Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 26:9-18.

“So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  And this is just what I did in Jerusalem;  not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.  And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme;  and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.

“While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me.  And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’  And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’  And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.  But get up and stand on your feet;  for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;  rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’”  Acts 26:9-18.

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This time in front of King Agrippa, Paul repeats his testimony of his zealous persecution of Christians and the supernatural appearance by Jesus which dominated him, turning his life completely around.

Yet, other doctrine continues to cling to the wisdom, works, and alleged free-will of man as its hope.

But, as its hope, Reformed Doctrine steadfastly points to sovereignty of God throughout Scripture and that God announces His purpose and then accomplishes it.

“But get up and stand on your feet;  for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;”  Verse 16.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken;  truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts chapter 25.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+25&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.  Festus *said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer.  But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death;  and since he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.  Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord.  Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write.  For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him.”  Acts 25:23-27.

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Paul’s experiences were prophesied by Jesus.

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.  It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.  So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;  for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.”  Luke 21:12-15.

Paul was rescued by Claudius Lysias the Roman commander who delivered him to Felix the governor who was succeeded by Festus who presented him to King Agrippa.

At different times, Paul was given opportunities to testify in front of them all and others in attendance.

Despite the opportunities of the Jews to bring charges against him, (see, for example Acts 25:15), Paul was able to resist and refute them to the point that Festus concluded:  “For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him.”  Verse 27.

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.”  Isaiah 54:17.

“10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
13 “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”  Isaiah 41:10-13.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 24:22-27.

“But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”  Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.  But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”  At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul;  therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.  But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.”  Acts 24:22-27.

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“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.”  Proverbs 3:5.

As we read this short Scripture, it may seem like there were a lot of “ups and downs” for Paul.

It may have seemed good that Felix had “a more exact knowledge about the Way”, but it may have seemed bad that Felix put off the hearing.

It may have seemed good that Felix gave Paul some freedom and allowed his friends to minister to him, but it may have seemed bad that Paul was continued to be imprisoned.

It may have seemed good that Felix sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus, but it may have seemed bad that Felix became frightened and sent Paul away.

It may have seemed good that Felix sent for Paul quite often to converse with him, but it may have seemed bad that “Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.”

Other doctrine, that believes in alleged man’s free-will, is captured on the roller-coaster of emotions based on what man does.

But, Reformed Doctrine steadfastly trusts in the LORD and does not lean on its own understanding and is thankful in prosperity and patient in adversity. 

Reformed Doctrine knows that God is sovereign and works all things after the counsel of His will and accomplishes all of His purpose.

Reformed Doctrine believes in the providence of God and that God causes all things to work together for his good.

“…  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”  Ephesians 1:10-11.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;”  Isaiah 46:9-10.

Q. 28.  What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things?

A.  That we may be patient in adversity;  thankful in prosperity;  and that in all things which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love;  since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 22:23-30.

“And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way.  But when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?”  When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, “What are you about to do?  For this man is a Roman.”  The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”  And he said, “Yes.”  The commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.”  And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.”  Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him;  and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains.

But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them.”  Acts 22:23-30.

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There are two general parts to a successful witness.  There is the speaker, and there is the audience.

We see God providing three different audiences for Paul in Jerusalem.

In today’s Scripture, we see that God caused the commander to release Paul and order the Council to assemble for Paul to speak to them.  In Acts 21:40, we see God caused the commander to give permission to Paul to speak to the group of hostile Jews.  See Paul’s speech to them in Acts 22:1-21.  In Acts 21:17-19, we see God caused the brethren to receive Paul gladly.

For the elect, God “causes the gospel to be externally preached to them” and more!

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God;  but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man;  he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;  from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable;  actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”  Romans 10:17.  In other words, God does not grant it to everyone to hear the gospel and be saved.

Q60:  Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?

A60:  They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the laws of that religion which they profess;  neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Savior only of his body the church.  Westminster Larger Catechism.  

“election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself”.  Article 9 of FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 22:17-22.

“It happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance, and I saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’  And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You.  And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.’  And He said to me, ‘Go!  For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!”  Acts 22:17-22.

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In the first part of today’s Scripture (first paragraph above, verses 17-21), it appears that Paul is continuing his defense by relaying a prior experience after his conversion, right around the time of the events described in Acts chapter 9:1-30.  In this part, it appears as if Paul was discussing (almost arguing) with the Lord that logically the Jews should accept his testimony because he previously persecuted Christians.

Paul also tried this logical strategy in the beginning of his defense in Acts 22:3-5.

But, as God was not moved from changing his command by Paul’s argument in the first part of today’s Scripture as shown by God’s command in verse 21:  “Go!  For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”, neither were the Jews moved by Paul’s story in verses 17-21 as shown by their exclamation in verse 22:  “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!”.

The lesson from today’s Scripture is to trust in the LORD and His Word and not lean on our own understanding nor our own reasoning.

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”  Proverbs 3:5-7.