Acts 21
Paul encourages believers in Tyre verse 1- 6
And it came to pass – that after we were gotten from them
and had launched – we came with a straight course to Coos
and the day following to Rhodes
and from thence to Patara
and finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia
we went aboard – and set forth
Now when we had discovered Cyprus – we left it on the left hand
and sailed into Syria – and landed at Tyre
for there the ship was to unlade her burden
And finding disciples – we tarried there seven days
who said to Paul through the Spirit
that he should not go up to Jerusalem
And when we had accomplished those days
we departed and went our way
and they all brought us on our way
with wives and children
till we were out of the city
and we kneeled down on the shore
and PRAYED
And when we had taken our leave one of another – we took ship
and they returned home again
Paul warned of imprisonment in Caesarea verse 7- 14
And when we had finished our course from Tyre
we came to Ptolemais and saluted the brethren
and abode with them one day
And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed
and came to Caesarea
and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist
which was one of the seven – and abode with him
and the same man had four daughters
virgins – which did prophesy
And as we tarried there many days
there came down from Judea a certain prophet
named Agabus
And when he was come to us – he took Paul’s girdle
and bound his own hands and feet
and said
This says the Holy Ghost
So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that
owns this girdle and shall deliver him into the
hands of the Gentiles
And when we heard these things – both we – and they of that place
besought him not to go up to Jerusalem
THEN Paul answered
What mean you to weep and to break my heart?
for I am ready not to be bound only
but also to die at Jerusalem for the
name of the Lord Jesus
And when he would not be persuaded – we ceased – saying
The will of the Lord be done
Paul gives a missions report to the church verse 15- 19
And after those days we took up our carriages
and went up to Jerusalem
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea
and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus – an old disciple
with whom we should lodge
And when we were come to Jerusalem – the brethren received us gladly
and the day following Paul went in with us unto James
and all the elders were present
And when he had saluted them
he declared particularly what things God had wrought
among the Gentiles by his ministry
Paul questioned regarding his teachings verse 20- 22
And when they heard it – they glorified the Lord
and said to him
You see – brother – how many thousands of Jews there are which believe
and they are all zealous of the law – and they are informed of you
that you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles
to forsake Moses – saying that they ought not to
circumcise their children
neither to walk after the customs
What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together
for they will hear that you are come
Paul asked to please Jewish believers verse 23- 24
Do therefore this that we say to you
We have four men which have a vow on them
them take – purify yourself with them
and be at charges with them
that they may shave their heads
and all may know that those things
whereof they were informed
concerning you are nothing
BUT that you yourself also walk orderly – and keep the law
Paul requested to give instructions to Gentiles verse 25
As touching the Gentiles which believe
we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing
save only that they keep themselves
from things offered to idols
blood – strangled – fornication
Mob grabs Paul in Temple verse 26- 29
THEN Paul took the men
and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple
to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification
until that an offering should be offered
for every one of them
And when the seven days were almost ended
the Jews which were of Asia – when they saw him in the temple
stirred up all the people – and laid hands on him
crying out
Men of Israel – help – This is the man
that teaches all men everywhere against the people
and the law – and this place
and further brought Greeks also into the temple
and has polluted this holy place
(For they had seen before with him in the city of Trophimus and Ephesian
whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple)
Killing of Paul stopped by soldiers verse 30- 36
And all the city was moved – and the people ran together
and they took Paul and drew him out of the temple
and forthwith the doors were shut
And as they went about to kill him
tidings came unto the chief captain of the band
that all Jerusalem was in an uproar
WHO immediately took soldiers and centurions – and ran down to them
and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers
they left beating of Paul
THEN the chief captain came near – and took him
and commanded him to be bound with two chains
and demanded who he was
and what he had done
And some cried one thing – some another – among the multitude
and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult
he commanded him to be carried into the castle
And when he came on the stairs – so it was
that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people
for the multitude of the people followed after – crying
Away with him
Paul asks for permission to talk to crowd verse 37- 40
And as Paul was to be led into the castle – he said to the chief captain
May I speak to you?
Who said – Can you speak Greek?
Are not you that Egyptian
which before these days made an uproar
and led out into the wilderness
four thousand men that were murderers?
BUT Paul said – I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus – a city in Cilicia
a citizen of no mean city – and I beseech you
suffer me to speak to the people
And when he had given him license – Paul stood on the stairs
and beckoned with the hand to the people
and when there was made a great silence
he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue – saying
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. (1119 “kneeled down” [gonu] means the hinge joint in the human leg connecting the upper and lower leg, to place the knees, act of reverence, or to bow the knee)
DEVOTION: Paul ministered for a week with the congregation in Tyre on his way to Jerusalem. The congregation included women and children. It was not just a male congregational gathering. It was all the members of the families getting together to pray together.
On the sea shore they knelt down and asked the LORD for HIS protection of the congregation and for the journey of Paul. The whole group was on their knees before the LORD.
Everyone in the congregation needed to know how to pray. Everyone in the congregation needed to understand that instruction and encouragement comes from the LORD.
Today our churches don’t gather everyone for a prayer meeting often. Few come each Wednesday for prayer. Many churches don’t even have a prayer meeting any time during the week. Some have them once in a while before special meetings. Larger churches have small groups that meet during the week but the prayer time at these meeting are mostly short.
If we don’t honor the LORD in our congregations with heartfelt prayers how do we expect a church to reach its neighborhood for the LORD. Prayer is necessary for the church to move forward.
Family prayer is important as well. Personal family devotionals each day of the week would be good but even once a week is better than nothing. Our women and children need to be gathered at home often.
CHALLENGE: Prayer can move our families and our churches together to reach our world for the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. (3981 “persuaded” [peithos] means enticing, convince, trust, rely, win over, conciliate, be certain, to talk over, or yield)
DEVOTION: One of the problems we can have is over confidence in our knowledge of the LORD’S will for our life. There are people who think they know the LORD’S will for your life. There are books that tell you how you can find God’s will for your life. This can sometimes cause confusion in a new believer looking for direction for his/her life.
When we were in Bible School the president of the school brought my future wife into the office because he thought he knew the LORD’S will for her life. He told her that it was the LORD’S will for her to stay in Bible School and graduate. She felt that she had enough education at the time to be a productive witness for the LORD. He didn’t believe her. She just wanted some basics that she received.
Now we can help people understand if they have a gift for ministry and which ministry fits them but they have to listen to the Holy Spirit regarding where they will use their gifts for the benefit of the kingdom of the LORD.
Paul was listening to the Holy Spirit regarding where he was supposed to go and where he was not supposed to go. The Holy Spirit closed doors and he knew it. The Holy Spirit had told him that he was going to Rome to witness. He was headed in that direction.
Paul knew the warning given by the prophet and the elders of Ephesus were real. He was willing to die for the LORD. He was given a direction to go and he was going there no matter what. He was confident it was the leading of the LORD and not just his desire for glory. He always wanted to give glory to the LORD alone.
CHALLENGE: We need to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit in each of our ministries. We need to watch HIM open doors for our ministry.
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: 21 And they are informed of you, that you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. (1485 “customs” [ethos] means manner, usage prescribed by law, institute, prescription, rite, a customary way of operation or behavior, habit, or practice)
DEVOTION: Paul was called the apostle to the Gentiles. His ministry would always start at the synagogue. However, the Jewish leaders would reject his message and he would then go to the Gentiles.
There were converts from both groups. He would train them in the Old Testament Scriptures and in the teaching of Jesus. The church grew under his ministry. He traveled with a group of men who would stay in a place after there were converts to raise up elders to lead the local church through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Now he report of his missionary journeys and they would receive his reports gladly. They appreciated his ministry but as in all ministries there were people who complained that he wasn’t doing something right.
In the eyes of the Jewish converts in Jerusalem he was teaching people that they didn’t have to open the Jewish laws anymore. It was causing them to think that he was not faithful to his upbringing.
So to compromise with those who were complaining the that he was not walking orderly and keeping the law of Moses they asked him to purify himself with four other men to show that he still obeyed the law of Moses.
Once he did it he was arrested. This was to set up his going to Rome to witness for the LORD. These circumstances were used by the LORD to cause this to happen. Paul knew he was to go to Rome. He just didn’t know the circumstances that would cause it to happen.
Things happen in our life to bring glory to the LORD when we don’t understand how the LORD is going to do it. HE is in control. HE knows what is going to happen tomorrow and throughout our future. Paul trusted the leading of the Holy Spirit and we need to do the same.
CHALLENGE: Others might not understand what is happening to you but the LORD understands. Keep your eyes on the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for everyone one of them. (48 “purifying” [hagnizo] means cleanliness, to make clean, sanctify or ceremonially clean)
DEVOTION: One reminder that we need is to remember the fact that chapter divisions and verses were not marked in the Original Manuscripts. So when we see a chapter end in the middle of something like this chapter it is not because the Original had this division. Someone has said that the verses and chapters were done by a minister riding from one location to another and when he stopped he ended the chapter. Not true but it gives you the idea.
Paul did not want to cause anyone to stumble and so he agreed to practice the cleansing in the Law of Moses before the feast. He went into the temple to complete his days of purification. He was in the temple when the Jews from Asia showed up to accuse him of telling the Gentiles that they didn’t have to follow the laws of Moses and be circumcised.
The people were angry. The Jews also accused him of bringing a Gentile into the temple. This was not true. They were assuming that because they saw Paul with a Gentile named Trophimus that he had brought him with him into the temple. They were wrong but that didn’t stop them. The people wanted to kill Paul.
The soldiers came and stopped them from beating him to death. All this happened because some Jews brought false accusations against Paul and the people didn’t want to listen to Paul’s side of the story. At the end of the chapter Paul is going to get a chance to present his side of the story. Like Paul Harvey, “Here is the rest of the story.”
Are we like the people who believed the Jews from Asia? Are we willing to hear both sides of the story? Do we sometimes in our churches only see our side of the story? Are there church fights because people will not listen to what others have to say?
Are we good listeners? Are we quick judgers? Paul was in the temple to purify himself for the upcoming feast of Pentecost. He was doing the right thing in the right place and was still condemned.
CHALLENGE: Try to get the whole true story before making a judgment. If you are falsely accused, wait on the LORD. Don’t overreact!! Paul kept his cool.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Paul kneeled down and prayed verse 5
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Temple verse 26, 27, 29, 3 0
This place verse 28
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Law verse 20, 24, 28
Moses verse 21
Customs verse 21
Days of purification verse 26
Offering verse 26
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God verse 19
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Lord verse 13, 14, 20
Jesus verse 13
Lord Jesus verse 13
Will of the Lord verse 14
Glorified the Lord verse 20
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spirit verse 4
Warning Paul through the Spirit verse 4
Holy Ghost verse 11
Agabus warns Paul by Holy Ghost verse 11
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Coos verse 1
Rhodes verse 1
Patara verse 1
Phenicia verse 2
Cyprus verse 3
Syria verse 3
Tyre verse 3, 7
Ptolemais verse 7
Caesarea verse 8, 16
Gentiles verse 11, 19, 21, 25
Mnason of Cyprus verse 16
Asia verse 27
Chief captain verse 31- 33, 37- 40
Soldiers verse 32
Centurions verse 32
Speak Greek verse 37
Egyptian verse 38
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Forsake Moses verse 21
Not circumcise children verse 21
Not walk in customs verse 21
Idols verse 25
Not eat blood verse 25
Not eat animals strangled verse 25
Fornication verse 25
Stir up people against Paul verse 27
Polluted holy place verse 28
Kill verse 31
Murderers verse 38
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Kneeled down verse 5
Prayed verse 5
Gladly verse 17
Glorified the Lord verse 20
Believe verse 20, 25
Zealous verse 20
Teach verse 21, 28
Walk orderly verse 24
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Jerusalem verse 4, 11-13, 15, 17, 31
Judaea verse 10
Jews verse 11, 20, 21, 27
Caesarea verse 16
Forsake Moses verse 21
Not circumcise verse 21
Men of Israel verse 28
Hebrew tongue verse 40
Church (New Testament people of God)
Disciples verse 4, 16, 17
Paul verse 4, 8, 11, 13, 18, 26, 29- 32, 37, 39, 40
Brethren verse 7, 17
Philip the evangelist verse 8
Evangelist verse 8
Four virgin daughers of Philip verse 9
Prophesy verse 9
Agabus the prophet verse 10
James verse 18
Elders verse 18
Ministry verse 19
Purifiying verse 26
Paul a Jew of Tarsus verse 39
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
10–14 While Paul was at Caesarea, the Jerusalemite prophet Agabus (cf. 11:27–28) came there. With the belt that held Paul’s outer cloak together, he tied his own feet and hands in an act of prophetic symbolism (cf. 1 Kings 11:29–39; Isa 20:2–6; Ezek 4:1–5:17) and announced, “In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” In response to this dramatic prophecy, the Caesarean believers—together with Paul’s own traveling companions (note the “we” of v. Acts 21:12)—begged him not to go. But Paul’s determination to go to Jerusalem came from an inward spiritual constraint that could not be set aside. It had come to Paul by the Spirit’s direction (cf. Acts 19:21; Acts 20:22) in response to a growing conviction that he must present the gift from the churches personally for it to be understood as the symbol of unity he intended it to be (cf.1 Cor 16:4 with Rom 15:31). Paul well knew that his reception at Jerusalem might be less than cordial (cf. Rom 15:30–32). And when they learned of the dangers ahead of him, his friends naturally tried to dissuade him. (Longenecker, R. N. (1981). The Acts of the Apostles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts (Vol. 9, p. 517). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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Both we and they of that place (ἡμεις τε και οἱ ἐντοπιοι [hēmeis te kai hoi entopioi]). Usual use of τε και [te kai] (both—and). Ἐντοπιοι [Entopioi], old word, only here in N. T. Not to go up (του μη ἀναβαινειν [tou mē anabainein]). Probably ablative of the articular present active infinitive with redundant negative με [me] after παρεκαλουμεν [parekaloumen] (imperfect active, conative). We tried to persuade him from going up. It can be explained as genitive, but not so likely: We tried to persuade him in respect to not going up. Vincent cites the case of Regulus who insisted on returning from Rome to Carthage to certain death and that of Luther on the way to the Diet of Worms. Spalatin begged Luther not to go on. Luther said: “Though devils be as many in Worms as tiles upon the roofs, yet thither will I go.” This dramatic warning of Agabus came on top of that in Tyre (21:4) and Paul’s own confession in Miletus (20:23). It is small wonder that Luke and the other messengers together with Philip and his daughters (prophetesses versus prophet?) joined in a chorus of dissuasion to Paul. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Ac 21:12). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
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21:12–14. After the people heard that prophecy, they pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem (cf. v. 4). Even Luke joined in the plea, as indicated by the use of we here. But the apostle would not be dissuaded.
Though Luke did not say so, apparently one reason this trip to Jerusalem was important to Paul was that he was taking an offering to the Jerusalem believers (cf. 24:17; Rom. 15:25–27; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:13–14; 9:12–13; Gal. 2:10). Paul wanted to make this presentation of money in order to fortify one of his basic doctrines, the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ (Eph. 2:11–22; 3:6).
21:15–16. The distance from Caesarea to Jerusalem is about 65 miles, a two-day journey by horse. Some think the home of Mnason was at a halfway point where Paul and his party may have spent the night. More probably, Mnason was a resident of Jerusalem. Interestingly Mnason was from Cyprus, the island where Barnabas was born. (Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 415). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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While Paul rested in Caesarea, the Prophet Agabus came to give him a second warning message from the Lord. Some fifteen years before, Paul and Agabus had worked together in a famine relief program for Judea (Acts 11:27–30), so they were not strangers. Agabus delivered his message in a dramatic way as he bound his own hands and feet with Paul’s girdle and told the apostle that he would be bound in Jerusalem.
As did the saints in Tyre, so the believers in Caesarea begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Surely the men chosen by the churches could deliver the love offering to James and the Jerusalem elders, and it would not be necessary for Paul to go personally. But Paul silenced them and told them that he was prepared (“ready”) not only to be bound, but also to die if necessary for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 489). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Did he make a mistake in so doing? Did he really disobey the voice of the Lord? It is hard for us to say. We may be sure of this, that if he did make a mistake, he made it from the best of motives. If he blundered here, he blundered out of an overpowering love for the Jewish people. I am afraid that some of us cannot say of our mistakes that they always have had love behind them; but if Paul made a mistake here, it should be a great encouragement to some of us.
You ask, Why? Well, you see, we are apt to think of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ as though they were men of an altogether different calibre from ourselves and, therefore, that we need not think that there is any possibility of our being used as they were. But we learn as we study the book of Acts that these men were of like passions with ourselves. They had the same fallible judgment that we have. They could be misled as we are misled. (Ironside, H. A. (1943). Lectures on the Book of Acts. (p. 500). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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Ver. 12. And when we heard these things, &c.] These prophecies, concerning the binding of the apostle by the Jews, and the delivery of him to the Romans, and saw the symbolical representations of these things: both we; the companions of the apostle, Luke and the rest: and they of that place; of Cæsarea, Philip and his daughters, and the disciples that lived there: besought him not to go up to Jerusalem; which was an instance of weakness in them, though an expression of their affection to the apostle; in the disciples of Cæsarea it might arise from pure love to him, and a concern for his safety, and the continuance of his useful life; and in his companions it might be owing partly to their sincere love to him, and partly to the fear of danger which they themselves might conclude they should be exposed to; and this request was made with tears, as is evident from what follows. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 348). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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There was now a united outcry against Paul’s unshakeable resolve to go to Jerusalem. His friends and fellow-travelers from the mission field pleaded with him. Philip and his daughters pleaded with him. The other believers in Caesarea, who during Paul’s visit had come under the spell of his charm, genius, and love, joined their voices to the general plea. Paul was deeply moved at such an outpouring of spontaneous love and affection, such united interest in his personal welfare. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary (Ac 21:12). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Self-will is a close relative of pride, and it will form a cloud that can hide the face of God. Actually, self-will can be a very religious thing for it can be accepted right into the church when you join, It can go right into the chamber with you when you pray. However, remember this – self-will is good-natured only when it can have its own way. Otherwise, it is grouchy and ill-tempered and cross. Under this cloud, we must examine ourselves and ask, “Is my surrender to God a complete surrender?” (p. 582, TozerSpeaks, A. W. Tozer)
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The first chapter of Genesis reveals God as Creator of the universe.
INSIGHT
In the beginning, God! That is the way it is throughout the Bible. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).
“Every knee [will] bow . . . every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11).
God wants to be first and foremost in your life. He is the Author of the first creation, and He is the Author of the new creation in your heart.
In the first creation, the wind and the waves obey the Lord — they have no choice. In the new creation, there is a choice: to obey or not to obey — the pleasures of sin for a moment or the favor of fellowship for a lifetime.
Have you chosen to put God first in your life? Not to decide is to decide. (Quiet Walk)
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NAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me. Isaiah 61:1
The best way to approach the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is to notice the names or the descriptive titles given to this blessed Person.
First of all, there are the many names that relate Him to the Father. Let me enumerate some of them: “the Spirit of God” (Genesis1:2); “the Spirit of the Lord” (Luke 4:18); “the Spirit of our God”(1 Corinthians 6:11). Another is “the Spirit of the Lord GOD,” which is in Isaiah 61:1. Our Lord speaks, in Matthew 10:20, of “the Spirit of your Father,” while Paul refers to “the Spirit of the living God” (2 Corinthians 3:3). “My Spirit,” says God in Genesis 6:3, and the psalmist asks, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?” (Psalm 139:7). He is referred to as His Spirit—God’s Spirit—in Numbers 11:29; and Paul, in Romans 8:11, uses the phrase “the Spirit of him [God the Father] that raised up Jesus from the dead.” All these are descriptive titles referring to the Holy Spirit in terms of His relationship to the Father.
In the second group are the titles that relate the Holy Spirit to the Son. First, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of this” (Romans 8:9), which is a most important phrase. The word “Spirit” here refers to the Holy Spirit. In Philippians 1:19, Paul speaks about “the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” and in Galatians 4:6 he says, “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son.” Finally, He is referred to as “the Spirit of the Lord” (Acts 5:9).
The third group comprises the direct or personal titles, and first and foremost here, of course, is the name Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. Some people are confused by those two terms, but they mean exactly the same thing. The English language is a hybrid that has borrowed from other languages, and “Ghost” is an old Anglo-Saxon word, while “Spirit” is derived from the Latin spiritus.
A Thought to Ponder: Notice the names or the descriptive titles given to the Holy Spirit.
(From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 6-7, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Creation and the New Year
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
It is appropriate for Christians to begin the New Year by referring back to the beginning of the very first year. The first verse of God’s Word is also its most important verse, since it is the foundation on which everything else is built. Even God’s great work of salvation is irrelevant and futile without His prior work of creation, for only the Creator of all things could ever become the Savior of all things.
If a person really believes Genesis 1:1, he or she should have no difficulty believing anything else in the Bible. The very first object of saving faith (Hebrews 10:39) is the fact of special creation by the word of God (Hebrews 11:3).
The verse is comprehensive and scientific, viewing space (“the heaven”) and matter (“the earth”) as functioning in a framework of time (“in the beginning”). This space/matter/time “continuum” (as scientists call it) has not existed eternally, nor is it still being created, both of which heresies are standard beliefs of all forms of evolutionary pantheism (including most of the world’s religions and philosophies, ancient or modern). It was created—and even completed in the past.
This foundation of all foundations is, clearly, the only sure foundation upon which one should build a life, or an organization, or anything. A firm renewal of one’s commitment to special creation, as literally recorded by divine revelation in the inerrant Word of God, is thus the proper way to begin a new year, or a new home, or a new career, or a new family, or any phase of a Christian life. This is the time to confess and forsake all doubts and trust God’s Word! In the beginning of the first year, God created all things. At the beginning of this year, we should resolve to believe and obey all things in His Word
. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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