Acts Study, Chapter 28, Message 71, Week 32, Friday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SEVENTY-ONE

THE SPREADING IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (36)

WEEK 32 – FRIDAY

Bible Reading: Mt 28:18-19; Eph 6:20; Phil 1:20

Read and pray: "Jesus, approaching, spoke to them, saying: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Mt 28:18)

TO ROME, THE CONCLUSION OF THE FOURTH JOURNEY

Through Syracuse, Regium, Puteoli, the Appian Way, and Three Taverns

Acts 28:11 says: “After three months, we set sail in an Alexandrian ship, which had wintered at the island and had the emblem of the Dioscuri.” The Dioscuri are Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Zeus. This was the image of the guardian deity of sailors, attached to the ship's stern.

After staying three days in Syracuse, they came to Regium, and then went to Puteoli, where they found brothers (vs. 12-14). In verse 14b, Luke says: "And so we came to Rome." And in verses 15 and 16, he continues: "When the brothers there heard about us, they came to meet us as far as the Appian Market and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. When we arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him."

In Latin, "Appian Market" is "Appii Forum," a place about seventy kilometers from Rome. In Latin, Three Taverns is "Tres Tabernæ," a place about fifty kilometers from Rome. The warm reception of the brothers in Rome and the loving care of the brothers in Puteoli (vs. 13-14) show the beautiful life of the Body among the churches and the apostles in the early days. This life was part of the heavenly life of the kingdom on the earth darkened by Satan and inhabited by man.

Apparently, the apostle, as a prisoner in chains, had entered the area of the dark capital of the empire usurped by Satan. In reality, as an ambassador of Christ with His authority (Eph 6:20; Mt 28:18-19), he had entered another part of participation in the collective life of His church in the kingdom of God on earth. While suffering persecution from religion in the empire of Satan, he enjoyed the life of the church in the kingdom of God, which was a comfort and encouragement to him.

According to verse 15, when Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage. This indicates that the apostle was quite human. Although he had been encouraged directly by the Lord (23:11) and had been quite brave throughout his journey (27:22-25, 33-36), he was still encouraged by the warm reception of the brothers. It was in Paul's elevated humanity with human virtues that Christ, with divine attributes, was expressed during his journey. He magnified Christ all the way in his adverse situation (Phil 1:20).

Before Paul arrived in Rome, the brothers there had heard about him and his companions and came to meet them at the Appian Market and Three Taverns. How did they receive the news about Paul? It is hard to say.

Perhaps some from Puteoli, where they had asked Paul to stay for seven days, brought the news to the brothers in Rome, who then came to meet him. The important thing here is that we see a picture of the church life in ancient times, a church life that was very enjoyable. We need to have such an enjoyable church life today and follow the model presented in these verses.

In chapter twenty-eight, Paul's desire to see Rome was fulfilled. The Judaizers tried to prevent him from going to the Gentiles, but the Lord sovereignly led him to Rome. In those days, going from Jerusalem to Rome was a big deal. But the Lord took him to the far-off Gentile world, even to the capital of the Roman Empire. Paul must have been very happy when he arrived in Rome. Outwardly he was in chains, but inwardly he was filled with glory and inexpressible joy.

Enjoy more: Hymn 11

Study of Acts, Chapter 28, Message 71, Week 32, Thursday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SEVENTY-ONE

THE SPREADING IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (36)

WEEK 32 – THURSDAY

Bible Reading: Acts 28:1-31

Read and pray: “Therefore take knowledge that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. And they will hear it.” (Acts 28:28)

In this message, we will address chapter twenty-eight, the last chapter of Acts. In Acts 28:1-10, Paul arrives on the island of Malta and performs many miracles. Then, in 28:11-31, he reaches Rome, concluding the fourth journey. First, he passes through Syracuse, Rhegium, Puteoli, the Forum of Appius, and Three Taverns (vs. 11-16). He contacts the Jewish leaders (vs. 17-22) and ministers in Rome (vs. 23-31).

TO THE ISLAND OF MALTA, PERFORMING MIRACLES

Acts 28:1-2 says: “Once we were ashore, we found that the island was called Malta. The barbarians showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and received us all because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold.” The Greek term translated "barbarians" refers to those who did not speak Greek or Latin, but not necessarily uncivilized.

In verses 3 to 5, we have the continuation: “But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, Justice does not allow to live.’ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.”

Literally, the Greek term for "viper" in verses 4 and 5 is "beast." But medical writers used this term to denote poisonous snakes. First, the barbarians thought that Paul was a murderer because he was bitten by a viper. But, as verse 6 indicates, they eventually changed their opinion about him: “However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.”

The apostle was not a god, as the superstitious barbarians thought, but expressed, in his living and ministry, the true God, who in Jesus Christ went through the processes of incarnation, human life, crucifixion, and resurrection, and now lived in him and through him as the all-inclusive Spirit.

In his teachings, recorded in the Epistles, Paul emphasized the matter of walking in the Spirit. Throughout the journey, and now on the island of Malta, he certainly walked in the Spirit. He certainly lived the incarnated, crucified, resurrected, and ascended Christ. His life was the expression of the Spirit who gives life. In every situation of his daily life, he was the expression of Christ Himself, whom he preached.

He preached the incarnated, crucified, resurrected, and ascended Christ as the Spirit who gives life, and on the island of Malta, he lived such a Christ as the all-inclusive Spirit. This is indicated by what he later wrote in Philippians 1:20-21a: “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ.”

He only cared about living Christ and magnifying Him. On the island of Malta, he lived Christ and magnified Him as the Spirit who gives life. When we read Luke's account, we see that Paul's life was the all-inclusive Spirit as the consummation of the incarnated, crucified, resurrected, and exalted Christ by God.

In verses 7 and 8, we read: “In the vicinity of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.” Dysentery was a common but hard-to-cure disease. However, Paul, who lived as a king ruling his kingdom, now became a doctor to heal Publius' father.

Verse 9 says: “So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.” Here we see that Paul became a doctor and even a savior to the whole island. All the sick that they brought to him were healed.

In the sea, during the storm, the Lord had already made the apostle not only the owner of his fellow travelers (27:24) but also their guarantee of life and comfort (27:22-25). Now, on land, in a peaceful situation, the Lord made him even more, not just a magical attraction to the eyes of the superstitious (vs. 3-6) but also the one who heals and brings joy to the barbarians (vs. 8-9).

In all of Paul's extensive and unfortunate journey as a prisoner, the Lord kept the apostle in His sovereignty and empowered him to live far above the sphere of anxiety, dignified with the highest standard of human virtues, expressing the most excellent divine attributes, a life that resembled the one He Himself had lived on earth years before. It was Jesus living again on earth, in His divinely enriched humanity!

This is the marvelous, excellent, and mysterious God-Man who lived in the Gospels, continuing to live in Acts through one of His many members, a member who was a living witness of the incarnated, crucified, resurrected, and exalted Christ by God.

Paul, in his journey, lived and magnified Christ. No wonder people distinguished him and his companions with many honors (v. 10), that is, with the highest respect and highest consideration!

Acts 28:10 says: “They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary for us.” This verse indicates that the natives of the island of Malta treated Paul and his companions as if they were members of a royal family. Paul was the king, and Luke was part of the family.

According to verse 10, the natives put everything necessary for the journey on board. The Lord sovereignly provided food for two hundred seventy-six people. Every king needs to provide food for his people. As king, Paul received the supplies from the natives, but he owed them nothing for it, as he had healed many of the sick among them. In a sense, the people paid him by putting the necessary food supplies on board for the journey.

Enjoy more: Hymn S-35

Study of Acts, chapter 27, message 70, week 32, Wednesday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SEVENTY

THE SPREAD IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (36)

WEEK 32 – WEDNESDAY

Bible Reading: Acts 27:27-44

Read and pray: “The following night the Lord stood by him and said: Take courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome" (Acts 23:11).

THE BASE WAY OF THINKING,

THE MADNESS OF THE SAILORS AND SOLDIERS,

AND THE RISING WISDOM AND CARE OF PAUL

In 27:27-44, we see a contrast between the base way of thinking and the madness of the sailors and soldiers, and the rising wisdom and care of Paul. This shows that those without Christ are base and foolish. The sailors tried to flee the ship, but Paul, watching over them like a king, stopped them.

“Seeking to flee from the ship, and having lowered the boat into the sea, under the pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers: Unless these men stay on board, you cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it drift away” (vv. 30-32). Paul told the centurion and soldiers that they could not be saved if the sailors did not stay aboard. It seemed as if he was in charge, giving orders to his “army” to do what was necessary.

In verses 33 and 34, we read: “As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take food, saying: Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore, I urge you to take some food. It will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”

They had already waited fourteen days for the storm to pass and had no courage to eat. Now Paul encouraged them to eat, as it was for their salvation. The word "strength" can also be translated as "salvation" and means that without eating, the men would not be saved from the storm.

They needed to eat to gain strength to swim and do whatever was necessary once ashore. Verse 35 says: “When he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat.” Here he conducted himself like a king or at least the head of a large household. He gave thanks for the food and ate.

The storm prevailed, the ship was battered by the tempest, and they feared losing their lives. However, he told them to take courage, be at peace, and eat to have the strength they needed. Then, in front of everyone, he ate. They were all afraid and lacked the courage to eat. For this reason, he set an example and seemed to say: “I am encouraged and at peace. I urge you to imitate me, for I am a man living Christ.” As he took courage and ate, “all were encouraged and ate some food themselves” (v. 36).

According to verse 37, there were “two hundred and seventy-six persons in all” on the ship. As we have said, all were subjects of the kingdom governed by Paul. In 27:30, the sailors wanted to flee, and in verse 42, the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners: “The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.”

However, the Lord, in His sovereignty, protected Paul. “But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land” (vv. 43-44).

What the centurion did, preventing the soldiers from doing what they wanted, was again the Lord's sovereignty preserving the life of His servant. Through the sovereign protection of the Lord for Paul, everyone on the ship was brought safely to land, to an island called Malta (28:1).

Enjoy more: Hymn S-91

Study of Acts, chapter 27, message 70, week 32, Tuesday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SEVENTY

SPREAD IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (36)

WEEK 32 – TUESDAY

Bible Reading: Lk 2:1; Ac 27:1-26  

Read and pray: "For there stood by me this night the angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you'" (Ac 27:23-24).

HE HAD FORETOLD THE DANGER OF THE VOYAGE

Now let us consider some details in Acts 27:1-14. Verse 1 says: "And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment." The verb "we should sail" indicates that Luke, the author of Acts, was part of the journey.  

The Augustan Regiment must have been named after Caesar Augustus (cf. Lk 2:1). The cohort, one of the ten divisions of the ancient Roman legion, consisted of six hundred men. In verse 2, it says, "We boarded a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, and we put to sea." This marks the beginning of Paul's fourth missionary journey, which ends in Acts 28:31.  

In his account, Luke reports that in Myra, the centurion found "an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us aboard" (v. 6). In verses 9 and 10, we read: "Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, 'Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives.'"  

The "Fast" mentioned in verse 9 refers to the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:29-31; 23:27-29; Num 29:7). In verse 10, Paul expressed his sense of the danger of the journey. The sailors were experts in navigation and knew all about the winds and the sea, but they did not have the discernment that Paul had. Although he warned them about the damage and losses they would face, "the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul" (v. 11). The helmsman and the shipowner persuaded the centurion not to listen to Paul.  

Thus, following their mistaken judgment, they continued the voyage. Paul was obviously neither a sailor nor a helmsman. He was, at that point, a prisoner. Yet, he had more discernment than the centurion, the soldiers, the sailors, the helmsman, and the shipowner. This reveals his character.  

THE STORM AND PAUL’S PREDICTION ABOUT

THE SAFETY OF THE CREW

Acts 27:13-26 describes the storm and Paul’s prediction regarding the safety of the crew. Verses 13 and 14 say: "When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon." Literally, the Greek term translated as "Crete" in verse 14 is "it," referring to the island of Crete.  

Verses 15-17 continue: "So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis, they struck sail and so were driven."  

"Securing the skiff" meant pulling it aboard because, in fair weather, it was tied at the stern of the ship by a rope (Vincent). The means mentioned in verse 17 referred to ropes and chains. To "undergird the ship" meant to wrap these attachments around the hull. The Syrtis, which they feared to encounter, was a sandbank southwest of the island of Crete. To "strike sail" meant either to lower the sails or to drop anchor.  

According to verses 18 and 19, they began to throw overboard the cargo and the ship’s tackle. Verse 20 states that the storm was so violent they lost all hope: "Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up."  

As we will see, this was a good opportunity for Paul to speak to those on board. In this regard, verse 21 says: "But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, 'Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.'" Although he was a prisoner, his conduct showed great poise and dignity. Luke’s account, in narrating the actions of the Lord on earth, does not focus on doctrine but on the testimony of the Lord’s witnesses (Acts 1:8).  

Thus, in his narration, there are no doctrinal details, but events regarding these witnesses, to illustrate their testimony in their lives. That is exactly what we see in Paul’s journey in the last two chapters.  

Here, Paul was a witness of the Lord. Therefore, we should not read Luke’s account as merely a story of a storm at sea. Rather, we should see it as the description of the life of a living witness of Christ. In Acts 27:21, Paul was direct. The others on board the ship had nothing to say. All, including the centurion and the helmsman, were subdued.  

In verse 22, Paul continued: "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship." They had all lost heart and expected to die. He, however, asked them to take courage, assuring them that no lives would be lost, only the ship. Here, it seems he was saying, "None of us will die, but the ship will be lost. Since you did not listen to me, you will lose the ship."  

Verses 23 and 24 continue: "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'" In verse 23, he first showed that he belonged to God, and then that he served Him. The Greek word translated as "I serve" means "I serve as a priest."  

In verse 24, the angel assured him that he would stand before Caesar. This was in fulfillment of the Lord’s promise in Acts 23:11 and Paul’s desire in Acts 19:21. According to verse 24, God gave him all those who sailed with him. This shows that God had entrusted them to Paul, and they were all under him. Had Paul not been with them, they would all have lost their lives. Here, it seems he was saying, "Because of me, your lives will be spared. The Lord has given you all to me."  

In verses 25 and 26, he continued: "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island." We can consider this both as a word of discernment and prophecy. Paul had the wisdom to observe the situation and discern what was going to happen. Since he spoke so categorically about running aground on an island, we can consider it a prophecy.

Enjoy more: Hymn 333

Study of Acts, Chapter 27, Message 70, Week 32, Monday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SEVENTY

THE SPREAD IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (36)

WEEK 32 – MONDAY

Bible Reading: Acts 27:1-44

Read and pray: “Paul, do not be afraid; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you” (Acts 27:24).

In chapters twenty-seven and twenty-eight of Acts, Luke gives us a long account of Paul’s journey from Caesarea to Rome. We may wonder why he includes such a lengthy and detailed record. At times, he is very concise, but the account of this journey is highly detailed and vivid. After considering this, I believe the reason for this detailed record is that he wants to present a picture that conveys some important topics.

SATAN’S ATTACK

The first point conveyed in Luke’s lengthy account of Paul’s journey is Satan’s attack on the apostle. Satan constantly attacked him behind the scenes. This is why the journey was difficult, filled with many hardships, and took so long. The weather, in particular, was very bad.

Acts 27:4 says, “From there we put out to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.” Later, aboard an Alexandrian ship, they sailed slowly for many days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus (v. 7). Then, with great difficulty, they came to a place called Fair Havens. Finally, after setting sail again, “a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land” (v. 14). Satan was behind these difficulties, attacking the apostle.

THE LORD’S SOVEREIGN CARE

The picture painted in Acts 27-28 also shows the Lord’s sovereign care. He is above all things, including the wind and the storms. He was sovereign over the centurion named Julius, who took Paul to Rome, and over all the soldiers with him. In His sovereignty, the Lord caused this centurion to treat Paul kindly.

Regarding this, we read in 27:3: “The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.” Probably some soldiers accompanied him, and he was likely still in chains. However, the Lord sovereignly cared for him.

In His sovereignty, the Lord also sent an angel to Paul in the midst of the violent storm when those on the ship had lost all hope of being saved (vv. 20, 23). Paul testified that an angel had told him, “Paul, do not be afraid; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you” (v. 24). As we will see, these words indicate that he had a small kingdom on the ship, composed of two hundred seventy-six citizens.

Luke and Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, were with Paul on the ship. Luke served as a physician, caring for his health, and as a recorder, documenting the details of the journey. We thank the Lord for this record. The more we read it, the more we realize how significant it is. In the detailed account of this journey, we see that the Lord controlled Satan’s attacks. Everything happened at the right time so that Paul’s life would be preserved.

PAUL’S LIVING

The picture in these chapters of Acts also shows us Paul’s life, behavior, and character. We see the prominence he had in this situation. We also see the wisdom and dignity of his human life. Without a doubt, his life was one of living Christ and magnifying Him.

If we read this passage carefully, we will see that Paul lived in the way he aspired to live in Philippians 3, where he said that he pursued Christ to be found in Him (vv. 9, 12). When I read Acts 27-28, I find him in Christ. During a hard and challenging journey, he lived with prominence and dignity, full of wisdom. Although he was a prisoner, he carried himself like a king. Moreover, he had the perception and wisdom to handle matters.

Without a doubt, the Lord was with him. On the one hand, he was a prisoner, one among two hundred seventy-six passengers. On the other hand, he was the center of the situation, whether on the ship or on the island where they spent the winter after the shipwreck. In every circumstance, he lived with prominence.

Enjoy more: Hymn 224

Study of Acts, Chapter 26, Message 69, Week 32, Sunday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SIXTY-NINE

THE PROPAGATION IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE
THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (35)

WEEK 32 – SUNDAY

Bible Reading: John 8:12; 9:5; Acts 26:19-32; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6; 1 John 1:5

Read and Pray: “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,” (Acts 26:19)  

NOT BEING DISOBEDIENT TO THE HEAVENLY VISION

In Acts 26:19-20, Paul testified: “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, throughout all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.”  

Paul’s use of the word “vision” in verse 19 indicates that he was obedient not to doctrine, theory, religious creed, or theology, but to the heavenly vision in which he saw the divine matters concerning the Triune God being dispensed into His chosen, redeemed, and transformed people. All his preaching in Acts and his writings in the fourteen Epistles from Romans to Hebrews are a detailed description of this heavenly vision he received.

ALLIED WITH GOD

In Acts 26:21-22, Paul continues: “For this reason, the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day, I have had help from God, and I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass.”  

The Greek term translated as “help” in verse 22 also means “assistance.” The root of this Greek term implies “alliance.” This suggests that the apostle was allied with God and that divine assistance in this alliance was real to him.  

TESTIFYING THAT THE CHRIST MUST SUFFER AND PROCLAIMING LIGHT

In Acts 26:22, Paul did not say, “I live to this day.” Instead, he said, “I stand to this day.” Paul had stood firm before the Roman commander, before Felix and Festus, and now he stood firm before Agrippa.  

In doing so, he boldly stated that he testified to both small and great. The great ones to whom he testified included Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.  

Paul told Agrippa that he testified only to what the prophets and Moses said would take place: “That the Christ must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles” (v. 23).  

The Greek terms literally translated as “must suffer” mean “would be subjected to suffering.” Additionally, the Greek phrase rendered “by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim” can also be translated as “through resurrection from the dead, He would be the first to proclaim” or “being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim.”  

In Acts 26:23, Paul says that Christ proclaimed light to the people and the Gentiles. The term “light” here refers to God’s illumination, as God is light (1 John 1:5), shining in Christ, who is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5), through the preaching of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6). Here, Paul spoke of light instead of life because both the religious people and the Roman politicians were in darkness. As if they were in a dark “cell,” Paul pointed out that Christ, being the first to rise from the dead, proclaimed light to the people and the Gentiles.

FESTUS’ REACTION AND PAUL’S REPLY

Acts 26:24 continues: “As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.’” The Greek term for “out of your mind” in verses 24 and 25 also means “insane,” “mad.” Festus, the host and not a guest like Agrippa, loudly claimed that Paul’s extensive study was making him lose his sanity. As the host, Festus should not have spoken out.  

In verses 25 and 26, Paul replied: “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him, I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.”  

In these verses, Paul first told Festus that instead of being insane, he was very sober and was leading others to sobriety, speaking words of truth and reason. Then he said that Agrippa was aware of these matters.  

Agrippa, being of the Jewish religion, knew the things of the Old Testament and the resurrection. Paul seemed to say, “Agrippa already knows about these things because he is a Jew.” In verse 27, Paul addressed Agrippa, saying: “Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe.” As a member of the Jewish religion, Agrippa certainly believed in the prophets.  

In verse 28, Agrippa said to Paul: “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said: “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains” (v. 29). Paul’s words in this verse are very eloquent.  

AGRIPPA’S JUDGMENT

Acts 26:30-32 says: “Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, ‘This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.’  

And Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.’” Here we see that, in Agrippa’s opinion, Paul could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.  

However, without this appeal, the apostle could have been killed by the Jews due to Festus’ unjust handling of him (25:9), and thus his life might not have been preserved until that day.  

If Paul had not appealed to Caesar, he might not have had the opportunity to write the crucial Epistles of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Hebrews.  

In the section of Acts 21:27–26:32, a long narrative of the Jews’ ultimate and maximum persecution of the apostle, the true characteristics of all parties involved were revealed.  

First, we see the darkness, blindness, hatred, and hypocrisy of the Jewish religion. Second, we see the injustice and corruption of the Roman politicians. Third, we see the transparency, brilliance, faithfulness, and courage of the apostle. Finally, we see the Lord’s encouraging care for His witness and His sovereignty over the entire situation to carry out His divine purpose.  

Enjoy more: Hymn S-89

Study of Acts, Chapter 26, Message 69, Week 31, Saturday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SIXTY-NINE

THE SPREAD IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (35)

WEEK 31 – SATURDAY

Bible Reading: Lv 25:8-13; Ac; Eph 1:13-14; Col 1:12; 2:9; 1 Pe 1:4; Rom 6:19, 22

Read and pray: "In Him you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise;" (Eph 1:13).

The Forgiveness of Sins

In Acts 26:18, we see that when our eyes are opened, and we make a turn—a transfer—from darkness and Satan’s authority to light and to God, we can receive the forgiveness of sins.

The forgiveness of sins is the foundation of all the blessings of the New Testament jubilee. Authentic forgiveness of sins comes through the opening of the eyes and the transfer from Satan to God. Therefore, we need to have our eyes opened and be transferred from Satan’s authority to God’s authority to receive the full and perfect forgiveness of sins.

The Divine Inheritance

Christ as the Embodiment of the Triune God

As a result of having our eyes opened and being transferred from Satan’s authority to God, we not only receive the forgiveness of sins on the negative side but also a divine inheritance on the positive side. This divine inheritance is the Triune God Himself with all that He has, has done, and will do for His redeemed. This Triune God is embodied in the all-inclusive Christ (Col 2:9), who is our share of the inheritance of the saints in light (Col 1:12).

The Holy Spirit, given to the saints, is the foretaste, the seal, the pledge, and the guarantee of this divine inheritance (Rom 8:23; Eph 1:13-14), which we share and enjoy today in God’s New Testament jubilee as a foretaste, and which we will fully share and enjoy in the coming age and for eternity (1 Pe 1:4). In the prefiguration of the jubilee in Leviticus 25:8-13, the main blessings were the proclamation of liberty and the return of each man to his inheritance.

Here, in the fulfillment of the jubilee, being delivered from the authority of darkness and receiving the divine inheritance are also the main blessings. Believers are often taught that the inheritance in Acts 26:18 is a heavenly mansion. That is what I was taught in my youth. However, after studying the Bible for over fifty years, I have learned that this inheritance is Christ as the embodiment of the processed Triune God. This Christ is the portion of the saints.

In Colossians 1:12, Paul says that the Father qualified us "to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." This share is the “portion,” the inheritance, of the saints. The inheritance is a portion, a share.

In the Old Testament, each of the twelve tribes of Israel was given a portion or share of the good land as their inheritance. The good land is a type of the all-inclusive Christ given to us as our inheritance. Thus, Christ, the embodiment of the processed Triune God, is our inheritance. It is the processed Triune God, fully embodied in the all-inclusive Person of Christ, who, through resurrection, became the life-giving Spirit.

Among Those Who Are Sanctified

According to Acts 26:18, the divine inheritance is among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ. This sanctification is not only positional but also dispositional (Rom 6:19, 22). Sanctification (becoming holy) is not merely a matter of position, that is, being moved from a common, worldly position to a position dedicated to God, as illustrated in Matthew 23:17 and 19, where the gold is sanctified by the temple, and the offering is sanctified by the altar through a change of position, and in 1 Timothy 4:3-5, where food is sanctified through the prayer of the saints.

Sanctification is also a matter of disposition, that is, being transformed from a natural disposition to a spiritual disposition, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 12:2. This involves a long process that begins with regeneration (1 Pe 1:2-3; Tit 3:5), continues throughout the Christian life (1 Th 4:3; Heb 12:14; Eph 5:26), and is completed in rapture, at the maturity of life (1 Th 5:23). Being positionally sanctified is merely a change in position and use.

Being dispositionally sanctified is to be transformed in nature by and with God’s holy nature. To be sanctified is to be saturated with God as our possession for our enjoyment today. This will culminate in our maturity in the divine life, enabling us to resemble God and qualify to fully possess and enjoy Him as our inheritance in the coming age and for eternity.

Enjoy more: Hymn C-32

Study of Acts, Chapter 26, Message 69, Week 31, Friday

DAILY STUDY ON ACTS

MESSAGE SIXTY-NINE

THE PROPAGATION IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH PAUL'S MINISTRY AND HIS COMPANIONS (35)

WEEK 31 – FRIDAY

Bible Reading: Acts 26:1-32

Read and pray: "But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you, delivering you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you" (Acts 26:16).

In this message, we will continue to consider Paul's defense before Agrippa (26:1-29). Then, we will examine Agrippa's judgment regarding Paul's case (26:30-32). In his defense before Agrippa, Paul testified of the Lord's appearance to him and His words: *"But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you, delivering you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you" (vv. 16-17 — IBB-Rev.).*  

We have seen that Paul was appointed not only as a minister but also as a witness. In verse 17, the Lord assured Paul that He would deliver him from the Jewish people and the Gentiles.

THE CONTENT OF PAUL'S COMMISSION

Opening People's Eyes

In verse 18, we find the content of Paul's commission: *"to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."*  

Opening people's eyes is a fulfillment of God's jubilee—the acceptable year of the Lord proclaimed by Jesus in Luke 4:18-21, according to God's New Testament economy. The acceptable year of the Lord in Luke 4:19 is the New Testament era, typified by the year of jubilee (Lev. 25:8-17), a time when God accepts captives of sin who return (Isa. 49:8; 2 Cor. 6:2) and where those oppressed under the bondage of sin can enjoy the deliverance of God's salvation.  

The first aspect of the spiritual and divine blessings of the New Testament jubilee—the blessings of God's gospel—is to open the eyes of the fallen and turn them from darkness to light so they may see divine matters in the spiritual realm. Seeing these things requires spiritual vision and divine light.  

Many of us have experienced hearing certain messages that led us into darkness and others that brought us into light. Imagine listening to a sermon from a particular minister, pastor, or preacher. The more you listen, the more you are led into darkness, and everything becomes murky. However, you might hear another message, and as you listen, divine light shines brighter in you, the day dawns, your eyes are opened, and you begin to see spiritual matters. This is the kind of message that opens people's eyes.  

Turning People from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to God

Acts 26:18 speaks not only of opening people's eyes but also of turning them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. This turning refers to a transfer. Turning from darkness to light is being transferred from darkness to light, and turning from the power of Satan to God is being transferred from Satan's power to God. This is a great transfer!  

Darkness signifies sin and death; light signifies righteousness and life (John 1:4; 8:12). The power or authority of Satan is his kingdom (Matt. 12:26), which belongs to darkness. Satan is the ruler of this world (John 12:31) and the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2). He has authority and angels (Matt. 25:41), who are his subordinates as principalities, powers, and rulers of this dark world (Eph. 6:12). Thus, he has his kingdom—the dominion of darkness (Col. 1:13).  

According to Acts 26:18, we are transferred from Satan's power to God. In reality, being transferred to God means being transferred to His authority, which is His kingdom belonging to light. Previously, we were in darkness and under Satan's power. But we have been delivered from darkness and Satan's power and brought into light and God.  

Darkness, in essence, is Satan's authority. Whenever we are in darkness, we are under satanic authority. Light is God Himself (1 John 1:5). Therefore, when we are in light, we are in God. Just as Satan and darkness are one, God and light are also one. The greatest transfer we can experience is from darkness to light.  

In Acts 21, James was promoting the old practices of Judaism. In doing so, he was in darkness. He told Paul, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law" (21:20).  

This was spoken in darkness and indicates that James himself was blind and in darkness. Being in darkness, he was also under Satan's authority. To say this about James is not overly harsh.  

Paul was certainly not blind. However, in Acts 21, he risked being dragged back into darkness. Indeed, during the days he spent in the temple with others to fulfill the Nazirite vow, he was in darkness.

Enjoy more: Hymn 9

Study of Acts, Chapter 26, Message 67, Week 31, Thursday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SIXTY-EIGHT

THE PROPAGATION IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (34)

WEEK 31 – THURSDAY

Bible Reading: Rev. 1:12-13a; 4:1-2; 5:6

Read and Pray: “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you," (Acts 26:16)

A WITNESS OF THE THINGS IN WHICH WE SEE CHRIST

In verse 16, the Lord Jesus said to Paul: “For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you” (IBB-Rev.).

Thus, the expression “in which” appears twice. Here, Paul says that the Lord appointed him a minister and a witness of the things He had revealed to him and the things He would yet reveal. Although that is the meaning Paul intended, it is not how the matter is presented. Instead, this verse speaks of the things in which Paul had seen the Lord and the things in which the Lord would still appear to him.

Acts 26:16 indicates that Paul did not receive the revelation of things without seeing Christ; rather, he received the things in which he saw Christ. In other words, Christ did not reveal things to Paul that did not have Himself as their content. This is why Paul was a witness of the things in which he had seen the Lord. In all the visions he had, he saw Christ. Furthermore, he would be a witness of the things in which the Lord would still appear to him.

Here, the Lord seemed to be saying to him: “In all the visions and revelations you will receive, I will appear to you.” This means that if we only have visions and revelations without seeing the Lord, what we see is vanity. We do not agree with studying the Bible in a merely theological way. Those who study it this way may learn theology, but they do not see Christ. There is a great difference between studying the Bible to learn theology and studying it to see Christ.

When Paul was on the road to Damascus, Christ revealed certain things to him, and in them, Paul saw Christ. The Lord indicated that He would reveal more things to him, and in them, He Himself would appear to him. Thus, Paul not only saw the things themselves but Christ as the One who appears in all those things.

In your experience, you might say that you received light from the Lord or had a vision or revelation. But you need to see whether Christ appeared to you in that light, vision, or revelation. In the supposed light, vision, or revelation, did you see Christ?

Sometimes brothers came to me excited about some supposed new light they had received. For example, once a brother said: “I praise the Lord because today in the morning fellowship I saw a new light.” When I asked about this new light, he said: “I was enlightened to see that I should cut my hair short.” Then I asked what the meaning of this light was, and he said that cutting his hair short would make him cleaner. To this, I replied: “What is wrong with having slightly longer hair? The Nazirites in the Old Testament had long hair. Then, at the end of their vow, they shaved their heads, and in this way, they were purified. It seems that your way of cutting hair is not as good as that of the Nazirites.” I spoke to him this way about the light he claimed to have received from the Lord because the so-called light was devoid of Christ.

In any light we receive from the Lord, we need to see Christ. Christ must appear to us in whatever we see in the form of illumination, vision, or revelation. If we have a vision without seeing Christ, that vision means nothing. Likewise, if we study the Bible and gain knowledge of the Scriptures without seeing Christ, that knowledge is vanity. We all need to learn to see Christ in the things revealed to us.

I appreciate the expression “in which” used twice in 26:16. The Lord first said, “of the things in which you have seen Me.” Then He also said, “of the things in which I will yet appear to you.” Here the Lord was telling him: “I will not only reveal some things to you, but in them, I Myself will appear to you.”

The book of Revelation is an excellent illustration of the Lord appearing in the things revealed to the apostle John. John had several visions, but in them, the Lord Himself appeared to him. Consider the first vision in Revelation, the vision of the golden lampstands. Regarding this vision, John says: “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man” (Rev. 1:12-13a). In seeing the lampstands, John saw the Lord walking among them as the High Priest caring for the lamps.

In another vision, the Lord showed John God’s universal administration. Regarding this, John says: “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’ Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne” (Rev. 4:1-2).

John also said that in this vision he saw “in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (Rev. 5:6). Again, in the things revealed to him, he saw the Lord.

In principle, our experience today should be the same as that of Paul and John. Suppose in your study of the New Testament, you claim to have some understanding of Ephesians 5. However, the crucial question is this: Do you see Christ in Ephesians 5? If you only see the matter of the husband loving his wife and the wife submitting to her husband without seeing Christ, then your understanding is very poor, even vain.

You may know certain biblical teachings, but in them, Christ has not appeared to you. May we all learn the importance of seeing Christ in the things we claim to see and know in the Word. Our consideration of the expression “in which” in Acts 26:16 can help us see the way to study the Bible. When reading it, we need to spend time on matters like this. If we spend time considering the expression “in which” used twice in Acts 26:16 (IBB-Rev.), we will realize how wonderful it was for the Lord to say to Paul that He had made him a minister and a witness both of the things in which he had seen the Lord and of the things in which the Lord would yet appear to him.

Enjoy more: Hymn 185

Study of Acts, Chapter 26, Message 67, Week 31, Wednesday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SIXTY-EIGHT

THE PROPAGATION IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (34)

WEEK 31 – WEDNESDAY

Bible Reading: Acts 23:11; 26:1-16  

Read and pray: “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 26:14)

HE DID MANY THINGS
AGAINST THE NAME OF JESUS

In Acts 26:9-11, Paul admitted to Agrippa that he had done many things against the name of Jesus:  

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.”  

The Greek term translated “foreign” in verse 11 literally means “outside.” Paul not only opposed Jesus of Nazareth but also attacked Him. In his blindness, he considered the Lord Jesus to be nothing more than a poor Nazarene. His opposition to the name of Jesus, the Nazarene, was so intense that he imprisoned many saints. Now, before Agrippa, he confessed his foolish acts. 

THE APPEARANCE OF THE LORD

Paul then continued to tell Agrippa that while he was on his way to persecute those who called on the name of the Lord Jesus, he himself was gained by the Lord: “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’” (vv. 12-15)  

We have already emphasized that this “Me” is corporate, encompassing Jesus the Lord and all the believers. We have also seen that Paul spontaneously called Jesus Lord, even without knowing Him.

APPOINTED MINISTER AND WITNESS

When the Lord Jesus appeared to Paul, He commissioned him, appointing him as a minister and a witness. Concerning this, the Lord said:  

“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you” (v. 16 — NKJV).  

Here we see that God appointed Paul as both a minister and a witness. A minister focuses on the ministry, while a witness focuses on the testimony. The ministry primarily relates to the work and what the minister does. The testimony relates to the person and who the witness is.  

The ascended Christ desires to carry out His heavenly ministry for the propagation of Himself so that the kingdom of God may be established for the building up of the churches for His expression.  

We need to be impressed with the fact that, to carry out such a ministry, the ascended Christ does not want a group of preachers trained by human teaching to perform a work of preaching. Instead, He desires to use a body of His witnesses who bear a living testimony of the incarnated, crucified, resurrected, and ascended Christ.  

According to the book of Acts, Satan could incite the Jewish religionists and utilize the Gentile politicians to bind the apostles and their gospel ministry, but he could not bind the living witnesses of Christ and their living testimony. The more the Jewish religionists and Gentile politicians bound the apostles and their gospel ministry, the stronger and brighter these witnesses of Christ and their living testimonies became.  

In His appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus, the Lord told him clearly that He was appointing him not only as a minister but also as a witness. We have seen that, as a living witness of Christ, Paul testified about Him in Jerusalem and would do so in Rome (23:11).  

In Acts 1:8, the Lord told His disciples: “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.” Witnesses are those who bear a living testimony of the resurrected and ascended Christ in life. They are different from preachers who merely teach doctrines in letters.  

As recorded in Acts, the ascended Christ carries out His heavenly ministry through these witnesses in His resurrection life and with the power and authority of His ascension to spread Himself, as the development of the kingdom of God, to the ends of the earth.  

Through all the tribulations Paul endured, he did not merely teach or minister; he continually bore witness.  

He was a witness before the Jewish opposers and the Roman commander. He was also a witness before Felix, the governor of Judea, and Festus, who succeeded Felix. Now in Acts 26, we see that he is again a living witness, this time before Agrippa. However, he did not preach to Agrippa, saying, “King Agrippa, you need to know that I am a witness of Christ.” Instead, he testified to him that the Lord had met him and appointed him as a minister and witness.  

Enjoy more: Hymn 79

Study of Acts, Chapter 26, Message 67, Week 31, Tuesday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SIXTY-EIGHT

THE SPREAD IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (34)

WEEK 31 – TUESDAY

Bible Reading: Acts 26:1-32

Read and pray: “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?" (Acts 26:8)

In this message, we will begin to consider Paul's defense before Agrippa and the judgment pronounced by Agrippa (26:1-32).

PAUL'S APPEAL TO AGRIPPA
AND HIS LIFE AS A PHARISEE

After Agrippa told Paul he was permitted to speak in his defense, Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense, saying: “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, to stand before you today and make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently” (vv. 2-3).

As we have pointed out several times, in facing his opponents, it was necessary for Paul to defend himself to save his own life from the hands of his persecutors. This way, he would be able to complete the course of his ministry. Paul appealed to Agrippa as someone well-versed in all Jewish customs and controversies. The Greek terms translated as “especially because you are well-versed” can also be rendered as “because you are especially well-informed.”

In verses 4 and 5, Paul continued: “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.”

Here, he vindicated himself by saying that even before his conversion, he was a proper person who lived rigorously as a Pharisee. Naturally, in God’s eyes, he was not proper. However, humanly speaking, he indeed lived a proper life and had no reason to be condemned.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RESURRECTION

In verses 6 through 8, Paul spoke of the resurrection: “And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” In verse 6, the Greek term translated as “because of” literally means “upon” or “on the basis of.”

In these verses, he indicates that, in contrast to the Sadducees, he had always believed in the resurrection. The resurrection was taught in the Old Testament, especially in Daniel 12. It is something that requires our careful consideration.

In the Bible, resurrection implies future judgment, and judgment implies eschatology. Resurrection, therefore, is related to our eternal future—whether we will be happy in eternity or suffer perdition. Someone’s eternal future depends on judgment, and judgment requires resurrection. Hence, we see that resurrection is important in Scripture because it concerns our eternal destiny.

Even before his conversion, Paul, as a Pharisee, believed in the resurrection. The Lord Jesus spoke clearly about the resurrection in John 5:28-29: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” We have seen that the resurrection of life is the resurrection of saved believers, which will take place before the millennium (Rev. 20:4, 6; 1 Cor. 15:23, 52; 1 Thess. 4:16).

The dead believers will rise to enjoy eternal life at the return of the Lord Jesus. The resurrection of judgment, which will occur after the millennium, is the resurrection of unbelievers (Rev. 20:5, 12). All dead unbelievers will be raised after the thousand years to be judged at the great white throne (Rev. 20:11-15). Even before being saved, Paul believed in the resurrection of life and judgment, as taught in Daniel 12:2.

Enjoy more: Hymn 188

Study of Acts, chapter 25, message 67, week 31, Monday

DAILY STUDY OF ACTS

MESSAGE SIXTY-SEVEN

THE SPREAD IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (33)

WEEK 31 – MONDAY

Bible Reading: Acts 21:23-24; Ephesians 5:22-25

Read and Pray: “And you have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him; where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all” (Colossians 3:10-11).

THE NEW MAN

In Colossians 3:10 and 11, Paul speaks of the new man: “And you have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him; where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.”

Here we see that in the new man, there is only room for Christ. In verse 11, "all" refers to all the members who make up the new man. Christ is all the members of the new man and is in all of them. He is everything in the new man. What a tremendous revelation this is! According to Paul’s word in Colossians 3:10-11, there is no longer any basis for Judaism.

THE SINGLE OFFERING

The book of Hebrews reveals that Christ is everything. He is both God and man and is superior to Moses, Joshua, and Aaron. As our High Priest, He, as the single offering, replaced all the offerings of the Old Testament. He is the only offering with which God is concerned, of which all the offerings of the Old Testament were merely types.

Now that Christ has come, all the other offerings should cease, and indeed, they have been replaced and come to an end. Hebrews 10:14 says, “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” And verse 18 continues, “Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.” Moreover, the old covenant has been replaced by the new covenant. Thus, the things of the Old Testament have ended.

I would like you to compare the revelation in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Hebrews with James’ word in Acts 21. In 21:20, James said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.”

Then James asked Paul to pay the expenses for four men who had taken the Nazarite vow: “There are four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that the things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law” (Acts 21:23-24).

What a contrast there is between James’ words and Paul’s revelation regarding God’s New Testament economy! This comparison should enable us to have a clear vision of Paul’s situation in these chapters of Acts.

THE MISUSE OF EPHESIANS, PHILIPPIANS,
COLOSSIANS, AND HEBREWS

What messages have you heard about the book of Ephesians before coming into the Lord's restoration? The favorite verse of those who emphasize the preaching of the gospel is Ephesians 2:8. This verse tells us that by grace we are saved, through faith. There are also many messages on Ephesians 5:22-25 about the wife submitting to her husband and the husband loving his wife.

Often, in a marriage, the pastor quotes these verses from Ephesians 5. But have you ever heard a message saying that on the cross, Christ abolished all ordinances, particularly the differences between races? Although the ordinances and all racial differences were abolished by Christ on the cross, who preaches this today?

In fact, even in the twentieth century, racial differences are still promoted in order to maintain racial separation. From this, we see that Ephesians is not being used properly by many believers. They pick certain verses from this book without regard for God’s New Testament economy. Many have never seen that Ephesians is a book that emphasizes God’s New Testament economy.

On the negative side, Ephesians 2 reveals that the ordinances have been abolished. On the positive side, in Ephesians 3, we see that Paul preached the unsearchable riches of Christ so that Christ may dwell in our hearts (Eph. 3:8, 17). Have you ever heard a message on this before coming into the church life? Many who have been in Bible schools and seminaries can testify that they never learned that Christ, with His unsearchable riches, desires to dwell in our hearts. How lamentable is the situation today regarding the deep revelation of the book of Ephesians!

We have seen that in Philippians 3, Paul considered all religious things as refuse. However, today, few use these verses properly. Instead, it is common to choose verses from Philippians to teach believers to imitate the Lord Jesus by having the same mind that He had.

In Colossians 3, Paul says that Christ is everything in the new man. This is certainly not emphasized among Christians today. In fact, it is hard to say how most believers apply the book of Colossians.

Christians frequently quote Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Some even use this verse to argue against the truth that Christ today is the Spirit who gives life. According to the Bible, we teach that as God, Christ became a man, and then, as the last Adam, became the Spirit who gives life in resurrection (1 Cor. 15:45).

Some falsely accuse us of teaching that Christ is always changing and then quote Hebrews 13:8 to try to prove that Christ could not have become the Spirit who gives life in resurrection. The misuse of Hebrews 13:8 in this way shows that the current situation is miserable.

The books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Hebrews have not been used properly and positively by most Christians, taking up Paul’s charge in these Epistles regarding carrying out God’s New Testament economy.

Instead of using these books according to the author’s intention, many pick certain verses and interpret them, promoting a degraded situation. This is a sign of the poverty in the so-called churches. In fact, the current situation is worse than what existed in Jerusalem in Acts 21.

THE CHARGE TO CARRY OUT GOD’S
NEW TESTAMENT ECONOMY

We have already discussed that during the years Paul was detained in Caesarea, he had time to consider the situation of the religious Jews, Roman politicians, and believers in Jerusalem, and also to compare them with the revelation he had received from the Lord.

We also need time to consider the current situation. I encourage you to calmly consider not only the political situation of the world but also the situation of Judaism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. Consider where today’s Christians stand in relation to God’s New Testament economy. Are there not many who, like James, have been tolerant and promote things that God has abandoned?

You also need to consider your own situation: where do you stand in relation to carrying out God’s New Testament economy? What is in your heart? What have you seen as a heavenly vision concerning God’s economy? How will you carry out the vision you have gained? May we all have a time before the Lord to be filled with the charge of God’s New Testament economy. Once filled with this charge, we should, like Paul, be eager to carry it out.

We thank the Lord for the Epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Hebrews. Paul wrote them so that God’s New Testament economy would be carried out. I hope that all of us, through the help of the messages from the Life-Studies, will be saturated with these Epistles. I also hope that all of us will have a clear vision of the current situation and need.

As we will see in Acts chapters 27 and 28, Paul took a long time to go from Caesarea to Rome. In contrast, the situation today is very favorable for spreading God’s New Testament economy. May we all take up the charge of spreading God’s New Testament economy and faithfully carry it out.

Enjoy more: Hymn 268