Acts 26
Paul states his defense to King Agrippaverse 1
Then Agrippa said unto Paul
You are permitted to speak for yourself
Then Paul stretched forth the hand and answered for himself
Paul compliments King Agrippaverses 2-3
I think myself happy – king Agrippa
BECAUSE I shall answer for myself this day
before you touching
all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews
especially because I know you
to be expert in all customs
and questions which are among the Jews
wherefore I beseech you
to hear me patiently
Paul states: God fulfilled promises made in pastverses 4-8
My manner of life from my youth
which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem
know all the Jews
which knew me from the beginning – IF they would testify
that after the most straitest sect of our religion
I lived a Pharisee
AND NOW I stand and am judged
for the hope of the promise made of God
to our fathers – to which promise our twelve tribes
instantly serving God day and night
hope to come
FOR which hope’s sake – king Agrippa – I am accused of the Jews
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you
that God should raise the dead?
Paul states: Before Christ convictionsverses 9-11
I verily thought with myself
that I ought to do many things contrary to the
name of Jesus of Nazareth
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem
and many of the saints did I shut up in prison
having received authority from the chief priests
and when they were put to death
I gave my voice against them
and I punished them oft in every synagogue
and compelled them to blaspheme
and being exceedingly mad against them
I persecuted them even
to strange cities
Paul states: His conversation experienceverses 12-18
Whereupon as I went to Damascus
with authority and commission
from the chief priests – at midday – O king
I saw in the way a light from heaven
above the brightness of the sun
shining round about me and them
which journeyed with me
And when we were all fallen to the earth
I heard a voice speaking to me
and saying in the Hebrew tongue
Saul – Saul – why persecutes you ME?
It is hard for you to kick against the pricks
AND I said
Who are YOU Lord?
AND HE said
I am Jesus WHOM you persecutes
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 these things
which you have seen
and of those things in the which
I will appear unto you
Delivering you from the people – and from the Gentiles
to whom now I send you – to open their eyes
and TO turn them from darkness to light
And from the power of Satan to God
that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in ME
Paul states: From conversation to presentverses 19-23
Whereupon – O king Agrippa
I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision
BUT showed first unto them of Damascus – and at Jerusalem
and throughout all the coasts of Judea
and then to the Gentiles
that they should repent and turn to God
and do works meet for repentance
FOR these causes the Jews caught me in the temple
and went about to kill me
having therefore obtained help of God
I continue to this day
witnessing both to small and great
saying none other things than those which the prophets
and Moses did say should come that Christ
should suffer and that HE should be the first that
should rise from the dead
and should show light to the people and to Gentiles
Festus thinks Paul is madverse 24
And as he thus spoke for himself – Festus said with a loud voice
Paul – you are beside yourself
much learning does make you mad
Paul states he is not madverses 25-27
BUT he said – I am not mad – most noble Festus
BUT speak forth the words of truth and soberness
FOR the king knows of these things before whom also
I speak freely
FOR I am persuaded that none of these things are
hidden from him
FOR this thing was not done in a corner
King Agrippa – Believe you the prophets? I know you believe
Exchange between Paul and King Agrippaverses 28-29
THEN Agrippa said to Paul
Almost you persuade me to be a Christian
AND Paul said
I would to God – that not only you
but also all that hear me this day
were both almost – and altogether such as I am
EXCEPT these bonds
Exchange between Festus and King Agrippaverses 30-32
And when he had thus spoken
the king rose up – and the governor – and Bernice
and they that sat with them
and when they were gone aside
they talked between themselves – saying
This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds
THEN said Agrippa to Festus
This man might have been set at liberty
IF he had not appealed to Caesar
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 3 Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech you to hear me patiently. (3116 “patiently” [makrothumos] means with longanimity, in a patient manner, without stopping, with forbearance, with long (enduring) temper, leniently, or listen to someone with patience)
DEVOTION: All of us have taken an IQ test at some point in our life. There are college entrance tests that are given in the junior and senior years of high school. There are entrance tests to enter a graduate program in a college.
Some people have never taken these tests but think that they are smarter than everyone else around them. They are individuals who are not willing to listen to someone else they think is not as smart as they are. Too often they are just the opposite. They need to listen to other people to find out what is really happening around them.
Paul is confronted with an opportunity to present his case before King Agrippa. He is someone who understands the customs of the Jewish faith. He could help them make a decision regarding his present condition. He wants the king to listen to all that he has to say and come to a conclusion.
Today we have many people who think the same thoughts about their intelligence to the point that they will not listen to anyone about Christianity. God opens the hearts of some who are willing to at least listen to a presentation of the Gospel. They might react like King Agrippa but they will at least listen.
We need to present our faith to others with the hope that they will listen and understand the truth of the Word of God. Everyone is going to have an opportunity to make a decision regarding Jesus Christ. HE wants us to give them that opportunity through our proper presentation of the truth of the Gospel.
CHALLENGE: We should ask for their patience as we present our testimony.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 7 To which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake king Agrippa I am accused for the Jews. (1679 “hope” [elpizo] means trust, to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence, hopefully to trust in, to be confidently and reasonably expectant of a future event, expect, to look for, or to look forward with confidence to that which is good and beneficial)
DEVOTION: When we make a promise to someone we should keep it if at all possible. It is better not to promise something than not to not intent to keep the promise. We sometimes think that children will not remember what they have been promised but that is not true. They remember.
Paul knew the promises that were made by God in the Old Testament to the children of Israel. He knew that there was going to be a Suffering Servant who would be the Messiah coming to die for the sins of the world. He knew that this same Savior was going to return to become King in the future. He knew the promises that the Jewish people were waiting for. Many didn’t understand that HE would suffer first for the sins of the world.
He met Jesus on the Damascus road and realized that HE was the one that the children of Israel were expecting. He didn’t realize it before. He had to have a special revelation from God to understand.
Now he was serving Jesus every day night and day to bring people into a proper understanding of the truth regarding Jesus Christ. That is way he was standing in front of King Agrippa.
We are going to stand before people in our lifetime that need to know the truth and they will be listening to us as we present it. We are in the service of the King of Kings once we become a follower of Jesus.
Learn to present the fulfilled promises of the Old Testament to those who are searching for truth. Many don’t think there is any truth to be found. Many false religious teachers are saying that the Bible is not absolute truth.
There will always be conflict but we have the Holy Spirit to give us just the right words to say when HE gives us opportunity to witness.
CHALLENGE: Ask for HIS help each time you have an opportunity.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and the inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
(1849 “power” [exousia] means authority to rule, right, liberty, permission, jurisdiction, control, supernatural power, license, delegated influence, freedom of choice or ability)
DEVOTION: We are on a battle field today. Those who are believers are not wrestling against just flesh and blood. We are wrestling against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6: 12).
Our enemy is the devil or Satan and his fallen angels which are called demons. There are enough of them to cause every Christian a problem in their service to the LORD Jesus Christ. He is walking about seeking whom he may devour. He doesn’t have to go to those who are not believers because they are already in his family (John 8:44).
He wants to see every Christian defeated. He wants to cause every problem he can in the believer’s life. He brings back all the sins that a believer has ever committed to stop him from growing in the LORD. He wants every believer to live a defeated life or an unproductive life. He hits each of us on a regular basis.
Now we see in this verse that once a believer makes a commitment to the LORD Satan has no real power over their life. He has been moved from the family of Satan to the family of God. He has received forgiveness of all of his sins. This includes all those from the past and present and even the future sins. When God the Father looks at this individual, HE sees the blood of Jesus Christ.
Does this mean that a true believer will use this information to go out and sin as much as they want? NO!!! A true believer will want to confess their sins on a regular basis and try to sin less as they grow in the LORD. Do they always succeed? The answer is NO again. There are times in a believer’s life when he allows the cares of this world to enter his thinking and he forgets that he is in a new family. This is when the LORD sends chastening to help him return to a proper relationship of fellowship with HIM.
HE reminds the believer that he has an inheritance in heaven waiting for him and that he is set apart for service to HIM for all of the rest of his life.
CHALLENGE: Remember all that Christ did on the cross. Remember especially that HE defeated the authority of Satan over our life. We changed families!!!
: 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. (4997 “soberness” [sophrosune] means sound judgment, moderation, sound in mind, sanity, sound mind or self-control)
DEVOTION: Some time in our life we might have to give a witness for the LORD before political and/or religious authorities. This is happening in many countries in our world. There are some countries where individuals are told to deny their faith in Jesus Christ or die.
Paul is in such a circumstance. He is given an opportunity to speak before the political leaders in his area. He knew their beliefs. He knew what they had been taught regarding the Way. He stated to King Agrippa that what was happening in the world regarding Christianity was not done in a corner. We can make the same claim today. Most people know the difference between those who are followers of Christ and those who are not. Some fake it but people know.
Paul is before a man who knows the teachings of the Jews. The King was one who studied the teachings of the Jews and knew the prophecies regarding the coming Messiah. Paul gives his testimony of personal salvation on the road to Damascus. Paul tells of his former life. He informs them that the Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth.
Festus thinks he is mad with all his learning. Sometimes people think that others have too much knowledge. Some believe that too much knowledge makes them of no earthly good. This was not the case with Paul. He was not mad but was telling the truth with much self-control. He almost persuaded the King to become a follower of Christ.
What are we doing with our testimony? Are we sharing it? Some people will look at our faith and think we are out of our minds, but we are the only ones who are in their right mind. Remember we have the truth of God’s word to guide us. We don’t always follow it, but it is speaking to our hearts if we study it. Is your heart listening today?
CHALLENGE: Present the Gospel in a manner which conveys sound thinking. Have complete control over our emotions when we share Christ. They will try to make us mad or call us mad.
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)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Synagogue verse 11
Temple verse 21
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Prophets verses 22, 27
Moses verse 22
Words of truth and soberness verse 25
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God verses 6-8, 18, 20, 22, 29
God raised the dead verse 8
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Jesus verses 9, 15
Jesus of Nazareth verse 9
Lord verse 15
Christ verse 23
Suffer verse 23
Rise from the dead verse 23
Show light verse 23
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Satan verse 18
Power of Satan verse 18
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
King Agrippa verses 1, 2, 7, 13, 19, 26-28, 30, 32
Damascus verses 12, 20
Gentiles verses 17, 20, 23
Festus verses 24, 25, 30, 32
Bernice verse 30
Caesar verse 32
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Blaspheme verse 11
Persecute church verse 15
Darkness verse 18
Sins verse 18
Disobedient verse 19
Kill verse 21
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Hope of the promise verses 6, 7
Purpose verse 16
Minister verse 16
Witness verses 16, 22
Open eyes verse 18
Turn to light verses 18, 23
Forgiveness of sins verse 18
Inheritance verse 18
Sanctified verse 18
Faith verse 18
Not disobedient verse 19
Repent verse 20
Turn to God verse 20
Do works verse 20
Repentance verse 20
Help verse 22
Truth verse 25
Soberness verse 25
Christian verse 28
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Jews verses 2-4, 7, 21
Jerusalem verses 4, 10, 20
Strictest sect: Pharisee verse 5
Fathers verse 6
Twelve tribes verse 7
Authority of the chief priests verses 10, 12
Hebrew tongue verse 14
Coasts to Judaea verse 20
Church (New Testament people of God)
Paul verses 1- 30
Serving God night and day verse 7
Saints verse 10
Light from heaven verse 13
Christian verse 28
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
“Patience perfects Christian character, Jas. 1:4, and fellowship in the patience of Christ is therefore the condition upon which believers are to be admitted to reign with Him, 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 1:9. For this patience believers are ‘strengthened with all power,’ Col. 1:11, ‘through His Spirit in the inward man,’ Eph. 3:16.
“In 2 Thess. 3:5, the phrase ‘the patience of Christ,’ rv, is possible of three interpretations, (a) the patient waiting for Christ, so kjv paraphrases the words, (b) that they might be patient in their sufferings as Christ was in His, see Heb. 12:2, (c) that since Christ is ‘expecting till His enemies be made the footstool of His feet,’ Heb. 10:13, so they might be patient also in their hopes of His triumph and their deliverance. While a too rigid exegesis is to be avoided it may, perhaps, be permissible to paraphrase: ‘the Lord teach and enable you to love as God loves, and to be patient as Christ is patient.’” (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 463). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.)
1. Synoptic Gospels. In the parable of Mt. 18:23ff. an appeal is made for the forbearance, first of the king, then of the servant. The parable presupposes a wrathful judgment with full exaction of a debt that can never be repaid. Disregarding the amount, the kýrios cancels the whole debt, not in indulgence or postponement, but in the generosity of grace. Forbearance of this kind demands an answering forbearance in the servant. The absence of this response will call it into question. The divine forgiveness does not become a law which one may then plead against God; it is always God’s free grace, and it may be withdrawn if the overflowing love of God does not evoke the response of a pardoning love of neighbor. An echo of the same point may be heard in Lk. 18:7. The righteous may be sure of their vindication by God. Why, then, does God delay? Not, of course, because God is like the unjust judge of the parable (18:1ff.), but because the elect themselves need an interval of grace for the faith and prayer with which alone they can move into the day of reckoning (cf. v. 8).
2. Paul.
a. God’s Longsuffering. Paul relates God’s forbearance to his wrath (Rom. 2:4; 9:22). Already manifest, divine wrath will reach a climax only on the day of wrath (2:5). Longsuffering obviously does not mean irresolution or compliance. It is not swayed by emotion but has the end in view. The delay may allow time for repentance but it also increases the wrath. It leaves no room for a claim on God’s goodness but makes God’s purpose plain in its eschatological dimension. The goal, however, is not just passive, for even vessels of wrath serve to bring into relief the mercy of God displayed in vessels of mercy (9:22ff.).
b. The Christian’s Longsuffering. God’s forbearance pledges Christians to a similar forbearance (1 Th. 5:14) which, as a fruit of the Spirit controlled by love (Gal. 5:22), issues in mutual correction. Love itself is forbearing (1 Cor. 13:4). Forbearance is a necessary quality in the service of God (2 Cor. 6:6), linking knowledge and kindness. It is a spiritual force that has its origin in the divine glory and works itself out in joyful endurance (Col. 1:11). The elect put it on as their new garment in Christ (Col. 3:12–13). It corresponds to their calling to the one body of Christ (Eph. 4:1ff.).
c. The Pastorals. In 1 Tim. 1:16 Christ himself exercises forbearance toward Paul. He thus offers a model for us in dealing with opponents. No one is to be given up easily. The divine forbearance leads naturally to praise (v. 17). It imposes an obligation in missionary service (2 Tim. 3:10). The best way to meet error is by the longsuffering which, while not retreating, leaves the decision with all confidence to the divine Judge (4:1–2).
3. The Catholic Epistles.
a. James. In unjust suffering, makrothymía is perseverance in expectation of Christ’s coming (5:7ff.). Awareness of the nearness of Christ quenches angry feelings, produces triumphant steadfastness, and confers the certainty of fruit.
b. Hebrews. The emphasis here lies on the connection with faith (6:11–12). makrothymía is the steadfastness of faith and hope which is not vexed by waiting. Its basis is the promise of the righteous God.
c. 1 Peter. In 1 Pet. 3:20ff. God’s forbearance in Noah’s day allows for the development of the obedience and disobedience that will be manifested in deliverance and destruction. It is characterized today by the work of Christ through proclamation and baptism.
d. 2 Peter. In this epistle God’s makrothymía is a central concept. It explains why the parousia has not yet come (3:4). Its purpose is wholly positive, namely to allow space for repentance. Judgment will finally fall on the wicked (v. 7), and Chrisrians must be zealous to be found without spot (v. 14). Yet we are to count the Lord’s forbearance as salvation (v. 5). (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 550–551). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.)
2–3 This was just the kind of situation Paul had longed for during two bleak years in prison—viz., a knowledgeable judge and a not inherently antagonistic audience before whom he could not only make his defense but also proclaim his message. Therefore he began with unusual fervor, expressing appreciation for the opportunity of speaking, complimenting the judge, and asking for patience in hearing him out. Since Festus had already said that Paul had not committed a capital crime (cf. 25:25), Paul chose to defend himself only against the charge that he had transgressed against Judaism. (Longenecker, R. N. (1981). The Acts of the Apostles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts (Vol. 9, pp. 551–552). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
These are gracious words. Even as he stands in chains the great Apostle counts himself happy. His happiness consisted in the knowledge that he was now privileged to bear witness of His Lord and the Gospel committed to him before such an audience. What an opportunity it was to him and how he rejoiced that he could speak of Him, whom he served. He also honored the King by a brief remark, in which he expressed his delight in speaking before one who was so fully acquainted with Jewish customs and questions. (Gaebelein, A. C. (1912). The Acts of the apostles: an exposition (pp. 402–403). New York: “Our Hope” Publication Office.)
Ver. 3. Especially, because I know thee to be expert in all customs, &c.] Rites and ceremonies of the Jews, whether enjoined by the law of Moses, or by the elders, fathers, and wise men: and questions which are among the Jews; concerning angels, spirits, and the resurrection of the dead; which were moved and agitated between the Sadducees and Pharisees; and a multitude of others, which were disputed between the schools of Hillell and Shammai, of which their Misna and Talmud are full, and with these Agrippa was well acquainted; and to their rites and customs he conformed, of which we have some instances recorded in their writings: when they went with their first-fruits to Jerusalem, “a pipe sounded before them till they came to the mountain of the house, and when they came to the mountain of the house (the temple), even King Agrippa carried the basket upon his shoulder, and went in till he came to the court.” So concerning the reading of the law by a king, they give this following accountx: “a king stands and takes (the book of the law), and reads sitting; King Agrippa stood and took it, and read standing, and the wise men praised him; and when he came to that passage, Deut. 17:15. Thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, his eyes flowed with tears; they said unto him, fear not, Agrippa, thou art our brother.” Some of their writers say, this was a piece of flattery in them: they also elsewhere commend him for hsis modesty and humilityz; “according to the tradition of the doctors, when persons attending a funeral met a bride (with her retinue), the former gave way, and both to a king of Israel, when they met him; but they say concerning King Agrippa, that he met a bride, and gave way, and they praised him.” And whereas it was forbidden to eat on the eve of the passover, before the Minchah, though ever so little, that they might eat the unleavened bread with appetite; it is observed, that even King Agrippa, who was used to eat at the ninth hour, that day did not eat till it was darkb: so that from hence it appears, that King Agrippa was famous for his exact knowledge and observance of the customs and manners of the Jews, and which was well known, and was by the apostle: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently; since he was charged with a breach of the laws and customs of the Jews; and his defence would proceed upon things which Agrippa was not altogether ignorant of. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 379). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
This is the third time Paul’s conversion is recorded in the book of Acts, which gives us some idea of the importance attached to it by the Holy Spirit. It is the second time Paul himself recounts the story. The testimony is not so much impassioned as carefully reasoned. Paul begins with his countrymen, talks about his conversion, and finishes with his cause. Probably he had spent much time in prayer and preparation, pleased to be able to state his case.
He explains why he was particularly pleased to be able to state his case to King Agrippa. Of all high officials in the country, nobody knew better than the king the precepts, principles, and passions that motivated the Jewish people. Paul described Agrippa as an expert on those matters. The word he used was gnōstēs, which occurs only here in the New Testament. It literally means one who knows. Of all government officials in the country, Agrippa could be expected to appreciate that Israel’s messianic hope had found its answer in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that the message Paul preached (no matter how hostile entrenched official opposition might be) was no strange cultish aberration but the consummation of Israel’s noblest and most deeply embedded ideals. Festus might not be able to understand that, but Agrippa could.
(2) His Plea (26:3b)
Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
Paul did not promise to be brief. The occasion was too important for some hop, skip, and jump approach. The king and the court needed to know the deep issues involved in the gospel message that had caused such a stir among the Jews. Paul therefore pleaded for the king to be patient. In all conscience, the truth of the matter was such as should indeed command the interested attention of the king.
No doubt what we have here in Acts 26 is Luke’s summary of Paul’s actual speech, which in all probability was considerably longer at the time it was given. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary (Ac 26:3a–b). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
FROM MY READING:
THE COMFORTER
It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you. John 16:7
The very office to which the Holy Spirit was appointed is personal. He is described as the Comforter (“another Comforter,” says our Lord in John 14:16), and a comforter is one who stands by our side and helps us. The same word is sometimes translated advocate. So our Lord was saying in effect, “As I have been with you during these three years, as I have taught you and guided you, and as I have sent you out on your missions, I will not leave you comfortless. I am going to send you another Comforter. You must not be troubled; you are not going to be left as orphans.” The Holy Spirit is one who takes the place of our Lord. He is within us to lead us and guide us, and that is why our Lord was even able to say, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you” (John 16:7). Obviously this is a personal office.
Another big proof of the personality of the Holy Spirit is that, according to the teaching of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is susceptible to personal treatment. In other words, we are told that we can do certain things to the Spirit and that He reacts as only a person can react.
First, we are told that the Holy Spirit can be lied to. In the terrible case of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, notice what Peter said: “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”(verse 3). Ananias and Sapphira had declared that they had given everything, but Peter charged them with having lied to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not an influence therefore, not some vague power, but clearly a person. Second, we are told that we can blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32). Third, we see that He can be insulted (Hebrews 10:29). Finally, He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30).
A Thought to Ponder: The Holy Spirit is susceptible to personal treatment.
(From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 14-15, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Genesis 8
The flood waters recede.
INSIGHT
Because the physical world reflects spiritual truth, the resurrection is pictured throughout nature. Man falls asleep at night but awakens in the morning. The earth “dies” each fall, sleeps throughout the winter, but awakens in the spring.
The earth died with the Great Flood, but Noah and his family emerged from the ark to enter a resurrected earth. Death is a fact of nature, but God abundantly pictures to us His promise: He will give us new life after death (John 3:16).
Noah’s response and ours? Worship. (Quiet Walk)
The Holy Spirit’s Ministry: Verifying Our Relationship with Christ
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)
Since it is obvious that we are children of God by the internal ministry of the Holy Spirit to our spirit, then it follows that we are “heirs of God.” Paul states it should be equally obvious that we must be “joint-heirs” with God’s only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus (today’s text).
It is noteworthy that Paul recognizes that one of the sure signs of our relationship with Christ is that “we suffer with him.” Paul warned: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). That was promised by our Brother Himself when He said, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).
But—and here is the great promise—we will “be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). All our present sufferings pale in comparison to “the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). When our Lord Jesus was delivering the simple Beatitudes as He introduced His magnificent Sermon on the Mount, He ended them with the note that we would be persecuted (Matthew 5:11). However, we were to “rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:12). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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