How is one born again? (pt. 1)

But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Acts 19:9-10

We concluded last time with the question, “How is one born again?” We asked the question because the only hope for naturally hard hearted people (that includes ever human being ever born!) is that we must be born again (or be regenerated). So how is one born again? Here are two essential facts.

First, people are born again as they hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16). People have to hear the gospel message, whether they hear it proclaimed, or read it. Either way, people need to hear the gospel or they will not be born again. Consider Paul’s logic in Romans 10:13-14 & 17

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? . . . So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God.

We would be remiss if we didn’t add that people must hear the gospel—and by that we mean the true and complete gospel—rather than a false gospel that isn’t about forgiveness, or that simply promises a better life! So we must proclaim the gospel and we must proclaim it simply and accurately.

The second essential fact about how people are born again, next time…

New Hearts

But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Acts 19:9-10

The only hope for lost sinners (and we are all naturally born as lost sinners), is to be born again (John 3:3, 5, & 7). When we are born again, God doesn’t force us to believe, but He graciously gives us new hearts and new affections. The new heart given to those who are born again acknowledges our need for forgiveness (which is only available in Christ). The new heart and affections we receive when we are born again wants to surrender to Christ as Lord.

Why do you believe while your unbelieving family and friends do not? Just as we had hard hearts, they have hard hearts. And just as our only hope is Jesus, their only hope is Jesus as well. And just as we had to be born again to have our hard hearts replaced with hearts for Christ, so do they (along with every non-believing person in the world)! What does that say about how we should pray for the lost, whether family, friend, strangers or even enemies? Pray that God would regenerate them (that they be born again). Pray that God would replace their unbelieving hearts with new hearts and affection for Christ.

We need to remember this because when we see lost people, we see the symptoms of sin in their lives (destructive behaviors, disastrous relationships, deceptive religion, and/or disinterest in church). We tend to pray that God would change their circumstances, when what they need are new hearts which only come when people are born again.

How are people born again? Next time…

Hard Hearts

But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Acts 19:9-10

Paul ministered to the Jewish folks in the synagogues, preaching the kingdom of God. Let us not forget that the subject of “the kingdom,” and particularly “the kingdom of God” should have meant much, and been of particular importance to Paul’s mostly Jewish audience. After all, devout Jews in that day were looking for the Kingdom!”(Luke 2:25-26). But, as John tells us in John 1:11, Jesus “came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” Why not? (and this is true of all who do not receive Jesus, not just Jewish people in that day!).

The text reveals the one over-arching reason. Hard hearts. The hearts of sinners are hardened against Christ and the gospel. Why?

Because the unregenerate heart is “deceitful and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). The heart is deceitful, lying to us that if there even is a God, we do not need Him and that we are just fine on our own. The heart is wicked, loving our sin more than God, not needing forgiveness, and not about to surrender our wills to Him! Or as R.C. Sproul used to say, “We’re not that bad; God’s not that mad; so don’t be so sad!”

What is the only hope? Next time…

A kingdom must have a King!

And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8

Paul spent three months in Ephesus “reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.” He was following our Lord’s example (See the previous post if you missed it.)

We asked the question last time, what would you say if you were asked about the kingdom of God/Heaven (the two are synonymous)?

A great place to start is with the fact that a KINGdom is marked, above all else, by its KING. A collection of citizens and land does not constitute a kingdom. For a kingdom to exist, there must be a monarch—one who rules. Granted, in the case of the royal family in Britain, they reign, but they do not rule. They are ruled by a parliament. In which of Jesus’s teachings about His kingdom did He mention a parliament? None. Why? Because in His kingdom, He not only reigns, He RULES! He is no figurehead. He is the KING!

Remember Jesus’s words in Matthew 28:18, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” All authority belongs to King Jesus. And what did Jesus say after declaring His authority? He issued the Great Commission—which His people are expected to obey.

Speaking about the Kingdom of God/Heaven means talking about King Jesus, and His authoritative lordship over all things. It means submitting to His lordship and calling others to do so as well.

What would you say if asked about the kingdom of God?

And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8

As we have seen previously, it was Paul’s method to go to the Jewish Synagogues when entering a city. He did this because he had such a burden to see his Jewish countrymen saved. He went to the synagogues because people there were accustomed to talking about God and the scriptures.

What did he talk about? Besides the obvious—Christ and the gospel—Paul spent three months “reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.” Paul was following our Savior’s example in this.

• Think of how frequently Jesus taught about the kingdom of God. Jesus’ first recorded messages were: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17). (1)

• Likewise, how many of Jesus numerous parables did He begin with the words, “The kingdom of Heaven is like…”?

• When on trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Prefect (governor), asked Jesus if He was in fact a king, what did Jesus answer? "My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). And what did Jesus follow that with? Words about His kingdom (v.36-37).

So Paul was following a Christlike pattern, reasoning and seeking to persuade people about the kingdom of God.

What do you know about the kingdom of God? If you were asked about the kingdom of God what would you say? We’ll pick up on that in the next post…

(1) Though some insist on a distinction between the kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of God, this is a well-intentioned mistake. The two are synonymous.

Danger: "continuing revelation"

And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. Acts 19:-6-7

In yesterday’s post we distinguished between two polarized opinions about speaking in tongues—cessationist and non-cessationist. We pointed out that there is a third position (the one we hold) that speaking in tongues is misguided, but not heretical. We concluded by saying, “What is heretical? Read tomorrow’s post…”

Here is that post. While speaking in tongues is not heretical, there is another pillar in the Pentecostal/Charismatic platform that is heretical. That most dangerous error is believing in “continuing revelation.” Those believing in “continuing revelation” (though most do not call it that), are open to, and even looking for God to speak to individuals and to His Church in ways other than from scripture. Whether it comes in the form of “prophecies,” “words of knowledge,” messages in tongues, or even supposing that God has literal conversations with us—this belief that God hasn’t given us all we need in the Bible opens people to all sorts of error.

To look for or trust in extra-biblical revelation as a declaration that God’s Word is insufficient.

The 17th century British scholar, John Owen reasoned as follows (not a direct quote): If God speaks what is not already in scripture (either in precept or principle) it is error. If God speaks what is in scripture, we didn’t need the mystical message—we needed to know our Bibles!

Be careful using the words, “God told me…”

Tongues or not?

Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. Acts 19:4-7

Is the gift of speaking in tongues “normative” for the Church throughout the Church Age (meaning until Jesus comes again?) In a word, no. This should be obvious when one surveys Church history. Besides there being no such indication since the Apostolic era, the book of Acts records some speaking in tongues and others not. And Paul in 1 Corinthians asks the rhetorical question: “Do all speak in tongues?” (1 Corinthians 12:30).

Since the modern resurgence of Pentecostalism in the early 1900s, speaking in tongues has been more known among Christians, although the practice is still limited to Pentecostal and Charismatic circles.

Christians are generally divided into three categories regarding speaking in tongues. There are anti-Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians who condemn the practice—a small amount even saying it is of the devil. These are often called “cessationists,” as they believe tongues and other “sign gifts” ceased at the conclusion of the Apostolic Age. The Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians place a large emphasis on speaking in tongues—a small amount even insisting that it is necessary for salvation. These are often called “non-cessationists,” as they believe tongues and other “sign gifts” did not cease at the conclusion of the Apostolic Age. There are many other Christian between these polar opposites who either: (a) know nothing about speaking in tongues, (b) don’t much care, or (c) have an opinion, but don’t want to choose sides.

Where am I, and what do we teach at GBC? We are cessationists, but we do not condemn believers who we believe are mistaken about tongues. We think that the emphasis on tongues (and other Charismatic gifts) is misguided but not heretical. What is heretical? Read tomorrow’s post…

Baptized in which name?

Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. Acts 19:4-7

We won’t go over the difference between the baptism of John and believers’ baptism in Jesus again, as this has been addressed a few times previously.

What I will say is that while we do not form doctrine based on narratives alone, (v.5) supports what I believe to be the clear teaching of scripture that only believers are to be baptized.

I will also point out that the phrase “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” raises a question. We are told by Jesus that Christian baptism is to be “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). We are also told by Peter to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). Peter likewise taught that we are to be baptized “in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). Then here in Acts 19:5 believers were “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” So which is it?

The simple answer (and in this case simple is best) is that Christians have historically baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” for these three reasons: First, these are Jesus’s words. Second, these words are not merely narrative, but didactic (instructive teaching). Third, these words are the most inclusive, covering all that is said in the others that are specifically less inclusive.

What is the lesson: The words are not as important as that every believer is baptized as a believer into Christ. If you have been, great! If you have not been, let’s talk together that you may understand Christian baptism, and then get baptized!

They are altogether deceived

And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." Acts 19:1-4

Apollos was not the only one marked by zeal, but without accurate knowledge of Christ and the gospel. Those who knew only of the baptism of John, knew only of a religion of repentance—without forgiveness of sin. Repentance is essential, but it is because one has been forgiven, rather than a means by which one is forgiven.

Friends, the sad reality is that many, many, who profess to be Christians, are not trusting solely in Christ for salvation. They think that they must earn their salvation by being good, or at least by contributing something to their salvation by being good. They are altogether deceived, thinking that they actually can be good enough—when in fact, no one ever has, or will, or can—except Jesus!

Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. But that was not because he preached repentance. It was because he preached that people must believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."

Let us trust solely in Christ, and because of His grace, repent. And let us be sure that is the message we tell the lost and dying all around us.

We must be passionate, scriptural, and Christ & the gospel centered

And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 18:27-28

In a previous post we pointed out that Aquila and Priscilla corrected Apollos privately, rather that publicly. We said there are exceptions. Apollos’s refutation of the legalistic Judaizers was one of those exceptions. Those engaged in public ministry who preach error and will not repent, must be called out publicly for the sake of protecting the sheep. We can assume that these false teachers had been given an opportunity to repent, but refused to do so. So, for the sake of protecting the flock, Apollos called them out not only to stop them but to warn the flock of God. What was Apollos’s method?

First, he was vigorous (passionate). The truth is worth fighting for when need be.

Second, he reasoned from Scripture. The truth of Scripture is the standard by which every matter must be tested and found either to be truth or error! We must know our Bibles, friends. We need not all be scholars, but we all need to think biblically, to know what the Bible says, and be able to reason and speak biblically—even if not eloquently.

Third, he pointed them to Christ and the gospel. Apart from Christ and the gospel, we have nothing. If we do not proclaim Christ and the gospel, we proclaim falsehood—maybe not explicitly by what we say, but implicitly by what we fail to say!

These are reasons why God used and blessed Apollos. May these be true of us that He might bless and use us as well!

Holding preachers accountable

And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 18:27-28

Apollos had likely been preaching a “gospel“ of repentance, without Christ and the whole gospel. After Aquila and Priscilla helped Apollos to understand the gospel correctly, he wanted to go to Corinth (see Acts 19:1).

The leadership at Ephesus (including Aquila and Priscilla, presumably) sent Apollos on his way with letters of affirmation and recommendation. This is important, even today, as there are so many false teachers looking for a pulpit. We should be discriminating about who we accept as teachers, and legitimate teachers will not be offended by such inquiries.

When Apollos arrived in Corinth, God blessed and used him as both a teacher of good doctrine and a voice of warning regarding bad doctrine. Good teachers must be prepared and willing to do both today as well. Why? Again, because there are so many false and dangerous teachers spewing so much false (and incomplete) doctrine. God’s people need both to hear the truth and be warned of falsehood.

A last thought: Those who speak false doctrine are dangerous. But even more dangerous are those who do not speak false doctrine, but who are guilty of not speaking the whole truth. These false teachers either spew “empty feel-good platitudes,” or a message of “religion and works.” What they fail to do is proclaim Christ and the gospel! The Church must demand that teachers (a) preach the Word of God, and (b) Christ and the gospel!

When and how to correct error

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:24-26

Not every error we hear needs to be corrected—and if it does, time and place are important.

When I was a younger man, God kindly brought a lot of solid doctrinal teaching my way. By His grace He developed in me a measure of discernment. Sadly, I was not always gracious in what I did with that discernment. I had enough knowledge to spot biblical and theological error from a distance and often felt compelled to correct every error—sometimes on the spot.

Aquila and Priscilla discerned that Apollos needed come correction, so “they took him aside,” not to rebuke him, but to “explain” truth more accurately. From this let us note the following:

Correction should not normally be done in front of people. While there are exceptions since others may be adversely affected, generally correction is easier to receive when done in private than in public.(1) This is true for parents correcting their children as well. Humiliating the child is more hurtful than helpful!

Explaining is better than excoriating. Let us seek to correct in a manner than blesses rather than blasts! The goal is to hep the person, not to be right.

Lastly, there is so much error in this world that we are wise to realize that the Lord has not appointed any of us to correct every error we encounter. This is especially true regarding matters of inconsequential importance. Nobody likes a self-appointed know-it-all.

(1) It is often appropriate to name false teachers whose ministries are public, and especially if they have a large following. The point is not to slander the person, but to warn those who may unknowingly be following dangerous people.

The delicate balance of faith and works

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:24-26

Last time we considered that, like Apollos who may have been more repentance-oriented that he was grace-oriented, so are many Christians today. We are not believing and presenting the Christian gospel accurately if our message is merely “Repent!” This time let us consider the delicate balance of faith and repentance.

If we could save ourselves by turning from sin, we wouldn’t need Jesus, and He wouldn’t have needed to die on the cross and rise from the dead. Understanding the Christian gospel begins by understanding that we have zero ability to adequately repent of our sins for salvation. Once we know that we cannot save ourselves and that we need a Savior, then we can trust in Christ to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. So we respond by trusting solely in Him and on His finished work on our behalf.

But the Christian gospel does not end there! Though repentance cannot save people, saved people—understanding what Christ has done for them—want to turn from sin to follow Jesus as the Lord of their lives. So repentance is essential as a validation of saving faith, but not a substitute for saving faith.

There is a delicate balance as we walk the tightrope of faith and repentance. We can fall off on either side. Legalism emphasizes repentance over faith in Christ. Antinomianism emphasizes God’s grace without the need for repentance as a validation of saving faith. Both are erroneous because neither is complete without the other.

May the Lord grant us understanding, lifestyles, and the ability to present our faith in light of this delicate balance!

Grace! Not works!

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:24-26

What was Apollos preaching that needed to be corrected? The text says he knew only of the baptism of John. I doubt seriously that the issue was baptism, per se. But when we understand what the baptism of John was, we may know what was missing in Apollos’ message.

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. And as essential as repentance is, if one’s religion is solely based on repentance, it tends to be a religion of works, or human effort and our performance. While Christian conversion calls for repentance, we are forgiven and saved not because of our repentance, but because of faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for those He came to save. When a person understands something of, and trusts solely in Christ and what He has done to save His people, repentance (a genuine desire to turn from sin) is a natural and essential response to God’s grace.

What has this to do with Apollos? The same thing that many sincere and well-intentioned Christians need to change in their understanding and presentation of the gospel. Too much “preaching” (whether by preachers or individuals sharing their faith) centers more on changing one’s life than on trusting in Christ.

Let us remember always that salvation is by grace alone, received by faith alone, in Christ alone—not on people changing themselves. More on this delicate balance next time…

Preaching or acting?

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:24-26

Eloquence is no substitute for biblical accuracy! Apollos was “an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures,” but was not grounded in the correct meaning. This is not to say he did not love and want to serve God. It just means that his knowledge and experience with the Scriptures was not mature enough to be preaching. That he was mighty in the Scriptures, is probably a reference to his passion and eloquence about what he did know, though his knowledge was yet limited. Praise God that He sent Aquila and Priscilla to take “him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

Some who preach, but probably should not, need to know more than they do. This is why Paul warned Timothy not to appoint preachers who are too inexperienced (1 Timothy 3:6).

Others who preach, but probably should not, need not only to be more experienced with the Word, they need to wrestle with the Scriptures instead of regurgitating other people’s sermons. That said, it is not bad to read commentaries and other sermons as we wrestle with the text of the Bible. Apollos heard from Aquila and Priscilla. As one great preacher explained, “I milk a lot of cows, but I make my own butter!” However, preachers cannot hope to speak to God’s people until God has spoken to them.

Another great preacher, commenting on those who can preach well but don’t study to prepare their own sermons, called them “actors.” Actors can be very convincing, but if they are not wrestling with the text to get God’s message into their own hearts, they may simply be acting rather than preaching.

Pray for those who preach—not that they be dynamic, dramatic, and engaging—but that they will have heard from God for themselves before attempting to speak for God!

Who needs to be strengthened?

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. Acts 18:22-23

The last two posts have been about how, or by what means disciples are strengthened. This time let’s consider who, or which disciples need to be strengthened. The text says Paul went about strengthening ALL the disciples. Two things:

ALL disciples need to be strengthened. There is no hierarchy of discipleship. There are not average disciples as compared with super disciples, and we make a mistake when we think there is. None of us are exempted from the need. In fact the mandate is to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). The only distinction is that there are those who desire to grow in the Lord and those who are content to remain as babes in Christ.

YOU need to be strengthened. YOU need to grow in grace. Please do not settle to remain weak in your faith. While the ordinary means of grace are the way all who desire to grow are strengthened, they do no good unless we practice those means. If you want to grow, I trust you know how. If you have no particular desire to grow (evidenced by a neglect of the means of grace), please pray and then commit yourself to being strengthened.

If you are unsure of how to get started, or have tried and petered out, ask for counsel. I am here to help.

How else are we strengthened?

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. Acts 18:22-23

What does it mean that Paul “strengthened all the disciples?” Last time we considered the obvious: Disciples are “strengthened” by the Word of God. How else are we strengthened? In our day, many think the pathway to spiritual vitality is via “special things.” These special things are often based on high octane music and big name “communicators”. Others may include the newest best selling book, or some other here-today-gone-tomorrow fad.

We can rest assured that Paul peddled none of that. In addition to preaching the Word, he strengthened the disciples with what we often call, “the ordinary means of grace.” These include prayer, the sacraments, fellowship, and evangelism.

The surest way toward spiritual growth is to shrug off the new, novel, and exciting, in favor of the “the ordinary means of grace.” Let us desire spiritual growth as we head into 2022, by devoting ourselves to these ordinary ways in which disciples grow and are strengthened.

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine [the Word] and fellowship, in the breaking of bread [the sacraments], and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved [evangelism]. Acts 2:41-47

Strengthened by God's Word

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. Acts 18:22-23

What does it mean that Paul “strengthened all the disciples?”

The strengthening is spiritual in nature. When we are born again, we are like spiritual babies—alive but lacking strength and maturity. Peter wrote (1 Peter 2:2) about what spiritual babies want and need: “…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” As babies want and need milk at first, so too do spiritual babies need the milk of God’s Word.

Newly converted people need the Word. And hopefully they have a natural craving for it. It is by the Word of God that we gain strength—growing in our knowledge and in much needed discernment.

The same is true for children and young people—whether born again or not. We make a mistake when we presume that they cannot understand the Bible, instead giving them Christian storybooks that are not the Bible. While being careful about which children’s storybooks to read to them, we must not give them only Christian storybooks instead of God’s Word.

New believers, children, and young people may not understand everything they hear or read in the Bible, but the more they hear and read, the more they will understand.

Let us strengthen ourselves and each other by hearing and reading God’s Word, trusting the Holy Spirit to grant increasing understanding in time.

The New Year is a great time to adopt a Bible Reading plan for ourselves (with our spouses) and for our families.

Holy New Year, 2022!

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…
Joshua 24:15

As we close the book on 2021, let us take a moment to make for the first time, or reaffirm, our commitment to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. As Joshua challenged the people of Israel, there is a choice to make. And that choice is followed by an endless series of choices every day as the rivals for our affection and devotion present themselves over and over. Sometimes the choices are downright sinful. Many more times the temptation to serve what isn’t God is more subtle. Remember, besides choosing between good and bad, we are more frequently challenged to choose between what isn’t bad, or even good, but what is best.

Let us follow Joshua’s exemplary commitment, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

New Years is a great time to make a fresh start regarding our affections and our actions. Let us deal soberly and severely with any known sin. Let us commit to a fresh start with devotion to the Lord, His Word, and His Church. Let us reaffirm our commitments to being truly Christian families (spouses, parents, children, siblings, etc.). Let us make 2022 a year of spiritual growth for each of us, and for all of us. May I pray for you?

Heavenly Father, Jesus our Lord, and Blessed Holy Spirit, may Your grace, and patience with us inform and empower our desire to serve You like never before. May we find liberty and joy in worshiping and following You. And when we stumble, may we be quick to confess our sins and receive your faithful forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness! I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen!

On being a churchman

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. Acts 18:22-23

Paul was an Apostle, a missionary, and a churchman.

Being an Apostle placed him in a small elite group. There were only a few Apostles and there haven’t been any in around 2,000 years. Thank You, Lord, for the Apostles.

Being a missionary is also a limited membership circle. God calls some people to take the gospel outside of their own ethnic, social, or geographic area. These are specially gifted Christians. Thank You, Lord, for missionaries.

And Paul was a churchman.

• He didn’t go out as a missionary on a personal adventure. He was sent out to be a missionary by a church in Antioch.

• His missionary activities were church-planting endeavors. He didn’t just lead people to faith in Christ, but the Holy Spirit used him to organize the converts into churches.

• He went back to his sending church to report on what God was doing.

• He went back to the churches he planted to see how they were doing.

Paul was a churchman. All Christians are called to be churchmen, though not all Christians are churchmen. We do not need to be Apostles, missionaries, or even pastors, elders, or deacons. We just need to understand the importance of Christ’s Church and be lovingly committed to Christ’s Church.

When Christ returns, He isn’t coming for a bunch of individual lovers, but for His Bride—His Church.