Day 320 - Wrapping Up

Day 320 - Wrapping Up

I have so many 'favorite' passages - it truly has been a blessing to read through each year - I can not encourage STRONGLY enough, that if you are not reading through, please find a system and jump in!  This year of reading through has been a wonderful journey.  To dig and explore...handling the Word, turning the pages and learning more and more of Him who is and was and ever will be - there is no comparison.

Acts 17 - Paul once again in the synagogue of the Jews - being attacked by the unbelieving Jews - accused of turning the world upside down.  What a charge!  I do not see the Bride doing very much of that today - in fact it is sometimes down right difficult to tell the difference between a saint and a sinner.  How much different from the world do I look?  Is there anything in the way I talk, or dress or act that would mark me as not 'quite' the same?  How about you?

These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  (Acts 17:11)

I have pondered this passage, a lot, especially since I encourage everyone to be a Berean - Paul (known for his great skill in presenting and protecting the gospel message, one to whom we give careful attention) commends the Bereans for checking what he was saying.  Who would argue with Paul?  Dispute with him?  (Not counting the unsaved.)  Yet their diligence to search the scriptures daily is applauded.

Please note...they searched the scriptures daily - this, I can not imagine was the NT as we know it - so it would primarily have been the OT.  Gill, Poole and Henry all agree that is the Jews which are being addressed - though Gentiles (honorable women, men not a few) were in attendance as well.

scriptures - G1124 - From G1125; a document, that is, holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it).

Gill's commentary:  And searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so: they did not dispute with, and cavil at the apostle, as the Thessalonian Jews first did, Act_17:2 nor did they receive the word, right or wrong, or with an implicit faith; but they immediately betook themselves to reading and searching the writings of the Old Testament, to see whether the things which the apostle preached, concerning the Messiah, his incarnation, obedience, sufferings, death, and resurrection from the dead, were agreeable to them, or no; determining, if they were not, to reject them, but if they were, to embrace them, as they did; see Joh_5:39 and this they did continually day after day. They were neither backward to hear and receive the word, nor slothful to examine it.

They were using the OT to prove what was being spoken.  Gill's commentary on the whole verse is well worth reading, but was too lengthy to include.

I find it interesting (I have really got to find another word to use) that when Paul preached to those at Athens, he starts with creation.  This fact that God made the world and all that is therein, has been under attack for quite some time.  If there is no creator, there is no one in control, if no one is in control, then we can make our own rules.  There are no absolutes, no authority, no boundaries, nothing except what is decided by the carnal mind of man and whatever feels good, do it.

A sure indication of why the battle for the beginning is a necessary fight, one that is not optional for loss.  There are many ministries out there who are engaging to thwart the 'science' of today.  Some which state that the universe came into being by a big bang (where did the bang come from?) or that crystals formed on the backs of cells - or whatever other nonsense dead men come up with.  Really?  You can not make something from nothing.  Does not happen, will not work.  Man can rail and rally all he wants that he is independent and there is no god except himself...all the way to hell.

If you would like more information, here are a couple of sites to get you started: Institute for Creation Research or Answers in Genesis.


I'll close with Paul's words:  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.  (Acts 17:34)


How will you be judged?  Do you know the MAN?  If you'd like a presentation of the gospel you can click here or here.  Reading through the book of Romans is always a good start too!