Let us long for clear & compelling preaching of God’s Word

So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
Acts 2:12-14

When the Holy Spirit uniquely fell on the brand new Church in Jerusalem on that first Pentecost, two things took place immediately.

First, note the reaction of the crowds in (v.12-13). As they heard the believers speaking in tongues, they each heard what was being said in their own languages. This was indeed a miracle, since the disciples did not speak the languages represented by the crowds (v.8-11). The crowds’ reaction? Verse 12 says they were amazed and perplexed, and did not understand what was happening. Verse 13 says others mocked the believers for being drunk (which they were not). The phenomena of speaking in tongues did not cause the mass conversion recorded in (v.37-41) It caused confusion and mocking.

Second, note Peter’s words in (v.14). Peter directed the people to listen to his words—his words in contrast with the words spoken in tongues. And what were Peter’s words that he bid the people to heed? Peter proceeded to preach the Gospel from verse 16 through verse 40.

What takeaways are there in this? While speaking in tongues was a special miracle, what the people then and now need to hear is the preaching of the Gospel. It is the Gospel (not the miracle of tongues) that is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). This is why Paul made it clear that preaching and teaching is far superior to speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:6); and that he would rather speak five words of preaching or teaching than ten thousand words in tongues (v.19).

Let us long for clear, compelling preaching and teaching of God’s Word above speaking in tongues, or any other miracle.

Understanding speaking in tongues

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  3  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  5  And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.  6  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.  7  Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?  8  And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?  9  Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,  10  Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,  11  Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
Acts 2:1-11

Four simple observations on this lengthy passage:

First, everything in Acts is correctly recorded. However, not everything recorded in Acts is “normative” for all Christians everywhere at all times. This is true because Acts is a record of a special transitional time. This first point is important to remember when reading anything in Acts. We can consider events in Acts as normative only if they are also written about in the rest of the New Testament that is didactic [doctrinal teaching]. Remember the danger of basing doctrine on narratives, unless the doctrine is also taught as doctrine elsewhere in the Bible.

Second, speaking in tongues is not normative. If it were, it would be taught in the epistles that all Christians must speak in tongues. Not only is that idea not taught, the opposite is taught in 1 Corinthians 12:7-12, & 28-31.

Third, verses 8 & 11 say that the tongues were in known languages understood by those present. The reason for these tongues was to give understanding about God to people present who speak a language different from the native tongue of the one speaking. Speaking in tongues is not a “heavenly prayer language” that no one understands.

Fourth, verse 11 says that the subject matter of what was spoken in tongues was “the wonderful works of God.” In other words, praises to God for His goodness. There is nothing in scripture that teaches that God gives special messages to people who all speak the same language through one speaking in tongues, which is then understood only when an interpretation is given. What would be the sense in that?

Who was the twelfth Apostle?

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry… For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'LET HIS DWELLING PLACE BE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE LIVE IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.' "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Was it necessary and correct for the apostles to choose a replacement for Judas?

Were the qualifications for the replacement necessarily the correct qualifications?

Was narrowing the choice to two (Joseph Barsabas and Matthias) the right thing to do?

Was casting lots the way to make the final determination?

Was Matthias God’s choice?

To all five questions, I cannot say for sure.  The number one reason we cannot say for sure is that one of the basic rules of “hermeneutics” (interpreting scripture) is “do not base doctrine on narratives.”  Why?  Because while the narratives in the Bible are all accurately recorded, not everyone in the Bible always did the right thing.  Therefore unless other “didactic” (doctrinal instruction) scripture supports it, it may not be right.

There are two schools of thought on the selection of a replacement for Judas.  One is that this was wrong because God’s choice to replace Judas was Paul.  This is what I was taught as a new believer, and I taught this position myself many years ago.  I no longer hold that position. 

The other school of thought is that this was right and that God blessed it.  This is the position I now hold.  As to whether God’s choice was Paul, not Matthias, some discount Matthias because his name is not mentioned again in Acts.  Neither are most of the other Apostles.  In favor of Matthias instead of Paul is also the fact that Paul referred to himself as an apostle “born out of time.”  This easily supports the idea that Paul was not one of the 12, though he was most certainly an apostle—a special Apostle.

When two opinions on the same passage are held by legitimate scholars, we must remain humble and not too dogmatic.  This is especially true in this case, since it does not change the gospel or do violence to any other essential teaching in the scripture.

Since God is sovereign, my sin doesn't matter, right?

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'LET HIS DWELLING PLACE BE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE LIVE IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.'
Acts 1:15-20

Yesterday we considered the first of two theological matters that Judas exemplifies.  That was apostasy.  The second is that (a) even though God is sovereign over all things, what we do matters, and (b) when we do what is wrong, that God sovereignly accomplishes His will anyway doesn’t make our sinful deeds any less sinful.

Even though God is sovereign over all things, what we do, matters.  Many who are new to understanding the sovereignty of God naively assume that since God sovereignly accomplishes His will no matter what, it doesn’t matter what anyone does.  Though God sovereignly decrees the “ends” of all things, He decrees the “means” of all things as well.  Prayer and evangelism are good examples of this in practice.  God ordains how things will turn out, but He also ordains that He will sovereignly act in answer to prayer (James 4:2),  and that He will sovereignly save people when we proclaim the gospel (Romans 10:13-14).

The same is true in everything else.  God is sovereign, while at the same time what we do matters, not only for us but also for those around us.

When we do what is wrong, that God sovereignly accomplishes His will anyway doesn’t make our sinful deeds any less sinful.  Judas exemplifies this better than anyone else in the Bible.  Betraying Jesus was arguably the worst sin ever committed!  He sold the Son of God for a handful of coins, leading to Jesus’ crucifixion.  Yet Jesus said, “…woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." (Matthew 26:24)

The only conclusion is that while God does decree all things: (a) He never forces a sinner to sin against the sinner’s will.  Instead, God removes His restraining grace, allowing the sinner to sin according to his own sinful will.  And (b) the sinner does indeed suffers the consequences of his sin, proving that sin is still sin and carries its consequences even when God uses that sin for the accomplishment of His purposes.

How should Christians relate to apostates?

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'LET HIS DWELLING PLACE BE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE LIVE IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.'
Acts 1:15-20

I’ll attempt to address the matter of choosing a replacement Apostle for Judas in a blog post a couple of days from now. But before that, let me address two important theological matters that Judas exemplifies. The first is apostasy. There are two kinds of non-believers. There are non-believers who have never claimed to have believe. There are also non-believers who at one time (sometimes for a long time) claimed to believe, but who later departed from the faith. Those in the second category are called apostates.

1 John 2:19 makes it undeniably crystal clear that apostates were never believers, but were rather merely make-believers:

1 John 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

Why do non-believers profess faith if they were not really believers? There may be a number of reasons. They may have been brought up in Christian homes and churches so they were “default” believers. They may have liked the community aspect of Christianity. They may have enjoyed the trappings of religion while never understanding the gospel. And there may be other reasons. In any case, however, no one “used to be a Christian.” “Used to be Christians” never were, because those who become Christian, are Christians forever (John 10:27-29, Romans 8:38-39).

How should Christians relate to those who are apostate? Jesus said when someone sins against us (and apostasy is a sin against the body of Christ) we are to go to him or her and try to restore the person (Matthew 18:15-17). If those efforts are rejected we are to deal with the person as we would “a heathen or a tax-collector” (v.17). This precludes turning on apostates or being unloving toward them. It means desiring and praying for their conversion. Our social interaction must cease (1 Corinthians 5:11, 2 John 1:10-11 ) and we must be ever so careful to never affirm them in their apostasy!

May God mercifully hang on to us, and may we pray for repentance in the lives of apostates.

May this not be thought of as the "last resort," but as our first choice.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 1:12-14

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the disciples and others went to an upper room in Jerusalem, and there they prayed. They were no doubt a bit confused by all they had seen and heard. So they prayed.

Life is confusing. It is especially confusing in these days of viruses in our world and violence in the streets of our cities across the land. What is the best thing to do? Pray.

Christians need to be together, and to pray. Notice they were together “in one accord” in the place of prayer. God help we who are Your people understand the power and the urgent need, not only for prayer, but for group prayer.

They prayed, not to the government, but to God. They were not looking to science, or education, or politicians, or demonstrations, but to God. God help we who are Your people look to you instead of the world and the things of the world for answers.

Dear God in Heaven, give us hearts to pray. Hearts to pray prayers of confession and repentance. Hearts that long to love and follow You, and not the world that is hopelessly lost in sin. Please give us hearts to understand that prayer is not our “last resort,” but it must be our first choice.

Jesus is coming again. And?

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11

In the last post we commented on three aspects of Jesus’ ascension. The third was that the angels present promised that Jesus would come again “in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.” This is an obvious reference to the essential doctrine of the Second Coming.

Yes, the Second Coming is an essential doctrine. There are numerous ideas of how and when that will happen, but that Jesus is coming again is essential. Why?

Because God’s plan of salvation is bigger than saving individuals for Heaven (though He did do that!), God’s big picture plan of salvation includes not only gathering His people for Heaven, but Jesus coming again to judge the world and the lost in the world (Revelation 20). At that time Jesus Christ will end the rebellion on earth, put an end to sin, and consign those who have rejected Him to eternal punishment. This grand event that takes place when Jesus comes again is not a secondary issue. It is essential.

Sadly, the Body of Christ tends to get hung up about particulars (when and how) about which the Bible is not crystal clear. It is fine to study the Bible to understand all that it says about the Second Coming. It is a serious mistake to come to hard and fast conclusions and make dogmatic statements about what the the Bible does not say.

Let us know what the Bible says about the Second Coming. Let us live our lives ready at all times for the Second Coming. And let us not get side-tracked by speculations about what the Bible does not say!

When did you last think of Jesus' actual ascension into Heaven?

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11

Here are three thoughts about the Lord’s ascension into Heaven.

First, He ascended bodily directly into Heaven. He didn’t do this bypassing death as did Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). Jesus had already died while on the cross. Then He rose from the dead, bodily (not just spiritually) and that resurrected physical body ascended directly into Heaven. Isn’t it interesting that Luke uses so few words to record this momentous event!

Second, He did this in plain view of eye witnesses. Luke records this event, not from Jesus’ perspective, but from the perspective of the onlooking disciples who were there and saw it happen.

Third, angels were present at this event, and they said something of great value. They asked the disciples why they were gazing up into Heaven. The answer to the question is obvious! Jesus lifted off the ground and ascended up, up, up, until out of sight—into HeavenI I think we would have all stared in amazement, don’t you?

But the angels followed instructing them (and us) that Jesus would come back “in like manner as you saw Him go to Heaven.” That is an important promise that speaks of another essential doctrine of the Christian faith, namely: the Second Coming of Jesus. Jesus came from Heaven. He ascended back into Heaven. And He will come again from Heaven.

Let’s think more about that next time…

Often overlooked. Absolutely essential. 5 of 5

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11

What did Jesus do for those He came to save? The first and obvious answer is that He died for us. But that isn’t all. We are considering five components of what Jesus did for the redeemed that are absolutely essential. Previously we considered the fact that Jesus was born for us, that He lived for us, that He died for us, and that He rose for us.

Number Five: He ascended. This fifth component of what Jesus did for the redeemed is actually what prompted this mini-series on: “Often overlooked. Absolutely essential.” Jesus’ ascension is easily the most overlooked of the five components. Few, if any, evangelicals think about the ascension, but it is “absolutely essential!” Here is why:

That Jesus ascended for us reminds us that our Savior is still very much alive and personally involved. He ascended into Heaven where He is at the right hand (the position of honor) of God the Father (Acts 2:33, 7:55-56, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 1:13, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22, and Revelation 3:21). Does the number of verses that affirm this fact help instruct us just how important this is?

And what is Jesus doing there in Heaven? He intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25). We are comforted by the thought that fellow believers pray for us,. How much more ought we be comforted that the Lord Jesus Himself “Ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25)? Our prayers for each other are not all the time, nor are they ever perfect. Jesus prays all the time, and His prayers are indeed perfect!

What else does He do for us in Heaven? He is our “Advocate with the Father.” (1 John 2:1). As our Advocate, when Satan and our sins accuse us, Jesus defends us—not merely asking the Father not to hold our sins against us, but standing as the One who has already borne the complete and eternal penalty for all the sins committed by everyone who has ever or will ever trust in Him!

As our great High Priest, He finished the work of atoning for our sins while on the cross. He now continues to serve as our great High Priest, as our Intercessor and Advocate, always and forever!

Often overlooked. Absolutely essential. 4 of 5

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11

What did Jesus do for those He came to save? He died for us. But that isn’t all. We are considering five components of what Jesus did for the redeemed that are absolutely essential. Previously we considered the fact that Jesus was born for us, that He lived for us, and that He died for us.

Number Four: He rose for us. Had Jesus died, but not risen from the dead, Christianity would amount to a big nothing. But Jesus did rise from the dead. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

In verses 5-8, Paul documents that many people (over 500 at one time) saw the risen Savior, thus validating the resurrection as an historically verifiable fact. But then Paul argued that if Christ had not risen, the whole of Christianity would be “empty” and “futile.” Instead of saving His people from their sins, we would remain dead in sin and would be “of all men the most pitiable.” (v. 14-19).

14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

The resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of the faith, without which the whole matter would be a sham. The good news is that the resurrection did happen, and is an historically verifiable fact, according to hundreds of eye-witnesses.

Jesus came to save His people from their sins. He accomplished that by being born for them, by living for them, by dying for them, and by rising from the dead for them.

There is one more essential component. Next time: He ascended for us.

Often overlooked. Absolutely essential. 3 of 5

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11

What did Jesus do for those He came to save? He died for us. But that isn’t all. We are considering five components of what Jesus did for the redeemed are absolutely essential. Previously we considered the fact that Jesus was born for us and that He lived for us.

Number Three: He died for us. Romans 3:23 makes it clear that all humans, descended from Adam are sinners. We are sinners by nature and sinners by choice. Roman 6:23 makes it equally clear that the consequential penalty for sin is death. The death earned by sinners is not limited to physical death. It includes the “second death” written about in Revelation 20. This “second death” is the eternal wrath of God. We haven’t the time here to consider why the eternal wrath of God is both just and necessary. Maybe we can take that up in a future post.

Because all mere humans are sinners and because the consequential penalty for sin is eternal wrath, we are all doomed. Unless…

…unless someone else, someone sinless, someone wholly undeserving of wrath, were to pay the consequential penalty we have earned. The consequential penalty we deserve. This is the heart of the Gospel. Jesus Christ is that Someone else, who is sinless, who paid our sin debt, in full, forever, irrevocably. He experienced all the wrath deserved by those He came to save, in our place.

Now consider this. Each sinner has earned and justly deserves the wrath of God that is both infinite in intensity and eternal in duration. Take that infinite and eternal wrath deserved by each person Jesus came to save, and multiply it by the total number of people who will ever be saved. That is more wrath than is calculable. Jesus experienced all that wrath in the span of three hours when He hung on the cross and died for us. Amazing grace indeed!

But He didn’t stay dead. Next time: He rose for us.

Often overlooked. Absolutely essential. 2 of 5

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11

What did Jesus do for those He came to save? He died for us. But that isn’t all. We are considering five components of what Jesus did for the redeemed are absolutely essential. Previously we considered the fact that Jesus was born for us.

Number Two: He lived for us. Our Savior had to be sinless. He was not only conceived without sin (which He was, since He was virgin born); He had to live a life without sin (which He also did). By living sinlessly, Jesus was uniquely qualified to die for us since He had no sins of His own to atone for. If He had sinned even once in any way, He would have earned the wages of sin, which is the Father’s wrath. Since He never sinned, the wrath He incurred was unearned by Him. It was, rather, the wrath we sinners earned. Thus, He suffered the wrath we deserved, since He deserved none whatsoever.

A beautiful, often overlooked, aspect of Jesus’ sinless life is that Jesus didn’t need to live a sinless life to earn acceptance by the Father and entrance into Heaven for Himself. Why? Because being God, He is intrinsically sinless and therefore doesn’t need to earn acceptance with the Father or entrance into Heaven. By living a sinless life, Jesus earned acceptance by the Father and entrance into Heaven to give it to those He came to save. He earned it to give it to we who were not accepted and were not going to enter Heaven. He earned it to give to we who had no way or hope of ever earning it for ourselves.

The “active obedience” of Jesus in living a sinless life does not purchase our forgiveness. That was done through His “passive obedience” when He offered Himself up to die on the cross where forgiveness was purchased for those He came to save.

But more on that next time, when we consider that He died for us.

Often overlooked. Absolutely essential. 1 of 5

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11

What did Jesus do for those He came to save? He died for us. But that isn’t all. Each of the following five components of what Jesus did for the redeemed are absolutely essential.

Number One: He was born for us. To die to pay the penalty for our sins, He had to be God, for no mere man could ever be worthy, since no mere man is sinless. Since the Savior had to be sinless, and since only God is sinless, the Savior has to be God.

But God cannot die. So God had to become a man.

He became a man so He could die for us. That God became a man is one of the most incredible miracles of all. For a finite man to contain the infinite God defies all reason. But it is true, and absolutely essential.

It is this bringing together, Almighty God and a human being, that makes Jesus the only Savior and the perfect Mediator. He alone can represent both Holy God and sinful mankind. Equally. Justly. Perfectly.

In His incarnation, Jesus never ceased to be fully God, nor was he less than fully human. He has both natures, divine and human. The two are distinct from each other, yet never separated. His deity and humanity are not mixed or combined, becoming some sort of hybrid third nature. Jesus is the only God-man.

What difference does this short journey into the theology of the natures of Christ make? God will never be against us, since our Savior, who loves us enough to die for us, is fully God. We will never be less than perfectly represented before God, since our Savior is one of us—being fully human.

Rest in Christ, child of God. We have a Man in Heaven, who is fully God and fully human.

Next: He lived for us.

Your Jerusalem, your world

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Acts 1:8

What do Jesus’ words about “Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" mean for us? Most of us have never been to, nor ever will go to Jerusalem. And what is Judea or Samaria to us?

Those places were familiar to the disciples. The city of Jerusalem was the religious center of their world. Judea was the region in which Jerusalem sat. Samaria was not only a neighboring area, it was home to people the Jews didn’t like (more accurately, hated!). The end of the earth to them probably wasn’t very far away since people in those days didn’t travel much, if at all.

For us, those places may not mean much, but what they represent mean a great deal.

Jerusalem is where we live. Our neighborhoods, our cities, or possibly our counties. This is where we live so these are the people we must pray for and witness to in hopes of leading them to Christ. As Jesus said to preach “to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47), where we live is where we must start.

Judea is our region. While we begin with those closest to us, if we would have Jesus’ vision, we must look beyond where we stand. This is why we support regional ministries like the Ventura County Rescue Mission.

Samaria, is where people not like us live, but need Christ. Think of people, whether near nor far who are not like us, and who we may not even care for. I will not give examples, but if you are honest, you can think of people in this category. If we would be like Christ, we must have a desire to see them saved.

The end of the earth is everywhere else, most notably, other nations and peoples. We need to care about the nations. Israel did not. We must. Get a world map and pray looking at it. Realize that everywhere there is land, there are people—people Christ wants to hear the Gospel. While we cannot all go to those places, we can pray for and support those who do go. We can all support missions in prayer, write encouraging words to missionaries, and give financial support to missionary endeavors around the world. We cannot all do a lot, but we can all do something.

Acts 1:8 is every bit as much for us as it was for the disciples to whom Jesus originally spoke these words.

The Great Commission 4 of 4 (Acts)

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Acts 1:6-8

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years. Jesus had been risen from the dead for forty days. He had been seen by many. Yet the disciples still failed to get that Jesus didn’t come to reestablish an earthly kingdom of Israel, like that of David and Solomon. So they asked, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

Jesus’ answer is two-fold: (1) The disciples were curious about the future. Jesus reminds them (and us) that the future belongs to God (v.7). (2) The disciples were eager for a Jewish kingdom. Jesus commissioned them to go everywhere in the world to tell every people group in the world the good news of the Gospel.

Note also that Jesus alluded to the fact that the disciples were incapable of fulfilling this great commission. They needed supernatural power, which they would receive “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

Note that the coming Holy Spirit was to empower and embolden the Lord’s people to be witnesses—that is, to proclaim the Gospel. Without the Holy Spirit the disciples would have failed miserably. Because of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel spread miraculously throughout the Roman empire. The same is true for us. When we fail, it is because we do not rely on the Holy Spirit to empower and embolden us. The problem is not that we do not have the Holy Spirit in us—we do. Whenever a person is born again by the Holy Spirit, that person is indwelt, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our problem is that we do not rely on Him.

Dear saints, let us not fret about the future—God has it in His hands. Let us not be “exclusivists,” thinking the Gospel is only for people like us. Let us not to neglect to rely on the Holy Spirit to empower and embolden us to be witnesses for Christ—His is in us for precisely this purpose.

The Great Commission 3 of 4 (Luke)

Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
Luke 24:46-49

Please note the following five items mentioned from Jesus words of commission as recorded by Luke:

There is mention of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel without the death and resurrection of Jesus is not the gospel. Without this essential component by which we are saved, we would have to save ourselves by being religious—which we cannot do. nothing but

There is mention of repentance. Faith apart from repentance is not saving faith. Those who want to be forgiven but have no desire to turn from sin will neither be from the penalty nor the power of sin. Repentance is not “works” when it is coupled with true faith.

There is mention of the necessity of preaching, and of being witnesses. God saves, but He has ordained that people must her the good news proclaimed by those who are saved and who “bear witness” of Him and of the great salvation He has secured for those He came to save.

There is mention of this message going to all nations. Jesus is the King of the Jews, but not of ethnic Jews only. It has always been God’s plan to save people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who receive Christ are spiritual children of Abraham by faith in Christ.

There is mention of the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Great Commission is impossible—in human strength. Without the power of the Holy Spirit we would be too timid and tongue-tied. But we are not without boldness and clarity when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.

As the first disciples were used by God to fulfill the great Commission in their day, let us be used by God in ours.

The Great Commission 2 of 4 (Mark)

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15

Christ’s Great Commission is recorded four times in four slightly different words. Each has its own peculiar emphasis. Having considered Matthew 28:18-20, let’s now consider Mark 16:15.

Mark’s record of the Great Commission is the shortest of the four. This is no surprise since Mark is the shortest of the gospels. Mark gets to the point in one short sentence in one verse.

The scope of the Commission is still daunting. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” This serves as yet another reminder that God’s plan is not for a kingdom limited to Israel, but to every people group in the entire world. This has always been God’s plan, but God’s people never before “got it.” The Great Commission allows for no misunderstanding. It is just too clear to miss.

There is one thing in Mark’s record of the commission that is easily skimmed past, however. What did Jesus mean by saying every “creature”? Jesus came to save His people. The Gospel is to be preached to and obeyed by human beings. The animal kingdom is not lost in sin, and therefore needs no Savior. But the Gospel does affect every creature. How?

When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, his sin not only plunged the human race into sin, the entire creation has suffered because of the sin of human beings (Genesis 3:17-18). And since then the creation has “groaned” awaiting the culmination of all things when Christ comes again and restores creation as a new heavens and a new earth (Romans 8:19-22). At that time, the consequences of sin under which the creation has continuously groaned will cease.

Jesus’ words in Mark 16:15 are expressly referring to lost humanity, the crown of God’s Creation, and the only “creature” to bear the image of God. Humans must hear and receive the Gospel to be saved. But as those called to have dominion over the rest of the creatures (Genesis 1:26-30), but who instead, by our sin, have harmed the creation. For that reason, the salvation of God’s people will also be a kind of salvation for the lesser creatures as well.

The Great Commission 1 of 4 (Matthew)

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20

The Great Commission is recorded four times, once each in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and again in Acts. Jesus sent His disciples (including every believer since) to take the Gospel to all peoples in all the world. That it is recorded four times emphasizes its importance. The four accounts are not all identical, which beckons us to consider the specific nuances in each of the four. So, let’s spend the next four posts doing just that, beginning with Matthew 28:18-20.

This is the account that is most commonly referred to as “The Great Commission,” maybe because it is the most comprehensive. Let’s consider, “What is so great about the Great Commission?”

It is given by a great Savior. In (v.18) Jesus reminds the disciples that He, the One issuing the commission, does so from the position of ultimate authority. That He has ALL authority, in HEAVEN and on EARTH, makes His ultimate authority clear. That demands that we take the commission seriously.

The task is great in scope. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is to be taken to all people in all the earth. That is rather great, wouldn’t you agree? And that it was issued to a small group of unimpressive people, makes the task even more daunting—in fact, humanly impossible!

The requirements of discipleship are great. Disciples are to make disciples, not merely to orchestrate religious experiences. Note the following about disciples: (A) Disciples must believe the Gospel, and repent. (B) Disciples must be baptized (baptism saves no one, but those who are saved must be baptized!). (C) Disciples must learn and obey the Bible. One who skips any of these is not a disciple.

The great task is possible because of a great empowerment. No one can make disciples or be a disciple in one’s own strength. The only way is by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. Praise God that Jesus concluded the Great Commission in Matthew by promising His abiding presence in the Person of the Holy Spirit—who makes the impossible, a reality.

Do you believe "biblical rumors?"

Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"
John 21:21-23

This passage affords us a wonderful example of a “biblical rumor,” that some embraced, and that was thoroughly debunked. Let him who has ears, hear!

Jesus never said that the Apostle John would not die. He simply didn’t say it. Yet people read into Jesus’ words and it apparently became accepted as though it were true. Thankfully, John debunked this “biblical rumor” in (v.23). One might think this text would cause believers to be careful that what they believe as biblical, actually is biblical, and not a “biblical rumor.”

What is a “biblical rumor”? Generally it is something that is derived from what a person(s) has “read into” what the Bible does say, even though the Bible never said what people have read into it. Want an example? “John will never die.”

Sometimes a “biblical rumor” is something the Bible never even hinted at, but has become accepted as “gospel truth.” How does this happen? A teaching or practice (no matter how unbiblical) often becomes an accepted “biblical rumor” because it has been repeated so often and for so long. Before long people begin to insist: “It’s in the Bible!” Want an example? “God helps those who help themselves.” Or how about “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”

The list of things that are not in the Bible that people insist are, is incredibly long. Examples include: >altar calls, >naming people as the anti-Christ, >the number 666 being tattooed on people in the “end times,” >there is a rapture of the church before a seven-year great tribulation, >that there is a seven-year great tribulation, >that the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, >that sinful human beings are free moral agents, etc, etc, etc…*

By the way, how many of the aforementioned are you surprised to read are not what the Bible explicitly teaches?

A dear friend of mine once said of the Bible: “It’s right there in black and white. Read the black part!” Brilliantly stated. Read the Bible. We believe “biblical rumors” because too many of us do not know what the Bible actually says! We must read what the Bible says, not what someone says it says, or what we might like it to say.

* Did you happen to notice how many “biblical rumors” are about “end times” events? Beware!

"Finally..." "Again, finally..."

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:30-31

This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
John 21:24-25

John gave two conclusions to his gospel record. We can learn from both.

The first (20:30-31), reveals John’s purpose in writing the Gospel of John. He recorded a number of “signs” (miracles) Jesus performed. There are seven key signs in John’s Gospel. He recorded these so that those who do not believe, and therefore are not saved, would believe and be saved. Don’t miss the following:

1. John’s Gospel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is written to lead non-believers to saving faith. I confess, I have always thought John’s Gospel is the most difficult to understand. That is why I used to tell non-believers to read Mark, as it is fast-paced and easier to follow. But upon deeper consideration, if the Holy Spirit says John is a book for non-believers to read to be saved, I now trust Him to do the saving. I still recommend Mark in some instances, but John is the book the Holy Spirit says is for non-believers to read to become believers.

2. Salvation is God’s gift based on the finished work of Christ, but it is through faith that we receive this gift. It is by believing Christ and the gospel that one “receives” eternal life in Jesus’ name.

John’s second and final conclusion simply, and more importantly, reminds us that the Person and work of Jesus is greater than any written gospel account can contain. That is not to say there are things we need to know that are not in the gospels. Everything we need to know is in the gospels. But isn’t it wonderful to know that our Savior and Lord is greater than even the inspired words of the Bible can contain?

These two conclusions contain great truths about our great Lord and Savior.