Tag: Acts

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 7  Read: Isaiah 36 Listen: (4:00) Read: Acts 23 Listen: (5:15)

Scripture Focus: Acts 23.6-11

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) 9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Reflection: Chess Or Checkers

By John Tillman

“He’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.”

Some variants of this phrase replace checkers with tiddlywinks, tic-tac-toe, or other games. The point is to imply that the person playing “chess” is operating on a higher level than others playing simpler (or even childish) games.

This metaphor has problems. First, checkers is “simpler” because all pieces move identically, yet is incredibly strategic, requiring similar skills as chess. Second, to compete against an opponent, you must play at the same table, with the same pieces, and by the same rules. Competing while playing different games is nonsensical.

Nevertheless, if there is a New Testament person who operated on a higher strategic level, it is Paul. Paul was the most educated, articulate, and strategic of the apostles. Paul would make a superior chess player, however, one would be unlikely to win against him regardless of whether you played chess, checkers, or tiddlywinks.

In his trial before the Sanhedrin, Paul knew exactly where the fault lines were between the theological factions. When he appealed to his belief in the resurrection, he knew it would divide his opponents. But Paul’s higher goal wasn’t starting a fight. He was strategic about winning an audience to testify to the truth of the gospel.

After Paul was rescued from the violent result of his defensive strategy, Jesus affirmed and encouraged him. He told Paul that his testimony in Jerusalem was needed in Rome.

Paul trusted God’s sovereignty and providence, yet did not passively wait around for God to “do something” in difficult circumstances. He thought several moves ahead. He spoke and acted strategically, both before the Sanhedrin and later before Felix, to participate in the work that the Holy Spirit told him was occurring.

You don’t have to be a chess-level strategic genius for God to use you for the sake of the gospel. However, your gifts, whether intellectual, strategic, artistic, or relational, are means through which you participate in the work God calls us to.

God is the chessmaster, not us. But we aren’t unthinking pieces to be moved. Participate in what God is doing in, through, and around you. Following his lead will move you to protect others and make sacrifices, as Paul did. Ultimately, God assures victory for the gospel, no matter what game we find ourselves playing.

When in doubt, Jesus stands beside us as he did Paul, saying, “Take courage.”

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Yours are the heavens, the earth is also yours; you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it. — Psalm 89.11

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: The Victorious Path of Weakness 

Silence can be powerful. Jesus responded in silence when on trial before his crucifixion, even though insults against his claims of deity were hurled left and right.

From John: A little over six years ago, we published Erin’s first writing for us. We rejoice in all she has added to this ministry by looking back at this post from 2020. Thank you, Erin!

The Victorious Path of Weakness

Read more: Anticipated Surprises

Our enemy anticipates our defeat but God loves turning anticipated losses into unanticipated victories.

Anticipated Surprises — Readers’ Choice

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 3  Read: Isaiah 32 Listen: (2:46) Read: Acts 19 Listen: (5:47)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jul 4  Read: Isaiah 33 Listen: (3:45) Read: Acts 20 Listen: (5:22)
Jul 5  Read: Isaiah 34 Listen: (2:59) Read: Acts 21 Listen: (5:55)

Scripture Focus: Acts 19.8-20

8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Reflection: Friendly and Unfriendly Fields

By John Tillman

Paul took his time in Ephesus. He started in the synagogue, then spoke at a local public space, the hall of Tyrannus. Paul repeated this evangelistic strategy in many cities.

Churches and synagogues today typically have one person speak and everyone else listens. But that doesn’t seem to have been the case in the recorded experiences of Paul and Jesus at New Testament period synagogues.

Synagogues were public spaces where those who worshiped Yahweh gathered. In some places this meant both Jews and “Greeks,” most probably Gentiles (Acts 13.16; 14.1; 17.17). The scriptures would be read, sometimes by a selected visitor, such as when Jesus was asked to read at Capernaum (Luke 4.16-21). Then comment and discussion seem to have been typical, such as when Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13.15) Debates and arguments at synagogues could be intense and occasionally violent. Both Jesus and Paul experienced synagogue crowds attempting to kill them (Luke 4.28-30; Acts 14.1-7, 19-20). Being roasted on Twitter or social media seems mild by comparison.

We don’t know exactly what worship or teaching at synagogues was like. However, New Testament synagogues seem to have been spaces of debate, conversation, and dialogue, in addition to exercising some levels of community/civil authority.

Synagogues were part of Paul’s evangelism strategy. They should have been (and sometimes were) friendly ground. They shared a common language and culture and were predisposed to believe in a Messiah sent by God. Paul just had to convince them that Jesus was that Messiah. But Paul never stopped sharing the gospel just because the ground became unfriendly.

Some Greeks opposed Paul for financial reasons, such as the idol-manufacturing guilds of Ephesus. Some Jews opposed Paul for theological reasons, calling him a blasphemer or heretic. Yet, Paul never became ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1.16) or held back from sharing it in any place he could find an audience.

We have the same responsibility Paul did. We must take the gospel to both friendly and unfriendly audiences. Like Paul, start with those closest to you, with whom you share many common things. Then move to less friendly fields.

The anticipation of opposition should not deter us. The gospel has robust logic, moral reasoning, and explicatory power that can stand the scrutiny of the public square. But do not rely on your own wisdom, but on the power of the Holy Spirit. Even though some will sneer, those with ears will hear.

Resource: Listen to/watch this episode of The Biblical Mind podcast for a deep dive into what scholars know about New Testament era synagogues.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the Lord our God is the Holy One. — Psalm 99.9

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Dethrone the Fool

This chapter in Isaiah is a glimmer of hope. Wicked leaders who oppress the poor, the needy, and the vulnerable will be unmasked.

Dethrone the Fool

Read more: The Gospel Crosses Boundaries and Brings Joy

What boundaries are around you? Race? Culture? Political alignment?…Let the Holy Spirit carry you over boundaries to spread the gospel and bring joy.

The Gospel Crosses Boundaries and Brings Joy

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 30  Read: Isaiah 29 Listen: (3:55) Read: Acts 16 Listen: (5:53)

Scripture Focus: Acts 16.15

15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Reflection: Avoiding Avoidable Offense

By John Tillman

Accommodating to the culture does not include compromising the gospel. The gospel is non-negotiable. Paul consistently defends the gospel, refusing to compromise with sin or affirm sinful behaviors. But he strives to accommodate to the culture of those he is reaching, adjusting his behavior and language. The gospel is offensive and countercultural in its nature, but Paul strives to avoid avoidable offense. 

In the rest of Paul’s ministry, he goes first to a synagogue to teach the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. Here in Phillipi, he goes out to the river to find a “place of prayer” and speaks to a group of women. The word proseuchē, which is translated as “place of prayer,” is occasionally synonymous with a synagogue; however, many commentators believe its usage means there were not enough male Jewish believers to form a synagogue. 

What is unusual about this Jewish gathering is the prominence of Lydia—not only a woman but a non-Jew. In all the other cities they visit, Luke neglects to name the male leaders of synagogues who either welcomed or rejected Paul’s message, but here in Phillipi, Lydia is given special attention. By comparison, later in the chapter, Luke leaves nameless the Philippian jailer who also came to faith “with his entire household” as Lydia did. 

Lydia is also the first person scripture records as being baptized in Paul’s ministry (though we know there were others before her). She is also the first baptized Christ-follower on the European continent. Scripture tells us that after Lydia’s conversion, she “persuaded” Paul and the others to stay with her. The word implies entreaty or compelling someone to do something they would not ordinarily do. Jews would not normally stay in the home of a non-Jew, not even a proselyte believer such as Lydia.

What we see at work here is the continuing development of Paul’s pattern of accommodating himself to different cultures for the sake of spreading the gospel. As Paul set out on this journey, he had Timothy circumcised, so as not to be an offense to Jews as they traveled. This was an accommodation to his intended audience. Paul was opposed to requiring non-Jews to be circumcised. And here, among the most Jewish part of Phillipi’s culture, Paul abandons Jewish customs that he upholds at other times.

Too often, perhaps, we confuse “boldly” proclaiming the gospel with “rudely” proclaiming the gospel. This is a mistake Paul works hard to avoid. May we do the same.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Show your goodness, O Lord, to those who are good and to those who are true of heart. — Psalm 125.4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Cringing at Culture or at Christ?

As we attempt to manifest Christ in our world and to our culture, we must allow the Holy Spirit to bring out in us the fullest picture of who God is.

Cringing at Culture or at Christ?

Read more: Detoured by the Holy Spirit

When following God, we need to be ready and willing to take a detour in unexpected directions.

Detoured by the Holy Spirit

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 29  Read: Isaiah 28 Listen: (4:49) Read: Acts 15 Listen: (5:43)

Scripture Focus: Acts 15.5-11

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” 
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Reflection: Neither Cave Nor Cling to Culture

By John Tillman

It seems silly to have to say it, but…Jesus was Jewish.

One reason we must say it is that, at times in history, the Jewishness of Jesus was de-emphasized or erased to promote anti-Semitism. Another reason we must remember that Jesus was Jewish is in order to understand New Testament controversies.

Jesus and his followers were so Jewish (How Jewish were they?) that many had a hard time imagining anyone following Jesus without first becoming a Jew. Jesus’ followers affirmed that the gospel was for everyone. Some just thought it had the prerequisite of Jewishness.

Don’t you have to become Jewish to follow a Jewish rabbi named Jesus? Don’t you have to be circumcised? Observe Sabbath laws? Food laws? Purity laws? Is Jesus for everyone? 

To some, not upholding circumcision was caving to Greek culture. “If we approve of uncircumcision, what’s next? Eating in idol temples? Sexual immorality? Eating impure foods?”

It’s a valid concern. Accommodating some cultural norms would mean betraying vital truths of our faith. We must look downstream and beware slippery slopes. When addressing a cultural shift, we should rightly ask, “What’s next?”

Caving to culture as it changes is a problem and erodes true faith. Clinging to cultures of the past is also a problem, and poisons our faith with pride, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy. On one hand, we “let go of the commands of God” to hold on to new “human traditions.” On the other hand, we “nullify the word of God by” the traditions we “have handed down.” (Mark 7.8-13)

When the Jerusalem Council struggled with these questions, they set an example for us. They separated essential from non-essential. They separated unchanging commands from cultural traditions.

How? They 1) listened to the Holy Spirit 2) applied the teachings of scripture, and 3) analyzed the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work.

Through Peter’s vision, Paul and Barnabus’ testimony, and James’ application of the scriptures, they realized requiring circumcision would hinder God’s work. Then they carefully and lovingly explained their convictions.

Christian communities engage in this process today. The Holy Spirit will not negate or overturn scripture. If we think he is, the error is our own. In biblical communities, we must check each other, challenge each other, and work to convince each other, all within the security of loving and accepting one another as Christ loved us.

Neither cave nor cling to culture. Cling only to Christ.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Retched Leaders

There is vomit covering the tables…like the aftermath of a fraternity party….Israel’s religious elite…were unfit for their jobs and…a nauseating mess.

Retched Leaders

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