Category: Bible

What is Truth?

Posted on by scott

37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” – John 18:37-38.

Liar, Liar

If the word of the day is fear, the question of the day is, “What is truth?”. Let’s begin with China. According to one theory, in a lab in Wuhan a super virus was being created using horseshoe bats. Apparently this virus was being developed for intended use in biological warfare. Unfortunately, the virus “escaped” the lab and immediately infected unsuspecting Wuhan residents. But there was no need to worry. According to Wuhan officials and health experts, “there was no obvious evidence for human-to-human transmission” and the coronavirus was “preventable and controllable”.

Despite the downplay of the threat, we know just how dangerous the virus really is. Maybe.

According to the Chinese government, the death total in Wuhan was limited to 2500. The city was locked down and the deceased were taken directly to funeral homes for cremation. Then the remains were put in urns for the families to retrieve at a later date (Saturday April 11th the city was re-opened). Interestingly, despite having only 2500 deaths, the eight Funeral homes in Wuhan were receiving urns by the truckloads. According to Time magazine, one funeral home had over 5000 delivered over a two day period. Another had 3500 urns stacked inside. Also, there were reports of the crematories operating 24/7. Somehow the math just doesn’t add up.

As family members return to Wuhan to collect the urns containing the remains of their loved ones, they have to be escorted by a communist official. I highly doubt these officials specialize in grief counseling. However I am sure they are very good at preventing any unwanted information from escaping Wuhan.

If these reports are true, we have to ask, why would a Communist government lie to it’s populace? Why would they lie to the world? Probably for many of the same reasons a “Free” country would practice deception.

Deceivers

For the Chinese government, a high death toll from the coronavirus is a black eye to Communism. Apparently, in the United States, it is an opportunity to advance it. The greater the fear among the populace, the greater the need for a larger Government and its intervention. Perhaps former Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev was prophetic when he charged the American people of being gullible. He stated that while we would not accept communism outright, we would tolerate it in small doses until one day we woke up and found we already have it. Or as Adolf Hitler once said, “It is a quite special secret pleasure how the people around us fail to realize what is really happening to them.”

Think I am exaggerating? Perhaps. But the CDC has issued internal memos promoting a medical “bias” towards the coronavirus. Per their memos, medical professionals are “encouraged” to look for the virus in every illness. Furthermore, everyone who dies with coronavirus is counted as having died from it. How many of these people who have died from complications of the virus would have died from the underlying cause? It appears that as the death toll related to COVID-19 rises exponentially, those dying from illnesses such as pneumonia and influenza have all but disappeared. The higher the death toll from COVID-19, the greater the fear, the greater our need for government. Would our elected representatives really use a crisis for political gain??

As I have stated before, I take this virus very seriously. I also believe that Government is God ordained. But as I read the overabundance of data it is difficult not to be some what cynical. We are told to listen to the experts, but their advice changes daily (or so it seems). One day we are told that face masks are ineffective against the virus, the next we are told not to go out in public without them. Originally, people were told they did not need to be tested for the virus if they did not have certain symptoms such as a fever or respiratory issues, now we are told that many carriers are asymptomatic. I understand that there is a learning curve, but that doesn’t diminish the confusion or skepticism.

Besides, it is hard not to become somewhat cynical when businesses are being destroyed to “save lives”, yet it is deemed essential to sell alcohol, marijuana, and lottery tickets. And to add insult to injury, abortions also are deemed essential. This isn’t just ironical, it is hypocritical. While corporate greed is condemned government greed is flaunted. Apparently all greed isn’t created equal. Fortunately, despite what some of our politicians may have us believe, they are not worthy objects of our faith.

Faith

I don’t know how long the coronavirus will be around, but I am confident there will be more pandemics to follow. Likewise, I don’t know how much longer our country will be a beacon of Freedom. After all, it appears that toilet paper has become more important than the Constitution. While we hoard the first we trash the latter. But all is not doom and gloom. Whether we live under a Communist regime or in the last days of a fading Republic, our government was never meant to be our savior. Men will always fail us. In these trying times, as in all times, we must look for a “redeeming” value, which is what U of M football coach Jim Harbaugh has done. As much as it pains this MSU grad, I have to share his quote.

“Even now, as we all go through what we’re going through with COVID-19, I see people more concerned about others. More prayerful. As I said, God has virtually stopped the world from spinning. I don’t think it’s coincidence — my personal feeling, living a faith-based life, this is a message or this is something that should be a time where we grow on our faith for reverence and respect for God. You see people taking more of a view of sanctity of life. And I hope that can continue. I hope that continues and not just in this time of crisis or pandemic.” (Emphasis mine)

As he spoke in regards to the sanctity of human life, Coach Harbaugh went on to state that in his opinion, there is nothing more horrendous than abortion, but that is for another blog. However, look closely at what he said about faith. In the mist of chaos and confusion, God is our only refuge. Now is not a time to let lies and deception rule the day, rather it is a time “where we grow on our faith for reverence and respect for God.” In order to do so we have to saturate ourselves in Truth. Which only comes from Him through His inspired Word.

Truth

“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell

No doubt, COVID-19 dominates the media. But if it didn’t, we would be consuming ourselves with sports, politics, entertainment, etc. Nothing worthy of the time and attention we usually devote to them. As Coach Harbaugh reminds us, perhaps God is using this to get our attention. To use his illustration, perhaps God has stopped the world from spinning to remind us that He is the axis. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is not only Sovereign over the affairs of the world, He is the source of Truth. An important reminder in these days of lies and deceptions.

As Jesus stood before Pilate with the shadow of the cross descending upon him, Pilate cynically asked, “What is truth?”. Ironically, in the form of the God-Man, Jesus stood before this mighty political figure in the form of Truth incarnate. In Pilate mankind was represented. Enslaved by the father of lies, Satan the great deceiver. His only interest: his own political welfare. Sound familiar? If only Pilate would have embraced the Truth before him. But Pilate couldn’t handle the Truth.

The lies of the world are constantly trying to keep us in darkness, but the Truth is always more powerful.

On this Resurrection Sunday may you bask in it’s Light and grow in your reverence and respect for God. The only One worthy of our faith and deserving of our praise.

What is Truth?

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” – John 2:19

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:28-30

45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. – Mark 15:45-46

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” – Luke 24:5b-7

15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. – Acts 3:15

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31b-32

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!!!

New Beginnings, Eternal Truths

Posted on by scott

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. – Genesis 1:28-30

Out with the old…

“Out with the old, in with the new.”  Once again it is time to turn over the calendar.  Not just from one old month to a new one, but from one year past to another just beginning.

Each new year brings fresh hope.  For many, each new year entails new resolutions.  This is the year we will finally lose weight!  This is the year we will finally address that home project we have been putting off.  After all, sooner or later that roof is going to leak.

Maybe this is the year to work on that strained relationship.  Do you really want to keep kicking the can down the road when a little sacrifice and forgiveness could be the seeds of reconciliation and peace?

As we step into the New Year with all of its promises, we say goodbye to the old and all of its memories.  Most notably, memories of loved ones left behind.  Those who will not turn the calendar into a New Year and share the future with us.

But despite their absences, time moves on.

Eternal Truths

I don’t know what, if any, resolutions you may have made for the New Year, but I do hope you have committed to making a journey through your Bible part of your plans for the New Year.  If not, I would like to challenge you to dust off your Bible and open it up and allow God to “accompany” you as you walk through 2019.

While each year is a mystery waiting to unfold, some things are a given.  The path will not always be smooth.  Nor will it always be well lit.  For every day of sunshine, there will be an allotment of storms.  Some severe.

When the way is dark, God’s Word will illumine our path (Psalm 119:105).  When the tempest rages, God’s Word can still the storm (Mark 4:39).

As we encounter the trials and temptations that are sure to confront us in the New Year, we can take comfort in the fact that the truth of God’s Word will enable us to persevere along the way.

In the beginning…

We are all familiar with the opening words of Genesis.  The first chapter of the Bible tells us that during the first six days of the earth’s history, God was “busy” creating.

As you begin your journey reading through the Bible, you will notice the multiple times the words “And God said” are recorded in Genesis Chapter one.

3 And God said, “Let there be light…”

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse…”

9 And God said, “Let the waters…”

For six days of creation, God spoke into being a material world.  With each “God said” there was obedience.  What God commanded came into being.  From nothing.

God’s Words brought life, order, and light to an earth that Genesis described as “without form, void, and with darkness over the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:2).

We would be wise to obey His Words.

Beasts

When God created man on the sixth day, He blessed them and gave them dominion over the rest of creation, including every creeping thing that creeps on the earth (Genesis 1:26, 28).

I am not sure what form Satan had before he was cursed to go on his belly and eat dust (Genesis 3:14), but I have to believe he was one of the beasts that Adam and Eve were supposed to subdue and have dominion over.  But they did not.

Genesis chapter three verse one tells us that Satan was “more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.”  Crafty enough to get Adam and Eve to be the first to disobey the spoken Word of God. And they would certainly not be his last prey.

Since the serpent first deceived Adam and Eve to doubt the veracity or integrity of God’s Word, the battle has never ended.  Because Adam and Eve did not subdue every beast, Satan’s “victory” ushered in a lifelong battle with sin.  Accordingly, we would be wise to heed God’s words to Cain.

7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” – Genesis 4:7

Promises

All of this brings us back to the importance of being in the Word of God every day.  Satan, the beast we are to subdue is a roaring lion, seeking to devour us.  Like he did with Adam and Eve, he wants us to doubt the integrity of God’s Word.  Better yet, he wants us to ignore it.

Don’t succumb to Satan’s lies this year, rather embrace the promises of God.

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you. – Isaiah 43:2

…in with the new

Obviously, the above are just a few of the many promises God has spoken to comfort His children.  As you can see I only quoted a few promises out of the Old Testament.  Hopefully, this is enough to encourage you to consider reading through your Bible this year if you do not already intend to do so.

God has “made the effort” to speak to us.  Satan has resolved to keep us away from God’s Word.  Won’t you honor your Creator by reading His love letter to you?  Won’t you bring Him glory by believing it?

Satan is slithering in the Garden.  Sin is crouching at the door.  May we have the wisdom to read and appropriate God’s Word so we can resist and rule over the enemy of our souls.  As you read the Bible this year, you might want to make a list of truths you can stand on in the midst of the world’s lies.

The next time we turn the calendar over from one year to another we don’t know what loved ones we will “leave behind”, but one of these years it will be us.  Thank God that based on His inerrant Word, we can know that eternity is secure.

As you walk with God each day in His word enjoy the journey.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – 1 John 5:13-15

How to pick a Bible Translation

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1 Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2

A Need to Worship

In our last devotion, we looked at what is referred to as the transmission of the Bible, taking the spoken and inspired Word of God and preserving it in writing.  Our God is a God who wants to be known and worshiped by all people groups, hence it is important that His Word is translated into the language of the people.  All people.

A Need to Know

As noted prior, the Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek, the languages of those God chose to “pen” his Words.  But unfortunately, not everybody spoke and read these languages.  Hence, as the gospel traveled, it would become necessary for it to be translated into the language of the nations into which it was penetrating.  In the West, the Bible was translated into Latin in the early fifth century, but just as we saw with the Hebrew language, in time Latin would not be spoken among the “common” people.  Thankfully, some uncommon people, such as John Wycliffe would sacrifice their lives to make sure the Bible was translated into the language of the people.  God’s Word was never intended to be chained to any pulpit, it belongs in the hands of God’s children.

Which One?

We’ve come a long way since the days of Wycliffe.  With the invention of the printing press (around 1450 AD), the ability to produce various Bible translations was greatly expedited.  This has certainly been a great blessing, but it has lead to the question we are looking at today.  Which Bible translation should I read?

Henry Ford once said, “You can buy a Model T in any color you want, as long as that color is black.”  Roughly two decades before Mr. Ford made that comment the same was true if you were in the market for an English Bible.  You could have any translation you wanted as long as that translation was the King James Version (KJV).  I can’t count the number of different car colors I see on the road today, nor can I comment on every Bible translation available, but we can address some key points.

Formal and Functional

We often hear it said of someone, “he is so smart that he is stupid”.  What does that mean?  I believe it means there are a lot of people walking around who have a high formal intelligence and a low functional intelligence.  Not everybody can have both!!  Since most of us are not experts in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Koine Greek, we are faced with a dilemma.  When it comes to choosing a Bible translation, we have to ask ourselves, do we want a “formal equivalence” or “functional equivalence”?

A Bible that we term “formal equivalence” is more commonly known as a word for word translation.  The emphasis with these translations is grammatical form.  Nouns are translated into nouns, 10 words are translated into 10 words, etc.  Because precision is the key and word order is closely followed, these translations often sacrifice readability.  They can tend to come across as a little more “choppy.”  While great for study tools, they can become a little more difficult to follow if your objective is to read large sections of Scripture.  Included in this group of translations are, the KJV, ASV, NASB, and ESV.

By contrast, Bibles that we term “functional equivalence”, are more commonly referred to as phrase-for-phrase translations.  The emphasis of these interpretations is placed more heavily on readability than grammatical form.  Although they may “wander” from the grammatical form, they tend to stay true to the meaning (in theory).  Included in this group of translation are the NIV and NEB.

Difficulties and Drawbacks

Unfortunately, a literal word for word translation is next to impossible.  Words and expressions commonly used in one culture often make little to no sense in another.  Thankfully, when the original in Hebrew read, “God’s nostrils enlarged”, it was translated as, “God became angry.”  You get the point, since the Tower of Babel, people groups have spoken different languages with there own idioms (raining cats and dogs) and colloquialisms (I wasn’t born yesterday).  While they may add color to our speech, they would definitely be confusing to someone who didn’t understand the double meaning.  All this to say, when we speak of a Bible translation as being faithful to the original, we need to clarify between faithfulness to form and faithfulness to meaning.  In this regard, both the formal and functional equivalence have their strength and weaknesses.

Even though a formal equivalence translation may be true to the form, they don’t always make sense.  While these translations allow the reader to do their own interpretation of the text, the readers don’t always have the proper tools or background to interpret it accurately.  Hence because the translation was not clear enough, they misunderstood it.  And as just alluded to, formally correct translations can be misleading because of different word meanings.

While a functional equivalence translation is often more clear and understandable, the reader is at the “mercy” of the translators.  What if they missed the point of the original.  In order to make the text clear are they adding words that actually change the meaning of the original text?

Recommended Reading

My recommendation?  Own (at least) one of each.  I don’t want to be the guy that is, “so smart he is stupid”.  In our society we have a wealth of Bible translations.  We take for granted what Wycliffe and many others died for.  A Bible in our own language.  Take advantage of it.  Own a formal equivalence and a functional equivalence.  Before you buy however, make sure you choose a translation that is conservative in it’s translation.  It must be an interpretation, not a distortion.  Christ must be exalted and His deity cannot be denied.

Most importantly, make sure you read your Bible(s).  If you don’t like to read, listen to it on a phone app.  Between reading and listening you should be able to get through the Bible every year.  God not only wants his Word in your hand, He wants it in your heart.

God’s Word is the source of something more valuable than either formal or functional intelligence.  It is the only source of wisdom.  Saturate yourself with it.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
    he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice
    and watching over the way of his saints. – Proverbs 2:6-8

The Transmission of the Bible

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11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:11

Bible Questions

No Christian would deny the importance of being a student of the Word, but many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, have questions about the Bible. How did we get it?  Who wrote it?  When was it written?  How do we know we can trust it (i.e. is it accurate and reliable)?  In addition to questions such as these, people want to know about Bible translations, Bible study methods, study aids, etc.  I am far from being an expert on any of these topics, but I have been advised that it may be helpful from time to time to use this platform as a means of offering practical advice to those that struggle with these questions or topics.  So….

In The Beginning

The first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch (literally “five scrolls), were recorded by Moses who lived between 1500-1300 BC, making them roughly 3500 years old.  In total the Old Testament is comprised of 39 books written by roughly thirty different contributors, all of whom were inspired by God.  The last Old Testament book, recorded by Malachi, was written around 450 BC.  So, if I am doing my math correctly, the Books that comprise the Old Testament were written over a period of roughly one thousand years.  Except for a few verses written in Aramaic, almost all of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew.

After the Book of Malachi was written, no books that would be added to the Bible were written for a period of over five hundred years.  However, during this period of time separating the two Testaments, Alexander the Great was conquering most of the civilized world.  As Alexander conquered nations, he would introduce the Greek language.  This is important for our discussion because the Hebrew language would become “replaced” by Greek and Aramaic.  The popular languages during the days of Jesus.

Jesus and New Testament

Around 6-4 BC, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  The Messiah that the Hebrew Old Testament had prophesied about had at last arrived.  He opened our eyes to the Old Testament and fulfilled the Law.  After His death and resurrection (around 27-29 AD), God inspired men to write the books of the New Testament.   These books were written during the last half of the first century with the Book of Revelation being the last written, around 80-95 AD.  As alluded to, the New Testament was written in Greek which was the scholarly language of the time.  This was helpful because by this time many Jews could no longer read Hebrew.  The New Testament was not only written in Greek, but it was written in common (Koine) Greek instead of classical (think Aristotle and Plato), so more people could read it.  Many of the so called scholars of the day scoffed at this, but its wisdom has been “fleshed out” with the passage of time.  In fact, because of the popularity of the Greek language and the demise of Hebrew, between 300-200 BC, the Old Testament was translated into a Greek translation, called the Septuagint.  As strange as it may sound, the Septuagint became popular in many Synagogues.  Perhaps it might sound sacrilegious if you were a Jew, but what a great evangelism tool to have the Word of God in the language of the people!!  Why wouldn’t God want His Word accessible to everyone?

While the Old Testament was codified and embraced by the Jewish people as God inspired for years, the New Testament by contrast, went through a more “colorful” process of Canonization.  The word canon is associated with a reed used for measuring, sort of like a yardstick.  Hence, when used in reference to the Bible, the process of Canonization refers to the process of determining which books were divinely inspired and should thus be accepted as part of the New Testament.  During the canon process, the Council was concerned with authorship, doctrine, attestation, and acceptance.  The 27 Books we recognize as the New Testament had been commonly accepted for years, but over time “impostors” began to muddy the waters.  So at the Synod of Hippo (393 AD) the Church officially “recognized” the 27 Books that comprise our current New Testament.

Support & Transmission

While we don’t have any of the original Bible manuscripts, we do have thousands of copies.  The oldest copies we have of the Old Testament are the famous Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947.  The first of these scrolls were found in caves in Qumran, 20 miles east of Jerusalem, by a shepherd whose goat had gone astray.  Following his stray goat back to the herd, the young shepherd threw a rock into one of the caves along the sea-cliffs and heard something break.  Little could he have known that when he broke that ceramic pot, he launched perhaps the greatest archaeological discovery ever.  When the archaeologists converged on Qumran, they discovered not only a wealth of Jewish history, but irrefutable evidence of the accuracy of God’s Word.  The Dead Sea Scrolls were not only very old, dating back to the first century BC, they were also very complete, containing copies of every Old Testament book besides Esther.  As important as the Dead Sea Scrolls are, they have plenty of other support.

The thousands of copies that we do have of the Bible manuscripts were made with great care as the texts being copied were considered sacred.  Amazingly, these hand copies, when compared with one another, agree on over 98 percent of the text.  There is no other ancient writing than even comes close to this amount of support or this degree of accuracy.  The term for this process of preserving the Scriptures over the course of history is known as transmission.  By anyone’s standard, the transmission of the Bible is phenomenal, protected by the Providence of God, who wants to be known and worshiped by all people.

Which begs the question, what are we going to do with it?

3 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples! – Psalm 96:3

God’s Indestructible Word (Part 5)

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22 It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the firepot before him. 23 As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the firepot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the firepot.  – Jeremiah 36:22-23

Feeding The Fire

We will end our look at the indestructible nature of God’s Word where we began, by the fire of Jehoiakim.  With his knife and firepot, Jehoiakim thought he could destroy God’s Word.  When he looked into the fire and saw the ashes, he probably assumed he had accomplished his task.  He could not have been more wrong.  It is Jehoiakim who is long gone.  His fire burned out long ago, but the Word of God keeps spreading.  The original scroll Jeremiah dictated may have been turned to ashes, but God’s message through Jeremiah will endure forever as part of God’s living Word: the Bible.  Although Jehoiakim died long ago, the arrogance he exemplified has often been repeated.  Too often.

Diocletian

After the resurrection of Christ, Christianity spread like wildfire in the Roman empire filling a spiritual void that paganism could not.  Just as the religious leaders of the day had seen Christ as a threat necessary to destroy, the Roman ruler Valerius Diocletian saw Christianity as a threat to the security of his empire.  Accordingly, Diocletian issued an edict to destroy Christians and their Bibles.  Perhaps with a smugness not unlike Jehoiakim centuries before, Diocletian built a monument over a burned Bible with these words, Extincto momene Christianorum (the name of Christian is extinguished).  Although he forbid the assembly of Christians and burned down their churches, Diocletian’s claim of having extinguished Christianity was premature.  Twenty years after building his monument over a burned Bible, Diocletian was dead and the new Emperor, Constantine, commissioned fifty copies of the Bible to be prepared at government expense.

Voltaire

I am not sure why, but the enemies of the Bible seem to have a penchant for burning it.  When Voltaire was at the peak of his influence, France rejected the Scriptures.  To prove their triumph over the “bondage” of the Scriptures, the French tied a copy of the Bible to the tail of a donkey, and dragged it through the streets to the city dump, where it was ceremoniously burned.  What did their liberation from the Bible do for France?  Since that time, the government of France has fallen thirty-five times.  Voltaire was the champion of Rationalism.  He was a philosopher and an author.  As a deist, his writings were filled with hatred towards the Bible.   Voltaire was famous.  He was influential.  But he was an infidel.  In short, he was not the man you would want to shape your culture.  Like Diocletian centuries before, Voltaire also overestimated his success in destroying the Bible and wiping out Christianity.  In his vanity he proclaimed, “In less than a hundred years the Bible will be discarded and Christianity swept from the earth.”  Like Diocletian, Voltaire was wrong.  In fact fifty years after his death the Geneva Bible Society purchased his house and used his printing press to publish Bibles throughout Europe.  One hundred years after his death, an ancient copy of a Codex (manuscript of Bible) sold for $500,000.00.  That same day a copy of Voltaire’s writing sold for eleven cents in Paris.  Two hundred years after his death, the Bible continues to be the best selling book, while Voltaire’s writings are “in the dump”.

Thomas Paine

Despite the lack of success, the enemies of the Bible continue to attack it.  Thomas Paine, an American influenced by Voltaire and French deism, would write The Age of Reason, a passionate attack against the Bible.  He was succeeded by the politician, Robert Ingersoll who was a highly sought after agnostic lecturer.  He was paid very well to “tear apart” the Bible in his lectures.  In his opinion, the teachings of Darwin would destroy the Bible.  Paine and Ingersoll are both dead and the Bible still stands.

Still Standing

Obviously there are many more examples we could share but the conclusion is the same.  The Bible has been attacked by men with political power.  It has been attacked by philosophers.  It has been attacked from within, men claiming to be religious.  It has stood up to higher criticism.  It has withstood the Enlightenment.  It has withstood Rationalism.  It will withstand every -ism the world continues to throw at it.  It’s enemies will pass away and most of their names will pass into oblivion.  Their flesh will wither.  Their glory will fall.  Some day this earth will be burned, but the Word of God will remain.  What are you doing with it?

24 for “All flesh is like grass
    and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
    and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you. – 1 Peter 1:24-25

The Anvil — God’s Word

LAST EVE I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

” How many anvils have you had, ” said I,

” To wear and batter all these hammers so? ”

” Just one, ” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

” The anvil wears the hammers out, you know. ”

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed — the hammers gone.

By John Clifford.

God’s Indestructible Word (Part 4)

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49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” – John 11:49-50

Public Enemy Number One

It is amazing the extremes we will go to and the justifications we will fabricate to take drastic actions.  Lazarus had lain dead in his tomb for four days.  Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, gives the command, “Lazarus, come out”, and Lazarus walks out in his grave clothes.  Not exactly an everyday occurrence.  Everyone is astonished.  Most of the friends of the family believe in Jesus.  Some, however, went and reported the miracle to the Pharisees.  Instead of asking how the works of Jesus might fulfill prophecies, they are concerned with their future comfort.  God was in their midst and they were afraid of Caesar.  The conclusion?  Kill God to appease Caesar.

Public Enemy Number Two

As we have already looked at, Jesus conquered death and ascended into heaven, yet His absence did not satisfy His enemies.  Even before He went to the cross, they were gunning for victim number two.  Lazarus.  Satan is opposed not only to the Trinity but also their works and Word.  The fact that Lazarus was walking around after having lain dead in the grave for four days put a big bulls-eye on him.  The words of Caiaphas, “It is better for you that one man should die for the people…”  were quickly edited.

10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. – John 12:10-11

Never Satisfied

First Jesus.  Then Lazarus.  Where does it end?  When does it end?  It doesn’t.  Not until Jesus comes back.  The animosity of Satan towards God is mirrored by that of sinners towards saints.  Christ’s blood may have satisfied the Father, but not the father of lies.  He wants more.  After Jesus was crucified, Stephen was stoned to death.  Then James was beheaded.  In time, many of the Apostles would be executed for their faith.  Philip was crucified.  Matthew was killed with a halberd (an axe like weapon).  James, the brother of Jesus was beaten to death.  Matthias was beheaded.  Andrew was crucified.  Mark was torn to pieces.  Peter was crucified upside down.  Jude, Bartholomew and Thomas were also martyred.  After much suffering for Christ, Paul was eventually beheaded in Rome.  Eventually, Luke, Barnabas, Timothy and Simon were also martyred for their faith.

Three things are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough”: – Proverbs 30:15b

If I could, I would like to add Satan to the list of things never satisfied.  He will never say enough.  The death of Jesus and the disciples did not satisfy him.   During the Roman empire, thousands of Christians were killed for their faith.  Some saints were tossed to wild beasts, others were burned at the stake.  Some were covered with the skins of beasts and torn by dogs, others were decapitated.  Many were nailed to crosses.  Some were used as human torches.  Many were tortured.  Many were imprisoned.  The means of execution and forms of tortures were numerous.  Unfortunately, they did not end with the fall of the Roman empire.

Church Seeds

Between 2005 and 2015, 900,00 Christians were martyred.  Ninety thousand Christians a year being killed for their faith in this day and age?  Aren’t we supposed to be more intelligent than our predecessors?  Aren’t we supposed to be more civilized?  How can this be possible?  Satan will never be satisfied.  He will never say enough.  Paul said, “the gospel is the power of God for salvation.”  Jesus said, “Follow me.”  The Bible warns, and history confirms, following Jesus comes at a cost.  Satan will stop at nothing to prevent the gospel from spreading.  Jesus was well aware of this truth.  He expects His followers to count the cost, and then compare the cost to the reward.  Despite Satan’s efforts, the gospel will keep spreading.  The deaths of the saints were not in vain.  The Word of God that they lived and died for is indestructible.  And because they were faithful to it I am confident they entered into the joy of the Lord hearing, “Well done good and faith servant.”

20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” – John 15:20-21

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” – Matthew 16:34-26

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” – Tertullian

God’s Indestructible Word (Part 3)

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54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. – Acts 7:54-60

Stephen

Most of us are probably familiar with the account of Stephen.  We attribute to Stephen the designation of  being the first Christian martyr.  However, as we continue our study of the indestructible nature of the Word of God, I would like to take a closer look at Stephen’s death.  Accordingly, let’s back up to Acts chapter six.
2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Satan

Look at what is happening here.  Verse one of Acts chapter six tells us that the church is growing (the disciples were increasing in number).  The Word of God is being preached and it is bearing fruit.  Satan, doesn’t like this, hence, a dispute begins within the church.  Sound familiar?  The disciples see through Satan’s scheme and appoint elders to handle the dispute so that they can devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.  Wise men.

Among those picked to “serve tables” is Stephen.  Nothing against serving tables, but Stephen appears to have a special anointing and a special gift.  He is a gifted speaker and a bold man.  A great combination in any age.  As Stephen is preaching some scholars take exception to his teaching, but they are unable to refute Stephen as he is speaking with wisdom under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The devil hates the Truth and so do his minions.  So they engage in the age old tactic of character assassination.  If you can’t refute the Truth, resort to lies.  There is nothing new under the sun!

Seized

Those that could not debate Stephen instead resorted to instigating the ignorant.  They spread the lie that Stephen was speaking blasphemy against Moses and God.  The people gave into their emotions and never engaged the gears of logic.  It appears it was another example of, “My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with the facts.”  Then the scribes and the elders got caught up in the emotional fervor and Stephen was seized and brought before the council; officially know as the Sanhedrin.  The religious court of the day.  One would hope that as Stephen stood before these rational men, whose job it was to listen objectively to facts, he would get a fair hearing  (assuming for a moment that their handling of Jesus was an aberration).  But he did not.

Sanhedrin

The crime Stephen committed was preaching Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 6:14).  As Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin, his face “was like the face of an angel”.  When questioned by the high priest, Stephen resumed his “crime”.  Stephen not only preached to the council, he boldly brought charges against them as representatives of the Jewish people.  They were guilty of being stiff necked.  They killed the prophets of God.  They killed the Messiah.  They were entrusted with the law and did not keep it.  Convicted by the Word of God they did the only logical thing; they became enraged and ground their teeth.  As Stephen looked Heavenward and saw Jesus, the members of the Sanhedrin cried out covered their ears and rushed at him.  The Truth was painful to listen to.  It had to be stopped.  Stephen had to be eliminated.

Stones

Full of Satan’s venom, the council cast Stephen out of the city in order to stone him.  As they were picking up their stones, the witnesses were laying their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  Once again, God was at least one step ahead of Satan.  As the stones were being hurled at him, Stephen submitted his soul to God and prayed for the forgiveness of those who sought his death.

God’s Word can not be destroyed.  God’s Word will not return void.

Saul

After Stephen uttered his prayer of forgiveness, he passed into the presence of God.  Stephen was martyred, but God’s Word was not destroyed.  Those that witnessed Stephen’s death would return to the feet of Saul and pick up their garments.  Saul, on the other hand, would in time pick up Stephen’s “mantel”.  The same Holy Spirit that indwelled Stephen would indwell the mighty Apostle Paul.  The same Truth that Stephen proclaimed, Paul would carry to the gentiles.  The Jerusalem stones may have covered Stephen’s body and silenced his voice, but they could not stop the Living Word of God.

“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” – Acts 9:15

God’s Indestructible Word (Part 2)

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15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
    and you shall bruise his heel.” – Genesis 3:15

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
    weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
    she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” – Matthew 2:16-18

A Throne for One

Satan once “resided” in the presence of God enjoying all the beauty of Heaven and the fellowship of the divine.  He was “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.”  He was perhaps the highest angel.  But despite his position, Satan was not content.  Rather, he was full of pride.  Instead of singing, “Holy, holy, holy” like the Seraphim before the throne of God, he wanted to replace God on the throne.  But Satan would quickly learn that God will share His glory with no one or nothing; including His “highest” creation.  Satan’s desire to be exalted to the throne of God resulted in God casting him out of heaven.  Satan has been “at war” with God ever since.

We have been looking at Satan’s attempt to discredit and destroy the Word of God.  Beginning in the Garden where he preyed on the pride of Adam and Eve with the temptation to be like God, Satan has been relentless in his attacks.  Just as he was cast out of Heaven, Satan was cast out of the Garden.  But before he was, God warned him that the woman’s offspring would crush his head.  If Satan has waged an all-out war against God’s written Word, how much more violently would he try to destroy the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ?

Herod’s Decree

The passage quoted above from Matthew’s gospel clearly answers the question.  Feeling threatened by the birth of the Christ child, Herod made a decree to have the young male children in Bethlehem killed with the intention of eliminating Jesus.  But God is always more than one step ahead of Satan.  Rather than being killed by Herod, Jesus was kept safely in Egypt until Herod died.  But Herod was just one pawn in the hands of Satan.

Beloved Son

When Jesus was baptized by John, the heavens opened up and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove and rested on Him.  From Heaven God proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).  After being publicly anointed and blessed by the Father, Jesus went into the desert where He was tempted by the enemy.  In the desert, the battle was heating up.  Jesus was fasting.  His flesh was “weakening”.  Satan would not waste this opportunity to destroy the incarnate Word.  No pawns would be used in this battle.  Satan would come personally to confront Jesus.  If Jesus took on flesh and blood to redeem man, Satan would attack the humanity of Jesus to destroy Him.  Just as he used their pride against Adam and Eve, Satan would try the same tactic with Jesus.

It is Written

“Command this stone to become bread.”  The lust of the flesh.  Doesn’t that fruit look tasty?  It will open your eyes.  Unlike Adam and Eve, Jesus did not bite.  Instead, the incarnate Word quoted the Word of God.  “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone.”

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.”  The pride of life.  Flaunt your position.  Use your powers.  Prove yourself.  Jesus did not jump.  Again He quoted Scripture, “Again, it is written,  ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”

“All these I will give to you, if you will fall down and worship me.”  The lust of the eyes.  Take the easy way out.  Don’t pick up that cross.  The cup will be bitter.  Who can blame you for avoiding the suffering?  Jesus would not bend a knee.  The road to glory would include a cup and a cross.  All glory belongs to God.  “It is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.“

“Command this stone.”  “It is written.”  “Throw yourself down”  “It is written.”  “Worship me.”  “It is written.”  “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Satan’s Weapons

Herod’s sword could not destroy the incarnate Word, and neither could Satan’s temptations. But Satan would employ other tactics and other weapons.  He would turn to the “church” and the government.  Institutions ordained by God.  Institutions so many look to for “salvation”.  Scary thought.  Even more frightening is the fact that he would also use the disciples.  Men hand picked by Jesus Himself.  All would converge in another Garden of God’s choosing.  The Second Adam, the incarnate Word, was prepared.

While the Pharisees were scheming and Judas was betraying, the disciples were sleeping.  When humanity was at its worst, Jesus was praying.  God is always at least one step ahead of Satan.

Empty Tomb

Satan unleashed the jealousy of the Pharisees and the cruelty of Rome.  Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and most of the other disciple scattered.  Pilate waffled and the crowd shouted.  The guilty Barabbas was released and the innocent Jesus was condemned.   Jesus drank from the cup and carried the cross.  His hands and feet were nailed and his side was pierced.  His blood flowed and His breath expired.  It is finished.  Not quite.

For a while, it appeared that the Roman cross accomplished what the Roman sword had failed to do thirty-three years earlier…  Until the empty tomb on the third day.  The stone was rolled away to show the world: God’s Word is indestructible!!  Far from being destroyed, it was about the spread like never before.

35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” – Matthew 24:35

God’s Indestructible Word

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27 Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah’s dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 28 “Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. – Jeremiah 36:27-28                                         

God’s Word

The Word of God brought creation into existence.  It brought light and order to an earth that was “without form” and it brought life where there was “void.”  The inherent goodness of the Creator was reflected in His creation.  But God wasn’t done.  His objective was not creation, but fellowship.  God not only formed and breathed life into Adam, but He also spoke with him.  His words to Adam were simple.  This you may eat, and this you may not.  Adam apparently did not understand the significance of God’s words.  But the enemy did.  It has been his objective to destroy God’s creation since his fall.  What better way to do it than the destruction of God’s Word?

Broken Trust

In the Garden of Eden, Satan brought into question the integrity of God’s Word.  Did God really say?  Yes! God really said, “you shall not.”  And He meant it.  Satan may have succeeded in getting Adam and Eve to disobey God’s Word, but His Word was not destroyed.  Not at all.  When put to the test, God’s Word was validated.  Disobedience led to death just as God said it would.  While Adam and Eve were being “escorted” out of the Garden and Satan was slithering on his belly, God’s Word stood true.

Smashed Tablets

When Moses came down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments, he heard the singing of the people.  When he saw the golden calf and the people dancing, his “anger burned hot” and he threw down the tablets at the foot of the mountain and smashed them.  Moses was “delayed” on Mount Sinai.  The people wanted a god to lead them.  Satan suggested an idol.  The people listened and fashioned one.  And then they danced.  Satan had gotten God’s children to violate the very first commandment God had written on the tablets.  The fact that Moses smashed the tablets is ironic.  Satan perhaps thought he had destroyed God’s Word.  But he didn’t.  After God disciplined the Israelites for their disobedience, He rewrote the Ten Commandments.

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. – Exodus 34:1

Burnt Scrolls

If smashing God’s Word won’t destroy it, perhaps cutting and burning it will.  At least that it was Jehoiakim seems to think as we read in today’s passage.  He didn’t like what God had to say so he threw the scroll into the fire.  As if burning the Word of God can stop the will of God.  Doesn’t work.  Jehoiakim’s fire wasn’t the end of God’s Word.  In actuality, Jehoiakim was merely fanning the flames.  Men really should be careful when “playing” with fire.  As if burning the scroll wasn’t enough, Jehoiakim wanted to silence God’s spokesmen, Jeremiah and Baruch, but God had other plans.  God not only protected Jeremiah and Baruch, he also replaced the scroll that was burned.

27 Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah’s dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 28 “Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. – Jeremiah 36:27-28

Indestructible!!

God’s Word is indestructible.  The prophecies regarding Jehoiakim and Judah came true.  Burning the scroll did not prevent God from carrying out His plan.  But the enemy is persistent.  History is replete with attacks on God’s Word and His messengers.  With sin rampant in the hearts of men, Satan has no shortage of accomplices.

In 175 BC, the Syrian king, Antiochus Epiphanes, ordered the Jews to destroy their Scriptures and worship the Greek gods.  This was no idle threat.  Antiochus Epiphanes was an evil and violent man.  Some of his contemporaries referred to him as Epimanes (“the mad one”), the Jews referred to him as harasha (“the wicked”).  He ordered the tearing and burning of any Scriptures his officials found.  Those possessing Scriptures were sentenced to death.  Later, he would lead an all out assault against the Jews.  Over a three day period of time he ordered the slaughter of forty thousand Jews with another forty thousand being sold into slavery.  As he was raging against the Jews God struck him down.

A “madman” may wreak havoc with God’s people, but God’s Word is indestructible.  While Antiochus Epiphanes is buried in infamy, God’s Word remains.  While Satan was working through King Antiochus Epiphanes, God raised up Judas Maccabaeus to lead a revolt and “save” the Scriptures.  Furthermore, the revolt won independence for the Jewish nation and resulted in the re-dedication of the Holy Temple.  Today the Jews still celebrate this event at Hanukkah.  Like Jehoiakim before him, Antiochus wasn’t destroying God’s Word, he was fanning the flames.

Far from being extinguished, the Word of God was about to take on flesh and blood.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God will stand forever.” – Isaiah 40:8

The Living Word

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12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Living

We have been looking at attributes of the Word of God using Jeremiah chapter 36.  In the last study, we looked at contrasting reactions to the hearing of God’s Word.  I mentioned that people react to the Bible unlike any other book.  The primary reason is given in today’s verse from the book of Hebrews.  The Word of God is living.  It is active.  It has an inherent power that no other book has.  The reactions of Josiah and Jehoiakim to the Word of God have been repeated numerous times throughout history and will continue to be as long as the Gospel is shared.  Reaction’s that are not merely superficial or emotional, but life changing.   Reaction’s like those at Pentecost.

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” – Acts 2:37

Accomplishing

Peter boldly proclaimed the Word of God and 3ooo people were converted.  They “received the Word and were baptized.”  We should not be surprised.

10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10-11

God’s Word will accomplish its purpose.   What a promise.  What a hope.  The Word of God is not impotent.  It is not ineffective.  It is a living seed we are to cast on the soil of the hearts of men and trust the work of the Holy Spirit to produce a plentiful spiritual harvest.  But without the living Word, there can be no crop.

Preaching

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:14-17

We rejoice for the repentance of Josiah.  We are thrilled by the account of the 3000 who were converted at Pentecost.  But we can not be intimidated by those like Jehoiakim and the Pharisees who reject the Word.  We must always remember that God’s Word is alive and our duty is to keep the Faith and proclaim it.  The results and the reactions we can leave with God.  God’s Word will not return to Him void.

Harvesting

4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. – Acts 4:1-4

Notice what is happening here in Acts.  Peter continues to preach the Word.  While the leadership of the day was “greatly annoyed”, many who heard the Word believed and the church increased.  The formula still works today.  We don’t need gimmicks.  We don’t need committees.  We don’t need man made philosophies.  God’s Word is alive.  It is active.  It is sufficient.

It alone gives men new life.

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; – 1Peter 1:23

It sustains the believer.

 4 But he answered, “It is written,  “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4

It abides within the Child of God.

“and the word of God abides in you” – 1 John 2:14

Our Living God has given us His Living Word to impart life into the spiritually dead.  How wise we would be to meditate on it like the blessed man in Psalm 1 and to proclaim it to those that have never heard.

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life  John 6:63,68

God is not dead.  And neither is His Word.  Spread the Good News!!