021115 Session 39
“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:15, NASB95) SESSION 38 | ACTS 19:11-‐40
KINGDOM SIGNS AND KINGDOM PREACHING | VV. 11-‐12 •
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Those who do not adopt a dispensational theology have a challenge with verses like 11-‐12. o They can say that all Christians have this ability, if their faith is strong. o They can say that only Apostles had this ability, but Philip is problematic (Acts 8:13) o They can say this is a limited experience, but have no basis for limitation. o They can deny the truthfulness of Scripture. § “The people did not understand that the power came from God through the apostle. This gave rise to certain superstitious practices. The people believed that Paul’ apparel had healing power, so they took handkerchiefs and aprons from him and used them to touch those who were sick.” (Broadman Bible Commentary, Volume 10, 1970. Pg. 111) The miracles of vv. 11-‐12 are miracles of the age of the Kingdom offer (which is a better title than "apostolic age,") since John the Apostle lived well beyond the age of the Kingdom offer, and no miracles were recorded in the time after AD 70.
JEWISH EXORCISTS | VV. 13-‐16 •
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The Greek word exorkistes is the person who does exorkizo. o This word is based on ek ("out of," an intensifier) and horkos, "an oath." o The exorkistes uses oaths and oath-‐taking to do his work. o This is the only time the word is used in the New Testament. Jesus is not an exorcist, nor were the Apostles, all of whom "cast out demons" but did not use oaths or incantations to do so. o Note that there is no such thing as a "Christian exorcist." These were Jewish mystics who used incantations. Paul, the Apostles, and Jesus never used such mysticism or any other means outside of direct authority. These exorcists were going “from place to place” (NASB). Literally, "wandering" or "vagabond" (KJV). NASB cleans up the reputation of these men. In times past, Solomon was the famous Jewish "exorcist." See Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 8:45-‐49. Now these Jews "attempted" , that is, literally, "took it into their own hands" Verse 15 -‐ This should be, "I know Jesus and understand Paul." o The Greek ginosko is used with Jesus, and is a word for personal experience. o The Greek word epistamai is used with Paul, and is a word meaning "upon a standing," as in "I have a standing knowledge of ..." § Our English word epistimology, which is the study of knowledge, comes from this word.
THE PIVOT POINT | THE TRANSITION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS Each time the word is used in the New Testament (as in Acts 19:25) it is used as knowledge or understanding. Note: KJV and NKJV both use know for Jesus and Paul. Only a student who can use Greek or Strong's Concordance can recognize there is a difference. “But who are you?” -‐ This is an extraordinary insult. o Like God, the demons are "no respecter of persons." o If we think we can impress or out-‐power the "spiritual forces of darkness," we are fooled. §
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CHRISTIAN REPENTANCE | VV. 17-‐20 • • • •
Real repentance is seen in this passage. Repentance is a response to belief, not a requirement for belief. Repentance shows itself in tangible action. Verse 20-‐ As always, one should be careful not to make a doctrine, teaching, or principle out of a historical event.
DISTURBANCE IN EPHESUS | VV. 21-‐41 • •
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“The Way” (v. 23) -‐ These are the Jewish congregants who have followed the doctrine of the Apostles and recognized Jesus as Messiah. They are not necessarily part of the Body of Christ. Verse 26 -‐ We see two things here: o The success of Paul's work o The method of Paul's work. § Paul was very clear in his agenda: to persuade, using words, convincing that Jesus was Savior and Messiah. § Paul would never use "Allah" for God but would call Allah for what he is: a false god who is no god at all. Verse 32 -‐ Let us be careful when we are in a crowd of people, not to get swept into the emotion of the moment, and lose our discernment, study, and investigative ability. Verse 39 -‐ This is not doctrine, but we can even learn from the pagans here. o A riot, mob, parking-‐lot meeting, innuendo, or social-‐media debate is not the place to solve a matter fully. o Christian churches would do well to push debate toward official assemblies. Doing so will kill many less-‐than-‐noble agendas. Verse 39 -‐ The Greek word here is ecclesia, showing that the word must be interpreted in context. For example, the church as "body of Christ" was a mystery until Paul, therefore, "I will build my ecclesia" (Matt 16) does not have to be "church" and should not be "church." Christ will build His "assembly."
KINGDOM SIGNS AND KINGDOM PREACHING | VV. 11-‐12 •
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Those who do not adopt a dispensational theology have a challenge with verses like 11-‐12. o They can say that all Christians have this ability, if their faith is strong. o They can say that only Apostles had this ability, but Philip is problematic (Acts 8:13) o They can say this is a limited experience, but have no basis for limitation. o They can deny the truthfulness of Scripture. § “The people did not understand that the power came from God through the apostle. This gave rise to certain superstitious practices. The people believed that Paul’ apparel had healing power, so they took handkerchiefs and aprons from him and used them to touch those who were sick.” (Broadman Bible Commentary, Volume 10, 1970. Pg. 111) The miracles of vv. 11-‐12 are miracles of the age of the Kingdom offer (which is a better title than "apostolic age,") since John the Apostle lived well beyond the age of the Kingdom offer, and no miracles were recorded in the time after AD 70.
JEWISH EXORCISTS | VV. 13-‐16 •
• • •
The Greek word exorkistes is the person who does exorkizo. o This word is based on ek ("out of," an intensifier) and horkos, "an oath." o The exorkistes uses oaths and oath-‐taking to do his work. o This is the only time the word is used in the New Testament. Jesus is not an exorcist, nor were the Apostles, all of whom "cast out demons" but did not use oaths or incantations to do so. o Note that there is no such thing as a "Christian exorcist." These were Jewish mystics who used incantations. Paul, the Apostles, and Jesus never used such mysticism or any other means outside of direct authority. These exorcists were going “from place to place” (NASB). Literally, "wandering" or "vagabond" (KJV). NASB cleans up the reputation of these men. In times past, Solomon was the famous Jewish "exorcist." See Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 8:45-‐49. Now these Jews "attempted" , that is, literally, "took it into their own hands" Verse 15 -‐ This should be, "I know Jesus and understand Paul." o The Greek ginosko is used with Jesus, and is a word for personal experience. o The Greek word epistamai is used with Paul, and is a word meaning "upon a standing," as in "I have a standing knowledge of ..." § Our English word epistimology, which is the study of knowledge, comes from this word.
THE PIVOT POINT | THE TRANSITION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS Each time the word is used in the New Testament (as in Acts 19:25) it is used as knowledge or understanding. Note: KJV and NKJV both use know for Jesus and Paul. Only a student who can use Greek or Strong's Concordance can recognize there is a difference. “But who are you?” -‐ This is an extraordinary insult. o Like God, the demons are "no respecter of persons." o If we think we can impress or out-‐power the "spiritual forces of darkness," we are fooled. §
• •
CHRISTIAN REPENTANCE | VV. 17-‐20 • • • •
Real repentance is seen in this passage. Repentance is a response to belief, not a requirement for belief. Repentance shows itself in tangible action. Verse 20-‐ As always, one should be careful not to make a doctrine, teaching, or principle out of a historical event.
DISTURBANCE IN EPHESUS | VV. 21-‐41 • •
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•
“The Way” (v. 23) -‐ These are the Jewish congregants who have followed the doctrine of the Apostles and recognized Jesus as Messiah. They are not necessarily part of the Body of Christ. Verse 26 -‐ We see two things here: o The success of Paul's work o The method of Paul's work. § Paul was very clear in his agenda: to persuade, using words, convincing that Jesus was Savior and Messiah. § Paul would never use "Allah" for God but would call Allah for what he is: a false god who is no god at all. Verse 32 -‐ Let us be careful when we are in a crowd of people, not to get swept into the emotion of the moment, and lose our discernment, study, and investigative ability. Verse 39 -‐ This is not doctrine, but we can even learn from the pagans here. o A riot, mob, parking-‐lot meeting, innuendo, or social-‐media debate is not the place to solve a matter fully. o Christian churches would do well to push debate toward official assemblies. Doing so will kill many less-‐than-‐noble agendas. Verse 39 -‐ The Greek word here is ecclesia, showing that the word must be interpreted in context. For example, the church as "body of Christ" was a mystery until Paul, therefore, "I will build my ecclesia" (Matt 16) does not have to be "church" and should not be "church." Christ will build His "assembly."
