Tag: baptism

Learning from Philip

Joshua 19-20

Psalm 37

*Acts 8

-Devotion by Stephanie Fletcher (MN)


There is a lot going on in this chapter, but I am going to focus on the last section of Philip and the Eunuch. There are 3 main things that stick out to me reading through this story that I want to share some thoughts on.


First is how open Philip is to hearing the voice of God and the movings of the Holy Spirit. That last section starts (Acts 8:26) with an angel of the Lord directing him where to go, followed by the Holy Spirit giving him specific directions on talking to a specific person, and finally at the end, “the Lord snatched Philip away” to move him to the next place he wanted him to minister. All of those instances seem amazing to me. There have been times in my life that I have felt clear direction and would even say that I heard God speaking to me, but these instances with Philip are still awesome to me. Whether this was unusual for him or not, every instance of hearing God’s direction – through an angel or the Spirit – is pretty amazing. And the final instance of being snatched away to a new place is beyond my full comprehension because I just have never seen or experienced that. Maybe this had happened to Philip before, but I like his reaction. After what sounds like to me to be teleportation, he just keeps going on sharing the Good News of Jesus in the town he ended up in and every town on his way to the next place. It definitely seems like he was tuned in to God and following His leading well.


The next thing that stands out to me in this passage is the Eunuch’s response to Philip asking if he understands what he is reading – “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” On one side of things, I see his humility here. Sometimes I think we have been raised in this world to try to be too independent. To feel that we should be able to figure things out for ourselves and to not seek help. But the Eunuch here is just open and honest and completely willing to have someone help explain things to him. I think of my daughter, who once she learns something, believes herself to be an expert on the subject. My husband and I frequently have to remind her that while she is learning a lot, in most instances, the adults in her life still know more than her and she needs to continue to listen to advice and direction. Even when we think we know what passages of Scripture are about, we can still benefit from hearing someone else instruct on them. Maybe giving a different perspective than you are used to, or maybe truly learning something completely new. But we have to be open to being instructed. And then on the flip side, there have to be those willing to instruct! Again here, I appreciate Philip following God’s leading and being a person who is out there instructing people about the Good News of Jesus.


The final piece that stands out to me in this story is how the Eunuch responds to the Good News. He sees water and says “Why can’t I be baptized?” No hesitation, no waiting to have more information, just someone who is ready to go all in after hearing about Christ. I think this resonates with me because as someone raised in the church, I was probably baptized later in life than most in similar situations. I kept waiting, finding reasons to say, “not now.” At the time, the reasons I gave were that I wanted to make sure my decision was my own, that I wasn’t being influenced because someone else I knew was getting baptized, or because someone else had suggested it, but in looking back, I can see that there was pride there and I isolated myself through that. I wanted there to be no doubt that decision I made was because I believed it and not because of anyone else’s actions. In the end, I very clearly made my choice because of what someone else had shared. And I am thankful for that because it broke the pride that I had built up and led me to say it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of this – I want to be baptized. I didn’t and don’t have a perfect understanding of things – I am still learning, I am still struggling with a variety of things, but I am not alone. If you are waiting for the perfect time or to have things all figured out first –there isn’t one, and you don’t need to. If you believe, why shouldn’t you be baptized?

Reflection Questions

  1. How open are you to the Spirit’s leading? Would you be willing to change your plans for today if you felt the Spirit urging you to “Go” – talk to that neighbor, write that text, initiate that conversation, go out into “the desert” to be shown what to do next?
  2. How have you grown by listening to someone else’s explanation of Scripture? Where do you go when you have a question about what you find in the Bible? To whom and how can you share what you are learning from Scripture?
  3. What do Scriptures teach about baptism? Have you been baptized? If not, why not?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the gift of Your Scriptures which have been used for thousands of years to draw people to You and Your plan of salvation. Help me to read, meditate, be instructed in, discuss, share and live them well. Thank You for Jesus, your great Son, servant, and Christ who was prophesied throughout the Old Testament, shared in the gospels and explained by Philip and Peter and John and those who teach me, too. May I be rooted in the truth of Your word and led by Your Spirit to do the work You want me to do. Help me be faithful to You always.

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

A Man Attested by God

*Joshua 7-8

Psalm 34

*Acts 2                            

-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

            There’s one very critical point that we often (and intentionally at times) overlook that’s clearly highlighted in our Joshua 7-8 reading this morning: if you don’t listen to and obey God, you should have no reasonable expectation that God will bless you (quite the opposite, in fact).  Romans 8:31 states “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (ESV), but keep in mind that the converse is also quite true as well: “If God is against you, who can save?”.  Just think about it; it’s illogical to assume God’s favor if you are not living according to God’s expectations, so “…consider your ways.” (Hag 1:7).

            Now let’s move on to 1st century Jerusalem, where we find the apostles and believers gathered, about 120 people,  praying constantly (Acts 1:13-15).   I’ve recently heard a theory by Dr Roy Blizzard (who actually took part in the archaeological excavation of this site in 1968) that states that they were probably meeting on the Temple stairs near one of the cleansing pools (called Mikveh or Mikvah), and based on the size of the assembly (and comparing it to the average dwelling size in Jerusalem at this time), I believe that may be correct.  Dr Blizzard postulates that “house” in this instance referred to “The House” (as in “of God”, ie, the Temple).  The Southern Steps, specifically, were a significant meeting and teaching place.  These steps were about 200 feet wide and featured a raised platform on the side, known as the “Rabbi Steps” or Teaching Steps, where Jesus and other rabbis are believed to have taught and given announcements to crowds, so it doesn’t seem unreasonable to me. 

            Furthermore, The Royal Stoa, a massive public meeting building located just above the Southern Stairs, functioned as the primary gathering area for large assemblies, such as the estimated 30,000 to 100,000 people who may have gathered for the event of Pentecost, so this may be the “upper room” referred to. The stairs themselves were designed with uneven widths to prevent running and maintain decorum, while the broad landing and adjacent Mikvehs (ritual baths filled with “living water” brought in via aquaduct from the pools near Bethlehem) facilitated large-scale gatherings, teaching sessions, and baptisms for pilgrims entering the Temple Mount.  So, if this is correct, there’s a very good chance that when Peter in his 1st sermon said “Repent and be baptized…”, he was actually pointing at one of these Mikveh.

            Acts 2:1-4 is one of the most impressive and amazing demonstrations of the holy spirit ever displayed.  When they then began to speak the word of God, the people (who were from all over) heard the words in their own language, and they were all amazed.  This is the promise fulfilled from John 15:26-27: “But when the helper comes that I will send to you from the Father, the spirit of truth that comes from the Father, it will testify about me, and you also must testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.” (REV translation).

            So we can see a couple key points that need to be reiterated: 1-Jesus will send the helper from the father, 2-it is a “spirit of truth” that comes from the father and it will testify about Jesus, and 3-you also must testify.  So when Peter, filled with this spirit of truth, stands up to do just that (testify) in his first recorded sermon, we should really pay close attention as this constitutes the  earliest (and most accurate) “doctrines” of the church here in Acts 2:22-24.  

            Peter, filled with the spirit of truth, the holy spirit, preaches to his fellow Jews: “Jesus of Nazareth, a man…”.   Peter  explains that this man Jesus was “pointed out to you by God by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did through him…”.  God performed those miracles, through Jesus, and then God raised him up.  According to Peter, Jesus was not the “God-man” as men began to theorize in the late 4th century, but was in fact “God’s man” as explained and prophesied in scriptures from the beginning of creation.   The Christ, or anointed one.

              Now pay attention because this is important:  Looking through the scriptures we see that from the beginning God has told us of Messiah: that the seed of the woman shall crush the serpent (Gen 3:15), that God will raise up a prophet like Moses from among your brothers (Duet 18:18), who will be a descendant of David (2 Sam 7:12).  This does show a progressive revelation through scriptures: human, Israelite human, Israelite human descended from David (in that order, note that each additional revelation shows clarification without changing the base information).  The Jews understood this completely, because the Shema (Deut 6:4,5) was given to them early on, and it was quoted by Jesus later in Mark 12:29 as the “Most Important Commandment”.  The only problem comes when we go beyond what is written, and add theories to the scriptures that aren’t there to start.

            To become a member of the original church, in the book of Acts, here are the requirements (in their totality): “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the holy spirit.’ ” (Acts 2:38 REV).  Let me break that down for you: 1- Repent, 2- be baptized (in the name of Jesus the Christ), and 3- receive the gift of the holy spirit (the spirit of truth).  That is it, full stop.

            Recently it was just a “membership sunday” at one of the churches I attend here locally.  To join as a member, you had to agree with all of their articles of faith.  Here are the first 2 on the list (of 14): WE BELIEVE 1: In the verbal inspiration of the bible (ok, check, strongly agree, no problem). 2-In one God eternally existing as 3 persons namely the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Um..where does it say that?).  Here’s the thing; I love these guys, but I just don’t see that second one written explicitly (or even conceptually) in scripture.  In my own personal interpretation of the scriptures, agreeing with item 1 precludes agreement with item 2.  I think that these folks are truly my brothers and sisters, because they seek to serve God to the best of their ability and strive to live a holy life, but I disagree (in love) with some of their interpretation of scripture.  I also feel as if I am already a member of the church, based on what Acts says, but I can’t be a member of their church (and that’s a little bit hurtful).

            Another church I attend on the Sabbath has told me something similar.  WHY? The bible clearly lays out what we need to do in Acts 2 to become members of the church (3 steps). We need to restore our faith to that of the original church, the faith “once for all delivered” (Jude 1:3), and take the traditions that we’ve added away (Mark 7:7).  PLEASE note that if you disagree with anything I’ve pointed out: I am just a man, your brother in Christ.  What you believe is between you and God.  I tell you with love that you will however at some point answer to our God, and He is seeking people who will worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24), so it behooves each of us to study scriptures, divide them wisely, and live in a manner which glorifies God.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. To repent is to not only regret actions, but to change course.  If we keep committing the same sins, we have not changed our course.  To repent is the first requirement of being a part of the church, so ask yourself: have you fully repented?
  2. Have you received the gift of the holy spirit?  If so, in what manner did it manifest? (this could be a whole series of study sessions on it’s own)
  3. Has reading scriptures ever changed the way you believed about something? 

PRAYER

Father God, Thank you.  Please cleanse my heart of wrongdoing, please help me to circumcise my heart before You, and grant me the spirit of truth to teach me.  Father, please grant me wisdom, and humility, and allow me to be a servant who pleases his master.  In Jesus’ name, amen.  

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

Believers on the Move

Acts 18:19-19:41

Devotion by Emilee (Ross) Christian

We revisit the story of the early church in today’s reading of Acts 18:19-19:41. In this section we meet Apollos, an influential Jew converting many to Christ. Paul concludes his second missionary journey and begins his third. There is an encounter with the Holy Spirit and men of Ephesus. We learn about God giving Paul the ability to perform miraculous signs. We get a story about demon casting and see how God can use all things for His good. Finally, this section ends with a huge riot in Ephesus. So much happened in this section, but the undercurrent was the movement in the church, the believers. I think it’s worth taking a closer look at what the believers were actually doing, so we can follow their example. 

In today’s reading, the collective term “the believers” is first used in 18:23 when “Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers” (NLT). Here, the church is seen hosting Paul and allowing themselves to be encouraged and strengthened through his teachings. In various letters Paul commends hospitality. The church is supposed to be a hospitable place. Soon many families will gather together for the holiday season. While this can cause stress, I challenge you to consider it a blessing and an opportunity to share God’s love by welcoming people into your home. 

The believers were also strengthened by Paul’s visit. We, too, need to allow ourselves to be encouraged. It is important we put ourselves in situations where we can feel revitalized. Find what reignites your passion for the Gospel. Maybe that’s simply going to church on a weekly basis. It could be attending a Bible Study, instead of leading one. Time alone in the Word. Church Camp or conferences. Attending a Christian concert. I think it is worth noting that while the early believers were welcoming and serving Paul, they also allowed themselves to be served as Paul’s visit strengthened their faith. 

Next we see believers teaching, correcting, and learning. I love the story in Acts 18:24-26. We meet Apollos, a man on fire for the Lord. In Ephesus, he meets Priscilla and Aquila, two students of Paul’s. Scripture says Priscilla and Aquila pulled Apollos aside and “explained the way of God more accurately” (18:26 NLT). They did not publicly call out Apollos, telling him he was wrong. Rather quietly and respectfully this couple sought to fill in the gaps in Apollos’ understanding of scripture. Furthermore, Apollos welcomed their knowledge. He was not so prideful, he could not learn. This is such a wonderful example of church conflict being resolved peacefully. We can learn from these early believers to have open hearts, ready to search scripture to receive truth, and share our own perspective and understanding of scripture in non-threatening ways. 

This next part of Apollos’ story especially intrigues me. Apollos has a desire to go to Achaia and shared it with his fellow believers. They in turn encourage him to go. We can follow this example by sharing with our brothers and sisters in the church our desires, hopes, plans. From little side stories like these, it is clear to me the church is meant to act as a unit, not one sole individual acting on his or her own. Apollos allowed himself to be encouraged by his fellow believers then set off to do the work God planned for him. Here we see the church in movement by sharing and encouraging. 

These believers in Ephesus not only encourage Apollos to go to Achaia, but intercede on his behalf. They write to their friends in Achaia asking them to welcome Apollos. Again, it is a short and sweet detail in this grand passage of Paul’s journeys. Yet, it shows how the early church was moving and interacting with one another during the time of the Apostles. It serves as a reminder to us how we should be interacting with one another. How can you intercede for those brothers and sisters around you? Are there unmet needs you may be able to provide? 

Looking into Chapter 19 Paul has some interesting interactions with the people of Ephesus. These twelve men were like Apollos believing in “John’s Baptism,” understanding the repentant side of the story, but not quite grasping the Jesus-new-life part. This new creation baptism was something Paul personally experienced. Essentially, he provides these Ephesian men with the rest of the story and they are “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (19:5 NLT). So, what are members of the church doing here? Getting baptized. Baptism is a public declaration of our faith. This symbolic action helps solidify our understanding of a new life in Christ. How can we follow the example here from the early church? Get baptized. Baptism has meant all sorts of different things to different people. However, in my opinion, scripture has made it pretty clear. Baptism is our call to action after hearing, believing, and accepting the Gospel. Baptism is not a necessity to our salvation but a consequence. It is what the early church did, it is what we should do. 

The next time “believers” are collectively mentioned as a group is in Acts 19:18. In the aftermath of the Sons of Sceva story, believers still practicing sorcery and incantation confess and repent by burning books associated with sorcery. While I am certainly not advocating for the burning of books, it is the action of physically turning away from their sin that is notable here. The church today can follow this example. The church is made up of humans. We are going to make mistakes, mess up, have our good and bad days. On the bad days, it is important we take responsibility. When the Ephesian people turned away from their sin “the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect” (20 NLT). This shows that repentance is not just for the sake of the sinner but can be used for spreading the Gospel. 

Finally, the last time we see the believers in this section is during the riot in Ephesus. Here, the believers are seen as protecting and defending Paul. I found the small details in this story fascinating. In Acts 19:30 the believers prevent Paul from entering the amphitheater where the rioting was taking place. While some of Paul’s companions are swept up in the chaos, Paul is held back. The Greek word used here is translated as “would not allow.” Eventually, the people are calmed down and dispersed with nothing more than shouting and confusion to show for their rioting. I have to wonder if the situation would have been made worse had Paul been present. Even some of Paul’s friends who were province officials sensed Paul would be in danger had he gone with the rioters. While we may not be facing an angry mob head on, in what ways can we protect and defend our fellow believers? Does your church have connections with missionaries who are in danger? Can you financially contribute to these organizations? Can you organize prayer for these people? Are there justice groups for which you could be involved? The early church played a role in protecting and defending other believers, so how can we?

The believers of the early church are seen acting in so many ways throughout this section. They are welcoming. Receptive of encouragement. They are teachers, correcting and learning from one another. They are involved in each other’s lives. They are responsive to the call of baptism. They are repentant. Lastly they are seen as protecting and defending. My hope is by further looking at their actions we can seek action as well. May we learn from the example of the early church and may their actions guide us as we continue the spread of the Gospel, two thousand years later.   

Reflection Questions

  1. From above: “How can you intercede for those brothers and sisters around you? Are there unmet needs you may be able to provide? “
  2. And, “The early church played a role in protecting and defending other believers, so how can we?”
  3. How can you be more like the early church believers today?
SGL.2025.NovemberFullPageDownload

Fall and Rise

Old Testament: Genesis 3

Poetry: Psalm 1 (all week)

New Testament: Matthew 3

There are some four-thousand years between the first and second Adam, both the bookends of the fall of man.  Through the first Adam, sin found a foothold in the world.  Through the second Adam, Jesus Christ, the sting of eternal destruction in the second death (Rev. 21:6, Rom 6:23) is broken and restoration that comes from God is complete. Being familiar with scripture and his role as Savior, Jesus knew he was the precious Lamb of God, who upon him was transferred the weight and debt of all our sins.  Jesus would go on to fulfill this role as our purification offering, fulfilling the law and the words of prophets.

In a similar manner, Jesus redefines and completes baptism in Matthew 3.  Although not defined by religious laws in the Old Testament, baptism had become a common practice for sects of Judaism from the time of Malachi to the beginning of the Common Era.  It was performed as a ritual cleansing, done in preparation to ready oneself to make a sacrifice at the temple. This could be done time and time again because of the literal and spiritual uncleanliness that would appear between trips to the Temple. John’s baptism took on this role, specifically for the forgiveness of sins. So why would a sinless Savior need to engage in such a symbol?

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’  Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ – Matthew 3:13-17

The first reason Jesus is baptized is as simple as he stated, “to fulfill all righteousness.” Baptism is not merely for the forgiveness of sins. It is first and foremost the public dedication of your life to love God, accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and live for his Kingdom.  To us this means that looking for a pass on sin without submission is not living-saving nor does it accept the grace of God.  Specifically, those who participated in the baptism of John for the forgiveness of sin were told to be rebaptized when they knew this Good News.

The second basis for baptism is the fulfillment of the gracious cleansing we receive by the sacrifice of Jesus. Just like the payment of Christ, baptism is once and for all.  By being fully immersed in water, we demonstrate not only His death, but our own. Likewise, in rising out of the water, we illustrate the cornerstone of our hope, that Jesus has risen from the dead.  Furthermore this illustrates by dying to Him, we are raised to life, asking the raised Christ to live in us as Lord of our life today and being assured of the hope of our own resurrection if we remain faithful. 

Arguably the third purpose for baptism is the invitation of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus is shown this power of God at His baptism, and the Holy Spirit descending onto ministry of miracles.  Baptism, in fullness, is an invitation for the Spirit of God to direct your path (Rom 8:14), bear fruit because of its presence (Gal 5:22-23), and to even comfort in times of hardship or grief. (John 14:26) It is the same power that raised Jesus from the grave that can now live in us. (Rom 8:11)

If you haven’t considered baptism up to this point, what is stopping you from such a confession of faith? Baptism is not the culmination, but the entry point of faith. You do not have to understand the nuances of scripture, only that our Heavenly Father sent His Son into the world to die for your sin, and they are coming back to Earth with eternal life in hand.

If you have already dedicated your life through this public confession, hold close to your heart the promise that is in the symbol.  Time and time again, we trip, stumble, and fall flat on our faces, but with each fall, we are lifted out of the waters of baptism and covered in the grace of God through Jesus Christ.  Thank God we do not have to be reimmersed.  Many of us would spend the vast majority of life underwater. We can confess to Heavenly Father with a repentant heart and the power of baptism in Jesus Christ not only banishes the wages of sin, but gives us the present presence of God for now and for eternity.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. If you haven’t considered baptism up to this point, what is stopping you from such a confession of faith?
  2. If you are baptized, what does it mean to you?
SGLCalendar2024Download

God’s Pride and Joy

Old Testament: Daniel 7,8 

Poetry: Psalm 117 

*New Testament: Matthew 3

As a parent, there have been many times that I beamed with pride at the accomplishments of my children. Proud that my preschool-age son could write and was learning how to spell using the “oo” digraph, I was simultaneously embarrassed when he covered his church bulletin in the crooked letters “POOP” and gave it to our youth leader, Chris Lucas, with a big smile of accomplishment plastered across his face. Though slightly red-faced at the nature of my son’s first penmanship successes, I am always thrilled when I see my children building on their strengths and recognizing their potential! When they finally master the algorithm for double-digit multiplication, earn accolades at their very first session of gymnastics, build intricate LEGO creations, seamlessly play a song on their instrument, stand up for what is right, encourage a hurting friend, or create a fun craft independently in Sunday School, pride for my children fills my spirit. This year, my husband and I celebrated with tears of joy as our two oldest children were baptized on Easter and Christmas, respectively. Their decisions to follow Jesus were balm to my soul because “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4).  

In our New Testament reading today, we learn about the beginnings of baptism and God’s pride in His Son, Jesus. John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin – the baby who lept in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when Mary, mother of Jesus (who was still in utero, too), came to visit. We are familiar with Jesus’ virgin birth, but John came from a miraculous birth as well; his mother was well past child-bearing years when he was born as her first child. John had a public ministry to prepare the way for Jesus and was famous for introducing the concept of baptism (hence his nickname, “the Baptist”). John was a bit of an odd fellow: his attire was made from camel hair, and his most common sustenance while wandering in the desert was locusts smothered in honey. (Anyone else hungry for such a delicacy? Yum!) John was not fond of the Pharisees and made sure they knew it; you can read his reprimand to them in this passage. 

Aware that his cousin was the Son of God, John almost refused to baptize Jesus due to feelings of inadequacy but finally consented when Jesus explained the significance of the event. When Jesus rose out of the water, God’s Spirit descended like a dove and everyone in attendance could hear His voice from Heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 NIV) 

God’s pride and joy literally shone down as the world prepared for Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection would make a way for man to have a personal relationship with God again. I imagine God’s heart absolutely bubbling over with pride as he watched his Son fulfill his calling. To paraphrase a motif from Sally Lloyd Jones’ The Jesus Storybook Bible, Jesus was making the sad things come untrue; he was mending this broken world. 

All of us have, at one time or another, felt pride in our own accomplishments or for the successes of those around us; how much more pride must God have felt, finally seeing His great rescue plan begin to come to fruition!

While the wrong kind of pride can be a dangerous thing that leads to sin, we can have a humble pride – satisfaction that we have done a job well, confidence in a God-given talent, etc. – and use those opportunities of success to give glory and praise to God. 

Reflection questions:

-When have you felt pride in a confident, godly kind of way? 

-How can you use your gifts to minister to others and shine the light of Jesus? 

Rachel Cain

sgl23bibleplanDownload

Love Like Jesus Day

Old Testament: Isaiah 13 & 14

Poetry: Psalm 65

New Testament: Hebrews 10

     “You showed sympathy to the prisoners” (Hebrews 10:34). I don’t know what that phrase brings to your mind. Maybe you see something from a television program or a movie, someone behind a sheet of glass holding a telephone receiver. Perhaps you have visited a prisoner at some point, for a prison ministry, or a relative or friend. You may think of sending letters, or helping prisoners readjust after their release. The issues under discussion in Hebrews were rather different. With the Roman empire it was expected that the relatives and friends of a prisoner would provide their food and other physical needs, though there might be some small rations. Christians became known for taking care of fellow believers who had been arrested for their faith, as well as other prisoners in need. But that meant people helping Christians ran the risk of getting accused of being Christians themselves. That’s probably where the next part of the verse came in, that they “accepted joyfully the seizure” of their property – they continued with their behavior even though it risked them being identified and targeted. They didn’t shy away from risk to guard themselves. It isn’t mentioned here but Christians during the Roman empire also became known for caring for plague victims when others would not, taking in orphans, collecting clothes to give to the poor, and generally being good to others.

     In the fourth century the Emperor Julian would become very frustrated about the contrast between the Christians and the pagans. In a letter he wrote: “Why then do we think that this is sufficient and do not observe how the kindness of Christians to strangers, their care for the burial of their dead, and the sobriety of their lifestyle has done the most to advance their cause? Each of these things, I think, ought really to be practiced by us.”

     In Hebrews 10 we find that Herb (my choice of a simple name for the book’s author) returned to issues he addressed in chapter six about a person surrendering their faith in Jesus (6:4-8; 10:26-31). These comments are directly paired in both chapters with the statement that Herb’s audience is not like that, which is shown by the fact that they have been ministering to believers (6:9‑12; 10:32-39). For Herb to defend his audience this way should be an obvious route to take. What are Christians told to do? “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34‑35). Yes, that isn’t the only thing for Christians to do, but it is a huge example: “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He remains in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” (1 John 3:23-24). And the call to love isn’t necessarily simple or easy, either. The very fact that Jesus said “just as I have loved you” should put this at a high level, for Jesus loves at a high level.

     Hebrews 10 began by comparing the priests who stood in the tabernacle day after day offering sacrifices to Jesus and the single sacrifice he offered before he sat at God’s right hand. Herb wants us to understand that what Jesus did is much more powerful than all those earlier sacrifices. And because it is so much more powerful it calls more powerfully for our response. Herb says: “let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (v. 22-24). Those verses give a complicated image. The idea of being “sprinkled clean” plays off the sprinkling of the blood by the high priest once a year over everything that needed to be cleansed in the Holy of Holies – but Herb says that our hearts are part of what Jesus cleansed. There are no more evil consciences for us, we can have pure consciences and serve wholeheartedly, having been washed with pure water, referring to our baptisms. This is very similar to 1 Peter 3:21-22, “baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God”. We are to hold to the confession of our hope that came with that baptism – because the fact of being baptized, to Herb, doesn’t mean what is so often called baptism today (the sprinkling of a baby, with no knowledge of what it means) but the choice made by a believer to state their understanding in front of at least one other person, confessing hope in the promises of God involving Jesus and the future. He who promised is faithful, so we should not waver in our commitment. By having made that choice each one of us becomes part of the body of Christ, which is a collective group. Recognizing that we are part of that group should remind us that we have support with each other, and also that we have responsibility and commitment for each other, so we need to think about how we can stimulate each other to love and good deeds.

     One of my seminary teachers noted that there are two possible interpretations of Hebrews 10:25. It is often used to advocate for attendance at worship services using the phrase “assembling together” to refer to ‘not meeting on a regular basis,’ as a matter of habit. But the Greek word for the assembling or gathering here is the one used in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, and it has been suggested that it could be saying not to forsake our being gathered together with Jesus at his return – so not, by your choices, giving up on being a part of the resurrection with him. More like “Don’t forsake being part of the resurrection gathering, as some are in the manner of, but encourage each other to be there at that day, all the more as you see it drawing near.” Either meaning could work. (The term translated as “habit” also gets translated “manner.”)

     Hebrews 10:31, which says “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” should be read along with verse 27 that refers to “a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.” We are still speaking of the adversaries of God being consumed, not simply tortured in some ongoing way (as some versions of theology would have it). I see no conflict in this. Notably Hebrews 10:26 references Numbers 15:30, showing that Herb had that part of the book in his mind when he was writing this section about fire and judgment. And Numbers 16 may well be the section he was pointing his readers to for a consideration of how terrifying God could be when passing judgment. God doesn’t need to be a demented torturer to be scary. I don’t think that Korah was complacent when he faced the results of his revolt. Endless suffering is not required for God’s wrath to be respected. If all we were concerned about was what came after this life we would have no concerns about anything in this one. But we have proven ourselves well capable of being concerned about what happens now.

     In the last part of the chapter Herb wants his audience to proclaim that they are not giving up on Jesus. He doesn’t want any doubt on that point. He says “do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (v. 35). He quotes God saying:

“My righteous one shall live by faith;

And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

But Herb tells his audience “we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” (v. 39).

Lord, it really is a terrible thing to think of anyone giving up on their confidence in your son. I read the book of Hebrews and I think I understand the concern it expresses, the passion which Herb felt about his readers. He didn’t want to say that any of them might turn away, but he didn’t want to stop urging them to remain vigilant. He just really wanted them all to be safe in the end. He wanted to tell them about how dangerous it would be to turn away from the sacrifice that Jesus made, because there is only one sacrifice in the new covenant, but he also wanted to say that it is up to you to judge – because if they thought they might have stepped too far then they might despair and not turn back to Jesus. Everything was a balancing act and the focus was always on getting as many as possible to devote themselves to the Lord. I am glad for your mercy, Lord, because I know so many people who I know need it, including me. Please help us to serve you better. Please help us to grow. Help us to love. Thank you again. Amen.

-Daniel Smead

Reflection Questions

1.  Do you value being at church services with other believers? Do you feel that you are a part of the worship? Are you growing? Are you open to others? If not, how could that change?

2.  Herb wants his audience to be revived in their faith, to be passionate about Jesus against the risk of persecution. What if they weren’t warned about the risk of persecution when they first became Christians, and meeting opposition took them off guard, how might that affect their attitudes?

3.  Are you open to challenging yourself to a Love Like Jesus Day? Of course we are always supposed to do that. But how about consciously checking your actions for one day, all your thoughts, words, deeds, measuring yourself against Jesus and trying to amp your love to Jesus-levels? What do you think it will look like?

sgl23bibleplanDownload

The Opening Act

Matthew 3

January 3

The prophecies foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament continue in chapter 3, but this time in regards to a man known as John the Baptist. Isaiah prophesied that there would be, “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him'” (Matthew 3:3, and original thought in Isaiah 40:3). This John is a relative of Jesus, born to Zechariah the priest and his wife Elizabeth. See Luke 1 for more on his family and the events surrounding his own miraculous birth about 6 months before the birth of Jesus. Even as a pre-born baby in his mother’s previously barren and aging womb John reacted with joy at Mary’s greeting when she came to tell Elizabeth about her encounter with the angel Gabriel and the child she would carry. These young men, Jesus and John, have quite a connection. They go way back – not just to their days in utero, but going back 700 years to Isaiah’s prophecy.

John had a job to do. A job that had been waiting for him for 700 years – prepare the way for the Lord. He was the opening act. His job was to prepare the audience. Pump them up. Get the crowd ready to listen to and appreciate and adore the one who would come after him, the one who is greater than he is, the one who is the main act, the show stopper. He got to introduce the crowd to the one who could be their Savior.

John definitely had a way of getting people’s attention. But not in a flashy way at all. I don’t think he would be found in the mega church today. He was the preacher out in the desert. The one wearing weird, worn and outdated clothing and also known for his curious all-natural diet. He wasn’t about gaining popularity points or fitting in. He knew it wasn’t about him. It was about Jesus. And he had a job to do.

His message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). With Jesus’ earthly ministry now ready to start, it was time to make changes. They were closer to God’s kingdom now than they ever had been before. A kingdom needs a king and they were about to get their first look at the king chosen by God to rule His kingdom. But were they ready? No.

Repent of your sins, turn your life around. Stop using your religion as a show to look better than others. Stop relying on your impressive family tree for salvation. Repent of your sins, turn your life around. Start producing good fruit that shows you have changed. Start preparations for the coming judgment day. It’s closer than you think. Repent of your sins, turn your life around. For the Kingdom of heaven and the judgment day that comes with it is closer than you think. Let me introduce you to God’s chosen king – His Son Jesus!

-Marcia Railton

Questions for reflection and discussion

  1. Repentance is not just feeling sorry or regret for doing wrong, but also a commitment and action for change, turning from your sins to do right. In what ways have you sinned and need to repent? What will it look like to turn in the opposite direction and do right? What good fruit is God wanting to see in your life?
  2. Jesus, even though sinless, was baptized by John to set an example for believers. Baptism is a physical act to show your need for repentance and your acceptance of a Savior. Have you been baptized? If so, what does it mean to you? If not, do you have questions about baptism you would like to discuss with a spiritual mentor or pastor?
  3. What was seen and heard at the end of Jesus’ baptism? What do you think Jesus was feeling or thinking at this moment? What do you think God was feeling or thinking at this moment? How do you feel, what do you think, as you envision this scene?
  4. Who has been a John the Baptist for you – someone who helped point the way and introduce you to Jesus? If you know Jesus now, who will you introduce to Jesus?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Prepare the Way

Luke Chapter 3

Luke 3 4

Luke chapter three talks about a very important and specific job that John the Baptist had.  This job that John had was documented all the way back in the book of Isaiah and quoted in Luke 3:4: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” John needed to prepare the way of the Lord and make his paths straight.

 

Jesus’ public ministry only lasted about three years.  It was important that people were ready for his ministry, as he had a lot to accomplish in little time.  Therefore, John prepared the way, so Jesus could make the most out of his little time here on earth.  John did a number of things to help prepare the way for the Lord.

 

One way that John prepared the way for Jesus was to baptize people with water.  This baptism was “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,” (Luke 3:3).  I’m sure that we all understand the importance of repentance and the forgiveness of our sins.  Therefore, we can see the importance of this baptism by water, as it was for repentance and the forgiveness of sins.

 

John also spent time teaching and preaching to help prepare the way for Jesus.  The crowds asked John, “what then shall we do?”  John went on to describe the importance of being generous with our possessions and money (verses 10-14).  John also focused on preaching “good news” (verse 18) to the people.  That good news that John preached about focused on the message of the kingdom, as evidenced by Matthew 3:2.

 

Preparing the way for Jesus was the main responsibility that John had.  We also have that same responsibility that John had.  Right now, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, but one day Jesus is going to descend from heaven and return to earth.  He is going to establish his Father’s Kingdom.  We have to prepare the way for Jesus to come back to earth.

 

We have to prepare ourselves and others for Jesus to establish his Father’s Kingdom on earth.  You can’t prepare others if you yourself are not prepared for God’s coming Kingdom.  Therefore, if you aren’t ready yourself, then get ready!  If you find yourself ready, then it is paramount that you focus on getting those around you ready for Jesus’ return.  In essence, we have the same responsibility that John the Baptist had.

 

Kyle McClain

 

Baptism – What is the Big Deal?

Matthew 3:13-17

Matt 3 17 (1)

Conversations abound over the importance of water baptism. Is it the baptism or simply a confession of faith? If baptism, then is it pouring, sprinkling or immersion? There is a semi-famous song about this. What about infant versus conscious baptism? What about those who do not have access to water? So many questions surround this topic. And these are just focusing on the methods and timing. What about what happens when we are baptized? What is the point or reason for being baptized? Why is it a public thing? It can be exhausting and at times confusing.

So let us look at the example set by Jesus. He travels from Nazareth in Galilee to the Jordan River where his cousin John is baptizing people in droves. Baptism itself was commonplace but it was a simple cleansing ritual. It was not too deep or meaningful and was certainly not a public spectacle. The people had never seen anything like what John was doing. In addition to the large masses of people coming to him he was telling them that this baptism was for the repentance of their sins. John was the precursor to Jesus, the keynote speaker if you will. He was highlighting the points that would be vital to Jesus’ ministry – repentance and the coming kingdom.

Jesus came to John to be baptized. John however recognized Jesus as the Messiah and understood that it was Jesus who should be baptizing John. He tried to argue with Jesus because he understood that among them only Jesus was righteous and sinless. Jesus was the only one who did not need this baptism.

Jesus’ response was that he must be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. In doing so he was consecrated by God and officially approved by Him. His baptism had nothing to do with Levitical Law though. John’s message of repentance and the coming kingdom pointed to a Messiah who would be righteous and bring righteousness to the sinner. Jesus was identifying with the sinful world even though he himself was without sin. His baptism also marked the arrival of the long expected Messiah and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. And finally his baptism was symbolic of his death, burial, and resurrection and was an example for his followers to come.

Upon being baptized the spirit of God rested upon him. This is the moment when God gave Jesus all authority and power to carry out his Father’s perfect will here on earth. Jesus later told his disciples that this same spirit, a portion only however, would come upon them. It is the same spirit received by all who come to God through Jesus and the waters of baptism. This spirit strengthened and encouraged Jesus when he needed it most, as it does for each of those who faithfully follow his example.

So he comes up out of the water and the Spirit of God comes upon him and then it happens! Something incredible! Something amazing! Something that has not happened for four hundred years. Man hears the first words from God since the close of the Old Testament. His silence is broken so that He can confirm Jesus is His son, “Whom I love, with him I am well pleased.” This statement in itself is timeless. God was not simply pleased that Jesus was beginning his ministry. It is the culmination of a millennia old plan to bring all people back to Him. The fulfillment of His covenant with Abram is realized in this moment. All people will be blessed through Jesus if they choose Yahweh as their God and Jesus as the way to Him. Past, present and future balanced on this man’s obedience to God.

John was baptizing in a river and most examples of baptism in the New Testament appear to be in or around large bodies of water so immersion in water makes the most sense for how we ought to be baptized. There are biblical examples of baptism of the spirit alone, a confession of faith without involvement of water. These examples however appear to be the exception and not the rule. People without access to water or without time to get to water are exceptions.

If someone has the means and opportunity to go through the waters of baptism and does not are they saved by confession of sin and repentance alone? I do not know just as I do not know if someone who confesses, repents, and is baptized is saved. We have biblical and personal examples of people being baptized and living in a way that is completely opposed to God’s will. God alone knows our hearts. He knows where we stand.

One of the radical things about what John was doing is that those who came to him to be baptized were obeying God from their heart. It is a conscious decision to be baptized. I was “baptized” as an infant but it meant nothing to me. I had not made the choice to change my life. I had not chosen God or His son until I was a grown man. That has been the point from the beginning, back when Adam and Eve were in the Garden. They had a choice to choose God or not, trust Him or not. They chose not. Jesus presents to the whole world that very same choice.

In this moment when Jesus was baptized God’s confirmation of Jesus was both for his assurance and for a witness to others. This is the same reason for us to publicly surrender and commit to God through Jesus. We need the inner confirmation of His great blessing upon us, and the world needs the testimony of a life committed to His will through Jesus.

 

To be continued…

Jeff Ransom

Peculiar

Phil 2 15.png
If someone were to describe your behavior as “peculiar”, you would most likely not take it as a compliment.  Peculiar’s origin as a word stems from particular, singling out an item or idea from the rest, but over time the definition, and more importantly, the connotation has shifted.  To be peculiar is not simply to be different, but to be strange, funny, odd, specifically to a way we act or think seemingly with rational or reasonable explanation behind the behavior.  Peculiar could be someone who wears different styles, colors, and heights of socks simultaneously (me), or someone who doesn’t like the food on their plate to touch (my wife), or someone who would turn down all the wealth of this world to serve the will of God (Jesus, Matt 4).

There is truly something odd about the Christian life.  We are constantly denying our instinct in order to fulfill our call.  Many times Jesus uses radical, hyperbolic language to teach the most important disciplines of the strange Christian life.  These words are meant to shock, encourage whispers, and dramatically shift the way we act and think.  Those who want complacent faith? To have miracles without the mindset? To have salvation without giving up their reputation or station?  They walked and will continue to walk away.  They don’t want to be perceived as peculiar, and more accurately, don’t want to be forever changed – a holy-first mindset.

In keeping with today’s theme, here is a shortlist of six of the most odd and convicting teachings of Jesus.  If you’re not different or weird because you do these things, then you are doing them wrong.  As you devote time to reading this list, use this as an opportunity for a gut check – are you only a listless spectator watching and critiquing without any action or any sacrifice or are you actively working on becoming a sold-out slave to the Savior’s summoning?

1. You must be baptized for forgiveness and to receive the Spirit – Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3 – Jesus has an eye-opening conversation with Nicodemus about the way God uses this symbolic gesture that had become a part of Jewish religious culture.  John the Baptist, like others before him, uses immersion in water as a means of symbolically cleansing us from our sins, but Jesus sets the example (Matt 3) that this also symbolizes a changing of our mindset.  The death and burial of our old self, and the rebirth of someone who is ready to receive the Spirit, the dwelling of God’s power in us.  There are theological nuances that we will leave to the scholars to debate, but this symbolic act is clearly exampled and talked about by Jesus, and practiced and talked about some more by his disciples.  This is the beginning.  If you haven’t been baptized, but you see the compelling case for Christ in your life, now is the time.  This symbol marks the launching point, not the precipice to our walk in Him.

2. You must be willing to live and die for Christ – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”  Matt 16:24,25 – Obviously the apostles saw something happen that dramatically shifted the trajectory of their lives forever.  After the resurrection of Jesus, they were accused of moving His body to perpetuate the story that He had risen.  But would every single one of these men be ready and willing to travel so far and literally give up their lives for Christ? While a single man might die to protect a lie, I find it very hard to believe a whole group of men would do so. All of them, save John who was exiled, were put to death, each one receiving their punishment, not simply for their beliefs, but for their pursuit of evangelism and sharing the good news.  They each daily sacrificed their life, and even used their death, as testimony of the life-altering Gospel message.

3. You must live out communion  – “For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of me“ – John 6:56 – Here we have another physical gesture that is symbolic of Christian life.  While it is not too difficult to eat a piece of bread or crackers, or knock back a cup of wine or grape juice, the conviction of these symbols is terrifying – we must always remember that we are striving to be one with Christ.  Anything we put in our body, use our body for (i.e. sex, 1 Cor 6:18), or anything that happens between our two ears, has to be reconciled by or repented to Christ for Him to remain in us.  This means the act of communion, whether done formally or figurative as a daily discipline, should be convicting and purging us from the things that tear us away from Christ.

4. You must find joy in persecution and dejection – “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matthew 5:11 – Our natural instinct when we are attacked is to strike back.  If you hit me, I will return the blow.  If you hurl insults at me, I will use my wit and tongue to put you in your place.  Even when we gratify ourselves with revenge, there is no joy in it.  In Acts 5, Peter and the apostles receive a verbal and physical lashings.  What is their response?  Jubilation.  They found great joy in suffering for Christ because it meant they were becoming more like Him, and they were living out the Great Commission.  We should be ready and willing to be challenged, made fun of, and even receive physical abuse because we have taken a stand for Christ.  When we take a stand and our joy grows, but so does our testimony and resolve (James 1:2,3), compelling others to seek out the reason for our peculiar perseverance.

5. You must be willing to count anything as loss – “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.” – Matthew 18:8 – The example Jesus uses is a challenge to control our carnal nature using figurative language. If someone had the resolve to literally cut off the hand or foot, they definitely have a resolve to control other behaviors in the life.  But are we willing to literally cut out other things?  Are you willing to give up comfort? Opportunities? Sports? Friends? Family members?  Would you be willing to be thought of as dumb, ignorant, a fool, and even pitied?  Would you be willing to part with all of your money, all of your possessions, and all of your time?  It is better to lose your identity in this world or  to have no home, than to be thrown alongside your pride and identity in the fire.  It is better to throw away a coveted scholarship than for you to be thrown alongside your degree to be thrown in the fire. It is better to find new friends and family, or even have no friends and family, than to be thrown alongside them in the fire.  Now each of these things are placed in the proper perspective; pride, a degree, friends, family can all be great God-filled things, just like hands and feet, but if they are moving you away from Christ, they are not beneficial.  We have to remove them.

6. You can’t stop loving others. Ever. – “Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:39 – It would be so much easier if Jesus never said this.  The most radical, the most challenging, the hardest-lived statement is in these five words.  Loving God is truly easy – He deserves honor and praise, He loved us first, and He has established things in past, present, and future for us that are greater than we can ever imagine.  I would even dare say I am loving God more than myself on my greatest days of faith (which is not nearly enough).  But loving my neighbor. C’mon.  What have they done to deserve my love?  My neighbor could bash my faith on social media.  My neighbor could be making such poor choices with their money.  My neighbor could be abusing their family.  My neighbor could be lying to me, stealing from me, and badmouthing me all over town. My neighbor could physically spit in my face, beat me to the point of death, and hang me on a cross.  And that’s when we realize, we are Christ’s neighbor.  He have power to change our lives forever by living out the love of God.  He was so purposeful in His love in God that He saved us all from eternal separation.  By doing this, He has given us the power to peculiarly love people we don’t know, but even more so, people we know well.  We have the same opportunity as Christ.  We can do everything possible to love our neighbor into conviction and submission that comes from seeing, hearing, and feeling the Gospel message coming from God through us.  Yes, this is the most peculiar of all, but as strange, odd and weird as it is, it’s the most beautiful, the most attractive, and the most fulfilling thing we could ever do on behalf of our Father in heaven who so much loves His peculiar people.

-Aaron Winner