Acts 8

Introduction of Saul [Apostle Paul] verse 1- 3

And Saul was consenting unto his death and at that time

there was a great persecution against the church which

was at Jerusalem

And they were all scattered abroad throughout the

regions of Judea and Samaria – EXCEPT the apostles

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial

and made great lamentation over him

As for Saul – he made havoc of the church – entering into EVERY HOUSE

and haling men and women committed them to prison

Church scattered verse 4- 8

THEREFORE they that were scattered abroad went everywhere

PREACHING THE WORD

THEN Philip went down to the city of Samaria

and PREACHED Christ to them

and the people with ONE ACCORD gave heed to those

things which Philip spoke

hearing and seeing the miracles which he did

FOR unclean spirits – crying with loud voice

came out of many that were possessed with them

and many taken with palsies

and that were lame – were healed

And there was great JOY in that city

Simon the sorcerer: Conversion verse 9- 1 3

BUT there was a certain man – called Simon

which beforetime in the same city used sorcery

and bewitched the people of Samaria

giving out that himself was some great one

to whom they all gave heed

from the least to the greatest – saying

This man is the great power of God

And to him they had regard

because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries

BUT when they believed Philip PREACHING the things concerning the

kingdom of God – and the name of Jesus Christ

they were baptized – both men and women

THEN Simon himself believed also – and when he was baptized

he continued with Philip – and wondered

beholding the miracles and signs which were done

Simon the sorcerer: Sin verse 14- 19

Now when the apostles which were in Jerusalem heard that Samaria

had received the word of God – they sent unto them Peter and John

who – when they were come down – prayed for them

that they might receive the Holy Ghost

(for as yet HE was fallen upon none of them – only

they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus)

Then laid they their hands on them – and they received the Holy Ghost

and when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given – he offered them money – saying

Give me also this power

that on whomsoever I lay hands

he will receive the Holy Ghost

Simon the sorcerer: Confronted by Peter verse 20- 24

BUT Peter said to him

Your money perish with you

BECAUSE you have thought that the gift of God may

be purchased with money

You have neither part nor lot in this matter

for your heart is not right in the sight of God

REPENT therefore of this your wickedness – and PRAY God

IF perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you

FOR I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness

and in the bond of iniquity

THEN answered Simon and said

PRAY you to the Lord for me that none of these things

which you have spoken come upon me

Samaritans here the Gospel verse 25

AND they – when they had testified and PREACHED

the word of the Lord returned to Jerusalem

and PREACHED the gospel in many

villages of the Samaritans

Philip and Ethiopian eunuch verse 26- 38

AND the angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip – saying

Arise – go toward the south

unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza

which is desert

AND he arose and went – and behold

a man of Ethiopia – an eunuch of great authority under Candace

queen of the Ethiopians – who had the charge of all her treasure

and had come to Jerusalem to worship – was returning

and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet

THEN the Spirit said to Philip

Go near – join yourself to this chariot

and Philip ran thither to him

and heard him read the prophet Isaiah

and said – Understand you what you read?

AND he said – How can I – except some man should guide me?

and he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him

The place of the Scripture which he read was this

HE was led as a sheep to the slaughter

and like a lamb dumb before his shearer

so opened HE opened not HIS mouth

In HIS humiliation HIS judgment was taken away

and who shall declare HIS generation?

FOR HIS life is taken from the earth

AND the eunuch answered Philip – and said

I pray you – of WHOM speaks the prophet this?

of himself or of some other man?

THEN Philip opened his mouth – and began at the same Scripture

and PREACHED to him Jesus

AND as they went on their way – they came unto a certain water

and the eunuch said – See – here is water

What does hinder me to be baptized?

AND Philip said

IF you believe with all thine heart – you may

AND he answered and said

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

AND he commanded the chariot to stand still

and they went down both into the water – both Philip and the eunuch

and he baptized him

Philip preaching in Azotus verse 39- 40

And when they were come up out of the water

the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip

that the eunuch saw him no more

and he want on his way REJOICING

BUT Philip was found at Azotus

and passing through he PREACHED in all the cities

till he came to Caesarea

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. (1289 “scattered” [diaspeiro] means disperse, to sow throughout, to spread about, or distribute in foreign lands)

DEVOTION: The church was seeing a lot of growth in Jerusalem. The people were working with the apostles to reach people throughout the city. They were organizing the church to have leaders who would make sure the widows were cared for and none were neglected. The people were selling their possessions to help each other out with money and food. There was a unity of service.

However, God had assigned the disciples to reach the world not just the city of Jerusalem. So what happened?

The Jewish leaders gave Saul who would become Paul after his conversion to arrest all those who were followers of Jesus Christ. Saul when about the city of Jerusalem persecuting believers. He was causing havoc in the people. He would go into individual houses and arrest them.

So we find that the LORD used this persecution to cause the church to move out into other areas and cause people to hear the gospel. Many of those who heard the gospel became believers.

Notice that everyone when out preaching the word of God. They knew the basics of the faith and shared those basics with everyone they met. It caused the church to grow.

In many countries in our world those who are believers in Jesus Christ are persecuted for their belief. Many are put in prison. Many are killed. Many lose all of their possessions. Churches are being burned.

So we find that there is what is called the underground church meeting in many of these nations. What would happen if it became illegal to spread the gospel in this country?

What would we do? It is getting to the point where some people in our government consider Christians to be terrorists because they don’t agree with what the government is trying to do regarding what the Bible calls sin.

They think that Christians are radical in their beliefs regarding other religions. They are radical regarding sexual issues. They are radical regarding freedom of speech. They are radical in their witness for the LORD. They will go to other religious festivals and tell others about the truth of the Word of God.

The world we live in thinks that Christians are not tolerant. It seems they have it backwards. Christian allow others to state their beliefs but when they do it they think it is wrong to think that there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ.

CHALLENGE: What are we to do? We are to continue spreading the good news of the Gospel to everyone who will listen. We are not to be silent.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 20 But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchase with money. (3543 “thought” [nomizo] means own as a custom or usage, suppose, to think or believe (something) without being fully settled in mind or opinion, consider, or presume)

DEVOTION: Simon was a new convert to Christianity. He had been a sorcerer. He had fooled the people into thinking he had power from God. He was very popular before the people became followers of Jesus Christ.

He made a decision to become a follower of Christ. He watched the apostles come from Jerusalem and lay hands on people who then received the Holy Spirit. He wanted to have the power of the apostles.

He offered them money to give him the gift. He didn’t realize that the gift was only given to the apostles to start the church. Once the Holy Spirit came on those who were believers they didn’t need anything else to help them live the Christian life.

Peter confronted Simon for his sinful behavior. He wanted power more than he wanted to yield to the LORD. He thought he could still be a powerful man in the eyes of the people if he could do what the apostles did.

Peter told him to repent of his actions. His motives were wrong. It was a sin. He was thinking wrong. He was thinking he could become famous. He didn’t want to just be a common Christian. He wanted to skip the growth process that all believers went through to become good followers of Jesus.

Too often we want to skip steps of growth to become mature believer who can lead instead of follow other leaders. Growth in the LORD is a process.

We move from being a baby in the LORD to becoming a young person in the LORD and then finally we become mature believers in the LORD.

CHALLENGE: It takes a lifetime of learning to mature to Christ-likeness. That should be our goal.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (3594 “guide” [hodegeo] means to show the way, teach, lead, explain, or guide in learning)

DEVOTION: This chapter tells of the persecution of the church that caused the people to scatter from Jerusalem. The only ones who didn’t leave Jerusalem were the apostles.

One of those who were scattered was the deacon Philip. He went into Samaria. Remember that this was a group of people who were a mix of Jews and Gentiles, that the Jews didn’t have dealing with because of their mixed marriages.

Philip preached and they believe. They believed in the kingdom of God. They believed on the name of Jesus Christ. They were baptized. Along came Peter and John from Jerusalem to pray for this group of believers to receive the Holy Ghost. Peter and John laid hands on the people and they received the Holy Ghost.

Then Philip was led of the Holy Spirit into the desert. He was lead by a messenger of the LORD. The eunuch was reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked if he understood what he was reading. This comment was his reply. He knew that he needed more instruction in what this passage meant. He was willing to learn more. Many people would have just read it and gone on. They would have been satisfied in their ignorance. This man wanted to learn more. The Holy Spirit knew that he needed an instructor and Philip was that man.

Today we need to realize that many people are reading the Bible but they don’t understand what they are reading. They need someone to show them the way to understand. Yes, the Holy Spirit can teach them but HE uses human beings to teach the truth of the Word of God. Most of us depend on our pastor to help us understand the Word of God. Some look to books or radio preachers or television preachers but it is hard to ask questions of any of these sources.

Every Christian needs to learn. The problem is that many pastors are just feeding their people crumbs from the Word of God instead of the milk and meat of the Word. The eunuch needed the milk of the Word to understand his need for salvation. The Gospel is the milk of the Word of God.

The people in Biblical churches need both the milk and the meat, so that, they can lead people to the Lord and they can grow themselves. Are we training our people to lead individuals into the kingdom of God? Are we training our people to grow, so that, they are not murmuring and complaining but encouraging one another each day? The church is not dead, but some local churches are dying because of a lack of good Biblical teaching. Many in these church are satisfied in their ignorance of the Word of God. They want to leave all the preaching and soul winning to the pastor. That is not what the Bible teaches. Every Christian is to be preaching the Word of God to those in their world. Every Christian should be able to teach those who ask questions what the Bible means. Not their opinion but “thus says the Word of God.” Preach the Word!!!!

CHALLENGE: Don’t always look to the preacher for winning your friends and family to the LORD. Learn the Word and spread it yourself.

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: 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more and he went on his way rejoicing. (726 “caught away” [harpazo] means take away, seize, snatch away, to grasp hastily or eagerly, plunder, gain control over, to carry off, or pluck)

DEVOTION: The leading of the Holy Spirit is evident in the church at the beginning. The Holy Spirit guided Philip in his ministry. Philip was one of the first seven deacons picked by the members of the church in Jerusalem to help with the feeding of the widows.

Both Stephen and Philip were used of the LORD in a greater capacity once they were willing to be servants to others. They moved on to preaching the Word of God to others. Stephen was killed for confronting the religious leaders with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Philip was told by the LORD to go to witness to an Ethiopian eunuch after having a revival in Samaria. It must have been hard to go from a revival into the wilderness to witness to this man. But he was willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life.

Once the eunuch was a believer and baptized, the Holy Spirit led Philip away to another ministry. He was never allowed to stay in one place too long. He had the ministry of an evangelist. He was to go wherever the LORD led to win others to Christ.

The eunuch rejoiced in his new salvation. Philip continued to travel to reach others for Christ. He preached in all the cities he entered. He left behind many who loved their new life in Christ.

We have to be willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our daily life. Each person who is a believer is a witness for the LORD. They are either a good witness or a poor witness. With the Holy Spirit we can be good witnesses for the LORD.

CHALLENGE: If we fail, HE will forgive us and use us again if we are willing servants. Are we being willing servants for the LORD?

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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)

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God verse 37

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Peter and John prayed for give of Holy Ghost verse 15

Peter tells Simon to pray verse 22

Simon asks Peter to pray for him verse 24

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Preached verse 4, 5, 12, 25, 35, 40

Preaching the word verse 4

Preached Christ verse 5

Preached concerning the kingdom of God verse 12

Preached the word of the Lord verse 25

Worship verse 27

Preached Jesus verse 35

Preached in all the cities verse 40

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Preaching the Word verse 4

Word of God verse 14

Word of the Lord verse 25

Isaiah the prophet verse 28, 30

Scripture verse 32, 35

Quote of Isaiah verse 32- 33

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

God verse 10, 12, 20- 22

Kingdom of God verse 12

Holy Ghost is gift of God verse 20

Sight of God verse 21

Pray to God verse 22

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Christ verse 5, 12

Preached Christ verse 5

Jesus verse 12, 16, 35

Jesus Christ verse 12, 37

Baptized in name of Jesus Christ verse 12

Lord verse 16, 24- 26

Lord Jesus verse 16

Description of Christ verse 32, 33

Son of God verse 37

Jesus Christ is the Son of God verse 37

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Holy Ghost verse 15, 17- 19

Spirit verse 29, 39

Spirit speaks to Philip verse 29

Spirit of the Lord verse 39

Spirit of the Lord leads Philip verse 39

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Unclean spirit – evil angels verse 7

Angel of the Lord verse 26

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Samaria verse 5- 25

Man of Ethiopia verse 27- 39

Candace – queen of the Ethiopians verse 27

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Killing of Stephen verse 1

Persecution of church verse 1

Causing havoc verse 3

Putting believers in prison verse 3

Sorcery verse 9, 11

Bewitched people verse 9, 11

Offering money for gift of Holy Spirit verse 18- 20

Heart not right verse 21, 22

Wickedness verse 22

Gall of bitterness verse 23

Bond of iniquity verse 23

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Devout verse 2

Lamentation verse 2

Preaching verse 4, 5, 25, 40

One accord verse 6

Miracles verse 6, 13

Healing verse 7

Joy verse 8, 39

Believed verse 12, 13, 37

Baptized verse 12, 13, 16, 36, 38

Signs verse 13

Prayer verse 15, 22, 24

Received Holy Ghost verse 15, 17

Repent verse 22

Forgiven verse 22

Testified verse 25

Angel of the LORD leading verse 26

Spirit leading verse 29, 39

Guiding others in understanding of Word verse 31, 35

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Jerusalem verse 1, 14, 25- 27

Judaea verse 1

Gaza verse 26

Church (New Testament people of God)

Saul verse 1, 3

Persecution of church verse 1

Church scattered verse 1, 3, 4

Apostles verse 1, 14, 18

Stephen the deacon verse 2

Havoc of the church verse 3

Prison verse 3

Preaching the word verse 4, 12, 25, 35, 40

Philip the deacon verse 5- 8, 26- 40

Christ preached in Samaria verse 5

Miracles verse 6, 13

Healing verse 7

Simon verse 9, 13, 18, 24

Baptized verse 12, 13

Peter verse 14, 20

John verse 14

Laying on of hands verse 17, 18

Follow leading of the Holy Spirit verse 29

Azotus verse 40

Caesarea verse 40

Last Things (Future Events)

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QUOTES regarding passage

The temporal separation of the baptism of the Spirit from commitment to Jesus and water baptism in this passage has been of paramount and perennial theological interest to many. Catholic sacramentalists take this as a biblical basis for the separation between baptism and confirmation. Charismatics of various denominational persuasions see in it a justification for their doctrine of the baptism of the Spirit as a second work of grace following conversion. But before making too much of this separation theologically, it is well, as we have noted earlier (cf. comments on 2:38), to look at the circumstances and ask what may seem an elementary question, yet one of immense importance: What if both the logical and the chronological relationships of conversion, water baptism, and the baptism of the Spirit as proclaimed in Peter’s call to repentance at Pentecost (cf. 2:38; see also Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 6:11) had been fully expressed in this case?

The Jerusalem Jews considered the Samaritans to be second-class residents of Palestine and kept them at arm’s length religiously. And on their part, the Samaritans returned the compliment. It is not too difficult to imagine what would have happened had the apostles at Jerusalem first been the missioners to Samaria. Probably they would have been rebuffed, just as they were rebuffed earlier in their travels with Jesus when the Samaritans associated them with the city of Jerusalem (cf. Luke 9:51–56). But God in his providence used as their evangelist the Hellenist Philip, who shared their fate (though for different reasons) of being rejected at Jerusalem; and the Samaritans received him and accepted his message. But what if the Spirit had come upon them at their baptism when administrated by Philip? Undoubtedly what feelings there were against Philip and the Hellenists would have carried over to them, and they would have been doubly under suspicion. But God in his providence withheld the gift of the Holy Spirit till Peter and John laid their hands on the Samaritans—Peter and John, two leading apostles who were highly thought of in the mother church at Jerusalem and who would have been accepted at that time as brothers in Christ by the new converts in Samaria. In effect, therefore, in this first advance of the gospel outside the confines of Jerusalem, God worked in ways that were conducive not only to the reception of the Good News in Samaria but also to the acceptance of these new converts by believers at Jerusalem. (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. 359). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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8:14–17. It was necessary for the apostles in Jerusalem to commission Peter and John to Samaria for several reasons. Normally the Holy Spirit baptizes, indwells, and seals at the moment of faith, but in this instance the delay served several purposes: (1) Peter and John’s prayer (for bestowing of the Holy Spirit) and their laying on of hands (resulting in the coming of the Spirit) confirmed Philip’s ministry among the Samaritans. This authenticated this new work to the Jerusalem apostles. (2) Also this confirmed Philip’s ministry to the Samaritans. This message Philip had preached was validated by the coming of the Spirit, a mark of the coming kingdom (cf. v. 12; Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 36:23–27; Joel 2:28–32). (3) Perhaps the most important aspect of God’s withholding the Spirit till apostolic representatives came from the Jerusalem church was to prevent schism. Because of the natural propensity of division between Jews and Samaritans it was essential for Peter and John to welcome the Samaritan believers officially into the church. The contrast between John’s attitude here and in Luke 9:52–54 is significant. (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. 373). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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It is important to note that the Samaritans did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when they believed. It was necessary for two of the Apostles, Peter and John, to come from Jerusalem, put their hands on the converts, and impart to them the gift of the Spirit. Why? Because God wanted to unite the Samaritan believers with the original Jewish church in Jerusalem. He did not want two churches that would perpetuate the division and conflict that had existed for centuries. Jesus had given Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:13–20), which meant that Peter had the privilege of “opening the door of faith” to others. He opened the door to the Jews at Pentecost, and now he opened the door to the Samaritans. Later, he would open the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 10). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 435–436). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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8:16 not yet fallen upon any of them. This verse does not support the false notion that Christians receive the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation. This was a transitional period in which confirmation by the apostles was necessary to verify the inclusion of a new group of people into the church. Because of the animosity that existed between Jews and Samaritans, it was essential for the Samaritans to receive the Spirit, in the presence of the leaders of the Jerusalem church, for the purpose of maintaining a unified church. The delay also revealed the Samaritans’ need to come under apostolic authority. The same transitional event occurred when the Gentiles were added to the church (10:44–46; cf. 15:6–12; 19:6). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ac 8:16). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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Ver. 16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them, &c.] They had received him as a spirit of illumination and sanctification, and as a spirit of conversion and faith; they had been regenerated, enlightened, and sanctified by him; and were converted by him, and brought to believe in Christ, and live by faith upon him; they were baptized believers, and no more; as yet, none of them had gifts qualifying them for the ministry; and still less could any of them speak with tongues, or prophesy, or work miracles; the Holy Ghost had not yet descended on them for such purposes: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus;) all as yet appeared in them was, that they were believers in Christ, and had been baptized in his name, upon a profession of their faith; and more than this they had been called to, or qualified for: the word only, does not respect the form of baptism, as if they had been baptized only in the name of Christ; whereas they were doubtless baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; but refers to baptism itself, which was the only ordinance as yet administered to them. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 213–214). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING:

Does the Holy Spirit come through laying on hands? Does the Holy Spirit come subsequent to salvation? No. This was a unique incident that accomplished three things. First, it served as a reminder to the Samaritans that “salvation is from the Jews” (John 4: 22). Further, it showed the Jews that Samaritans also receive the Holy Spirit. Finally, it prevented a schism of the church, into a “Samaritan church” and a “Jewish church.” (May 18, Living The New Testament by Paul Enns)

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The distinctiveness of the character of the church as the body of Christ is twofold. It is distinct because of who are included within that body (i.e., Jews and Gentiles as fellow heirs(, and it is distinct because of the new relationships of being in Christ and of Christ’s indwelling the members of the body. Both of these distinctives are unique with church and were not known or experienced by God’s people in the Old Testament times or even during the earthly lifetime of our Lord. Speaking of the new relationship that would begin with the Day of Pentecost, our Lord said just before HIS crucifixion, “In that day [after Pentecost] you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:20) (Dispensationalism by Chares C. Ryrie)

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GOD’S WORK IN US
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13
I have the assurance that if God’s work in me has begun, the work will end. I “know” that if I have eternal life, I shall stand one day faultless and blameless, without spot and blemish, in the presence of God’s glory. So as I meet temptation and sin in this world, I realize that I am not left to myself. I cease to feel helpless and frustrated.I say, “If God is in me, if God has destined me for that, then He will come and hold me though all hell and the devils be opposed to me.” That was the mighty argument of a man like Martin Luther.It was because he knew he had eternal life that he could defy all those enemies the way he did, and all those who have this hope in them can say the same thing.
And were this world all devils o’er
And watching to devour us,
We lay it not to heart so sore;
Nor they can overpower us.
If we have eternal life and know that we have it, we know that God’s work in our souls will be carried on until it ends in ultimate perfection and glory. As Paul puts it in that mighty bit of logic in the middle of the eighth chapter of Romans, “Whom he called, them he also justified; and whom”—you see the jump—“he justified, them he also glorified.” If He starts, He will finish; so if the life is in me, I can be certain of the glory. Far from presuming on that in order to sin, while I am in this life and world I rather say with John, “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure”
(1 John 3:3).
A Thought to Ponder: God’s work in our souls will be carried on until it ends in ultimate perfection and glory.

(From Life in God pp. 111-112, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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Zechariah’s Visions: The Ephah and the Women
“Then the angel that talked with me . . . said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.” (Zechariah 5:5-7)
The ephah is a volume measure, similar to a bushel basket (Leviticus 19:36). The woman inside is defined as “wickedness” (Zechariah 5:8). The ephah is lead-sealed (contained) by God Himself and is taken (while contained) to Shinar by two women with wings like a stork (Zechariah 5:9-11).
These two women are difficult to identify. It is possible that they are Aholah and Aholibah described in Ezekiel 23, with Aholah representing Samaria as an adulteress with Assyria and Aholibah substituting for Jerusalem as the adulterous wife of Jehovah. It is also possible that these two women could represent Israel and later the church involvement with the worldly system of Babylon. In either case, these two women enable “wickedness” to be brought to Shinar and allow Babylon to be “established” (Zechariah 5:11). The New Testament counterpart of these events is probably the decadent woman pictured in Revelation 17.
This segment of Zechariah’s visions seems to set the stage for God’s harvest. There is the vision of the scroll of judgment impacting the entire earth; then this basket of “wickedness” that resembles conditions “through all the earth.” And lastly the house in the land of Shinar that is “established” before the four chariots (Zechariah 6) begin their final work. While these prophecies are not pleasant to anticipate, God “hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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