November 18, 2012

“What Prevents Me From Being Baptized?” (11/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 7-8.

Philip met a man from Ethiopia who was returning from worshiping in Jerusalem. This man invited Philip into his chariot to explain the passage he was reading in Isaiah.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him” (Acts 8:35-38).

The eunuch wanted to know what prevented him from being baptized. Though they were on a “desert road” (Acts 8:26), with no local church around, this did not prevent him from being baptized. There was no need to wait for a regular assembly of the saints. There was also no need to wait for a special baptismal service like some denominations have today.
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November 17, 2012

“Uneducated and Untrained Men” (11/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 4-6.

After being arrested, Peter and John found themselves before the Jewish Council. This group included the priests, rulers, elders, and scribes (Acts 4:5-6). Among this group was Annas the high priest and Caiaphas, two who were instrumental in bringing about the death of Jesus; and Gamaliel, a well-respected teacher of the Law (Acts 5:34).

For many, this would have been an intimidating audience to have to address. Yet Peter and John boldly defended the cause of Christ. The members of the Council were surprised at their boldness.

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply” (Acts 4:13-14).

However, Peter and John were not “uneducated and untrained” as the Council members supposed. They had been taught by the Master Teacher. They had been trained by the Son of God. But they did not have a “formal” education and training under a mere human teacher.
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November 16, 2012

“You Acted in Ignorance” (11/16)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 1-3.

After healing a lame man at the gate of the temple, Peter had the opportunity to preach the second gospel sermon recorded in the book of Acts. As he did with the first, he condemned his audience for their part in the death of Christ (Acts 3:14-15). However, he acknowledged that they acted in ignorance.

“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:17-19).

Jesus’ mission was part of God’s “predetermined plan” (Acts 2:23). The Old Law, which the Jews had access to, told them about the coming Christ (John 5:46; Galatians 3:24). Yet they missed the point of these prophecies. Therefore, because they were in ignorance about what God revealed, they rejected Christ.
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November 15, 2012

The Importance of Thankfulness

Bible Thanksgiving

“Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Ephesians 5:20).

The Bible clearly instructs us that we are to be thankful to the Lord for all things. While our society places particular emphasis upon thankfulness during this time of year, we are to be thankful to God at all times.

Why is it important to be thankful? The simplest answer is that the word of God instructs us to be thankful. Therefore, it is important to obey this instruction. Yet there is much more involved in our need to be thankful than just this. The Scriptures give other reasons why thankfulness is important. We will consider a few of these here.
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November 15, 2012

The World Could Not Contain the Books that Would Be Written (11/15)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 24; John 20-21.

The gospels record a relatively brief period in the life of Jesus on the earth. There are many things that Jesus said and did that were not recorded. John, at the end of his gospel, explained that it would not be possible to record everything.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

If the gospels do not contain everything that Jesus said or did on the earth, then why did the gospel writers record what they did? Remember, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles “into all the truth” (John 16:13). So why was it that the Holy Spirit had these men include certain things and omit other things? John gave the answer:
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November 14, 2012

A Lie to Cover Up the Truth (11/14)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 28; Mark 16.

It is not uncommon to hear of government officials lying to cover up the truth about a particular matter. This was done by the chief priests in order to cover up the truth about Jesus’ resurrection.

“Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, ‘You are to say, “His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.” And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.’ And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day” (Matthew 28:11-15).

There are some lessons we can take from this:
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November 13, 2012

What the Thief on the Cross Understood (11/13)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 23; John 18-19.

There are several lessons to be learned from the thief who was crucified next to Jesus. Notice what Luke recorded in his gospel:

“One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:39-43).

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