Seeking God

November 12, 2024

In his sermon in Acts chapter 17, Paul reveals some magnificent things about the true God of heaven to a group of Athenian philosophers who did not know God.  Paul tells them that God made the world and all things in it.  He tells them that God does not need to be served by humans as if He needed anything.  No, God is the one who serves mankind by giving us everything we need—life and breath and all things.  He tells them that it is God who made all mankind and determined where they would live.

But why has God been so kind and generous to all people in these ways?  This brings Paul to his central point.  He said it was so “that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us…” (Acts 17:27 NASB95) God has poured out His blessings on all so that we would seek Him!  What a profound truth it is that God wants all to search for Him, and He wants all to find Him!

And what a profound truth it is that God does require that we search, that we grope for Him, feeling our way toward Him to discover who He is.  God does not reveal the wonders of Himself to just anyone.  He only reveals Himself to those who will seek Him.  God has been very clear about this throughout scripture.  Take this verse, for example: “How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.” (Psalm 119:2 NASB95) Or take the words of Jesus as another example: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NASB95) Or consider this verse, where Paul explains that in Jesus “… are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3 NASB95) You see, the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge are not available to just anyone.  They are hidden in Christ.  God desires that we do some digging before He will allow access to these blessings. 

But the beautiful thing is that God will allow us to find Him.  He wants to be found.  He wants a relationship with you and me.  The question for us is, are we still searching for Him?  Even if we have already found Him, there is still more to be found.  We must continue to dig deeper to explore even more of the beauty and the delight that is found in God and in His beloved Son.  May God lead us ever deeper into Himself!    

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Acts 17:27, Colossians 2:3, Matthew 7:7 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

Spiritual Surgery

October 22, 2024

There was a massive controversy in the first century church over this question:  Do the gentiles who have come to faith in Christ need to be circumcised?  There was a faction within the church that said, yes, they must be circumcised in order to be saved (Acts 15:1) and it is easy to see why they believed this.  Circumcision had been around since the time of Abraham.  It was a sign and seal of the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:11-12, Romans 4:11).  Circumcision was also required under the law of Moses.  Whether under the Abrahamic covenant or the Mosaic covenant, anyone who was not circumcised would be cut off from the people (Genesis 17:14).  So, wouldn’t the same apply to the people of the new covenant, the church?

The answer given throughout the New Testament is, no, gentiles do not need to be circumcised in order to be saved.  In fact, Paul wrote to the church in Galatia that, “if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you,” and every man that receives circumcision “is under obligation to keep the whole Law.”  Paul continues to explain that those who were being circumcised were seeking to be justified by law, and therefore “have been severed from Christ.” (Galatians 5:2-4 NASB95) So not only is circumcision unnecessary, but it is also spiritually deadly (if it is received in order to be saved).  Anyone who does so will cut themselves off from salvation in Jesus!

And yet, all of us in Christ have undergone circumcision.  We have been circumcised in our spirit, through the Spirit of God, by the hand of Jesus Himself.  As Paul says, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter…” (Romans 2:28-29 NASB95).  When were you and I circumcised in heart?  “And in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11-12 NASB95) When we were baptized into Christ, Jesus circumcised (cut away) our fleshly nature.  He circumcised our hearts by His Spirit at that moment.

All of this is extremely important for our daily lives.  Because of God’s spiritual surgery, we have hope of overcoming our flesh and living lives of obedience from the heart.  Thanks be to God for operating on our hearts in this way!     

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Acts 15:1, Colossians 2:11-12, Galatians 5:2-4, heart, Holy Spirit, Romans 2:28-29 | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

Words that Will Save

October 15, 2024

“I would rather see a sermon than hear one.”

I have heard this statement many times in various forms.  I can agree with the sentiment expressed.  It is very important that we live out the gospel—not just saying the right things but living in a right way.  A life lived for God shows the beauty of Jesus to those around us.

But we must remember that being a “living sermon” is not the entirety of the church’s responsibility.  The word must also be spoken.  As the angel said to Cornelius in Acts chapter 11, “Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.” (Acts 11:13b-14 NASB95) Peter was going to speak words that would save Cornelius and his household.  If anyone is going to be saved, they must hear the words of the gospel of Christ.  They must hear who Jesus is.  They must hear the words about Jesus dying and being raised for us.  They must hear what to do to accept His gracious offer of forgiveness of sin.

I do encourage you to continue to be a living sermon.  I encourage you to continue living a life that adorns the doctrine of God (Titus 2:10).  I encourage you to continue walking in wisdom toward outsiders, letting your speech around them be with grace (Colossians 4:5-6), and while you do these things, be looking for open doors to also speak the word of God. 

It’s very interesting to me that God, if He wanted, could announce the saving message to the lost through angels or through personal visions or dreams, but He has not seen fit to do so.  We see over and over again in the scriptures that God sends people (like you and me) to speak the words that lead to salvation. 

Are there people in your life that need to hear the message?  Perhaps they have seen your way of life and felt your love and concern for them.  And perhaps because of that, their heart is ready to hear.  May God prepare you and direct you to those who need to hear the words by which they can be saved. 

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Acts 11:13-14, Cornelius, evangelism, gospel, sharing the gospel | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

The Ways of God

October 10, 2024

Herod does violence to the church. He kills James, the Apostle. He imprisons Peter desiring to execute him. Reading it again (Acts 12:1-19) reminds me of my questions:

  • Why, Lord, did you allow Herod Agrippa I to do violence to some of the church? Why those particular people and not others? 12:1
  • Why did you allow James, the Apostle, to be killed by Herod?12:2
  • Why did you allow Peter to be arrested? 12:3
  • Why did you wait to rescue Peter until the night before he was to be executed? Why not sooner, and why didn’t you rescue James? 12:6
  • Why, Lord, did you allow the sentries to be executed by Herod for their failure to keep an angel from rescuing Peter? (This one reminds me that even when God intervenes, bad things can follow from evil people.) 12:19

My questions do not arise from doubt. I understand the broad answers to the questions of evil and suffering. Evil occurs because in order for God to create beings with free will, sin has to be a possible choice. God didn’t immediately bring an end to sin and evil in order to mount a rescue – a plan of redemption. Sin’s entrance into the world brought about a curse that includes hardship and suffering as possibilities. Those are the broad brush strokes of an answer.

Yet, I can relate to Job asking, “Why me?” It seems that the answer Job received is the basic answer we receive for many of our whys. Knowledge of such things is beyond our pay grade. We don’t have the wisdom and power to run the universe. (See Job 38-41.)

But my whys go beyond the text of Acts 12. Rereading Acts 12 just reminds me of these unanswered questions. I ask why for cases in the lives of people I know and my own life. I’ve reached some conclusions. Good people suffer. Faith tested grows stronger. I believe God loves us enough to hear our whys and our faithful laments. Even when I don’t totally understand, I am convinced of God’s power and love and await the world to come when God will wipe away all tears.

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29, ESV)

I don’t have an answer for all my whys, but I trust God even when I don’t completely understand all the ways of God.

–Russ Holden

Leave a Comment » | Acts 12:1-19 | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Russell Holden

In Weakness, Strength

October 10, 2024

The last shall be first. The hungry shall be filled. The meek shall inherit. The weak shall be strong. The Christian walking by faith faces many paradoxes. God often chooses to use us in our brokenness and weakness.

Paul certainly recognized this paradox in his own life. He first preached to the Galatians because of an illness (Galatians 4:13-14). To the Corinthians, he admitted his lack of eloquence and fear (1 Corinthians 2:1-3). He also reminded them that they were not the most influential of people by human standards, although they were God’s chosen (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). Paul struggled with his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), and he gave this beautiful word picture that describes the paradox:

But we have this treasure [i.e., the gospel] in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV

Walking by faith isn’t easy. We grow through trials. We are like metal tools tempered by the fire. Finding our own strength insufficient, we must turn to the source of strength. Like Paul we cry, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV). Listen to the following prayer by an unknown Confederate soldier. I suspect he knew something of the struggle of walking by faith.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I might do great things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for – but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among men most richly blessed.

–Russ Holden

Leave a Comment » | 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, 1 Corinthians 2:1-3, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Galatians 4:13-14 | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Russell Holden

The Curious Case of the Samaritans

September 10, 2024

There is an unexpected, thought-provoking passage in Acts chapter eight that has caused much debate and confusion for Bible students of all generations.  In a monumental moment in history, Philip brought the gospel of Christ to Samaria.  Speaking of the Samaritan response, the text says, “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.” (Acts 8:12 NASB95)

The Samaritans heard and believed the good news about Christ and were baptized in His name.  What then can we say about these people?  According to the promise of God, we know that at the moment of their baptism they were forgiven of their sins, they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and they were added to the church (Acts 2:38-41).  These blessings that are attached to being baptized into Jesus are for all people, for all time.  As Peter said, “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 NASB95) We could look at other passages that also tell us that baptism, the reception of the Holy Spirit, and becoming a child of God occur together (Romans 8:9; Galatians 3:26-27; Galatians 4:6).

And yet, in the case of the Samaritans who believed and were baptized, we read this: “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-17 NASB95) Isn’t that interesting?  It appears that these people believed and were baptized, but did not receive the Spirit at that time!  What is happening here?  Was God not faithful to His promise in the case of the Samaritans?  If the Samaritans did not receive the Spirit when they believed and were baptized, then they did not become children of God at that moment, for Paul wrote, “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”  (Romans 8:9 NASB95)

So, what is going on here?  First of all, we know that God would never be unfaithful to a promise.  Baptism, as a response of faith in His name, is the moment at which God gives His Spirit.  Then what happened in the case of the Samaritans?  I believe they received the indwelling of the Spirit at the moment of their baptism, just like all believers do according to the promise of God, but that the two apostles came down to additionally bestow on these believers the miraculous gifts of the Spirit.  This was done through the laying on of the apostle’s hands.  Why did they do this?  We can reason that they did so to empower the spread of the gospel in Samaria, and to show in a very visible way to everyone that God accepted the Samaritan believers, a fact that would have been quite shocking to many Jews.

You and I can rest in His promise that when we were baptized into Jesus, we received the gift of His Spirit.  Thank God for His wonderful gift!

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Acts 2:39, Acts 8:12-17, Romans 8:9 | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

Sweet Fellowship

August 30, 2024

Is fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ important to you? On the day of Pentecost, when 3,000 souls were added to the church, we are told that “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42 NASB95) These souls were devoted to fellowship. It was important to them. But what is fellowship, exactly?

Fellowship in this verse is defined as a close association arising from mutual interests. Fellowship is about mutual involvement in one another’s lives. It is about close relationships. In one sense, we are automatically in fellowship with one another in the church because we are all in fellowship with God and with Jesus. Because we are in fellowship with God, we are automatically tied together as the family of God. In another sense, fellowship is something that must be nurtured and developed. Close relationships don’t happen automatically—they grow over time.

Are you devoted to fellowship? Are you building up your relationships with your spiritual family? If not, what is hindering you? Don’t we have many reasons to do so? Being devoted to fellowship will give you a real sense of community and of belonging. Isn’t that something that most everyone is searching for? It is something we can have among the Lord’s people! Being devoted to fellowship will allow you to be surrounded by people who love you, who care about you, and who have your best interest at heart. It will allow you to have people in your life on whom you can lean when times are hard. It will allow you to be a person on whom others can lean, too. Wouldn’t that give much purpose to your life?

We can have all of these blessings, but we have to work at it! Relationships are built over time by being together. One of the best and most obvious ways to grow in fellowship is to be devoted to assembling for worship. Adoration of our great God is the mutual interest that binds us together. Remembering the death of our Lord in the Supper, singing, praying, giving, and hearing the word of God are all things that bind us together. Sharing meals with one another (whether at church functions or in our homes) is another great way to build close relationships (see Acts 2:46).

These newly saved people in Acts 2 were not coerced into being devoted to fellowship. No, the desire for fellowship flowed freely from their hearts as they realized the great things that God had done, not only for themselves, but also for the other precious souls who responded to the gospel on that day. The truth of the gospel bound them together as one body, and they nurtured that fellowship. May we strive to do the same!

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Acts 2:42, devotion, fellowship | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

Baptism and Faith

August 23, 2024

There is much confusion in the religious world about baptism.  This should not be the case.  The scriptures are very clear about the nature and purpose of baptism.  We only need to listen carefully to God and trust His word over our own preconceived ideas and systematic theologies. 

The word of God is clear that baptism is intimately tied to one’s salvation.  In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the people were pierced to the heart and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  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 2:38-39 NASB95) What is the purpose of baptism?  It is for the forgiveness of sins.  Can anyone be saved before their sins are forgiven?  No, for our sins separate us from God.  The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)

Are there other passages that teach that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins?  There certainly are.  When Paul was converted, He was told by Ananias, “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16 NASB95) In this statement we see once again the connection between baptism and cleansing from sin, and there is no salvation without that cleansing.  Jesus also connected baptism with salvation before He ascended back to the Father when He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16 NASB95) It is clear; the one who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved! There are multiple passages which plainly state the same thing.  Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins and is therefore a necessary part of our salvation. 

So, why all the confusion?  Why all of the confident assertions—despite the plain witness of scripture—that baptism has nothing to do with salvation?  In my estimation it is because many have failed to realize that baptism is an act of faith and is not a work (in the sense of earning something from God).  Many reject the plain teaching of scripture about baptism because they believe that baptism is “a work” and salvation is by faith, not works.  It is true, we are saved by grace through faith, as a gift of God and not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) But baptism is an act of faith, not a work!  Just as repentance is an act of faith in response to the message preached, and just as confession of Christ as Lord is an act of faith in response to the message preached, so also baptism is an act of faith in response to the message preached.  It is nearly universally recognized that repentance and confession of Jesus as Lord are acts of faith necessary for salvation.  Baptism is no different.  It is a part of faith!  In fact, to separate baptism from faith—to make it simply an empty religious ritual—would render baptism meaningless and powerless.  We are saved by faith in the work of Christ.  Baptism is an expression of faith in His work and the moment in time at which God, in seeing our faith in Christ, grants us forgiveness and salvation! 

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38, baptism, faith, grace versus works, Mark 16:15-16 | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

Thoughts on Speaking in Tongues

August 16, 2024

What is the gift of tongue speaking?  In Acts chapter two we first see this gift given by the Spirit.  We read, “And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (Acts 2:2-4 NASB95) The Holy Spirit gave the apostles this miraculous ability to speak in other tongues. 

What does this mean?  If we read on in this text, we see that at the time of Pentecost there were Jews and proselytes there from every nation under heaven.  In verses 9-11 we see that there are fifteen nationalities listed, and the apostles were able to speak each language.  We learn from this that the tongue speaking of Acts 2 was the miraculous ability to speak a known human language that one had never studied or spoken before.  Those who heard this were amazed and astonished that they were able to understand these Galileans (verse 7).

The gift of tongue speaking is also addressed in the book of 1 Corinthians, especially in chapters 12 through 14.  What do we learn here?  In 13:8 we learn that the gift of tongues will one day cease (along with the gifts of prophecy and miraculous knowledge).  We learn that tongue speaking was indeed a good, useful spiritual gift in the church of the first century and that Paul wished they all spoke in tongues (which indicates that not all Christians in Corinth did!).  But we learn that Paul wished even more that they would have the gift of prophecy because prophecy edifies the church. We see once again that tongues were known languages spoken in the world (14:10-11).  And we see that in the first century assembly of the church, tongue speaking was only to be done in the assembly if there was an interpreter (14:27).  If there was no interpreter present, the tongue speaker was to remain silent in the assembly (14:28), since uninterpreted speech would not be understood by the congregation and would not edify them.

There are religious groups that put a lot of emphasis on tongues and claim that they speak in tongues today.  Some claim they speak a language unknown to humans—perhaps an “angelic language.”  But in the scripture, we see that the gift of tongues involved speaking a known human language.  Some point to 1 Corinthians 13:1, where Paul says, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…” as evidence that tongues can be an unknown, non-human language.  However, Paul is not saying that people did speak angelic language, but only that even if someone could, it would be meaningless without love.

Some today teach that all Christians must speak in tongues and that if one cannot, they are not a true Christian.  However, we see very clearly from scripture that not all Christians spoke in tongues in the first century.  Take another look at 1 Corinthians 14:5 where it is clear not all spoke in tongues.  Also look at 1 Corinthians 13:30 where Paul asks the church, “… all do not speak with tongues, do they?”  The implied answer is no, they did not.   

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 1 Corinthians 13:30, 1 Corinthians 13:8, 1 Corinthians 14, Acts 2:2-4, speaking in tongues | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

When Jesus Comes Again

August 9, 2024

We go about our busy lives day after day.  The weeks, months, and years seem to run together.  We get in a rhythm of life and each day seems to carry on just like the days before it.  In all of the routine, it is easy for us to forget that one day, everything we know will change.  Every illusion we may have that life will always go on as usual will be shattered.

There is a Great Day coming!  It will be a day like no other.  On that day, the Lord Jesus will return from heaven in the clouds, and everything will change. Are you ready for that day to come?  What will that day be like? Let’s look at some of the things that will happen when Jesus returns. 

On that day, “… the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 NASB95) Those who were faithful to Jesus (the dead in Christ) will be resurrected first.  What a day that will be!  Can you imagine the sound?  Can you imagine the sight of the dead being raised from their tombs? 

On that day, what will happen to the faithful who are still alive? “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 NASB95)  

On that day, when the trumpet sounds, the faithful (whether living or dead at that time) will all be changed.  “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NASB95) On that day we will all receive a new body that is imperishable and fitted for eternity.  In the blink of an eye, when the trumpet sounds, God will give us all our new body.

On that day, all of the dead will be raised to a resurrection of life or a resurrection of judgment.  Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29 NASB95)

Are you looking forward to these things?  Are you planning for that day?  Are you living your life with the end in mind?  Yes, I am thankful in many ways for the rhythm and routine of life, but let’s not get lulled into thinking that life will always go on just as it is now.  There is a great day coming!  Are you ready to meet the Lord?

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, John 5:28-29, judgment, Second Coming | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »