Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ¹³  But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

 ¹⁴  Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea;  and Silas and Timothy remained there.

 ¹⁵  Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.”  Acts 17:10-15. 

————————-

“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11. 

I include this verse in my “About Me” introduction about myself at my web site to exhort the readers to follow the example of the Bereans and examine the Scriptures to check out what I write as a layman – Click here: About me « Reformed Doctrine Blog  But, we should follow the example of the Bereans whether we are reading the writings of a layman or a clergy, or whether we are reading or hearing preaching or teaching, “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so“.

Although I believe the central message of today’s reference is to test preachings and teachings by examining Scriptures to see if they are true, there is also a second component of this Scripture, namely, that we should receive the word with “great eagerness”.

Regarding this “great eagerness”, consider the following verses:

Isaiah 26:8
“Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD, We have waited for You eagerly;  Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls.”

“¹  O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
         My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
         In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
    ²  Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
         To see Your power and Your glory.
    ³  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
         My lips will praise You.
    ⁴  So I will bless You as long as I live;
         I will lift up my hands in Your name.
    ⁵  My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
         And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
    ⁶  When I remember You on my bed,
         I meditate on You in the night watches,
    ⁷  For You have been my help,
         And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
    ⁸  My soul clings to You;
         Your right hand upholds me.”  Psalm 63:1-8.

Regarding “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so”, consider the following verses:     

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it;  for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”  Joshua 1:8. 

1 John 4:1
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

In conclusion, the follow Scripture seems to be the best “Berean” verse, combining both the eagerness element and the meditation element:

“²  But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night.
    ³  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
         Which yields its fruit in its season
         And its leaf does not wither;
         And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.

 ³  explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

 ⁴  And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.

 ⁵  But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people.

 ⁶  When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also;

 ⁷  and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”

 ⁸  They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things.

 ⁹  And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.”  Acts 17:1-9.

———————-

In today’s Scripture, we see the role of reason.  Paul and Silas “reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (verse 2).  Paul and Silas were “explaining and giving evidence” (verse 3).  Some of them were “persuaded” (verse 4).  We even see the role of reason in Jason and others who gave a pledge to obtain the release of those who were held (verse 9).

Yet, Paul writes to the Thessalonians (to whom he preached in today’s Scripture):  “for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;  just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”  1 Thessalonians 1:5.

Likewise, when we preach and teach, we do our best to reason, explain and give evidence, and persuade, but we also recognize that our preaching and teaching does not come “in word only” but comes “in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction”. 

There may be temptation for us Reformed preachers and teachers to make quick judgments as to who is the elect and who is not the elect.  There may be temptation for Reformed preachers and teachers to not do their best to reason with their audience, leaving it to God to use His power to “irresistably draw” His elect to understanding and belief.

But, God wants us and uses us His servants to do our best to reason, explain and give evidence, and persuade.   

So, we reason, explain and give evidence, and persuade with wisdom and skill.  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

So, we reason, explain and give evidence, and persuade patiently and gently.  “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”  2 Timothy 2:24-26.

 ³⁸  The policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates.  They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

 ³⁹  and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city.

 ⁴⁰  They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.”  Acts 16:35-40.

—————————

“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion.”  Proverbs 28:1

Paul and Silas were beaten with rods, struck with many blows, thrown into the inner prison, and their feet were fastened in the stocks.  And yet, they were so bold to accuse the chief magistrates of beating them in public without trial.  They were so bold to refuse to leave the prison until the chief magistrates escorted them out of the prison.  They were so bold as to not immediately flee the city, but rather take their time and visit the brethern in the house of Lydia.  They were so bold as to not “lick their wounds”, but rather they encouraged the brethern.

1 Thessalonians 2:2
“but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.”

Who can summon such courage to be as bold as Paul and Silas when we are faced with such trials and tribulations?

But, there is hope!    

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:7. 

Psalm 138:3
“On the day I called, You answered me;  You made me bold with strength in my soul.”

Acts 4:31
“And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”

2 Corinthians 3:12
“Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,”

“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”  Ephesians 3:11-12. 

Philippians 1:20
“according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

 ²⁶  and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.

 ²⁷  When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

 ²⁸  But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”

 ²⁹  And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,

 ³⁰  and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 

 ³²  And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.

 ³³  And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.

 ³⁴  And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.”  Acts 16:25-34.

——————————-

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”  Acts 2:39

Like the jailer’s household, God does save children of believers, not necessarily every child or other descendant of a believer.  But, it should be a great encouragement that God elects to save children of believers. 

Even though God does not necessarily save every child or other descendant of a believer, the parent believers have a duty to raise all their children in the Christian faith.  “For I have chosen him (Abraham), so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”  Genesis 18:19. 

Isaac had a duty to circumcise and otherwise raise both of his sons Jacob and Esau in the faith, but we know that God only chose Jacob for salvation. 

“That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.  For this is the word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.”

And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;  for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”  Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”  Romans 9:8-13.

Even though the salvation principle of election rules, we must not think of election in terms of election of just random independent individuals.  Rather, we must think of election in terms of election of “you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 

Recognizing this promise or covenant of salvation of “families”, we baptize infant children of believers rather than only baptize adults that have professed their faith.  Infant baptism is also consistent that salvation is based on God’s election rather than based on man’s free-will.

But again, just because we baptize our infant children, our action does not necessarily “lock-in” our baptized child into salvation.  Salvation is still based on God’s election.

Like the jailer, we can “greatly rejoice” when we see our children truly believe.  But, I think we can do better.  Prior to “knowing” who is saved and who is not saved, we can and should “exult” at the promise of God.  We have a God who not only saves us but also saves our children whoever God elects. 

Our highest joy is not based on our own actions or even the actions of our child.  Our highest joy is based on God and His promises and His actions.  “I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it, And I will wait on Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones.”  Psalm 52:9.  “For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.”  Psalm 92:4.

Psalm 9:2
“I will be glad and exult in You;  I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

Psalm 35:9
“And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD;  It shall exult in His salvation.”

 ¹⁷  Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.”

 ¹⁸  She continued doing this for many days.  But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!”  And it came out at that very moment.

 ¹⁹  But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities,

 ²⁰  and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews,

 ²¹  and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” 

 ²³  When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;

 ²⁴  and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”  Acts 16:16-24. 

—————————–

Reformed doctrine, specifically “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, proclaims “the way of salvation“. 

Reformed doctrine proclaims “total depravity” (the “T” of “TULIP”),  the condition of man which eliminates any hope in man achieving salvation through his own works or even his own will.  “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”  Ephesians 2:1.  

Only after establishing “total depravity” does “TULIP” proceed to teach “unconditional election” (the “U” of “TULIP”).  After we understand and believe that there is no hope for salvation based on the condition of man and anything that man could produce, then we can better understand and believe that the only hope for salvation is based on God and God’s election of those whom He elects to save.  Man could not provide any work or any will or any other condition which would motivate God to save him or her.  “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

We cannot manipulate Jesus Christ to be according to our own desires.  Scripture teaches that Christ died only for the elect of God and that Christ’s death, the shedding of His blood, effectively paid the price of salvation necessary to save those for whom Christ died.  If Christ died for everyone, then everyone would be saved.  But, Reformed doctrine teaches “limited atonement” (the “L” of “TULIP”) that Christ’s atonement is limited to God’s elect.  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies.”  Ephesians 5:25-28.  This is a peculiar love, a special love just for His church. Just as a husband should not love and give himself up for all women, but only his own wife, Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for only His church, not for everyone in the world.  In Christ’s intercessory prayer in John 17:9, we see Christ praying for only those whom God gave Him, not for the world: “I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine;”

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”  Ephesians 2:4-6.  “Irresistible grace” (the “I” of “TULIP”) caused us, the dead in sin, to be made alive and raised up!  Jesus proclaimed:  “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  John 6:37.

If it was up to us to maintain faith or a righteous walk, then we would certainly fall from grace and lose our salvation.  But, Reformed doctrine consistently teaches that salvation is from the LORD.  God provides everything that we need including “perseverance of the saints” better known as “preservation of the saints” (the “P” of “TULIP”).  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29.

A fitting summary of “the way of salvation” is provided by the following Article 8 of The Canons of Dordt.  

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.

Why did Lydia need her heart opened by the Lord?  She was “a worshiper of God”.  She was “listening”.

Reformed doctrine teaches us that man’s condition corrupted by the fall of Adam (through Adam’s sin) is a condition of “total depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism.  We are “dead” in sin.  Ephesians 2:1.    None of us understands, and none of us seeks God.  Romans 3:10-11.  We are hostile to God.  Romans 8:7 and Colossians 1:21.  We are in bondage to sin.  Romans 7:14-15. 

Because of such “total depravity”, we need such divine action in order to respond faithfully.  Jesus said:  “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:44.   “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing;  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.  “But there are some of you who do not believe ”  For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.  And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”  John 6:63-65.

 ¹²  and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony;  and we were staying in this city for some days.

 ¹³  And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer;  and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.”  Acts 16:9-13.

————————-

In today’s Scripture, there is the combination of a vision (spiritual sense) and suppositions (common sense).  God used both senses to guide Paul to the place, the time, and the assembly for preaching.

We may think that our work does not need much guidance from God.  We may work only at one place, at one time (9 to 5, Monday to Friday), and at one assembly line.  But, nevertheless, our work covers far more than only what we do to earn a paycheck.

Our work covers all our encounters with all of our family, friends, acquaintances, and everyone else.  “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:10

Like the Good Samaritan, we may be called to interrupt what we normally call “our work” (even though our work is truly much broader) to do good for the stranger.  “… Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”  Luke 10:37.

Who is adequate to do all that we should do? 

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit;  for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”  2 Corinthians 3:5-6. 

Who will guide us?

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
         I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”  Psalm 32:8. 

Who will provide the resources?

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”  2 Corinthians 9:8.

In conclusion, we can trust God to give us all the guidance, all  the resources, and everything else we need to do all that we should do.  We may not receive a vision like Paul received, but whatever guidance, whatever resources, and whatever other things that we need, God will provide.

—————————— 

At first thought, we may feel “hedged-in” and bristle against such restraint.  Why can’t we speak?  Why can’t we go there?

But later, we understand and appreciate God’s sovereignty and intimate care of us. 

“¹  O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
    ²  You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
         You understand my thought from afar.
    ³  You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
         And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
    ⁴  Even before there is a word on my tongue,
         Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
    ⁵  You have enclosed me behind and before,
         And laid Your hand upon me.
    ⁶  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
         It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
    ⁷  Where can I go from Your Spirit?
         Or where can I flee from Your presence?
    ⁸  If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
         If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
    ⁹  If I take the wings of the dawn,
         If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
    ¹⁰  Even there Your hand will lead me,
         And Your right hand will lay hold of me.”  Psalm 139:1-10.

 ⁴  Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.

 ⁵  So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.”  Acts 16:1-5.  

————————-

Although it was not necessary for Paul to circumcise Timothy according to the “decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem” (see Acts Chapter 15), Paul voluntarily elected to circumcise Timothy “because of the Jews who were in those parts”.  Paul used his liberty to do what was best.  Knowing that the Jews would want to see Timothy circumcised, Paul circumcised Timothy.

We are reminded of 1 Corinthians 9:19:23.  “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews;  to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;  to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak;  I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.  I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”  1 Corinthians 9:19:23.

And what was the result?  “So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.”  Acts 16:5.

Obviously, there are things over which we as Christians have liberty to do.  And, there are other things over which we as Christians do not have liberty to do.  The chapter of 1 Corinthians 9 gives some examples of things over which Paul had liberty to do.  There are also other things over which we also have liberty to do. 

For those things over which we have liberty to do, we should not only do those things that we selfishly want to do.  “do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:4.  

Rather, we should follow Paul’s example and give thought and do what would help others, most importantly lead them to salvation.  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

 ³⁹  And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

 ⁴⁰  But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

 ⁴¹  And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”  Acts 15:36-41. 

————————

Disagreement is the opposite of encouragement, the topic of yesterday’s Scripture and devotion.  Although we should try hard to avoid disagreements, we neither read about blame or adverse consequences arising from this disagreement in today’s Scripture.

Today’s Scripture “accepts” the disagreement as a matter of fact without assigning blame and without mentioning any negative effects of the disagreement on the mission.  Why?

First, we need to learn that disagreements do occur.  Although we should try to resolve them, we may not be able to resolve them at least as quick as we want.  We may never be able to resolve them.  However, we need to learn that we cannot allow such disagreements to paralyze us or cause us to be embittered or to “stew” over such disagreements.  Here, we see each party, Barnabas and Paul, proceed with their own mission without such paralysis, without bitterness, and without simmering discontent.

Second, we need to remember the resources that God has already given us.  It is not coincidental that God greatly encouraged both Paul and Barnabas in the immediately proceeding Scripture.  See yesterday’s devotion.  God often blesses us with such encouragement not only for its own sake but also to give us strength to handle something approaching in the future.  When we are discouraged and in disagreement, we need to look back and be reminded and be refreshed with what God already has done for us.

Third, disagreement keeps us humble and reminds us of our weakness and constant need for God’s help.  “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;  for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  Romans 8:26-27.

Fourth, whatever we face, God gives us grace to deal with it and causes all things to work out for good.  Here, we read that Paul was “being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord”.  “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.  In spite of disagreement, the churches were strengthened.  Acts 15:41.