Bible Truth #331 - Acts 20:25-31

Acts 20:25-31

25  And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

When I read in verse 28 how the Holy Spirit made the elders from Ephesus overseers, I see nothing that the elders did which implies they had anything to do with being put in that position. A man is not made a pastor, nor is a man made a deacon or elder by anything they choose to do. It was God’s plan from before time began that they would be doing what they’re doing. (Proverbs 16:9, 20:24; Jeremiah 10:23; Lamentations 2:17; Isaiah 14:27) A man may think that he chose to serve the Lord as a pastor, deacon, or elder, but it was actually God working in that man to make him want to do what God had already determined he would do (Philippians 2:13).

Paul also said in verse 28 that God had purchased His church with His own Blood. There is nothing here, nor anywhere else, that would lead a man to think that He purchased every single man who ever lived. I read passages like Ephesians 5:25 where Paul writes Jesus loved His church and gave Himself up for her. Why? Because it is ONLY His church that was chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), it was only His Elect which comprise the church that are foreknown by God, predestinated, called, justified and glorified (Romans 8:29-30), and it is only His Elect that are drawn to Him (John 6:44). Now before you jump on the often misquoted Scripture John 12:32 that Christ will draw all men to Him, please go back and read Bible Truth #51.

If Christ DID purchase every man with His Blood, and Christ is now interceding with the Father FOR a man that God is sending to hell, is Christ not a failure? I’ve written this before but do so again:

1 - It is impossible the Son would not intercede for EVERYONE for whom He died. If Christ dies as their substitute, how could He not present His sacrifice in their stead before the Father? Can we really believe that Christ would die for someone He that did not intend to save?

2 - It is impossible that anyone for whom the Son did NOT die could receive Christ’s intercession. If Christ did NOT die on behalf of a certain individual, how could Christ intercede for that individual since He would have no grounds upon which to seek the Father’s mercy.

3 - It is impossible that anyone for whom the Son intercedes could be lost.

Now here is the real issue. Can we imagine the Son pleading before the Father, presenting His perfect atonement on behalf of an individual that He wishes to save and the Father rejecting the Son’s intercession? The Father ALWAYS hears the Son (John 11:42), would He not hear the Son’s pleas on behalf of ALL those the Son desires to save?

Furthermore if we believe that Christ can intercede for someone that the Father will not save then we must believe that either 1) there is dissension in the Godhead (the Father desiring one thing and the Son desiring something else) or 2) the Father is incapable of doing what the Son desires Him to do. Both positions are utterly impossible.

The bottom line is that Paul was telling these elders from Ephesus that a sovereign God made them overseers and to take care of the people for whom He died.

Bible Truth #330 - 1 Timothy 4:9-10

1 Timothy 4:9-10

9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.

The simple language of verse 10 should tell you He is not the Savior of each and every man because there are men in Hell today. How can Jesus be someone’s Savior if they’re in Hell? That is, unless you believe Christ failed. He DID say that He has come to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10) and since the whole world is lost, and since each and every man is not going to be saved, did Jesus fail? NO! He saved every man He intended to save. His substitutionary death was ONLY for those chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).

So obviously “all” in this passage (Strong’s G3956) is not used individually in context, but collectively (some of all types). I’d also like to point out that I believe “specially” is a poor transliteration of malista. Better: “...who is the Savior of 'some of all kinds' of men, CHIEFLY those who believe.” The Arminian may disagree and think it's Calvinist spin but it's the only interpretation that can be reconciled with the rest of Scripture.

As I quoted C.H. Spurgeon in Bible Truth #217, the Greek word pas, frequently translated “all” and sometimes “whosoever,” is used in different ways and the Arminian will simply have to accept that. When they believe “all” means individually (each and every one) and it contradicts other Scripture, they are mistaken. “All” is also used collectively (some of all types) and when that usage fits the verse AND is reconciled with every other passage on the same subject, then that usage must be understood to be accurate.

Here are some more examples of “all” when it is NOT used in the individual context meaning each and every but rather, in the collective context meaning some of all types:

- Acts 22:15 Paul is relating the story of when he was told that he would be a witness to “all men.” Well, was he a witness to every single man who ever lived or will live? Or for that matter, was he a witness to every single man alive when he was alive? No. Was he to be a witness to each and every man he met? Yes. So we are talking about a specific group of men, NOT each and every man of the human race.

- Acts 21:28, that he would teach all men everywhere.. did Paul teach each and every man of the human race? No. Did he teach some of all types? Yes. Once again we are talking about a specific group of men, NOT each and every man of the human race.

- Colossians 3:11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Is Christ in each and every man of the human race? No. Is Christ in each and every man in Colosse? No. Is Christ in each and every believer in Colosse? Yes. So once more we are talking about a specific group of men, NOT each and every man of the human race.

As I’ve written before (Bible Truth #324), there IS a Greek word that is used only when each and every man or object is the subject. That word is hekastos and it is never used in the context of the atonement of Christ as in “He died for each and every man who was ever born.”

Since there are other passages where it is clear that “all men” does not mean each and every single man, and “all” can mean either individually (each and every) OR collectively (some of all types), then the proper understanding of 1 Timothy 4:10 is clearly Christ is the Savior of some of all types of men since it would otherwise contradict other passages in God’s Word.

Jesus Christ is NOT the Savior of a man in Hell for if He were, that would make Him a failure. My Savior is not a failure, is yours?

Bible Truth #329 - Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25-34
25  "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28  "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Three separate times Jesus Christ said not to worry. Why? Why would Jesus tell us not to worry? Would the reason be because God tells us over and over in His Word that He is sovereign and in control? YES!

Paul writes in Romans 8:28 to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose, we know that all things work together for good. Well how do we know that? Because it is God that is doing the work! And the fact is, God has already done the work, the timeline of human history is finished and complete. When God created time, He created the beginning, the end, and everything in between. From God’s perspective in eternity, what was ever going to occur in time has already happened. God has already declared what will take place tomorrow, next week, next month and next year (Isaiah 46:10) - and yes, that includes quickening the spirits of those He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).

Do you want more proof that God is working His will and that we are not to worry? How about Ephesians 1:11 where God tells us He works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. And the context of that passage is in direct reference to those He chose having been predestined. Predestined for what? Predestined for SALVATION.

Those who worry are simply stating by their words and actions that they don’t like the way God is managing their life and they are afraid that something is coming that will hurt. Hurt them physically, financially, or emotionally - or someone they love. But as with anything else Jesus tells us to do or don’t do, if we worry, it is sin.

God wants us to trust Him, no matter what. He wants us to thank Him, for EVERYTHING! (Ephesians 5:20). Trust Him and acknowledge Him in ALL that you do. Do NOT rely on your own understanding because it is God who is ordering your steps (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:9).

With God in control of every detail in our lives, is it any wonder Jesus said not to worry?

Considering all of this, why do some think that man has a free will and can, of his own volition, choose to believe in Christ or not? We become children of God NOT by human decision (John 1:13).

Bible Truth #328 - Isaiah 46:10

Isaiah 46:10

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

If you carefully consider the object of “time” which God created, you may better understand how everything is history to God. To create something, God has to be outside that which He created. So when He created time, He created the beginning, the end, and EVERYTHING in between. As far as God is concerned, the events that will transpire immediately before His Son’s return to earth have already occurred as much as the attack on the World Trade Center on 9-11 has occurred to us. This is why His prophecies are always 100% accurate. God has declared it and it will not change. If anything changes from what God has already declared (determined, ordained) then the original declaration was false, making God a liar, which of course, is ludicrous.

The prophet then goes on to say about Yahweh, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Consider - God will do all that He pleasures. There is no exception to that, there is no qualifier. There is no room for man’s “free will.” The only thing free about man’s will is that God has ordained some Christians to continue thinking they have free will, along with all of the lost. (Yes, those who are lost also think they have free will.) Since God will do all that pleases Him, and since His Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11), then obviously it is not His WILL that every man be saved. If God willed all men to be saved, all men would be saved.

God has declared it! God has determined who would be saved when He chose them in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). God has already written their names in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 17:8).

Arminians grasp at straws when they claim a couple of passages state God wants all men saved. Passages like 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 4:10, and 2 Peter 3:9. I have explained each and in light of God’s sovereignty clearly stated in passages like Isaiah 46:10 above, the only reason Arminians don’t understand is that God has not given them a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear (Deuteronomy 29:4). If it was God’s will that all men be saved, all men would be saved.

As I wrote in Bible Truth #327, it is no different with individual lives. God has set before each man a course he will take, God directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9).

Bible Truth #327 - Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

This passage follows the Chapter known as the “Hall of Faith,” Hebrews 11, where the writer tells us of the great faith of some of the revered saints of the Old Testament and ends it by telling us some of the things that many other honored saints experienced and how some died gruesome deaths.

He then starts off Chapter 12 by telling us that our lives are being observed by a lot more people than we might want to consider. We may think that only God is watching us but that is not true.

However, what I’d like to point out is that the writer tells us to run with patience the race that is SET BEFORE us.

“Run” is translated from the Greek word trecho which has the meaning: to exert one's self, strive hard; to spend one's strength in performing or attaining something; and sometimes, especially in light of the preceding chapter, to incur extreme peril, which requires the exertion of all one's effort to overcome. And sometimes the only thing that is overcome is the fear of the type of death one will suffer.

“Race” is translated from the Greek word agon which in this context has the meaning: the contest for a prize at the Greek games; generally, any struggle or contest; a battle. Again, in light of the previous chapter and the discussion of the Christian life, I would understand “battle” better than any other definition.

Now we get into the purpose of why the Spirit led me to write this up. “Set before” is translated from the Greek word prokeimai which, in the context of the Christian life, has the meaning: to lie or be placed before a person or in front of; to be appointed, destined.

We can not run another Christian’s race, we can’t live their life. Each man has to live the life the Lord has placed before them. But the point is, that life, his entire life, has been placed before him. It has been set, and has been determined, a specific “race course” that God has laid out. A man can no more change the course God has set for him than he can change history. This is why Proverbs tells us that God has ordered our steps (Proverbs 16:9) and that we are to thank Him for it (Proverbs 3:5-6, Ephesians 5:20). The events that will transpire next week, next year, or even 100 years from now have already been determined and are history to God (Isaiah 46:10). To Him Who is outside of time, the future is history and it cannot be changed.

This is why all things work together for good (Romans 8:28), God has already worked in them. This is why the author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote that the race has been set before us, it is ours and we cannot change it. (Proverbs 20:24)

Bible Truth #326 - John 9:1-3

John 9:1-3

1  And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

And so begins the story of the man who was blind from birth. There were even people who, after his healing, didn’t even recognize him as the blind beggar. This is only one of many illustrations of life where it is clear that God is Sovereign and in control.

It was a common belief among Jews that sickness or even physical maladies were the result of sin, even the sin of the parents because of their children born handicapped - and they had good reason to believe it. God told Israel through Moses that He would “visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation...” (Exodus 20:5). It was literally contained within the 10 Commandments!

But read again the question the disciples asked Jesus - did this man sin before he was born that caused him to be born blind? Did they have some kind of belief unfounded in Scriptures that said an unborn child could sin? That is how some would interpret this question. I see it another way. Romans 14:23 tells us that everything not done in faith is sin, but is there an age limit on this? If a lost farmer is sinning when he plows his field, and if a lost teenager is sinning when she does her chores around the house, and if a lost child is sinning as he plays games with his friends, does this not also mean that an infant, if he is not one of the Elect, is sinning when he is nursing at his mother’s breast? Is Romans 14:23 speaking of only conscious or planned activity? I don’t believe so. The very existence of a lost man, woman, boy, girl, infant, or unborn - IF they are not chosen in Christ - is a stench before God.

Obviously His disciples understood that man is conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5), is born a sinner, and is in dire need of the redemptive work of Christ - from conception! They understood that it is not the actions of a man that make him a sinner, it is the fact that he was descended from Adam that make him a sinner (Romans 5:12). His sinful actions are merely the result of his fallen nature.

As a side note, please see Bible Truth #319 for thoughts regarding the myth known as the Age of Accountability.

But Christ goes on to tell them that neither the man, nor his parents, sinning caused his blindness. He was born blind so that God could show His works in him. God planned it, He intended it, the man’s blindness was no accident, nor was it a mistake that can now be corrected. Giving sight to the blind was a Messianic activity that was prophesied (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5; 42:7), so how could Jesus give sight to the blind if there were no blind? It was clearly God’s intention that the man would be born blind.

Bottom Line - God doesn’t simply work in each situation to bring Him glory (Ephesians 1:11), He has planned each and every event in our lives (Proverbs 16:9; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1). No one lives their life NOT fulfilling God’s plan for them.

Bible Truth #325 - 1 Corinthians 12:12-18

1 Corinthians 12:12-18

12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14  For the body is not one member, but many.

15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

God is sovereign and He has chosen a bride for His son and placed them in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). But now has God set those He has chosen, every one of them, in the body (the church, the body of believers) as it has pleased Him (v18).

A man can’t decide He wants to be a hand if the Lord has made him a foot. Nor can another man decide that he wants to be a nose when God hasn’t even chosen him. As a matter of fact, a man not chosen will not come to even have a desire to be in the body (John 3:20).

The point is that God decided not only who was chosen, but He has also decided what function each man would serve within the body of believers - as it hath pleased Him.