Daily Bible Nugget #127, 2 Peter 1:21

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

My Comment:

The most important subject in the Bible to become informed about and convinced of is the subject of what the Bible says about itself. If you miss understanding this, you really miss much of the value that the Bible possesses as a source of encouragement to your life. The Bible is no ordinary book. The Bible was inspired by God Himself. Although the writers of the Bible used their own words and vocabulary, and often write in a manner that reflects their individual personality and life experience, the message they proclaim and the words chosen to convey that message are not their own, but those chosen by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, the third member of the Trinity. Though you will not find the word “trinity” in the Bible itself, careful study of the Biblical evidence will demonstrate that the Bible teaches there is One God who exists eternally in three distinct persons, each of whom is called God. The Bible calls Jesus God; the Bible calls the Holy Spirit God; and no one who accepts the Bible as the inspired written Word of God has any doubt that the Father is called God. But the point of this text, 2 Peter 1:21, is that the men chosen by God to write the Bible did not write their own opinion, but wrote authoritatively the message God gave them to convey to us.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1466 for 2 Peter 1:21.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1485 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 2 Peter 1:21.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

2 Peter 1:21. the prophecy. Lk *1:70. 2 T +*3:16. 1 P *1:11. in old time. or, at any time. holy. Dt *33:1. Jsh 14:6. 1 K 13:1. *17:18, 24. 2 K 4:7, 9, 22. *6:10, 15. 1 Ch *23:14. 2 Ch 8:14. spake. Nu 16:28. 2 S *23:2. Mi +*3:7. Lk 1:70. 2 T +**3:15-17. 1 P *1:11. Re *19:10. they were. or, being. FS63K, Ge +37:13. by the Holy. Mk 12:36. Ac 1:16. 3:18. 28:25. He 3:7. 9:8. 10:15. Ghost. Gr. pneuma, Mt +1:18.

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Daily Bible Nugget #126, Proverbs 29:2

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

I thought this verse would be a good follow-up to Proverbs 18:5 discussed yesterday. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. Currently, many people are not rejoicing because those who are currently in authority are not righteous. Why do I say they are not righteous? Leadership that flaunts the Constitution is not righteous. Leaders who tell lies to the degree that one of them in particular could almost be called the nation’s “Liar in Chief” are not righteous. When the wicked bear rule, the people mourn. If the current wickedness of the administration continues on its present path, the people will surely be in mourning. Am I advocating a theocratic rule for this nation instead? Hardly. But it would likely be a vast improvement to dump the current administration in the next few election cycles and place some honest politicians (a contradiction in terms?) in positions of leadership for a change. The coming year ought to be very interesting. From the Bible we learn that to change society at large for the better we must see change to enough individuals to make a difference. That means more souls must be won to Christ. More people need to get informed about why and how this country was founded, and learn about the original intent of those founding fathers as seen in their writings, and in the Constitution and Bill of Rights they put in place. And more people must become committed to following Biblical principles and values in their own life, the purpose for Real Bible Study.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 686 for Proverbs 29:2.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 724 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Proverbs 29:2.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Proverbs 29:2. the righteous. Pr 11:10. 28:12, 28. Est 8:15. Ps 72:1-7. 101:6. Is 32:1, 2. Je *23:5, 6. Re 11:15. in authority. or, increased. ver. 16. Ge 7:17. Ex 11:9. Ec 5:11. the people rejoice. 2 K 11:14, 20. 1 Ch 12:40. 2 Ch 23:13. Jb 29:11. Re 19:7. when the wicked. ver. 16. Est 3:15. Ec 10:5. Mt *2:3, 16. people mourn. Pr %11:10. Am 5:13.

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Daily Bible Nugget #125, Proverbs 18:5

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Proverbs 18:5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

My Comment:

When I read this verse recently in my Bible study, I noticed a possible application that had not occurred to me before. If I take “accept the person of the wicked” broadly enough to include supporting a political candidate of any party or persuasion that holds to or follows by action or inaction policy that is contrary to the Bible, I ought not vote for such a person. To vote for such a person certainly overthrows the righteous in judgment who voted against that candidate, and I potentially assisted a very evil person to hold office. Granted, this is more application than interpretation. Literally understood, to accept the person of the wicked would pertain more to the action of judges and others of similar authority who cave in to the position of the wicked, instead of standing against them. This takes place frequently in our society. The tiny sinful minority gets all the attention, and the righteous are almost totally disregarded. It is about time that the righteous, the solid Bible believing Christians, take a stand and hold to it in all areas of life. But when it comes to election day, this is most important. For a Christian not to vote his or her informed conscience is to cast a vote for the devil. When primary election season comes along this coming year, Christians ought to be sure to vote and vote in a manner that reflects Biblical values. Pay attention to the news. Quite often you will notice, if your eyes are open, that certain current office holders loudly support policy that is utterly absurd, not to mention morally wrong. Senators like John McCain of Arizona and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina come immediately to mind. Representative John Boehner of Ohio, the Speaker of the House, not to mention Senator Harry Reid of the Senate, need to be replaced with people who believe in and uncompromisingly support the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They need to be replaced by candidates who understand the very dangerous fiscal policy the current government is advocating. Senator Paul Ryan of Wisconsin lacks moral backbone when he blatantly supports fiscal policy he must know will be ruinous to this country. The individuals I just named, whether I spelled their names right or not, have got to go, for they clearly do not support sound fiscal policy, do not tell the truth, and do not support the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Speaker of the House has no business calling himself a Republican. Same goes for most of the Republican Establishment. They are individuals devoid of moral backbone, who cave in to the opposition and never stand up very long for what is morally and economically right. As for the Democrats, those on the national scene and their party are so far to the left they might as well be called socialists and communists. In any case they are godless, supporting immorality condemned throughout the Bible. Forgive my rant, but these are some of the thoughts I had as I read Proverbs 18:5 this past week or so.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 671 for Proverbs 18:5.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 711 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Proverbs 18:5.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Proverbs 18:5. not good. FS175B, Ge +21:16. Figure Tapeinosis, meaning it is very bad. Pr *24:23. *28:21. Ge 4:7. Le +*19:15. Dt *1:16, 17. 16:19. Ne 5:9. 2 Ch +**19:2. 7, 9. Jb 13:7, 8. 34:19. Mt *22:16. Ro +2:11. Ja +2:1. to accept. 1 T +*5:21. person of the wicked. Ps *82:2. to overthrow. 1 K 21:9-14. Ps 140:4. Is 5:23. *59:14. Mi 7:3. the righteous. Pr 17:26.

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Daily Bible Nugget #124, 2 Corinthians 4:18

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Here is a statement penned by the Apostle Paul to help us focus on what really matters in life. We focus on the unseen things which are eternal. I suspect the temptation is very strong to ignore or put off looking at the things which are not seen. I believe that studying the Bible is one effective way to look at eternal realities. I suspect that this statement by Paul reflects his experience of seeing the heavenly eternal realities when he visited the third heaven as described in 2 Corinthians 12:3-4. While there he heard unspeakable words, “which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Yet I think there is an interesting pattern in Paul’s letters that may give hints about what he heard. The very next verse in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:1 and following verses may be an example.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1334 for 2 Corinthians 4:18.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1355 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 2 Corinthians 4:18.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

2 Corinthians 4:18. look not. Gr. skopeō (S#4648g, Lk 11:35). 2 C **5:7. Mt 4:8. Ro 8:18, 24, 25. 1 C 6:2. Ph 3:20. Col 3:1. He *11:1, 14, 25-27. *12:2, 3. but at. FS31, Is +1:21. not seen. Is 33:17. Ph 3:14. He +*11:13, 27. 13:14. 1 P 1:8. for. Ps 94:13. Mt 6:21. +*25:46. Lk 16:25, 26. 2 Th 2:16. 1 J *2:16, 17, 25. temporal. or, temporary, for a season. Gr. proskairos (S#4340g). Mt 13:21g. Mk 4:17g. Jn *6:27. He 11:25g. but the. FS31, Is +1:21. eternal. Gr. aionios, Mt +18:8. Is 51:11. Lk 16:9. 1 J *2:17.

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Daily Bible Nugget #123, Proverbs 16:6

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

My Comment:

While studying the Bible today at Psalm 85:10, my elderly friend Uncle Frank’s favorite verse–to go by how often he quoted it–I came across Proverbs 16:6. The first thing I noticed is that his verse specifies God’s solution to the problem of evil. By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. I think in some quarters today there must be a lack of fear of the Lord. Another thought I had as I read this verse, to solve the crime problem, and get rid of evil wherever it shows itself, turn the full light of the Bible and the Gospel of Christ upon it. Men love darkness because their deeds are evil. This verse also is a clear example of a cause/effect relationship verse: The fear of the Lord is the cause, departing from evil is the effect. Whether in the neighborhoods of the inner city like Detroit, where I taught, or the halls of Congress and the White House itself, this verse holds true. We need to have more people that know the Lord busy applying these truths found in Scripture.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 668 for Proverbs 16:6.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 709 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Proverbs 16:6.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Proverbs 16:6. By mercy. Pr 3:3. 20:28. Ex 30:10. Le 4:20. Ps +**9:10n. +*85:10. 86:15. Da *4:27. Mi *7:18-20. Lk 11:41. Jn 1:17. *15:2. Ac *15:9. 1 P *1:22. and truth. FS174, Ge +18:27. Dt 30:13. Jn 14:6. **17:17. iniquity. Ps 4:4. purged. Ps 65:3. +*119:9. Is **26:9. Jn 15:2. 1 J 3:6-10. by the fear. Pr 1:7. *8:13. 14:16, 27. Ge 20:11. Ex +1:17. 9:30. Dt +6:2. 25:18. Ne 5:*9, 15. Jb 1:1-8. *28:28. Ps 25:12. 36:1. Ec 7:18. Je 44:10. Ml +**3:5. Ac 9:31. 10:35. Ro 3:18. 2 C *7:1. Ep 5:21. depart from evil. Pr 3:7. 13:14, 19. Ps 4:4. +*37:27. Is **26:9, 10. 56:2. 2 C **5:17. Ga **5:22, 23. 1 P *3:11.

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Daily Bible Nugget #122, Luke 13:6-9

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Luke 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luke 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

My Comment:

This is the last passage of the memory verse list I shared with my high school Sunday school class. I believe that anyone who will learn these verses by heart will find these verses will encourage prayer and growth in the Christian life. I’m sure that the proper interpretation of Luke 13:6-9 is more difficult than I realized when I first memorized the passage as a teenager. But the application I made of it later was to not give up on reaching others if we do not see immediate results. I think it would help if more churches, pastors, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachers would make the effort to reclaim those who seem to be slipping away out the back door of the church. Sometimes there may be great effort to bring a person to the point of spiritual birth. We need to go beyond that to develop mature, growing disciples. I believed back then that the job of the teacher or pastor is to teach the pupil as much as possible. I wanted to literally teach myself out of a job when it came to teaching about the Bible and spiritual things. I wanted my Sunday school pupils and the attenders to a home Bible study to come to know as much or more than me, their teacher. I did this with repeated personal contact in small group settings or one on one. I found a particularly effective way to reach teenagers in greater depth was to share with them important books I found most helpful. To do that, I bought a duplicate or two of a good title and put it in a bookcase and invited, in one case, the members of the Bible Discussion Club at Cass Technical High School to read and study them. Some got worn out. A few turned up missing. But I believe God has used those books in the lives of those who had the opportunity to read them. One of the titles was Evangelism Explosion by Dr. Kennedy of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. The Bible Club members were eager to win souls. They learned the material in that book, and then rewrote it to better suit reaching teenagers at school. But one time one of the students brought a friend up to my classroom and asked me to demonstrate once again how to use the Coral Ridge Program on the student he brought with him. I did so. The next day the student came up to my room (it was on the seventh floor, so that is a lot of stairs to climb!) all breathless and excited. He asked me if I had heard what happened to the friend he brought with him the day before. I had not. He let me know that she went home that day, only to discover that her mother had packed her suitcase and was deserting the family. The girl he had brought with him the day before was the oldest child of eight. That left the responsibility for the other children in her hands. She was devastated. She went to a room where she would not be disturbed. She prayed, and asked the Lord to save her. I believe the Lord answered her prayer. It ultimately was through her and her then future husband that resulted in my moving from Detroit itself out to the country. And, having moved way out here, I met my wife at a little church I happened to visit one very snowy Sunday when it would be too difficult and hazardous to drive to Covenant Baptist Church in Detroit where I then taught the Lamplighter’s Class, a college and career age Sunday school class. Beyond that, one of that young lady’s future children became a missionary and is on the mission field now. By the way, the young man who brought his friend to me became a pastor in Memphis, Tennessee. Looking back, I’m sure we all can testify that God works in many wonderful and to us most mysterious ways to bring about His will.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1135 for Luke 13:6-9.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1157 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Luke 13:6-9.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Luke 13:6. fig tree. Jg 9:8-12. Ezr 9:8, 9. Ps *80:8-13. SS 2:13. Is *5:1-4. Je 2:21. 8:13. 24:3. Ho 9:10. Jl 1:7. Mt 7:17. *21:18-20. Mk 11:12-14. Jn 1:48. his vineyard. Ps 80:8-16. Is 5:2. Mk 12:1. and he came. Lk 20:10-14. Mt 21:34-40. Jn +*15:16. Ga 5:22. Ph 4:17. sought fruit. Lk 8:14. Jn 15:5. Ph 1:11. T 3:14. found none. Lk 8:14. Jn %15:5.

Luke 13:7. Then said. FS56, Is +14:16. these three years. Le 19:23. 25:21. Ro 2:4, 5. seeking fruit. SS 6:11. Is 5:2. Ezk 24:13. Mt 21:19, 23, 33. 2 T 1:10. He 6:8. on this fig tree. Jg 9:11. SS 2:13. cut it down. Lk 3:9. +*12:46. Ex 32:7-14. Dt 20:19. Ec 11:3. Ezk 20:8, 9. Da 4:14. Mt *3:10. 7:19. Jn +*15:2, 6. Ro 11:20-23. 2 P 2:9, 17. 3:7, 9. why. Ex 32:10. Ho 6:4. Mt 3:9. cumbereth. Gr. katargeō [S#2673g: Rendered (1) destroy: Ro 6:6. 1 C 6:13. 15:26. 2 Th 2:8. He 2:14. (2) do away: 1 C 13:10. 2 C 3:11, 14. (3) abolish: 2 C 3:13. Ep 2:15. 2 T 1:10. (4) cumber: Lk 13:7. (5) loose: Ro 7:2. (6) cease: Ga 5:11. (7) fail: 1 C 13:8a. (8) deliver: Ro 7:6. (9) make without effect: Ro 3:3. (10) make void: Ro 3:31. (11) make of none effect: Ro 4:14. (12) bring to nought: 1 C 1:28. (13) come to nought: 1 C 2:6. (14) vanish away: 1 C 13:8b. (15) put away: 1 C 13:11. (16) put down: 1 C 15:24. (17) to be done away: 2 C 3:7. (18) make of none effect: Ga 3:17. (19) become of no effect: Ga 5:4]. Ro 3:3, 31. 7:6. 2 C 3:7, 11, 13, 14. Ga 5:4.

Luke 13:8. Lord, let. Ex 32:11-14, 30-32. *34:6, 9. Nu 14:11-20. Jsh 7:7-9. Ps 78:38. 106:23. Je 14:7-9, 13, etc. 15:1. 18:20. Ezk *12:3. Jl 2:17. Ro *2:4. 10:1. 11:14. 2 P **3:9, 15. this year also. Lk 24:47. Ac3:26. and dung. Lk 14:35.

Luke 13:9. And if. FS184C, Mt +4:9. Lk 19:42. Ex 32:32. Ezr 9:13-15. Is 5:5-7. Ezk 12:3. Da 3:15. it bear fruit. Mt 13:23. Ga *5:22, 23. well. FS63D2, Ge +30:27. FS63F, Ge +33:10. FS37A, Ex +32:32. Da 3:15. if not. FS184C, Mt +4:9. after that. Ac 13:46. Ro 11:221. cut it down. Lk 3:9. Ezr 9:14, 15. Ps 69:22-28. 80:14, 15. Is *5:5-7. Da 9:5-8. Mt 3:10. Jn *15:2. 1 Th 2:15. He *6:8. Re *15:3, 4. 16:5-7.

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Daily Bible Nugget #121, Acts 1:8

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

My Comment:

This passage records the “marching orders” Jesus left His disciples immediately before Jesus ascended to heaven. True to His promise, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost. The New Testament church grew in the direction Jesus commanded. First, the disciples witnessed in Jerusalem and all Judea. Then they witnessed in Samaria. After that, they brought the message of the Gospel to the rest of the inhabited earth. In our own time, Jerusalem could well represent our home town, our immediate neighborhood. Judea could represent the larger surrounding area. Samaria would represent “the other side of the tracks,” those neighborhoods and areas inhabited by those that are culturally or racially different from ourselves. The uttermost part of the earth would represent our outreach to the rest of the planet. The Gospel message, to be most effective, needs to be communicated by those who have been empowered for service by the Holy Spirit.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on pages 1212-1213 for Acts 1:8.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1231 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Acts 1:8.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Acts 1:8. But ye shall. Ac *2:1-4. *6:8. 8:19. 2 K 2:9, 15. Mi 3:8. Zc *4:6. Mt 10:26. Mk 3:14. Lk 10:19. 11:49. Jn *15:16. Re 11:3-6. power, etc. or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you. Ac 4:33. 10:38. Ps 110:3. Mt 10:1. Lk +*1:35. 4:14. 9:1. 24:49. Ro 15:13, 19. 1 C 12:10. Ep 3:16. Col *1:11. 1 Th 1:5. 2 T +**1:7. after that. ver. +5. Lk *24:49. Ghost. Gr. pneuma, Mt +1:18. Jn 14:26. and. FS148, Ge +8:22. ye shall. ver. 22. Ac +*2:32. 3:15. *4:18, 33. 5:32. 10:39-41. 13:31, 47. 22:15. Pr 8:1. Mt 22:4. 23:34. +*28:19. Mk **16:15. Lk 24:46-49. Jn 15:27. witnesses. ver. 22. Ac +*2:24n. 4:20. 8:25. Is 43:10n, 12. 44:8. 48:6. Ezk 3:4. Am +*7:15. Lk *1:2. *+24:48. Jn 1:7. 15:26, 27. 1 P 5:11. unto me. Ac 10:42. Ne +*9:6. Mt 13:37. Jn 20:21. in Jerusalem. Ac 2:14. 3:26. *5:28. 11:19. *26:20. Is *2:3. Mi 4:2. Lk *24:46-49. Ro *15:19. all Judea. Ac 8:1. *10:37. in Samaria. Ac *8:1, 5-25. Mt 10:5. Lk 17:16. Jn 4:9, 41. unto. Ac 9:32. 13:4, 5, 46, 47. Ps 22:27. 98:3. Is 8:9. 42:10. 49:6. 52:10. 66:19. Je 16:19. Mt 24:14. +*28:19. Mk +13:27. **16:15. Ro 10:18. 15:19. Ga 2:8. Col *1:23.

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Daily Bible Nugget #120, John 20:21

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

My Comment:

It is imperative that the Gospel message be communicated to others. While Jesus spoke these words to His original group of disciples, the need holds true today. The task is not limited to professional clergy and missionaries. All of us who believe the Gospel should be missionaries. We each may not be missionaries in the same way, but God will use us in the way He sees fit.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1209 for John 20:21.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1227 or in Logos 5 Bible software for John 20:21.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

John 20:21. Peace. FS171I9B, Is +57:19. ver. +19. Jn *14:27. Ge 43:23. Nu 6:26. as my Father. Jn 14:28. Is 22:24. *48:16. hath sent. Jn +3:17, 34. 6:38. 17:18. Lk 4:43. He 3:1. so send. Note the distinction. The Father sent the Son alone, but the Son sends His disciples with an “escort” or guard, i.e. the Holy Spirit. This is to emphasize the fact that the Lord remains (by the Spirit) with those whom He sends (CB). Jn 13:20. *15:16. 17:18, 19, 22. 21:15-17. Is 61:1-3. Je 23:21. Ezk 2:3. 3:4. Ml 2:7. Mt 9:38. 10:5, 16, 40. 13:37. 23:34. 28:18-20. Mk **16:15-18. Lk 24:47-49. Ac +1:2, +*8. Ro 10:15. 1 C 1:1. 2 C 5:20. Ga 1:1. 2 T **2:2. He 3:1. 2 P 1:1. 1 J *4:6.

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Daily Bible Nugget #119, Acts 20:31-32

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

My Comment:

I once had a high school Sunday school class. I worked very diligently to try to encourage and motivate the class members to come regularly. It was a discouraging task, because after perhaps a year I was making little headway. I thought, perhaps I should just stop keeping after them to attend and seek for some new class members to fill their place if they stop coming altogether. But as I considered this verse, Paul indicates he taught diligently for three years, and warned everyone night and day with tears. I prayed and reconsidered. None of the students ever spoke against my reminding them to come or complained in any other way. So, like the parable Jesus told where the gardener said to give the tree that was cumbering the ground “yet this year also” to be cared for, though already the tree had borne no fruit for three years. If no fruit appeared after another year, then cut the tree down. I’m glad I continued working with this select group of young people in the class. I still have contact with some of them these many years later. Some are strong in the Lord. Some I suspect have strayed in a wrong direction, yet they are still committed to the Lord. I only wish I could have taught them better. But at the time, and even yet, I am still learning myself. In the end, God must motivate others to follow Him. Like Paul, we can only “Commend them to God, and the word of his grace.” In other words, keep praying for them, and let God work in their hearts through His written Word in the Bible. We must trust God to give them an inheritance among them which are sanctified.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1258 for Acts 20:31-32.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1279 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Acts 20:31-32.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Acts 20:31. watch. Ezr 8:29. Mt +*13:25. +24:42. 25:13. Mk 13:34-37. Lk +**21:36. 1 C 16:13. 2 C 6:5. 11:27. Col 4:2. 1 Th 5:6, 10. 2 T *4:5. He *13:17. 1 P 5:8. Re 4:8. 16:15. remember. ver. +18. 2 Th 2:5. 1 T 4:6. by the space of three years. According to Jewish reckoning, that is. It was really only about two and a quarter years (Walker). Part of a year counted as a whole year, just as with days (Jsh 5:11n. 1 S 30:12n 1 K 16:8n. Mt 12:40n). Ac 18:11. *19:8, 10. 24:17. warn. Gr. noutheteō (S#3560g). ver. 20. 2 Ch 19:10. Ps **19:11. Ezk *3:17-21. Mt 3:7. Ro 15:14g (admonish). 1 C 4:14g. 9:12. 2 C 2:4. 11:3. 12:20, 21. Ep +*4:14. Ph 3:18, 19. Col *1:28g. 3:16g. 1 Th +5:12g, *14g. 2 Th 3:15g. 1 J 2:18. every one. We note the apostle’s individual dealing. Every sheep of the flock received the attention of this faithful shepherd (Walker). Col 1:28. 1 Th 2:11. night. ver. 7, 11. Ac 26:7. Mk +4:27. 5:5. Lk 2:37. 1 Th 2:9, 10. 2 Th 3:8. 1 T 5:5. 2 T 1:3. and day. Ac 19:9. with tears. ver. +19. Ge 43:30. 2 K 8:11. Ps 119:136. +*126:6. Lk 19:41. 2 C 2:4. Ph 3:18. 2 T 1:4. He *13:17.

Acts 20:32. And now. Ac 4:29. I commend. Ac 14:23, 26. 15:40. 17:3. Ge 50:24. Je 49:11. Ep 6:23. 1 P *4:19. Ju *24, *25. to God. Ro 16:25. to the word of his grace. ver. +24. Ac 14:3. 1 T 4:13. 2 T +*3:14-17. He 13:9. to build. Mark the need and profitableness of studying God’s holy word (Walker). T#1049. Ac +9:31. Jn 15:3. 17:17. 1 C 3:9, 10. Ep *2:20-22. 4:12, 16. Col +**1:10. *+2:7. *3:16. 1 Th **2:13. 1 T +*4:16. 1 P **2:2. 2 P **3:18. Ju **20. to give you an inheritance. Ac *26:18. Dt +*33:2-4. Je 3:19. Mt +*5:5. *+25:34. Ro *+8:17. Ep *1:11, 14, 18. 5:5. Col *1:12. *3:24. He *9:15. 1 P +*1:4, 5. which are sanctified. Ac *26:18. Jn **+17:6, 17, 19. Ro 15:16. 1 C 1:2. **6:11. Ep 5:26. Col 1:12. 1 Th *4:3, 4. **5:23. 2 Th 2:13. He 2:11. 10:14. +*12:14. 1 P 1:2. Ju 1. Re *21:27.

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Daily Bible Nugget #118, Acts 20:26-27

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

My Comment:

Paul gave a strong testimony to the thoroughness of his outreach. He was pure from the blood of all men. Paul has reference to what is recorded in Ezekiel, where God told the prophet Ezekiel that if he warned the people as God directed him, he would not be guilty of the blood of those who failed to heed his warnings. But if Ezekiel failed to warn the people, God said He would require their blood at his hand. Paul further tells us that he did not hold back the truth from those he taught. Paul is a good model to follow. I once asked a pastor who was browsing the books at John’s Bible and Bookstore in Detroit, now many years ago, what he did to teach his congregation how to study the Bible. The pastor said, “Jerry, if I taught my people how to study the Bible I’d soon be out of a job!” He was not joking, but very serious. I thought then and still think now that the opposite course of action is better. If the people in a church know how to study the Bible, they will be better equipped to grow spiritually. They will be better equipped to resist the errors of false doctrine pedaled from house to house in many neighborhoods by very committed and energetic members of false cults. The people would even be more interested in the pastor’s sermons and teaching, provided he was actually teaching from the Bible, which I’m quite sure he was doing.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1258 for Acts 20:26-27.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1278 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Acts 20:26-27.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Acts 20:26. I take you to record. or, am witnessed to by you. Gr. marturomai (S#3143g). ver. 21, 23, 24. Ac 26:22g. 1 K 22:14. 2 K 9:17. 1 Ch 22:6. Jb 16:19. Pr 14:25. Je 42:19. Mt 10:14. Jn 12:17. 19:35. Ro 10:2. 2 C 1:23. 8:3. Ga 5:3g. Ep +4:17g. 1 Th 2:10-12. this day. Dt +*4:26. 8:19. Je 42:21. Lk 23:43. that. Ac +*18:6. 2 S 3:28. Ezk **3:18-21. 33:2-9. 2 C 7:2. 1 T 5:22. I am. Ac 24:16. pure from. Ac +18:6. Le 19:17. Nu 18:1. 2 Ch 18:7. Ezk 3:19. 33:9. Mt 10:14. the blood. Ac *18:6. Dt 22:8. Jsh 2:19. 2 S 1:16. Ps 51:14. Ezk 3:18. 33:4, 8. 2 C 2:16.

Acts 20:27. I have. ver. *20, *35. Ac *26:22, 23. Ps 40:10. Je 1:7. 42:19. 1 C 2:4. 2 C *4:2. Ga *1:7-10. *4:16. 1 Th *2:4. not shunned. ver. +20. Ac 4:11, 29. Ge 40:19. Le 19:17. Is 58:1. Ezk 3:11. Mk 6:18. 2 C 2:16, 17. to declare. Ac +*4:20. 14:27. 22:14, 15. Jb 26:3. Pr 14:25. Is 21:10. 58:1. Je 1:17. 6:17. 7:27. 19:2. 42:21. Ezk 3:11. 33:7. 40:4. 1 J *1:3. all. ver. +20. Ac 2:23. 4:11. Ex 6:29. 7:2. Le 10:11. Nu 9:8. 29:40. Dt 1:18. 4:5. 31:30. Jsh *8:35. 11:15. 2 S 7:17. 1 K 22:14. 1 Ch 17:15. 2 Ch 18:7, 13. Jb *6:10. Ps *33:11. 40:10. Is *46:10, 11. Je 15:19. 17:16. *23:22. *26:2. 34:6. 38:21. 42:4. 43:1. Ezk 2:4. 33:7, 8. Mt *28:20. Mk 4:22. Lk *7:30. Jn 15:15. 1 C 11:23. Ep +*1:11. Col 1:28. 1 Th 2:11, 12. 4:1. 5:14. 1 T +*4:16. 2 T 2:15. He 6:17. the counsel of God. Ps +*107:11. Ezk 2:4. 2 T +*3:16, 17.

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