Chapter Forty-seven:
Acts One - Jesus Ascends to Heaven
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Tuesday, July 14, 2026
THE BOOK OF ACTS #1
Monday, July 13, 2026
HEBREWS CHAPT. 13
Chapter One-hundred-eleven:
Epistle to Hebrews #17
Chapter Thirteen Paul finishes his epistle to Hebrews with many different admonitions. It is obvious he was aware of certain problems and questions within their culture and church groups. When there are problems and questions within any society of people, brotherly LOVE is of paramount importance. If love flavors all aspects of living and conversing then questions and problems take a back seat, a seat where they do not lead to open frictions and party spirit which end in divisions. They are not to forget to entertain STRANGERS, people they have no real knowledge of, or personal contact with on any regular basis. In be-friending such people as time and circumstances dictate, some, he says, have entertained ANGELS unaware that they were angels. As we move about in our society, as we take holidays in different parts of our country or, as is so easy today, different parts of the world, we as Christians need to remember that it is possible that some of the people we meet may be angels. This should give us a mental outlook on life and our mingling with strangers that leads to a deep attitude of friendliness, respect, politeness, and service. When you are among strangers in your own land or another land, keep in mind, you may never know when some you meet are really angels - unaware, unknown by you. We are to remember those, who for the Christian cause, may be in prison or suffering great adversity. Yes, even today in this 21st century, there are some parts of the world that you suffer mightily and are even physically abused, or put in chains and cast into prison. It can be very hard for us in the Western world where religious freedom is an everyday part of our lives, to imagine and realize that this is not the case in some countries of the world. Pray that God will encourage and give enduring strength to those who do not have the religious freedom that we may have. It would seem there were question among the Hebrews concerning marriage and sex. It may have been possible some thought Christians should not marry, or that being married it was not sin to have other sexual partners beside your wife or husband. Paul answers straightforwardly that marriage is HONORABLE, and sexual relations is good and undefiled, but the sexual immoral and those practicing sexual relations with others other than their mates, would face the judgment of God. In other words sexual relations with others other than your mate is not Christian, such a sexual practice would be judged as sin by God. Christians are to learn to be CONTENT people with what God has given them at any particular stage of life. No matter what our situation in life may be, in hardships, in trials, in relative peace, in prosperity, whatever physical things we have or do not have, we need to be in an attitude of a content mind. We need to always keep in mind that God is with us under all situations of our lives. Paul certainly experienced many different variations in his physical life, sometimes in plenty and sometimes in want and need. Sometimes he had relative calm and peace as he worked spreading the Gospel, and sometimes he had persecutions, beatings, stoning, and imprisonment. We read some of that in Philippians chapter four. We can see much more of the ups and downs Paul went through in the book of Acts. Paul learnt to be content through it all, and so should we. God will be with us, so then we shall be able to say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (verses 1-6). The Hebrews (and so all of us likewise) are told to remember those who have the rule over us in our spiritual lives. The margin of the KJV says "are the guides" - that is the better way to translate the Greek. The SHEPHERDS of the flock of God - the ministers of the Church of God - are the GUIDES, they are the ones who should set the lead, be examples to the flock as Peter put it (1 Peter 5:1-5). They are to be HUMBLE, with all and to all, they are to be patient, kind, loving, giving, and just simply like Jesus Christ, serving and living as He lived and served others. The true ministers of God are not to have the attitude of mind and way of life that makes them and everyone around them know they are some kind of BIG CHEESE, the real CAT'S MEOW, the KING-PIN. They are not to be VAIN or BOMBASTIC. They ARE to set THE EXAMPLE of what Jesus lived and acted like, and with all that Jesus was given from the Father, He was humble, He was a servant, He was kind and loving and gentle. Yes, now and again, He had to get tough, and call a spade a spade, but He also knew WHEN and HOW and to WHOM such straight talk needed to be given. The vast majority of His life was lived in humbleness, kindness, and loving service. When God's true ministers live as they should in being the guides of the flock of God, then all others in the flock are to remember, consider, and follow their faith and manner of conduct of life. For they then emulate Jesus Christ, who in such conduct and character of life is the SAME, YESTERDAY, AND TO DAY, AND FOR EVER (verses 7,8). I have seen this verse 8, MIS-applied so often and in so many ways, as used by some to say this or that teaching or doctrine of the Old Testament is still in force today. Verses 7 and 8 have NOTHING to do per se with "doctrine" - they have all to do with CHARACTER, HOLINESS, CONDUCT. No matter what age, dispensation, era, time frame, of this world and mankind on it, God the Father and Jesus the Christ, are in CHARACTER and HOLINESS and CONDUCT, the SAME. They are ALWAYS PERFECT IN JUDGMENT, HONEST, FAIR, HOLY, LOVING, KIND, MERCIFUL, SLOW TO ANGER, RIGHTEOUS IN CONDUCT. These verses have to do with HOLY CONDUCT OF CHARACTER, and nothing as such with "doctrine." To prove things about this or that law of God under the Old Testament and the New Testament, you must use a whole set of other criterion and Biblical principles and correct Scriptural reading. Verses 7 and 8 have to do with HOLY CONDUCT of CHARACTER. When a minister of God is following that character of Jesus Christ, then all other Christians should take note, and follow their same faith and conduct, as they all then follow Jesus, who in conduct and character is indeed the same, yesterday, today, and for ever. Paul warns against being driven about, tossed up and down, with different and STRANGE doctrines. I give emphasis to the word "strange" as the main thought is on strange doctrines outside the Christian faith, and maybe inside it. To be sure there will be some, even many, outside Christianity who think many of our Christian doctrines are "strange" - that is to be expected. The Christian truths of God are not hard to find as such. It will take a little effort, you will have to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, you will have to put Scripture with Scripture, you will have to be willing to search the Scriptures as Jesus once told the Pharisees of His day to do. But the basic doctrines of God can be found. The simplicity of Christ, as Paul once termed it, can be simple. Oh, yes, you will have to become like a little child as Jesus once proclaimed to enter the Kingdom of God, but little children can read the bible, they can find the basic simple truths of God. I personally know this to be true, by reading the Bible from age 6. Over a 12 year period, from age 6 to 18, I came to understand many of the basic doctrines of God. Once you have those basics then you will not be carried off, thrown over-board, tossed here and there by many different and strange doctrines of men, who come to you either from within Christianity or from without Christianity. Our hearts and minds can be established, founded, on the solid rock of the relative simple truths of God as found in His word. And we then need not waste our time and energy on some of the complicated ideas and philosophies of the complicated and mixed-up minds of men and women who come claiming "I have the light" when in fact they have heavy meat-ball ideas of darkness. Paul now goes back to the physical Temple and physical human priesthood of that Temple in Jerusalem (verses 10-14). Those who still ONLY believe in that Temple, that Old Testament Covenant shall we say, those who have not had their minds opened to the true sacrifice of God in Christ Jesus. They cannot partake of the true heavenly altar. In the physical, was the type of burning the bodies of the beasts outside the city wall of Jerusalem. So the type became the reality - Jesus as the true sacrifice, was killed, had His blood shed on the cross, outside the city walls. We Christians are to go outside the physical type, outside the physical city of Jerusalem and the physical Temple contained therein. We are to take the reproach of Christ, bear His burden if needs be, take the mocking, the persecutions, the reproach that was His, and go forth looking towards another city, the true city of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, that is yet to come to earth (Revelation 21,22). It must have been hard for some Hebrews to follow in the steps of Christ. They no doubt had great opposition from family members, the Jewish priesthood, and other Hebrew neighbors who would have ridiculed them, scorned them, laughed at them, and reproached them just as they had done to Christ Himself. Christians were to look BEYOND all the physical - look to the eternal FUTURE and eternal LIFE in the heavenly city of God, look towards living forever in the Kingdom of God. So with all this in mind, we are to offer to God the sacrifice of PRAISE, giving THANKS to him at all times. We can do this many times a day, as we walk about, work at our jobs, play our sports. It is just a second or two to praise God in our minds or with our lips, to praise Him for all we have, for all we can see, or do. There are hundreds of things each day that we have been given each day. As we mingle among them all, as we move and converse within all we have each day, we can often say "Thank you Lord." It is somewhat of a mind-set we must teach ourselves to be in, appreciating all the time what God has given us. Whatever your circle of life you can find ways to do good and to serve others, and to communicate with others about God and Christ and their desires for us in using our lives to give back to others from the many things God has given us (verse 16). Paul goes back again to the relationship of the shepherds over the flock - the ministers over the Church of God. A verse that some today do not want to hear, is verse 17. There is to be a certain "obey them that have the rule or guide over you." The ones guiding the flock are to be submitted to at times. Because this has been abused by some leaders of Christian groups (who really were leading as to make their group into a cult) many do not understand this verse. When you put this verse in the context of the WHOLE New Testament on the subject of Church Government, it is clear that Paul is not talking about having a BLIND FAITH - making leaders into little Hollywood Stars - obey their every whim and fancy - allowing them to become little dictators over people. An example I hope will illustrate and give the meaning of this verse. I was pastoring a small group in the Toronto area of Canada in the 80s. I baptized (after some in-depth council) a young man, about age 20 at the time. It is impossible to know everything about a person or their lives when you do not live with them on a daily basis. This young man had kept from everyone a dark secret we may say. Even his best friend at the time (whom I also baptized) did not know this secret. It was only after about a year after both young men were baptized that the one young man (the first I mentioned) revealed to the other young man, that he was a homosexual. The young man finally came to me to talk about his problem with homosexuality. We talked for about 3 hours. He revealed to me he had some practicing homosexual friends, and had had them for a few years. He also revealed to me that he was thinking of moving into the city of Toronto. Now, many of you may not know that Toronto is second on the list behind San Francisco in homosexual population in North America. He indicated to me he was interested in putting away homosexuality in his life. After all he told me, I said that if he really wanted to overcome and put away homosexuality from his life, he would have to do TWO THINGS for sure. I told him he would have to PUT AWAY having any friends that were practicing homosexuals, and that he should NOT move into the city of Toronto. I gave this young man TWO areas of life that he should obey me on, if he was going to put away homosexuality from his life. I was giving instructions on a VERY SERIOUS matter - a spiritual life and death matter. There are times when a minister needs to be obeyed in what he tells people to do to put away sin. A true minister of God is watching out, looking out for, the lives of the people of God. A minister of God will have to give account one day. He wants to do it with joy not with grief and sorrow, for giving account with grief and sorrow means it is unprofitable for you, the one needing help to put away sin. Sad to say the young man did NOT listen to me. He moved into Toronto, and we never heard from him again. I can only hope and pray that in the years from then to now, he has recalled what I told him to do, if he was going to put away that sin from his life. Paul wanted all the Hebrews to pray for him and his helpers with him, that they would lead an honest life in good conscience. He wanted to be restored to them the sooner. What this exactly meant is unknown today. Was he physically apart from them and wanted to be in their midst? Was he spiritually apart from them and so wanted this epistle to mend that gap? Probably it was a combination of both. Whatever the specifics of it, he wanted to once more be restored to them the sooner (verses 18-19). He finishes this epistle with these words: "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for i have written a letter unto you in few words. Know you that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; to whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints, They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen" ............................................. Written April 2007 So we end our commentary on the 14 epistles of Paul. What wonderful inspiration they hold. What glorious revelations and truths of the Most High they contain. Yes, as the apostle Peter said, some of the writings of Paul are hard to understand, by those who wrest the words of God, to their own destruction. For those who know the Scriptures do not contradict each other, for those who know there is unity in all the words of God, for those who will search the Scriptures, who will study to show themselves approved to God, and so correctly putting verse with verse, there is wonderful and eternal salvation to be found. We shall now continue with what has been called the "general epistles" - the letters of James, Peter, John and Jude, and see the magnificent truths they contain. |
Sunday, July 12, 2026
HEBREWS CHAPT. 12
Chapter One-hundred-nine:
Epistle to Hebrews #16
Chapter Twelve With so many fine examples recorded for us of what is true living faith, we are admonished by Paul to lay aside all burdens and sin that can easily trip us up. We are to run our Christian race of life with enduring patience. We are to look to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. This sentence also proves that only Jesus of all humans has ever gained immortal life. Enoch, Moses, Elijah, have not yet gained it, no one but Christ has moved from human life to glorified eternal life. Jesus looked to the finish line also, what was at the end of this human life. In so looking He was able to endure to the end, endure through persecutions, the shame, the trials of life, the ridicule of others, the rejection by the masses, and the agony of the cross. Enduring, He was given the place of sitting on the right hand of God the Father. We are to consider all that Jesus went through, and so we shall not be wearied and we will not faint in our minds (verses 1-3). For most of us we need to remember that we have not had to resist evil in our Christian walk, unto blood and death, as we strive against sin. Yes, many of us have trials, tests, and hardships at times. Many of us have had the correction and chastening of the Lord. Paul tells us that such is often part of being a child of God. Whom the Lord loves, does receive correction if needed. If we appreciate that correction, then God works with us as His child. A father will naturally correct his child if and when the child needs to be corrected. This is the way of the natural life of the human family, and so it is with the heavenly Father and his children. If we never get corrected by the Father, then it is in doubt that we are really a child of His. It is the general and natural way of mankind that a son receiving correction gives honor and respect to his father. So we as the child of God, must honor and respect our heavenly Father; in so doing we shall reap life, not only a better life here and now but even more importantly, eternal life in the future. God chastens us for our ultimate profit, that we might partake of His holiness and perfectness. Chastening is not pleasant during the time of being corrected and chastened, it is not joyful per se, but it does hurt and seems somewhat grievous, nevertheless, afterwards it does bring forth fruits of peace and righteousness, unto those who are willing to be guided and taught and who will move forward in the pathway that loving correction gives (verses 4-11). I cannot give too much emphasis on this passage of Scripture. In Christian circles, much emphasis is given to grace, to mercy, to love, even to serving others. All of that is indeed the bedrock of true Christianity. But a part of that bedrock is also having a mind-set that is willing to be corrected, to be guided into all truth, to admit error, to admit when proven, that you are wrong about this or about that. A part of Christian bedrock faith is to LOVE THE TRUTH, to hunger and thirst after righteousness. I am sorry to say but in all my years in the Christian faith since I was introduced to it at the age of 7, I have found few who exhibit this. Most I have found are closed minded, do not study as they should, to show themselves approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed. Most just want to sit in their comfortable pew. Most do not want their boat rocked, they do not want to be challenged. Most do not want to admit their church teaching could be wrong, is wrong, or they just want to continue to have their church as a social club |
HEBREWS CHAPT. 11 #2
Chapter One-hundred-eight:
Epistle to Hebrews #15
Chapter 11 - Faith - continued Noah sure had to have faith. God told him there would be 120 years for his society to repent and mend their ways. Sometime during that time. Noah was told to build an Ark for the saving of his wife, three sons and their wives, and the animals God would bring to him.
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Saturday, July 11, 2026
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