Acts 2:1-13 Effects of Pentecost

My commentary had powerful insights for us today:  "We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God," Vance Havner is quoted as saying.  "The early church had none of the things that we think are so essential for success today -- buildings, money, political influence, social status -- and yet the church won multitudes to Christ and saw many churches established throughout the Roman world.  Why?  Because the church had the power of the Holy Spirit energizing its ministry.  They were a people who were ignited by the Spirit of God."

In this chapter, we see four experiences in the life of the church.  Two of them are found in these verses:

The church waiting for the Spirit -- for ten days they waited as they'd been instructed and the Holy Spirit was given to them.  One important note:  "We must not conclude that this ten-day prayer meeting brought about the miracles of Pentecost, or that we today may pray as they did and experience 'another Pentecost'.  Like our Lord's death at Calvary, Pentecost was a once-for-all event that will not be repeated.  The church may experience new fillings of the Spirit, and certainly patient prayer is an essential element to spiritual power, but we would not ask for another Pentecost any more than we would ask for another Calvary."

The church worshiping the Lord -- The Spirit came, baptized, filled, and spoke.  "The baptism of the Spirit means that I belong to His body; the fullness of the Spirit means that my body belongs to Him.  The baptism is final; the fullness is repeated as we trust God for new power to witness.  The baptism involves all other believers, for it makes us one in the body of Christ, while the fullness is personal and individual.  These are two distinct experiences, and they must not be confused."

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit.  Quicken my heart to listen to Him, to understand, and to obey.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Acts 1:12-23 What Else They Believed In

My commentary continued describing the faith of the first Christians.  In the first twelve verses of Acts, they proved their belief in the Risen Christ.  In these verses, they also showed that they believed in each other.  "It is not enough for Christians to have faith in the Lord; they must also have faith in one another.  To these 120 people, the Lord had given the solemn responsibility of bearing witness to a lost world, and none of them could do the job alone.  They would experience severe persecution in the days ahead ... It was not a time for asking, 'Who is the greatest?' or, 'Who committed the greatest sin?'  It was a time for praying together and standing together in the Lord.  As they waited and worshiped together, they were being better prepared for the work that lay before them."

They also believed in prayer and in God's leading.  "The Lord Jesus was no longer with them to give them personal directions, but they were not without the leading of the Lord, for they had the Word of God and prayer ... Peter has been criticized for taking charge, but I believe he was doing the will of God.  Jesus had made it clear that Peter was to be their leader (see Matthew, Luke, and John).  Peter was first among equals, but he was their recognized leader ... we must also remember that the Lord had opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45)."

Father, open up my mind and show me what You would have me do.  Let Your Spirit guide me into Your will.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Acts 1 -- About The Holy Spirit

My commentary said, "The book of Acts is the account of the work of the Holy Spirit in and through the church.  The gospel of Luke records what Jesus began to do and teach in His human body, and the book of Acts tells us what Jesus continued to do and teach through His spiritual body, the church."

"They believed in the Risen Christ.  He'd taught them the reality of the resurrection, the coming of His kingdom, the power of His Holy Spirit, and the assurance of His coming again ... Jesus did not rebuke them when they kept asking about the future Jewish kingdom.  After all, He had opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, so they knew what they were asking.  But God has not revealed His timetable to us, and it is futile for us to speculate.  The important thing is not to be curious about the future but to be busy in the present, sharing the message of God's spiritual kingdom."

"Acts 1:8 is a key verse.  To begin with, it explains that the power of the church comes from the Holy Spirit and not from man.  God's people experienced repeated fillings of the Spirit as they faced new opportunities and obstacles.  Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because the Spirit of God was at work in their lives.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity."

Father, let me never forget how much I need Your Spirit.  Fill me back up whenever I run low.  Empower me to be a witness to all Christ has done!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Romans 16 -- Friends, Foes, and Faithful Servants

Paul told us about some friends, some foes, and some faithful servants here, my commentary said.

The significance of this?  "Paul was a friend maker as well as a soul winner.  He did not try to live an isolated life:  he had friends in the Lord and he appreciated them.  They were a help to him personally and to his ministry ... I have discovered that the servants whom God has used most were people who could make friends.  They multiplied themselves in the lives of their friends and associates in the ministry," my commentary added.

Many of the names might seem unimportant to readers today, but what they had done was certainly important to God!  Some had helped the poor and sick, some had been imprisoned with Paul, and some had laid down their own lives for him.

Paul did issue warnings about some foes to avoid who were diving the churches rather than working with him to spread the gospel.  "Paul gave two instruction:  mark them (meaning identify them) and avoid them.  It is a matter of obedience to the Lord and testimony to others.  The issue is not making or keeping friends, but pleasing the Lord and maintaining a consistent testimony."

Father, thank You for reminding us to be friend makers and to honor faithful servants -- not after they've died, but while they are still serving.  Thank You also for again warning us about those who divide churches.  Give us the discernment to know who is doing what.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Romans 15:25-33 The Gentiles' Ministry To The Jews

Paul next describes the Gentiles' ministry to the Jews.

"Paul and his associates had received a special offering from the Gentile churches in Greece for the suffering Jewish saints in Jerusalem ... It was an expression of love on the part of the Gentiles toward their Jewish brethren.  Second, it meant practical relief at a time when the poor Jewish believers needed it the most.  Third, it helped to unite Jews and Gentiles in the church."

"Paul looked on this offering as the paying of a debt.  The Gentiles had received spiritual wealth from the Jews.  They now returned material wealth, paying their debt."

"It was also a fruit ... the natural result of their walk with the Lord.  When the life of the Spirit flows through a church, giving is no problem."

Romans 15:30 suggests wrestling together, my commentary said.  "This verse does not mean that we must fight with God to get what we need.  Rather, it means our praying must not be a casual experience that has no heart or earnestness.  We should put as much fervor into our praying as a wrestler does into his wrestling!"

Father God, stoke up my prayer life.  Let me feel Your presence and help me to wrestle with You to get Your will done on earth.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Romans 15:14-24 The Characteristics of Paul's Ministry

Paul explained the characteristics of his ministry:

1)  It was received by grace:  "It was God's grace that saved him and it was God's grace that called him and made him an apostle."

2)  It was centered in the gospel:  "Paul looked on himself as a priest at the altar, offering up to God the Gentiles he had won to Christ."

3)  It was done for God's glory:  "Paul was not bragging about his ministry.  He was boasting in what the Lord had done."

4)  It was done by God's power:  "The Holy Spirit empowered Paul to minister and enabled him to perform mighty signs and wonders."

5)  It was according to God's plan:  "God had a special plan for Paul to follow:  he was not to preach where any other apostle had ministered ... He took the gospel and left behind witnessing churches and Christians who would carry on the work.  Paul finished one job before he started another one."

Father, please help me to receive what You've given me to do, to center it on the gospel, and to do it for Your glory and not my own.  Empower and enable me by Your Spirit and according to Your plan.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Romans 15:8-13 Jesus' Ministry & Paul's Ministry

"The supreme example of ministry must always be Jesus Christ."  If we try to compare ourselves to others instead, we will be subject to pride and we will fall far short of what God has planned for us," my commentary began.

Jesus' ministry had been first to the Jews, and now Paul shows how it applies to the Gentiles as well.  My commentary mentioned "a beautiful progression" Paul quoted in verses 9-12:

First, the Jews glorify God among the Gentiles.

Then, the Gentiles rejoice with the Jews.

Next, All the Jews and Gentiles together praise God.

Finally, Christ shall reign over Jews and Gentiles.

My commentary also believes that verse 8 covers the period of the Gospels and Acts 1-7.  Verse 9 describes Paul's ministry to the Gentiles.  Verse 10 could be applied to the church council in Acts 15 when the Gentiles were given equal status 'with His people.'  And today, Jews and Gentiles in the church are praising God together.

Father, thank You for providing hope for me, too.  I had no hope, but You stooped down and gave it to me when Your Son died on the cross for me!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Romans 15:1-7 Paul's Third Admonition

Paul's third admonition was to please one another, my commentary said.  He was dealing with selfishness among Christians.  "True Christian love is not selfish; rather, it seeks to share with others and make others happy.  It is even willing to carry the younger Christians, to help them along in their spiritual development.  We do not endure them.  We encourage them."

"A person's spiritual maturity is revealed by his discernment.  He is willing to give up his rights that others might be helped ... the mature believer sacrifices to help younger Christians grow in the faith."

"Paul shared two sources of spiritual power from which we must draw if we are to live to please others -- the Word of God and prayer ... the Word of God can give us the patience and encouragement that we need.  This suggests that the local church must major in the Word of God and prayer ... The result of this is glory to God.  Disunity and disagreement do not glorify God; they rob Him of glory."

Father, help me to have spiritual discernment when dealing with other Christians and help me not to let selfishness enter my heart.  I want You to get the glory.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Romans 14:13-23 Build Each Other Up, Not Tear Each Other Down

Paul's second admonition is that we Christians edify, or build each other up.  We don't simply let weak Christians remain weak.  It's all part of brotherly love.

Christians affect each other:  We can cause others to stumble, we can grieve others, and even destroy others.  Speaking of how strong Christians can affect weak Christians, "he pointed out that knowledge and love must work together ... The strong Christian has spiritual knowledge, but if he does not practice love, his knowledge will hurt the weak Christian.  Knowledge must be balanced by love," my commentary said.

Christians must have priorities:  "Like the Pharisees of old, we Christians have a way of majoring on the minor things ... If each believer would yield to the Spirit and major in a godly life, we would have have Christians fighting with each other over minor matters.  Spiritual priorities are essential to harmony in the church."

Christians must help each other grow:  ""Both the strong believer and the weak believer need to grow.  The strong believer needs to grow in love; the weak believer needs to grow in knowledge.  So long as a brother is weak in the faith, we must lovingly deal with him in his immaturity.  But if we really love him, we will help him to grow ... The older Christians must exercise love and patience and be careful not to cause them to stumble ... The weak must learn from the strong, and the strong must love the weak."

Christians must not force their opinions on others:  "There are certain truths that all Christians must accept because they are the foundation for the faith.  But areas of honest disagreement must not be made a test of fellowship.  If you have a sincere conviction from God about a matter, keep it to yourself and do not try to force everybody else to accept it."

Father, help me to know which convictions I hold are foundational and which are areas of honest disagreement, so that I will not sin against my brother by failing to love him with brotherly love.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

Romans 14:1-12 When Christians Disagree

My commentary entitled this chapter and the next, "When Christians Disagree", and it says "Disunity has always been a major problem with God's people ... almost every local church mentioned in the New Testament had divisions to contend with ... If each Christian had kept his convictions to himself, there would have been no problem, but they began to criticize and judge one another.  The one group was sure the other group was not at all spiritual."

One of the three important admonitions Paul gave his readers was to receive one another.  "Paul was addressing those who were strong in the faith, that is those who understood their spiritual liberty in Christ and were not enslaved to diets or holy days ... In the Roman assemblies ... the weak Christians were judging and condemning the strong Christians, and the strong Christians were despising the weak Christians."

Paul gave four reasons why all Christians should welcome or receive one another:

1)  God has received US -- "It is not our responsibility to decide the requirements for Christian fellowship in a church; only the Lord can do this.  To set up man-made restrictions on the basis of personal prejudices (or even convictions) is to go beyond the Word of God.  Because God has received us, we must receive one another.  We must not argue over these matters, nor must we judge or despise one another."

2)  God SUSTAINS us -- "The strong Christian was judged by the weak Christian, and this Paul condemned because it was wrong for the weak Christian to take the place of God in the life of the strong Christian.  God is the Master; the Christian is the servant.  It is wrong for anyone to interfere with this relationship ... Christians ought to be busy working for the Lord; then they will not have the time or inclination to judge or condemn other Christians."

3)  Jesus Christ is Lord -- "No Christian has the right to play God in another Christian's life.  We can pray, advise, and even admonish, but we cannot take the place of God ... If the Christian would go to the Lord in prayer instead of going to their brother with criticism, there would be stronger fellowship in our churches."

4)  Jesus Christ is Judge -- "Paul asked the weak Christian, 'Why are you judging your brother?' Then he asked the strong Christian, 'Why are you despising your brother?'  Both strong and weak must stand at the judgment seat of Christ, and they will not judge each other -- they will be judged by the Lord ... Instead of judging other Christians, we had better judge our own lives and make sure we are ready to meet Christ at the judgment seat ... When Jesus Christ is Lord, we permit Him to deal with His own servants as He wishes."

Father, thank You for this vivid reminder that I am being disobedient to You when I judge Your other servants -- my fellow Christians.  Help me not to disobey You ever in this way.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Romans 13 -- Our Relationship To Government

My commentary says, "God established three institutions:  the home, government, and the church."  Here, it says, Paul gives four reasons why the Christian must be in subjection to the laws of the State.

For wrath's sake -- "It is God who has established the governments of the world.  This does not mean that He is responsible for the sins of tyrants, but only that the authority to rule comes originally from God ... God established human government because man is a sinner and must have some kind of authority over him ... Rules must bear the sword; that is, they have the power to afflict punishment and even to take life ... Even though we cannot always respect the man in office, we must respect the office, for government was ordained by God."  This represents obeying out of fear of punishment.

For conscience's sake -- "When the law is right, the Christian must obey it if he is to maintain a good conscience ... When conscience begins to work, we cannot live with ourselves until we have made things right.  Romans 13:7 commands us to pay what we owe:  taxes, revenue, respect, honor.  If we do not pay our taxes, we show disrespect for the law, the officials, and the Lord.  And this cannot but affect the conscience of the believer ... we dare not violate our conscience by refusing to pay."

For love's sake -- "Paul enlarged the circle of responsibility by including other people besides government officials.  'Love one another' is the basic principle of the Christian life ... When we practice love, there is no need for any other laws, because love covers it all!  If we love others, we will not sin against them."

For Jesus' sake -- "We have come a long way in our reasons for obeying the law:  from fear to conscience to love to our devotion to Jesus Christ.  The emphasis is on the imminent return of Christ.  As His servants, we want to be found faithful when He returns."  Paul admonished us to wake up (1 Thes. 5:1-11), clean up (1 John 2:26-3:3), and now to grow up (Romans 13:14), my commentary said.  "We grow on the basis of the food we eat.  This is why God warns us not to make provision for the flesh.  If we feed the flesh, we will fail, but if we feed the inner man the nourishing things of the Spirit, we will succeed.  In other words, a Christian citizen ought to be the best citizen."

Father, I want my life to reflect You to the world.  Please help me never to make provision for my flesh and in doing so to dishonor You.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Romans 12:17-21 Relationships With Our Enemies

In these verses, Paul helps us learn to deal with relationships with our enemies.  The world would tell us to fight back when we're attacked or when we are offended.  So that can't be God's answer.  My commentary mentioned that Jesus, Paul, and the other apostles all ran into enemies wherever they went.  "Jesus warned His disciples that their worst enemies might be those of their own household!"  So we shouldn't be surprised when people dislike us even when we are nice to them!  We never need to create enemies because we lack love and patience, and by being unfaithful to our witness.

Paul tells us here that we mustn't play God and try to avenge ourselves.  "The Christian must live on a higher level, and return good for evil ... This requires love, because our first inclination is to fight back.  It also requires faith, believing that God can work and accomplish His will in our lives and in the lives of those who hurt us," my commentary said.

It mentioned a pastor's response to a friend who wanted to fight back against an untrue verbal assault:  "If you defend yourself, then the Lord can't defend You.  Leave it in His hands."  When we face having to live out these verses, "Surely we need to pray and ask God for love as we try to show kindness to our enemies.  Will they take advantage of us?  Will they hate us more?  Only the Lord knows.  Our task is not to protect ourselves but to obey the Lord and leave the results with Him."

I've always wondered about the true meaning of the last part of Proverbs 25:21-22 that Paul quotes here:  "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.  Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head."

I would imagine that pouring burning coals on someone's head would have the immediate effect of taking their minds off of the relationship problem.  But it would seem that, after a healing time, the scars and pain would lead them to want revenge.  My commentary said, 'The coals of fire refer perhaps to the feeling of shame our enemies will experience when we return good for evil."

Paul ends the chapter by saying, "Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good."  Sometimes it's hard to do, but it's something God commands, and we must surely try.

Father, thank You for Your Word today.  I pray that, despite my quiet time lapse, You in Your great wisdom prepared these verses for me today for a reason.  Help me to watch for it.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford