Category: Uncategorized

Beginning today, Sunday, January 3, 2021, 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.

Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable;^a yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation;^b therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church;^c and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing;^d which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary;^e those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.^f

a. Psa 19:1-3; Rom 1:19-20; 1:32 with 2:1; 2:14-15. • b. 1 Cor 1:21; 2:13-14. • c. Heb 1:1. • d. Prov 22:19-21; Isa 8:19-20; Mat 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 1:3-4; Rom 15:4. • e. 2 Tim 3:15; 2 Pet 1:19. • f. Heb 1:1-2.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁴ But 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. ¹⁵ But 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.” (Acts 18:14–15)

The unconverted Corinthian Jews accused Paul of sedition against the Roman government (Acts 18:12-13). Their accusations were a conspiracy of lies intending to silence Paul’s preaching of the Gospel. They wanted Paul arrested for a rebellion against Roman law. In reality, they were offended by his peaching against justification, or salvation, by observance to Jewish religious law. The Jews’ mistake was their use of the word law.

One biblical commentator writes, “If the expression should refer to Roman law, they (the Jews) would have to prove that Paul was a security risk to Rome. If it concerned the religious law of the Jews, they would meet Gallio’s refusal to hear evidence against Paul. The  Jews defeated their own purpose by their choice of words.”

Paul was ready, willing and able to defend himself, and more importantly the Gospel. However, Gallio took the situation in hand. He said to the Jews, ““If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.  But 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.”

Gallio understood that the issue at hand belonged in the Jewish synagogue and not in the Roman courts. It was a spiritual and religious issue, and not a legal one.

As a result, Paul was now free to minister; not only in the City of Corinth but also in the region of Achaia. The Lord Jesus indeed protected Paul from harm (Acts 18:9-10).

Take time today to consider how the Lord has protected you from harm. As a friend of mine recently posted on social media, “Don’t worry about the people God removed from your life. He heard conversations you didn’t, saw things you couldn’t, and made moves you wouldn’t.”

Like Paul, our lives are in our Savior’s hands. Thank you Lord for your providential care.

Soli deo Gloria!

^12 “But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, ¹³ saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” (Acts 18:12–13)

Paul could rest in the promise from Jesus that no one would physically attack or harm him while he ministered in Corinth (Acts 18:11). However, Jesus did not say that Paul would not face opposition in preaching and proclaiming the Gospel.

As today’s text highlights, the unconverted Corinthian Jews conspired a united attack and rose up against Paul. They falsely accused Paul of persuading the Corinthians citizens to worship God contrary to the law.

In fact, they brought him before the Roman Tribunal and the new proconsul of Achaia, Gallio. Under Roman law, proconsuls served one year terms in any given location. It seem apparent that the Jews hope to persuade Gallio that the law they accused Paul of subverted in worship was Roman law and not Jewish law.

Gallio was Marcus Annaeus Seneca’s son, and brother of the philosopher Seneca, who lived from 3 bc to ad 65. Born in Cordoba, Spain, Gallio came to Rome during Tiberius’s reign. His given name was Marcus Annaeus Novatus, but he assumed the name Gallio after his adoption by the rhetorician Lucius Junius Gallio. The wealthy Lucius trained him for his career in administration and government.

Gallio served as Roman proconsul of Achaia sometime between ad 51 and 53.

Forced to leave Achaia because of illness, Gallio returned to Rome as consul suffectus under Nero. His involvement in a conspiracy against Nero resulted in temporary pardon but eventual obligatory suicide.

A dated Greek inscription found in Delphi, Greece, mentions Gallio as proconsul, and establishing the time of Paul’s initial visit to Corinth between 51-53 A.D.

The Jews plan was an astute one but they did not carry it out very well. Gallio would prove to be more than clever enough to undermine their plans, as we shall see.

Matthew 5:11-12 says, “^11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

More to come. Have a blessed day as you meditate upon God’s promise from Matthew 5 and the life of the Apostle Paul.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” (Acts 18:11)

Luke provides a summary statement concerning Paul’s ministry in Corinth. It was during this time that Paul also wrote the epistle known as 2 Thessalonians.
For the next couple of days, our focus will be to provide a summary of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian church.

Paul, as in 1 Thessalonians, twice identified himself as the author of the letter (1:1; 3:17). Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, Paul’s co-laborers in founding the church, were present with him when he wrote it. Evidence, both within this letter and with regard to vocabulary, style, and doctrinal content, strongly supports Paul as the only possible author. The time of this writing was surely a few months after the first epistle, while Paul was still in Corinth with Silas and Timothy (1:1; Acts 18:5) in late A.D. 51 or early A.D. 52.

In some way shape or form, Paul was aware of what was occurring in the Thessalonian church. He was certainly pleased with their spiritual maturity (2 Thess. 1:3). However, pressure and persecution had also increased.

Apparently, the seeds of false doctrine concerning the Lord had been sown, and the people’s behavior became disorderly. Therefore, Paul wrote to the flock who were: 1) discouraged by persecution and needed incentive to persevere; 2) deceived by false teachers who confused them about the Lord’s return; and 3) disobedient to divine commands, particularly by refusing to work. As one commentator explains, “Paul wrote to address those three issues by offering: 1) comfort for the persecuted believers (1:3–12); 2) correction for the falsely taught and frightened believers (2:1–15);  and 3) confrontation for the disobedient and undisciplined believers (3:6–15).”

Eschatology, the doctrine of the end times and the return of the Lord, dominated the theological issues. One of the clearest statements on personal eschatology for unbelievers is found in 1:9. Church discipline is another major focus in 3:6–15, which provides added biblical instruction along with Matthew 18:15–20; 1 Corinthians 5:1–13; Galatians 6:1–5 and 1 Timothy 5:19–20.

Thank you Lord for this insightful and beneficial epistle.

Soli deo Gloria!

^9 “And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, ¹⁰ for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” ¹¹ And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” (Acts 18:9–11)

While in the midst of ministry in Corinth, one night the Lord Jesus visited the Apostle Paul in a vision. Why did the Lord do this? Why was it necessary for Paul to receive a vision from the Savior?

Perhaps, even though Paul had demonstrated strength and courage in the midst of the Jews hostile rejection of the Gospel, he needed to be encouraged. Even the Apostle Paul experienced weakness, fear and trembling (I Corinthians 2:1-3). That is good to know in the midst of our own weaknesses, fears, and tremblings.

As one biblical commentator speculates, “Perhaps the Jewish opposition is very strong; perhaps Paul is simply tired of opposition and stressed from having to support himself and minister as well. But at this low point, Jesus graciously speaks to Paul in a vision.”

The Lord Jesus says, ““Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, ¹⁰ for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” Let’s unpack this statement by the Lord.

First, Jesus commanded Paul not to be afraid and to not fear. I am reminded of what the Lord said to Joshua in Joshua 1:1-9. Remember, the Lord told Joshua to be strong and courageous. The Lord also told Joshua that He would be with him. I find it interesting, and encouraging, that Paul struggled with fear and anxiety the same as we.

Second, Jesus also commanded Paul to continue to speak the truth of the Gospel. The apostle was not to be silent. Neither are we to be when we face opposition because of our faith and the Gospel we share.

Third, Jesus promised Paul that He would be with him. No one would attack him and no one would harm him. What a wonderful promise that must have been for Paul to hear. What a wonderful blessing for him to receive and for the Lord to give.

Finally, Jesus told Paul, much like the Lord told the Old Testament Prophet Elijah (I Kings 19), that there were many others who loved the Lord and were serving him, just like them. Paul need not be discouraged.

Jesus was present to help and protect the Apostle Paul. Jesus is also present to help and to protect believers in Christ today. In spite of threats and a pagan culture, God was still appointing many to eternal life and saving faith through the ministry of the Apostle Paul  (Acts 13:48). He continues to do so in our own day. Jesus continues to build His church and to call the elect to saving faith.

Paul’s weakness, fear and trembling, along with our own, serves a greater purpose. It provides the Lord Jesus an opportunity to lovingly, tenderly, and caringly minister to His saints. I am so glad for this biblical truth. Aren’t you?

Soli deo Gloria!

^7 “And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. ⁸ Crispus, 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.” (Acts 18:7–8)

Following the Jews’ rejection of the Gospel, and Paul’s rejection of them, he went to the house of a man named Titus Justus. Titus was a Gentile who showed interest in the God of Israel and was associated with the synagogue next door to his home. His name indicates he was a Roman, and since Romans usually had three names, his may have been Gaius Titius Justus, meaning he was the same Gaius mentioned in Rom. 16:23 and 1 Cor. 1:14.

What we also know about Titius Justus was that he was a worshiper of God. He gave reverence solely to the One, true God. To do so in such a pagan city as Corinth speaks well of this individual.

Another individual who was converted was Crispus; along with his entire household. He was the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. This means that he not only was a leader within the synagogue, but also within the greater Corinthian community. He placed his trust, commitment, and dependence for his justification from God solely in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His conversion to Christ must have had a ripple effect throughout the Jewish community.

Additionally, Luke records that many Corinthians believed in the Lord Jesus. They evidenced their new found faith in Christ by believer’s baptism. Thus, the church at Corinth was conceived and born by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. ⁶ And 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.” (Acts 18:5–6)

It wasn’t long before Silas and Timothy traveled from the greater region of Macedonia and joined Paul in Corinth. Apparently, Silas and Timothy brought financial contributions from several of the Macedonian churches. This permitted Paul to spend less time earning an income making tents, and instead devoting most of his time in preaching the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:7-9; Philippians 4:10-20).

Luke records that Paul became occupied, or seized by the Lord, with the Word of God. He continually asserted and proclaimed weekly in the synagogue (Acts 18:4) that the prophesied Old Testament Messiah was none other than Jesus Christ.

Understandably, for everyone who repents and receives the imputed righteousness of God by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone, there are those who reject the Gospel. Such was the case in Corinth.

There were Jews who opposed and reviled Paul because of the message he preached. In other words, the Jews not only showed hostility towards the apostle but they also insulted, slandered, and cursed him. Such is the fallen world’s hatred of God’s good news of sovereign grace.

Paul’s response to such opposition may seem somewhat surprising. The text states that, “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.” In other words, they were responsible for their own sins and the punishment of those sins by God.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Paul held his opponents completely responsible for blaspheming Christ and rejecting his message (cf. Josh. 2:19; 2 Sam. 1:16; 1 Kings 2:37; Ezek. 18:13; 33:4; Matt. 27:25).”

We, as believers in Christ, have the responsibility to share the Gospel. The responsibility we do not have, and never did, is the response given by the unconverted. They alone are responsible for their rejection of the Gospel.  God alone is ultimately responsible for their reception of the same. Never lose sight of this biblical truth.

Soli deo Gloria!

Beginning Sunday, January 3, 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.

In 1643, the English Parliament called upon “learned, godly and judicious Divines” to meet at Westminster Abbey in order to provide advice on issues of worship, doctrine, government and discipline of the Church of England. Their meetings, over a period of five years, produced the confession of faith, as well as a Larger Catechism and a Shorter Catechism. For more than three hundred years, various churches around the world have adopted the confession and the catechisms as their standards of doctrine, subordinate to the Bible.

When the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed in 1788, it adopted (with minor revisions) the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647), as its secondary standards (the Bible itself being the only infallible rule of faith and practice). Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America take a vow to “sincerely receive and adopt” these confessional documents “as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Christianity is a religion of content. Its truths are central to the life and practice of the church. It is necessary for every generation of the church to clarify its beliefs against constant attacks and distortions of her body of truth. The Westminster Confession is the most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity ever set forth in creedal form.”

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention on 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.

Soli deo Gloria!

“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ² And 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, ³ and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. ⁴ And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 18:1–4)

As we have previously noted, following his ministry in Athens, Paul traveled approximately 50 miles (80km) southwest to Corinth. Upon his arrival, he found a Jewish couple named Aquila and Priscilla.

Aquila was a native of Pontus, which is located on the north coast of modern Turkey. His wife, Priscilla, is frequently listed before him (Acts 18:18, 19, 26; Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19). The reason for this may have come from her higher social status or perhaps her greater prominence in their tent-making business.

They had recently traveled from Italy to Corinth because the Roman Emperor Claudius (10 B.C. – 54 A.D.) commanded all Jews to leave the City of Rome. He did so because of riots allegedly instigated by Chrestus because of disputes between Jews and Christians concerning the identity of Jesus Christ.

Paul not only went to see them, but stayed with them since he was also a tentmaker by trade. Paul began working with Aquila and Priscilla in order to financially support himself.

While in Corinth, as was his practice, Paul reasoned from God’s Word every Sabbath in the synagogue seeking to persuade Jews and Gentiles of the truth of the Gospel. Soon, a church would begin.

I’ve known many pastors who work secular jobs during the week and preach in their churches on Sundays. These faithful servants give it their all.

Take time today to contact your pastor and express your appreciation for their service. You’ll never know how much they will appreciate your call, email or text.

Soli deo Gloria!

^14 “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14–18)

Today is Christmas Day and I continue to share with you from God’s Word a text which is not always immediately associated with the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is an unfortunate reality because Hebrews 2:14-18 has much to say when answering the question, “Why the God/Man?”

In the midst of an extended section on the person and work of Jesus Christ, the writer of the Book of Hebrews provides us two answers to today’s topical question. First, Jesus Christ is the God/Man so He could deliver sinners from the consequences, or penalty, of their sin.

This deliverance, or help, was provided for the offspring of Abraham. The literal meaning of “help” is to “take hold of.” The sense of “giving help” is from the picture of a taking hold of someone in order to push or pull them to safety in order to rescue them.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, that, “There was no thought in Judaism that the Messiah’s entrance into the world would be to give help to the angels. The contrast, using this translation, is weak in comparison with all that has been previously said about Christ’s superiority to the angels. The context presents the identification of Christ with mankind in his incarnation—he took upon himself a human nature (vv. 9–14, 17). When the writer wished to express the concept of giving help, he chose a different Greek word in v. 18 (also, 4:16). Therefore, the translation, “take on the nature of,” is to be preferred.”

The offspring of Abraham refers to the fact that Jesus Christ is that promised descendant of Abraham (Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16).Since the original audience of this epistle were Hebrews, they would certainly identify with this description. The Messiah had been born in the line of Abraham in fulfillment of the OT prophecies (Matt. 1:1). One of the chief purposes for the incarnation was the salvation of Israel (Matt. 1:21). Yet another purpose was the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant in regard to the promised descendant (Genesis 49:8-10; Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 11:1-5). Of all peoples, the Jews should have been the first to recognize the significance and importance of the incarnation.                                    

It is because of the substitutionary atonement which Jesus Christ alone provided on the cross that He is ready, willing and able to deliver all those who through the fear of death (physical, spiritual and eternal) were subject to a lifelong slavery. That is why Jesus is God Incarnate. That is why the God/Man.

Merry Christmas.

Soli deo Gloria!!