Make plans, but...

Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. Acts 19:21-22 ESV

Yesterday we considered the importance of using reliable word-for-word translations of the Bible. In addition, we considered the danger of formulating doctrine (or dogmatic teaching) based on words that can be translated in different ways. Today, let’s see what this passage does not say for sure, and an important application we can take from it.

We do not know how “resolutely” Paul made his traveling plans in (v.19-22). Was he led by the Holy Spirit, or were his plans merely led by his own spirit (heart)? We do not know.

We do know that Paul was unable to carry out the plans he made. Paul never made it to Rome. We would assume that if it was God’s will that Paul go to Rome, he would have made it there. This leads me to lean in the direction that the plans originated in Paul’s heart, not the will of the Holy Spirit.

Two applications:

First, do not say, “The Lord told me,” or “The Lord is leading me” to do this or that. Too many people say these things, but they either do not happen, or they turn out to not be God’s will. It is one thing to say “I think the Lord would have me to do…” This way we are assuming responsibility if things turn out differently than we planned. Otherwise, we present the Lord as having been wrong. He is never wrong!*

Second, we should make plans—but let us write them in pencil (rather than in ink)! It has been said, “Failure to plan is a plan to fail!” But let us always remember Proverbs 19:21, “There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the LORD's counsel—that will stand.”

*Footnote: Let us not forget that in God’s law, those who claim to speak for God, but do not are false prophets which is punishable by death. Though we are not under that civil aspect of the OT Law, the principle remains true.

Do synonyms always have exactly the same meaning?

Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. Acts 19:21-22 ESV

After these events. Which events all of the events that happened in Ephesus over the course of nearly three years was Luke referring to? Paul’s stay in Ephesus was longer by a long shot than in any of his other missionary outposts.

Paul resolved. The ESV employs the English word resolved. Resolved is a strong word. Other translations (NKJV, KJV, NASB) use the word purposed (a little less strong than resolved). The NIV says decided, which is even weaker.

In the Spirit. Another difference in how (v.19) is translated has to do with the word, Spirit, or spirit. Was Paul’s resolve prompted by the Holy Spirit, or did it originate in Paul’s spirit? (Note the capitalization, or not, of the word, Spirit—capitalization is not in the Greek!)

What difference does any of this make? It points out the need to read (at least for serious study) the best word for word English translations of the Bible. But wait! Even reliable word-for-word English translations differ! This means that there are passages that are not absolutely clear regarding translation.

Some might conclude (quite foolishly) that there is no way of knowing what the Bible says or means. That is not true, and here is the #1 reason why: the differences do no violence to the meaning of the text. In other words, they do not change the fundamental meaning. As in Acts 19:21, the differences in translation may add or take away a nuance but they do not change what happened!

Lesson number one on this text: The Bible is reliably translated—in the recognized word-for-word translations of the Bible.

Lesson number two on this text: Do not formulate doctrine or dogmatic teaching based on words that are variously translated. Stick with the main point of the passage. (And this is especially true when reading narratives.)

That said, tomorrow we will make some applicational observations on the text.

The cost of forsaking all to follow Christ

And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. Acts 19:17-20

Two more observations on this short passage:

First, don’t miss that when people come to faith in Christ we need to forsake whatever opposes Christ. Many things in our lives that are not about Christ do not oppose Him. And as long as these things remain in their proper place in our priorities, that’s fine. Hobbies, sports, and some entertainment fall into this benign category. Even these good things can become dangerous, though, when our love for them rivals our love for Christ.

There are other things in our lives that must go! In the text, pursuits regarding the occult had to go. Are we holding onto sinful interests in our lives that we must let go of?

Second, as those in the text found, ejecting some things from our lives for the sake of following Christ will cost us. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The market value of what the new believers in Acts 19 tossed out was 50,000 pieces of silver. 50,000 is 1,667 times more than 30! Maybe letting go of what we must discard will costs us dearly (and maybe not only in terms of money!), but to quote Jesus, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

God had even bigger plans

And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. Acts 19:17-20

The humiliation of the seven sons of Sceva served God’s greater purpose. It wasn’t merely to shame those men—though it did do that. It was to strike fear in the hearts of those who saw and heard what happened.

Remember when we pointed out that God did miracles to validate those He called to speak for Him? In this case God ordained the humiliation of the false exorcists to draw even more attention to the trustworthiness of the Apostles and their message of Christ and the gospel.

As commentator, Adam Clark noted: “The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. They saw that there was a sovereign power in the name of Jesus, which could not be imitated by these lying exorcists: they therefore reverenced the name of the Lord Jesus, and despised those pretenders.”

The fear of God became so pronounced that people involved in the occult renounced their demonic practices (v18-19). And the Word of the Lord was exalted (v.20)!

"But who are you?"

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims." Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. Acts 19:13-14

This is a classic warning to those who want miracles to beware! These guys didn’t know the Lord, they just wanted to be miracle workers.

But the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" Acts 19:15

And the demons called these false exorcists out, “Who are you!?”

And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:16

The demons overpowered these frauds, beat them up, stripped them, and threw them out! Let this somewhat humorous episode be a warning not to usurp what God has not called and gifted us to do!

Some healings are true. Some simply are not.

And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. Acts 19:11-12

With all due respect to Christians who believe and teach that every Christian in every time should experience, and even expect miracles, the Bible teaches no such thing. The text before us (like others in Acts) specifies that the Lord did miracles at specific times through His specially appointed servants. Miracles were performed by Jesus, of course, and by the Apostles and some of their closest associates. It is never recorded that every Christian can perform miracles at will—regardless of their faith.

The pattern throughout the Bible is that those who spoke for God (Prophets and Apostles) were enabled to perform miracles as a means of validating the trustworthiness of God’s communication through them. This is why Jesus performed such an inordinate number of miracles, since His message was of the greatest importance of all. Likewise the Apostles, since they were laying the groundwork for the New Testament church and writing the New Testament.

Texts like Acts 19:11-12 record God performing miracles using even Paul’s handkerchief. Modern hucksters who claim to do the same should be soundly rejected. And yes, some of the so-called healing evangelists have sent out scraps of cloth that have been touched by these false prophets (for money, of course!) promising that if you place the scrap of cloth on your physical problem it will be healed.

Not only are these kinds of gimmicks shamelessly false, so are the doctrines peddled by them.

Let us rejoice in the true miracles recorded in the Bible and reject the false miracles and those who peddle them in our day.

Three meanings of the word “all”

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 are considering the fact that the Bible employs figures of speech, and that if we interpret them literally, instead of as figures of speech, we will misinterpret the Bible. The case in point is the use of the word “all.” Does Acts 19:10 really mean that every human being in Asia heard the gospel? No. It means that the message of Christ and the gospel spread widely throughout Asia. (And by the way, “Asia” in that day didn’t mean the entire continent of Asia as we think of it today, but “Asia Minor,” or modern Turkey.)

I promised examples of three ways the word all can mean three different things.

First, in Romans 3:23 we read, “all have sinned.” This is the universal “all.” How do we know that? Because the verses following that “all” describe all as absolutely universal—in no uncertain terms.

Second, in Luke 2:1 we read, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” This is an example of how all can mean all of a particular group, but not all universally. In this case the word “all” here means, “everyone in the Roman Empire,” not every single individual in the world. (People from other parts of the world were not included.)

Third, as for “all” in a virtual or hyperbolic sense, our text in Acts 19:10 is a perfect example. All Asia doesn’t mean every human being in Asia. In this case “all” means “very widely.”

And how do we know which way “all” is being used? (1) Context. (2) Common sense.
Let us read and interpret the Bible wisely and accurately.

The danger of "wooden literalism"

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

Does verse 10 really mean that every human being in Asia heard the gospel? This is a great opportunity for a lesson in reading the Bible. Many pride themselves in the fact that they read and interpret the Bible “literally.” Those who actually do this, especially if they do it all the time, are surely going to misinterpret the Bible. One of the most common errors in “hermeneutics” (interpreting the Bible) is what I call “wooden literalism.” Wooden literalism interprets every word, every phrase, and every sentence in the Bible with absolute literalism. This is a BIG mistake!

Think of how confused you would be if you did this with everything you hear, or read outside of the Bible. If someone says it is “raining cats and dogs,” even a modicum of wisdom informs us that animals are not falling from the sky!

The word “all” is commonly misinterpreted in the Bible. I remember being told “All means all, and that’s all it means.” Sometimes, yes. Many times, not at all! A friend tells you that he attended a party and says “everyone was there.” Would you naturally assume that every human being in the world was there? I hope not! Even if your friend was reporting on an office party, or a family reunion, and he said “everyone was there,” would that axiomatically mean that everyone from the office or family was there? Not necessarily.

The Bible is filled with figures of speech (as our communication often is). The usage of all or everyone is often a figure of speech. The world “all” can mean all literally, but it can also mean: (1) all of a particular group; or (2) all hyperbolically, or virtually. I’ll give some examples of these next time. For now, let us resolve to NOT make the common mistake of reading the Bible with wooden literalism, but with discernment to know what is being said and what isn’t.

Why ask, "What is the gospel?"

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.. Romans 1:16

Why ask, "What is the gospel?"

Because unless one hears the gospel, the Holy spirit cannot enlighten the heart and mind to believe when is it heard. (Romans 10:14}

Because a great many Christians answer the question, “What is the gospel?” incorrectly. Many default to a list if things Christians must do instead of explaining the gospel and calling people to trust in Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Some get the “trust Jesus” part right, but miss the reason. The reason is to be forgiven of our sins against a holy God—not to have other problems solved and to have a better life. (Matthew 1:21)

Still others either over complicate or over simplify the gospel by adding to, or leaving out, the essential points: Ruined (by sin), Remedy (only Jesus), Receive (Christ by faith which produces repentance.)

Let us get the gospel right, believe it, and declare it,

Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16)

What is the gospel?

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 last two post have been about what happens when a person is born again. Three points have been made: (1) One must hear the gospel. (2) The Holy Spirit must grant understanding and desire to receive Christ. And (3) regeneration (being born again) is a work of God—the person being regenerated does nothing to be born again.

Since hearing the gospel is essential, it seems wise to once again answer the question, “What is the gospel?” The answer is simple but it must be complete—no component can be omitted or else it is NOT the gospel.

We are RUINED by sin. There are three important sub-points to this first point. (1) We are sinful compared to the holiness of God, no matter how well we do compared to other people. (2) Sin has inescapable consequences: the just judgment and wrath of God. (3) There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from sin or it’s consequences.

Jesus is the only REMEDY for sin. There is no other way. Jesus is the only way because He alone is sinless. He alone died, and then rose from the dead to pay the penalty for the sins of those who trust in Him.

Each person must RECEIVE Jesus to be saved. Receiving Jesus means believing solely in Him as the only remedy for sin, and following Him as the Master of one’s life.

That is the gospel. Sadly, when most people hear the gospel they do not believe and follow Jesus. They either do not care, or flat out reject it. But those who hear the gospel and believe, do so because the Holy Spirit has given them hearts to believe and to follow Jesus. That work of the Holy Spirit is regeneration.

In case you are wondering, “Why is this so important—even for Christians?” Tomorrow…

How is one born again? (pt. 2)

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

In answer to the question “How is one born again?” we said there are two essential facts. The first is that people must hear the gospel—the simple and accurate gospel.

The second essential fact is that the Holy Spirit must grant understanding. We say this because millions have heard—and rejected the gospel because to unregenerate ears, the gospel is “foolishness” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

People must hear the gospel, and the Holy Spirit must grant the ability to understand and respond to the gospel. When these two are in place, people will be born again. Both are equally necessary. So we must proclaim the gospel, and pray that the Holy Spirit will regenerate people, granting them understanding and the will to respond.

We must do our part, and when we do, God will do His part in the lives of those He is pleased to save. Now since we do not know which people God will be pleased to save, we need to give the good news of the gospel to as many as we can—with confidence that He will save His people, as we share Christ.

And don’t miss that it is all God’s work. The person who is born again does -0- to be born again!

What is the gospel? Next time…

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.