His Word Today

^8 “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. ⁹ But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:8–10)

As was the Apostle Paul’s practice, he began his ministry of preaching and teaching God’s Word in the Jewish synagogue of Ephesus. Luke records that Paul spoke in the synagogue for three months. While there he spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading the Jewish congregation about the kingdom of God.

To speak boldly (ἐπαρρησιάζετο; eparresiazeto) means to speak openly and with courage. In other words, to preach fearlessly. Paul did this consistently and personally.

The word reasoning (διαλεγόμενος; dialegomai) is a present active participle. It means to present a reasonable, logical and persuasive argument. Paul did this for three months. He never wavered.

Finally, the word persuading (πείθω; peitho) is also a present active participle. To persuade means to convince and to provide assurance that what you say is indeed true. Paul did his best to persuade the Ephesians that he spoke the truth from God’s Word concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ.

However, in spite of his best and noble efforts, some of the Jews became hardened and obstinate in their hearts. They continued to not exert trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and worship of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

This hardened unbelief evidenced itself when they spoke evil of the Gospel, otherwise known as the Way. They voiced their opposition while in the midst of the synagogue congregation.

Paul’s response was to withdraw from the synagogue (Acts 13:46; 18:6). As he did so, he took with him those who became disciples of Jesus. They then began to meet daily in the hall of Tyrannus. Not much is known about Tyrannus, but Paul and the disciples met in this particular lecture hall or school for two years.

Consequently, many residents of Ephesus, and the surrounding region, heard God’s Word taught by the Apostle Paul. This included both Jews and Gentiles. It is possible that some of Paul’s students included Epaphras (Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13), Tychicus (Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:7), Trophimus (Acts 20:4), along with Philemon and Archippus (Philemon 1-2).

God works through the faithful and consistent preaching and teaching of His inerrant Word. While some want fireworks, God provides truth which stirs a fire of conviction and commitment within the redeemed and regenerated heart of the believer in Christ. Never settle for less. Never settle for anything else.

Take time today to ask the Lord to equip and strengthen you to disciple those in your life who are young in their faith. This will in turn enable them to disciple others. And so it goes.

Soli deo Gloria!     

“And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. ² And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.” (Acts 19:1–6)

In Ephesus, Paul met 12 men who professed to be followers of God but had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Simon Kistemaker writes, “A Christian without the Spirit is a contradiction of terms (Romans 8:9). Faith, or belief, without the Spirit is nothing more than nodding consent.”

These 12 individuals had not heard or received the true Gospel. They made no mention of the person and work of Jesus Christ neither did they know about the Spirit’s work on the Day of Pentecost. If they had followed the Lord in believer’s baptism, at the very least they would have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Paul concluded that these men were not true believers in Christ.

What did the apostle do? He did not compromise biblical truth for the sake of good feelings between people. Paul did not wish these men well, bid them good fortune in their travels, and assume that they were truly converted. He continued to ask spiritually diagnostic questions of them.

He discovered that they were not followers of Jesus but rather disciples of John the Baptist. It was then that Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”

The text gives every indication that these men were then truly converted because they were subsequently baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If Paul baptized them, and there is every indication that he personally did, he would not have done so if they were not truly converted.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Paul then lays his hands on the men and they receive the Holy Spirit, along with the supernatural manifestation of tongues and prophecy. This is the fourth incident in Acts of a group of people being so baptized by the Spirit, along with Jewish disciples (2:4), the Samaritans (8:17), and the God-fearers (10:44).”

A new group of people, Gentiles lacking any knowledge of the Gospel, become converts and followers of Jesus Christ. The Gospel extends to all kinds of people.

Make sure the Gospel you are believing, and the Gospel you are presenting and sharing, is the true biblical Gospel. We must be loving but we must always speak the truth (Ephesians 4:15-16). When we  lovingly speak the truth, we give every evidence that we love those to whom we are speaking.

Dr. Sproul concludes by saying, “Paul’s questions implied that believers can know that they have the Holy Spirit. How about you? Have you experienced His comfort, reminding you of God’s promises? Have you come under His conviction of sin? Have you seen His hand guiding your growth in holiness?

Take time today to mediate upon these questions and evaluate the Spirit’s work in your own life.   

Sol deo Gloria!  

“And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. ² And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.” (Acts 19:1–6)

One of the most significant places involving the Apostle Paul’s ministry was the Asian and Roman capital city of Ephesus. We may be well aware of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, but what about the city itself. What do we know about Ephesus during Paul’s lifetime?

Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia.  After its founding in the 12 century B.C., it became a great commercial center due to its harbor. However, by the time of the New Testament Ephesus has passed its zenith. It was experiencing economic decline because soil erosion had clogged access to its   harbor.

Ephesus acquired additional material wealth and notoriety because of its temple to the Greek god Artemis. Artemis was revered as the goddess of hunting and fertility.

Paul’s return to Ephesus fulfilled his promise he previously made to the Ephesian Jews (Acts 18:21). However, upon his arrival Paul did not encounter the Jews, neither Aquila nor Priscilla, nor the people Apollos led to Christ (Acts 18:27).  

Instead, Paul met 12 men who professed to be followers of Jesus but had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit. This was unthinkable.

Dr. Simon Kistemaker writes, “A Christian without the Spirit is a contradiction of terms (Romans 8:9). Faith, or belief, without the Spirit is nothing more than nodding consent.”

These 12 individuals did not hear and receive the true Gospel. If they had followed the Lord in believer’s baptism, at the very least they would have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Paul concluded that these men were not true believers in Christ.

What did the Apostle do? We will examine this in much greater detail when next we meet.

Make sure the Gospel you are believing, and the Gospel you are presenting and sharing, is the true biblical Gospel. I encourage you to read the following passages regarding the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14:1-17; 16:1-8; Romans 8; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-13).

Sol deo Gloria!  

²⁴ Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ²⁷ And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, ²⁸ for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.” (Acts 18:24–28)

In studying the life, ministry and theology of the Apostle Paul, we have encountered several significant biblical characters. These include Barnabas, John/Mark, Silas, Timothy, Luke, Aquila and his wife Priscilla and James. In today’s text, we encounter another biblical character. His name is Apollos.

Who was Apollos? To begin with, he was a Jew. Second, he was a native of Alexandria, Africa. Luke described him as an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. Apollos’ eloquence was evidence not only by his intelligence but also by his ability to articulate God’s Word.

Apollos had been instructed in the way of the Lord. The text, and Luke, does not say by whom. Apollos was fervent, or enthusiastic, in spirit about the doctrine of God. He also accurately taught the people in Ephesus about the person and work of Jesus Christ. However, Luke recorded that Apollos was only familiar with the baptism of repentance by John but not the baptism of faith in Jesus. He was ignorant of the baptism by the Holy Spirit which occurred on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).  

It was when he was speaking boldly in the synagogue, that Aquila and Priscilla heard him. Afterwards, they took him aside and explained to him the ways of God more accurately. The text gives every indication that Apollos received well Aquila’s and Priscilla’s counsel.

Shortly thereafter, Apollos desired to travel to the region of Achaia. The fellow believers in Ephesus encouraged him to do so. They even wrote letters of reference on Apollos’ behalf. The Christians in Achaia were encouraged to welcome Apollos with fervent love and affection.

Apollos’ ministry in Achaia became most beneficial. Luke recorded that “he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains that, “Apollos’ willingness to receive instruction from fellow believers is an example for us. None of us will ever grasp the truths of God perfectly in this life. But in God’s providence, all of us have better or worse understandings of the faith. Thus, there are some we can teach and some who can teach us. Be willing to teach and to be taught.”

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁸ “After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. ¹⁹ And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰ When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. ²¹ But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. ²² When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. ²³ After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.” (Acts 18:18–23)

Acts 18:18-23 is a summary by Luke of Paul’s journey back to Antioch following his ministry in southeastern Europe. Upon completing his stay in Corinth Paul set sail, with Aquila and his wife Priscilla, for Syria. He was going home.

Luke records that the trio arrived in Cenchreae. Cenchreae was a seaport city that served the maritime needs of the larger city of Corinth. It was located about eight miles (12.9 kilometers) west of Corinth. Before the Corinthian Canal was cut through the isthmus, traffic to Europe from Asia often passed from Cenchreae through Corinth to Lechaion.

It was at Cenchreae that Paul took an oath requiring the cutting of his hair (Acts 18:18). Additionally, in his letter to the church in Rome, Paul commended Phoebe, who was a deaconess of the church in Cenchreae, well known for her Christian service (Rom 16:1).

Departing from there, Paul and his companions arrived in Ephesus. After some time reasoning with the Jews in the synagogue, Paul left Ephesus, even though the Jews wanted him to stay longer. However, Aquila and Priscilla remained in Ephesus. Paul did say that he hoped it would be God’s will for him to return to the Roman city. This would turn out to be the case (Acts 19-20).

Upon his arrival in Caesarea, Paul went to the church there and greeted them. He then departed for Antioch. Following his stay there, he then departed for Galatia and Phrygia and strengthened the believers in Christ who he and Barnabas had encountered during their First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14). It was when Paul began this trip that his Third Missionary Journey commenced.

While the Lord does not call everyone to the type of ministry the Apostle Paul had, we must make ourselves available for what the Lord want us to do for Him. Are you willing to pray to the Lord, “I will go where you want me to go and I will do what you want me to do.”

Soli deo Gloria!

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!