9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.^a

a. Acts 15:15; 2 Pet 1:20-21.

10. The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.

a. Mat 22:29, 31; Eph 2:20 with Acts 28:25.

Soli deo Gloria!

^29 “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29–30)

Paul, like us today, could not be certain of everything that could happen in his life, and the life of the church. However, he did not know this for certain. After he would leave the Ephesian church, fierce wolves would come into the church and settle among the believers.

The adjective fierce (βαρύς; barys) means vicious and cruel. In other words, savage. The noun wolves (λύκος; lykos) is used here figuratively referring to unbelieving individuals who are also false teachers. These fierce, false teachers will not remain outside of the church but rather come in among the congregation.

The intention is to destroy the flock of God. The wolves will personally and consistently make trouble in the church. They will be the cause of all types of difficulty.

Additionally, Paul said that there would arise from within the congregation men who would speak twisted things (διαστρέφω; diastrepho). This means to lead astray, to pervert, and to turn people away from the truth. The intended victims are those who are true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, ¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:15–19)

2 Peter 2:1-2 says, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. ² And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.”

1 John 4:1–2 says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.”

Jude 3–4 says, “³ Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. ⁴ For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

It is conspicuous that the New Testament teaches that false teachers will attempt to infiltrate the church. We must be on our guard today as believers were to be so in the past. We must be vigilant and diligent. We cannot let our guard down. To do so would be disastrous. Therefore, let us resolve to do our duty.

Soli deo Gloria!