Bible Journaling

Acts: Signs You Are Part of a Genuine Jesus Movement

October 22, 2023 • R. Scott Jarrett • Acts

Acts stands for “Acts of the Apostles.” IOW: What the apostles did, endured or experienced as God used them to spearhead the first genuine Jesus movement after His death and ascension back to heaven. Given the purpose of Scripture, those actions and events can be considered the signs of when such a movement is taking place today. In broad strokes, they are the following: 1. The gospel message being preached will have teeth. 1.1. Two things are meant by this figure of speech: 1.1.1. the message wb offensive not only to the world, but also the majority of those claiming to follow God (e.g., the Jews of Jesus’ day; Evangelical Christians) (Act 7:51-54) = Like the messages preached by the former prophets, Stephen’s gospel was offensive to the majority of those already believing themselves to be the followers of God (the Jews of Jesus’ day; popular Christianity) (Act 17:6 “upset the world”, Act 28:22 “it is spoken against everywhere”). Most people (pagans and “Christians”) will hate the gospel of a genuine Jesus movement. 1.1.2. salvation would not be free and easy – or something you get for nothing (with no strings attached). It would instead require sacred vows of loyalty to Jesus and a life of faithfulness to God’s Laws (Act 2:38): 1) “repent” = Commit to practicing obedience to God’s Laws (which means putting off/turning from the practice of sin) (Luk 3:3 [notice, like faith, repentance is also necessary to the forgiveness of sins], 4-14 = IOW: Practice the Law in all things, this is what it means/looks like to repent (Isa 40:3-8 “word of our God” [i.e., God’s Law]) = Eternal preservation/salvation will require clearing out of our lives all lawlessness and clinging to God’s Law as preached (esp. at the time of His Messiah) (Isa 42:1-4, 51:4-5). Notice this message (or offer of salvation) also applies to the “nations” – people other than the Jews (Isa 55:1-7 w/56:1-8)[1]. That by repentance is meant commitment to obeying God’s Law is also supported by other passages in the book of Acts (Act 21:21-24) = Paul would have refused James’ request if the version of Christianity he had converted to did not view obedience to the Law as necessary; (Act 24:14-15 w/25:8) = Likewise, Paul could not say these things if the version of Christianity he had converted to did not view the Law as necessary; (Act 17:11) = The Bereans would have found Paul’s gospel to be false if it ignored obedience to God’s Law since this was the central message of the OT Scriptures they were using to validate his message. 2) “each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” = Notice, this too (baptism) is necessary for salvation (or the forgiveness of sins). According to Peter’s first epistle, baptism represents a sacred vow of loyalty to Jesus (1Pe 3:21 “an appeal [Lit., a vow or pledge of loyalty] to God [in exchange for] a good conscience [i.e., forgiveness] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ [the person whose blood is the source of our forgiveness]”). This vow of loyalty is also picked up in the word faith [Grk., pistis = loyalty]. Examples from Acts (Act 3:16 “faith in His name”) = A common ancient idiom referring to a person’s loyalty to another (usually a person more powerful or of higher status than themselves); (Act 20:21 “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”) = Not only is the aforementioned idiom expressed, but this time the word “faith” is used as the substitute for baptism. Instead of Peter’s former gospel combination of repentance and baptism, it is repentance and faith – demonstrating faith to be both a suitable synonym for baptism and another term communicating vows of loyalty. 1.2. Why a gospel requiring such things was (and continues to be) so offensive to those outside a genuine Jesus’ movement = Because the gospel preached by the majority of those claiming to follow God has always been a gospel which requires no such loyalty or commitment. True now and true also in Jesus’ day. The rebellious Jews were the first Evangelicals. They too  believed in a FAG (Jer 6:14-19; Luk 3:8 w/Joh 8:39).     1.3. A gospel causing this kind of offense among the majority was prophesied as central to the genuine Jesus movement (Luk 2:34-35 w/Mat 10:16-39) = The people Jesus is calling “wolves” - who will do these awful things, wb the majority of those claiming to follow God and blood family. 2.  The gospel message is powerfully and irrefutably proven from the Scriptures. 1.1. (Act 18:24-28 “powerfully refuted…demonstrating by the Scriptures”) = Proving by powerful argument and irrefutable Scriptural evidence (“demonstrating”, Luk 17:14). 1.2. (Act 1.17:1-3, 8:4, 19, 19:8 “synagogue”) = Jewish place of worship where scrolls containing all the OT Scriptures would be found. Though Paul [ml] possessed some books (e.g., Pentateuch – 2Ti 4:13), it would have been almost impossible to his missionary endeavors to carry everything. Hence therefore the common practice of going to the synagogue to evangelize. (“explaining and giving evidence”, “reasoning”) = The employment of logic and facts to make an argument. In this case, the logic and facts established by the Scriptures. (“persuading”) = Irrefutably proving. 1.3. Jesus preached the same way (Luk 24:27 w/32 “our hearts burning within us”) = Idiomatic phrase indicating the presence of strong conviction where there had once been doubt. Jesus’ demonstrably proved from the OT Scriptures that the gospel message He had preached (most esp., that the Christ would need to suffer and die) was true. 1.4. Point not to miss: the gospel of a genuine Jesus movement doesn’t just claim its message is irrefutable, but proves it from the Scriptures in such a way that it leaves its opponents w/o a valid rebuttal (in re: to ordained men, Tit 1:9-11 silenced” = their mouths made shut/stopped).  3. Because what is being preached as the gospel is both offensive and irrefutable, those rejecting its message (including those within the majority) will employ slander and shady tactics to shut the preachers up. 2.1. (Act 6:7-13 “cope with the wisdom”) = Refute his arguments from Scripture. Jesus promised to give His preachers this kind of wisdom (Luk 21:15). (“secretly induced men to say...put forward false witnesses”) = Employed slander and shady tactics to shut Stephen up bc (once more) they couldn’t refute him. 2.2. (Act 9:22-23 “plotted” [20:3 “plot…formed by the Jews”, 19 “plots of the Jews”]; See also 23:12-15 “conspiracy”) = Shady tactics. In this case, the shady tactic of condemning someone w/o giving them the opportunity to defend their actions or beliefs (e.g., a kangaroo court). God’s Law forbids such shady tactics (Exo 23:1 w/Deu 19:15; Hence Joh 7:51). Even the pagan Romans viewed such behavior as shady and illegal (Act 19:21-28 w/35-42; See also Act 23:30, *25:16). 2.3. Because they could not refute their gospel, the Jews called the Christians a cult (“sect”) so that others would view them with suspicion. 2.4. Another common (shady) tactic of those who are unable to refute the preachers in a genuine Jesus movement is to slanderously attack their personal character.  This they also do, in the hopes of scaring others out of listening to them (Act 24:5 “deceivers…pest”) = Translates as “scoffer” in the OT. It refers to a wicked person who boldly condemns those who are right as though they were wrong. (“dissension”) = Insurrection (against God). See also Paul’s words in (2Co 6:8 “regarded as deceivers”) = Imposters. 2.5. Jesus’ character and intentions were likewise attacked by those who were unsuccessful in attacking what He preached (Mat 11:19 “gluttonous man and a drunkard” [Notice they condemned JtB also- v18]; Joh 8:41 “fornication” = Implying that Jesus was a bastard child; See also v48). 2.6. It is for these reason that both Jesus and Paul were confident that those part of a genuine Jesus movement will experience hatred and persecution from others (including once more, those a part of the majority followers of God) (again, Mat 10:22; See also Joh 15:18-21; Act 14:22).   4. The church will possess real authority. 4.1. The fact that Acts speaks of those being baptized as receiving forgiveness of sins means there is real power in this sacrament. Another text that speaks of baptism as the place where we are forgiven - or our sins are washed away, is (Act 22:16). 4.2. Seeing that the church (or her elders) were the only ones able to carry out this powerful act (Act 8:12, 35-38 = Philip was an elder in the Jerusalem church [Act 6:1-6], 9:18 = Ananias was the elder at the church in Damscus, 10:46-48 = Peter as an apostle/elder of the Jerusalem church, 16:14-15, 31-33 = Paul was an apostle/elder in the church at Antioch) means that the church possessed real spiritual authority – the authority (or power) to “bind and loose”, just as Jesus had promised (Mat 16:17-19; Joh 20:21-23).  4.3. That those churches associated w/a genuine Jesus movement possess real spiritual authority is also supported by the church’s exclusive ability to: 1) determine who received this authority from the HS (Act 8:15-19, 14:23; Act 20:28) = Notice it mentions the HS [or His authority and power] in conjunction w/ the elders at Ephesus (“the HS made you overseers…to “guard…oversee [and] shepherd” the church), 2) to pronounce and secure divine judgment in relation to the disobedient in the church (Act 5:1-11) = Notice again, the mention of the HS w/respect to the elders. When Ananias and Sapphira lie to the elders, they are viewed as lying to the HS. 4.4. As a final note, it should be mentioned that Acts also indicates that false churches and their leaders – or those not part of a genuine Jesus movement, will not possess such authority – and as a result, not be able to keep the demons out of their covenant communities (Act 19:11-16 w/Mat 16:18-19).   CLOSING CONTEMPLATION: Many have claimed that their church is (or has been a part of) a genuine Jesus movement. If the present study’s findings are correct, how many churches truly are (or were)? What about us? Is what has been discussed today, what we see or have experienced in this church? If so, welcome to a genuine Jesus movement. [1] Scholars believe Acts to be the fulfillment of these chapters in Isaiah. See David W. Pao’s Acts and the Isaianic New Exodus

Acts 1

November 5, 2023 • R. Scott Jarrett • Acts 1

1. Important people can help us advance the Kingdom (1; “Theophilus” – See Luk 1:3 “most excellent Theophilus” = Title reserved for those with high social status, power or influence [Act 23:26, 24:3, 26:26]. Given that Luke’s audience was much larger than just Theophilus, strongly implies the mention of his name was for the purpose of adding extra validity - and therefore readership, to his writings – possibly to those in the Jewish community. Luke was a Gentile and therefore would have carried no respect in the Jewish community. Such an assumption infers that Theo was an important and highly respected Jew.). 2. Jesus did not go back to heaven until equipping His Church w/: 1) authority: He passed the mantle of Holy Spirit authority [anointing] to His “chosen” leaders (2, “after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders [or “charge” – Mar 13:34] to the apostles”, Joh 20:21-23). 2) assurance: He proved He was alive after His death (3, “many convincing proofs” = Evidence that removes doubt – e.g., Joh 20:17 [Mary Magdalene hugged Him], 20, 24-29 [Apostles saw/touched His wounds], 21:12-15 [Peter and other apostles ate breakfast w/Him]; “over a period of forty days” = Most likely the time when more than 500 people also witnessed Jesus alive after His death -1Co 15:6). 3) ability: He provided His disciples w/instructions for receiving the promised indwelling Holy Spirit for empowerment (4-8). 3. There is an ascending and descending gift of the Holy Spirit: 1) ascending = anointing (2; Joh 20:21-23 = Jesus gives the HS just before He ascends back to heaven), 2) descending = indwelling (4-5, 8; Eph 4:7-11; “measure” = indwelling - or indwelling and anointing; “When He ascended…He gave [aorist = tense stressing association more than indicating time]” = Christ’s HS anointing is associated w/His ascension; “descended” = On Pentecost to give the indwelling Spirit; v11 = The anointed offices today [“evangelist” = NT priest who plants churches/missionary, “pastor-teacher” = NT priest; See Isa 66:21]). 4. Being faithful as Jesus’ “witnesses” in the midst of persecution/trials is: 1) necessary to being empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit (4-8 w/Luk 3:16-17 w/Mar 9:43-50 “salted by fire” = Tested by fire [or fiery trials] (Lev 2:13 “with all your offerings you shall offer salt”)[1]. Jesus went through the same process – Luk 3:21-22, 4:1-14. In this light consider also Paul’s words in Act 20:22-24 w/14:22; we are born [again] w/power that can only be released thru the trials that come thru witnessing). 2) the reason most Christians never experience empowerment from the indwelling Spirit -- because they avoid witnessing for Jesus and the persecution/trials it often brings! Point NOT to miss: empowering is for the purpose of witnessing in the midst of persecution/trials which means if you avoid witnessing in these situations, you avoid being empowered (12-26 = The apostles are praying [w/ the expectation of] empowerment [12-14] bc they are planning to witness [15-26] to the same hostile Jews who killed Jesus[2]; See similar in [4:29-30]).   5. Jesus’ return will feel a lot like a science fiction movie, an alien invasion and episode from “Law And Order” (9-11 w/1Th 4:15-17 [Mat 24:29-31] and 2Th 1:7-8 [Psa 149; Joh 5:28-29; Mat 13:40-43]; In the end, everyone will have their day in God’s court and some of us wb called to testify against others– Rev 20:11-15; Heb 13:17; 1Co 6:2-3).                                                                             6. The geographical place of Jesus’ ascent will also be the geographical place of His return (11-12 w/Zec 14:1-14, 9).         7. The standard by which to measure any church is its divinely inspired prototype: the church started by Jesus, the church of the apostles, the Jerusalem church which was small and filled with a lot of personal family members (versus large and filled with a lot of strangers) [3] (13-15; As it re: to being small: “one hundred and twenty persons” = Very small in comparison to the crowds that once followed Jesus [e.g., Luk 9:12-14]; As it re: to being filled w/family members: “Judas” = Jesus’ [half] brother, apostle and author of Jude, “Mary the mother of Jesus, …with His brothers.” = This list would include James – the future senior pastor of the church, as well as Joses and Simon. His sisters were [ml] also in attendance [Mar 6:3]; According to Scripture and tradition [e.g., Clement of Alexandria], most of the “eleven” were married and had at least one child [e.g., Mat 8:14; 1Co 9:5; e.g., Peter’s daughter was named Petronilla]. More than likely then, 30-40 [or 25-33%] of the 120 persons were family members. As it re: to remaining small: though experiencing times of great expansion (Act 2:41, 4:4, 5:14), they were short lived. Persecution forced most of the church’s new members to seek shelter in churches outside of Jerusalem (e.g., Act 8:4). As a result, the Jerusalem church remained one of the smallest for the majority of her first century existence (hence Act 11:28-30; Rom 15:25-26; 1Co 16:2-3).[4]   8. The apostles believed that insurrection – condemning or coming against the authority of those anointed to sacred office in the church was blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the unforgiveable sin and apostasy (16-20 w/Mat 26:14 w/Joh 12:1-8; “Let his homestead be made desolate and let no one dwell in it” [See the full context of Psa 69:22-28] = Let them become apostate; For blasphemy against the HS as insurrection against the anointed in the covenant community, see Mat 12:32 w/Num 15:30-31, 16:1-3; also Psa 105:15).    9. The qualifications for being in the anointed sacred office of apostle make clear that anyone claiming that office today is a false teacher (21-22 w/25 “apostleship”).   10. The congregation is the one deciding who gets anointed/ordained (15-16 w/23 [“they” = the congregation] – 26 [“added” = voted in by the congregation]; See also Act 6:1-6 [“the whole congregation…chose”; That they were choosing for the purpose of anointing/ordaining – i.e., that these were elders/pastors is confirmed by the fact these individuals had the authority/ability to baptize – e.g., Act 8:38]; OT ref. to congregational choosing for anointing – 1Ch 29:20-22).   11. Casting lots (sortition or selection by lottery) is a divine way to preserve equity in situations where there is no explicit counsel from God [His Word] (23-26 = Lots were cast to determine the duties of the priests. Joseph and Mattias were [ml] elders in their church [Luk 1:9 and 1Ch 24:1-5, 31, 25:8, 26:13-16] e.g., also [clothing] Mat 27:31; [land] Num 26:55; Jos 18:6; [sacrifices] Lev 16:8; in re: to it being divinely attended [revealing God’s will] – Pro 16:33 [e.g., Urim and Thummin – Exo 28:30]).   [1] “The reference to ritual sacrifice (Lev 2:13) would be fairly evident to the first readers of Mark. The argument has a coherence deeper than catchwords: Since undisciplined disciples risk the fire of gehenna at the last judgment, the hardships the disciple will undergo now are disciplines like the fire of a sacrificial offering that purifies, or like salt which stings but is preservative in its effect. Jesus on his way to Jerusalem is the supreme example of the sacrificial offerings ‘salted with fire.’ His sacrificial death is not to shield disciples from costly obedience, but rather show them the way: ‘For every one (meaning every disciple) will be salted with fire.’ Disciples whose lives are not characterized by rigorous self-discipline [and bold witness] are like flavorless salt. They have lost the sharpness which sets them apart from their environment and constitutes their usefulness.” – Lamar Williamson Jr. (Mark) [2] Since both were required holidays and the cost of travel was steep, the Jews who travelled to Jerusalem to observe Passover, would often stay until Pentecost. As such, the Jews who witnessed Jesus’ death are still in town.    [3] The are several good reasons for referring to the Jerusalem church as prototypical: 1) it is the specific church Jesus is referring to when making His “church promises” to Peter (Mat 16:17-19), 2) it is the church to which all the other first century churches looked for instruction/ruling on orthodoxy and orthopraxy (e.g., Gal 2:1-2; Act 15:1-29; 1Co 11:16 = The unity of practice among the “churches of God” on this issue was no doubt due to the fact that it came from their mother, the church at Jerusalem). [4] According to ancient church historian Eusebius, the Jerusalem church relocated to the city of Pella just before the city’s fall to the Romans in 70 A.D. It did so however without its two leaders, James (the brother of Jesus) and Peter who stayed behind and perished during the siege. At this point, most of the apostles were also dead and the church’s former members permanently dispersed to other locations. Though the city itself would continue to play a significant role in the world’s politics and religion, her church remained small and struggled to exist.   

Acts 2

November 12, 2023 • R. Scott Jarrett • Acts 2

1. The Christian Pentecost should be viewed as Sinai 2.0. given: 1) the sacred holiday of Pentecost (Shavout - Feast of Weeks, Exo 34:22) represented not only a celebration of God’s bountiful giving of physical food (or harvest), but also spiritual food since according to Jewish tradition, Pentecost was the day Israel received the Law from God at Sinai (Hag Matan Torateinu – The Festival of the Giving of Torah[1]) (1, “Pentecost…they were all together in one place”[2]).   2) the parallels that exist between Sinai and the Christian Pentecost: (Exo 19:16-18 w/20:1, 18) = Fire and awe (“fire…people trembled”) accompanying the presence of God speaking about His mighty deeds and Law (“God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the LORD your God Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery’”) which all the people experienced/heard (“All the people perceived”). (Act 2:2-12) = Fire and awe (“fire…They were amazed and astonished…they all continued in amazement and great perplexity”) accompanying the presence of God (“the Holy Spirit”) speaking about His mighty deeds and Law (“speaking of the mighty deeds of God”) which all the people experienced/heard (vv5-11).[3]   3) like the Christian Pentecost, Sinai also shares the association of people receiving the Spirit (Act 2:4 and Num 11:16-17 [this event takes place immediately following the Sinai event – Num 10:11-13]).   4) Luke’s mention of the Pentecost event as “fulfillment” (1, “When the day of Pentecost had come”) = Literally, “in complete fulfillment of the day of Pentecost” (Grk., en ho hemera pentakostay sumplay-ra-oe = In sum/complete fulfillment). Luke seems to be indicating that something started in the past (i.e., Sinai) has now come to completion (at Pentecost).[4]   5) What follows the Christian Pentecost is the receiving of the “new” Law (the Law as transformed in application and/or semantic range by Jesus) (42, “the apostles’ teaching”).   2. The “other tongues” – or tongues given by the Spirit to the early church, were human languages unknown to their speakers (versus a non-human language unknown to the speakers – e.g., an angelic language [Pentecostal version of speaking in tongues]) [5] (4-6, “tongues” [Grk., glossa = human language, Rev 14:6], “hearing them speak in his own language” – See also again, vv8-11)[6].   3. Without the proper biblical framework, acts of God (or obedience to God) have been known to be misinterpreted as the behavior of fools or false teachers (12-13; “full of sweet wine”) = Drunk early in the morning, the behavior of fools (14-15). Drunkenness during the day was also associated w/many pagan religions who believed alcohol (or the creation of ecstatic states) was a means to connecting w/deity (e.g., early Christians were accused of being cannibals [for eating their Lord] and guilty of incest [bc they married their brothers and sisters]; we are accused of being works based/trying to earn our salvation or unaware of what Scripture teaches about salvation by faith [bc we teach salvation also requires obedience]).   4. Prophesy always involves the miraculous but not always new words – or predictions about the future (16-18, “prophesy”) = Peter is identifying their miraculous speech as the fulfillment of the first portion of Joel 2:28-32 (i.e., the portion re: to prophecy). Yet the content of their speech was itself not miraculous. Once more, they were “speaking (only) of the mighty deeds of God” – referring to those deeds done by God in the past. How then does this qualify as prophecy? The content of most prophecy is not miraculous; it neither speaks about anything new nor predicts anything still future. For speech to qualify as prophetic only two things are necessary: 1) speech in agreement w/God’s existing words (Deu 13:1-11, 18:20), 2) speech accompanied by something miraculous (2Co 12:12; Deu 13:1-2, 18:21-22)—which in the early church’s case, was the ability to speak the various foreign languages of those present at Pentecost w/o knowing them beforehand.   5. Peter’s divinely inspired interpretation of Joel 2:28 as “And it shall be in the last days (versus how it was communicated in the original text, “And it shall come about after this”): 1) indicates that the Christian Pentecost/IPO of the indwelling Spirit is not only the beginning of new words/NT canon from God but also the final millennia before Christ’s return and Judgment Day (17-18 = Gifts of the Spirit necessary to new words from God [“prophesy…visions…dreams” = The indication of new words from God/NT canon], 19-20 = Signs that will immediately precede Jesus’ return [Mat 24:29-31]).   2) provides further evidence that Jesus’ return will be in the very near future (17, “last days” = Plural or referring to more than one day which in Jewish tradition, each day represents a thousand years of redemptive history [2Pe 3:8] and Messiah returns on the last day, the Sabbath [or at the end of 6,000 years]. At the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we were already somewhere in the range of 4,000 years – which means the “days” (or millennia) being referred to by Peter can be no more than two. That puts Jesus’ return somewhere around 2033 [or two thousand years after the Christian Pentecost which took place in 33 A.D.]. In this light, consider Jesus’ words in Joh 9:4).   3) should create greater urgency (in us) to be faithful and productive for His kingdom (Mat 25:14-30) – most especially in witnessing to the truth and saving others (Peter’s [Joel’s] point in v21. Once we reach the last days, there is no time to waste; again Joh 9:4, also Pro 11:30).   6. The indwelling (or empowering of the) Spirit is given for the purpose of: 1) witness in persecution (Chapter one: witnesses on fire in the fire) (1:8).   2) new Scripture (2:17, again, “prophesy…visions…dreams”).   3) judgment (most esp. in the covenant community – 18, “prophesy” [all God’s people] = Judgment is a form of prophecy [e.g., Eze 23:36]; The NC indwelling Spirit is the new version of Num 11:17, hence Mat 18:15 = Every member judging/holding other members accountable/responsible for preserving justice/confronting sin as the first step in congregational justice/discipline).   7. What God wants the Jews to know about Jesus: 1) He was from God (22; Joh 3:2).   2) God’s plan was to deliver Him to the Jews as the (truly) propitiatory sacrifice for their sins (23a; The animal sacrifices were neither sufficient nor penal [i.e., the lambs were not punished]– Rom 3:25; Heb 10:4; Consider also the example of Isaac [God was not punishing him or Abe] or the prophesy of the High Priest [Joh 11:50-51]).   3) The Jews treated Jesus as though He were a criminal (23b).   4) God still treated Jesus’ death as propitiation for Israel’s sin, hence the reason death could not keep Him/He was resurrected (i.e., He was victorious – Rom 4:25) (24; Heb 9:15-16).   5) Jesus’ resurrection and role as Messiah (the “Christ”) was prophesied by David (25-32).   6) Jesus is now in heaven where God has exalted and confirmed Jesus’s role not only as His earthly king (“Christ”), but the divine King of heaven and earth (“Lord”) (33-36), 7) God is holding the Jews personally responsible for Jesus’ mistreatment and death (23, 36).   8. Peter uses the three most relevant pieces of evidence to validate a person and their message to prove that Jesus was who He claimed to be: 1) their public body of work (22; Act 26:26).   2) the Scripture (25-31).   3) personal (eyewitness) testimony (32).    9. One of the ways to know that you have been a faithful witness causing conviction in others, is that those receiving the message will either be “pierced to the heart” which leads to salvation (37) or “cut to the quick” which leads to persecution (5:33, 7:54, 10:39).   10. We are saved and regenerated in the waters of baptism (37-41, “be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…Be saved [thru repentance and baptism]...So then, those who had received his word were baptized…and…there were added [to salvation] about three thousand souls”). That by the word, “added” Luke means salvation is confirmed by (v47 “adding to their number…those…being saved”; 1Pe 3:21).   11. The Bible teaches infant baptism: 1) All the essential ingredients found in the phrase, (39, “For this promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off”) are also found in God’s promise to Abraham in Gen 17:7-13 (“children” = infants [v12], “this promise is for you and your children” [7, 10, “you and your descendants after you”], “for all those [children] who are far off [in the future]” [13 “everlasting covenant”]).   2) for the entirety of Israel’s redemptive history, infants were granted this special favor by God (i.e., they were automatic members of the covenant). Hardly would any Jew have found what Peter was preaching as good news if such special favor was no longer part of the deal (i.e., they were in under the OC, but now [under the NC], they need to be old enough to understand and give consent).   3) to remove God’ special favor toward infants (in this respect) would be a violation of God original and “everlasting” promise (hence the reason, baptism is identified as the new form of circumcision [Col 2:11]– God is keeping His promise!).   12. The first true Christians were continually devoting themselves to practicing the very things the world and popular religion (which is only popular b/c it has adopted many of the convictions of the world) has always found controversial or outright rejected: 1) new understandings (of old teachings) (42, “the apostles’ teaching [on the new application/understanding of the OT/Law]).   2) seeking confirmation from God (not popular opinion) for what they believed (43, “wonders and signs” = Confirmation that what was being taught was from God. Such signs and miracles were needed given the absence of the NT canon [what we use today to confirm the teaching]).   3) treating those in the covenant community more like family than blood family (42, “fellowship” [Grk., koinoenia]) = The idea of family or sharing and becoming one in re to: our resources/care (44-45), our beliefs, convictions and perspective (46a), our personal life (transparency) (46b, “and breaking bread from house to house” = Devoted themselves to time together outside the Temple for the purpose of sharing their personal lives), loyalty (“breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart” = Joyfully sharing a meal w/others was an ancient indicator of your loyalty to them), happiness and blessings (47).   4) signs with real spiritual power (sacraments v. ordinances) (41, “baptized” w/47 “adding…those being saved”; 42, “breaking of bread” w/Joh 13:10 w/Joh 6:54).     [1] Tradition also speaks of this as the day that Ruth – a Gentile, placed herself under the yoke of the Law. [2] During Pentecost, it was customary for ancient Jews to gather in one place, stay up all night learning Torah, and remembering their vows of obedience to God’s commands (See “Shavout – The Holiday of the Giving of the Torah” - http://chabad.org) [3] The famous Jewish philosopher, Philo’s words, “Then from the midst of the fire that streamed from heaven there sounded forth to their utter amazement a voice, for the flame became the articulate speech in the language familiar to the audience” were not spoken about Christian Pentecost, but Sinai. [4] “Luke uses an odd phrase to introduce this event, literally ‘in the fulfillment of the day of Pentecost,” but clearly from what follows [is not the fulfillment of that specific day since] the day was yet young.’” – C.K. Barrett (Acts Vol. 1) [5] Jewish tradition records that the language of angels is the same language God used to create the world, Hebrew (Jub 12:26). It is also this language that (Jewish) tradition teaches was preserved by Michael the archangel for those descendants of Noah in the line of Abraham after the splitting of the languages during the Tower of Babel incident (Apend. Of Naph. 8:4-6). Of further interest, the word “Hebrew” in Hebrew (eev’riyt) is a derivation of the Hebrew word for covenant (beriyt). Put another way, Hebrew was the language of covenant (or those in/remaining in covenant with God). [6] “The Greek syntax, surely dictates that the phrase ‘in his own language’ must go with the word ‘speaking’ not ‘hearing,’ in v6. They heard them speaking in their own languages.” – Ben Witherington (The Acts of the Apostles A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary)

Acts 3

November 19, 2023 • R. Scott Jarrett • Acts 3

WGO? Peter heals a lame beggar and preaches to the crowd who have gathered because of the miracle.   WTP? 1. Evangelism can look like going to another church’s bible study (1; Act 17:1-3; Deu 33:10; Mal 2:7; Joh 18:20 = Temple courts [e.g., Solomon’s Portico] were where the people in Jerusalem would go to find teaching from various experts on the Law [priests/scribes, lawyers/judges, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.,]. Hence the reason Jesus went to the Temple to teach – because He knew the religiously inclined wb there; Similar Act 16:13 = Bible studies were not always held in synagogues or the Temple [see also Act 20:20 “teaching…house to house”).   2. It is the job of the covenant community to see that those born w/disabilities are provided with the financial support necessary to care for their needs (1-2, “alms” = Financial donations; Act 4:34 “not a needy person among them”; Lev 15:4).   3. We must graciously accommodate the theological ignorance of those whose soteriology is right (1, [“going up to the Temple at the ninth hour” = The time of the evening sacrifice] w/17 “acted in ignorance” = Peter and John knew that the sacrifices of the Temple could not propitiate for sin. They however also knew that those attending the Temple who were ignorant of this –and more importantly of Jesus’s true identity and role in this respect, possessed the right soteriology [i.e., gain thru vows/covenant signs/faith and maintain through obedience to God’s Law or faithfulness is also required to be save]. Hence the reason for referring to them as “brethren”. In this light, consider 1Ti 1:12-14 = Paul was already a faithful member of the covenant community [already saved]. Paul made similar accommodations to the Jews in Act 21:20-26).      4. The mantle of authority (or power) given by Jesus to those pastors possessing the right gospel remains fully intact even when they possess certain beliefs which are wrong due to ignorance (1-10 = At the time that Peter exercises Jesus’s authority/power [“in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene” = According to His authority/power], he ignorantly believes the gospel to only be available to Jews or Jewish proselytes [Act 10:1-28]; Mat 18:18 “whatever you bind…loose” [Grk., hosos = Any or all things in quantity or measure]).   5. God gives power and spiritual authority (“piety” [Grk., eusebia = spiritual authority] to the church’s anointed pastors as a means to: 5.1. glorifying Jesus since it is His power and authority they now possess (11-13a; Joh 14:13; Joh 20:21-23). POINT NOT TO MISS: when you resist the authority of the church’s leaders you are both resisting Jesus and robbing Him of His glory. 5.2. exposing those possessing hearts of rebellion against God’s authority (13b-15 = The Jews refused, rejected and killed [“disowned”] Jesus b/c they did not want to submit to His authority. God raised Him from the dead proving Jesus’s authority was divinely-appointed). POINT NOT TO MISS: When you buck the authority of Jesus (which now resides in His anointed pastors), you show yourself to be a rebel to God.   6. Loyal obedience to Jesus as our King can lead to more than just spiritual deliverance (16, “on the basis of faith in His name [a pledge of loyal submission to Jesus’s authority]…has given him this perfect health”; 1Co 11:30 = Many Christians get sick or suffer ill health bc they continue to pledge their loyalty to Jesus’s authority [which we do every time we partake of the LT – “for faithfulness of life”] yet live in sinful opposition to Him).   7. There is mercy for those whose rebellion is the product of ignorance and not stubbornness (17; 1Ti 1:13; Zec 7:8-13 = Stubbornness leads to wrath – not mercy [God being stubborn to us]. Hence the reason we need to determine whether the problem is moral or intellectual).   8. God knows how to take our ignorance and evil actions and use them to advance His Kingdom (13-18, “He has fulfilled” = God’s purposes were being accomplished even thru the wicked suffering inflicted upon Jesus by the Jews; Isa 53; Pro 16:4). POINTS NOT TO MISS: 1) free wills and a free future are not enough to keep God from perfectly accomplishing His plans – esp. in re: to His people (Rom 8:28). 2) possessing the proper biblical framework in re: to God and human responsibility, is essential to avoiding – or reading into passages like vv13-18, the error of determinism ([Exo 13:17; Isa 54:15; Jer 19:5] w/Eph 1:11 “works [Grk., energeo] = To give energy to, to operate - not determine/decree/fix – Act 17:26, 31 [Grk., horizo] = Some things - but not most things, have been determined by God – e.g., Jer 5:22).   9.  There is no forgiveness of sins or blessing of salvation from Jesus for those who fail to cease in their practice of (known) sin and live in obedience to God’s commands (19, “repent and return [to loyalty to the Lord, to practicing His ways and righteousness– Act 11:21, 26:18; Jam 5:19-20; Isa 55:7 w/56:1; Jer 4:1-2]” = This is the principle of put off and put on [Eph 4:22-24; e.g., it is often people’s failure in the latter that keeps them from persevering; Other examples: dieting, unhealthy relationships – self programmed robots//*wb awkward and uncomfortable at first]; 26, “to bless you by [instrumental – how the blessing will take place] turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” = The blessing [of Jesus’s salvation] happens only where there is no more practice of sin – i.e., where [again] it has been replaced by the practice of righteousness [1Jo 3:7-10]).   10.  Jesus will return when the Jews return to Jesus (19-25)[1] “in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things” = The return of the Jews to God thru becoming Christians (Rom 11:25-29), will lead to the return of Christ and times of refreshing (new heaven, new earth (Isa 66:18-22), which will also signify the restoration of the kingdom to Israel (1:6) and the eternal destruction of all people who do not bow the knee to Jesus (22-25 [Gen 22:18; Deu 18:15-19; 2Sa 7:8-17]; Isa 66:23-24)[2].       [1] “Christ’s coming is seen as in some sense dependent on Israel’s repentance.” – Ben Witherington (Acts) [2] “If the Israelites would repent for a day, the son of David (Messiah) would come immediately” – 1st cent., Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus (p. Ta’an)

Journaling: Romans 14

December 4, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 14

How Shall We Then Live? Part 3   (In re: to new world problems[1]):   1. Our choices of abstinence or indulgence with regard to new world problems must:   1.1. not stop us from welcoming - or cause us to despise - those who choices are different (1-3, 21 “wine”) = Who is Paul referring to as the weaker brother (the one not eating meat or drinking wine)? There are two possibilities: 1) Jews living in Rome who were not were willing to obtain meat or wine previously offered to pagan idols or not prepared according to kosher laws (e.g., Exo 23:19; Lev 7:26-27; Pro 12:10). The problem was that the pagan temples and markets were the primary source of meat and wine in the city of Rome[2]. For these newly converted Jews, a diet of vegetables and water became (in their mind) their only acceptable option. And/Or 2) Gentile converts whose former association with meat or wine offered to pagan idols was still too fresh in their minds to partake without violating their conscience (See 1Co 8:7). Similar concerns were present in the Roman church with respect to days of fasting (5-6) “One person esteems one day as better…another esteems all days alike”= Some Jewish Christians were still convinced that daily fasting was the honorable practice -excluding Sabbaths or Sacred holidays (the “better” day). Others saw fasting as no longer required of specific days, but rather something done only on special occasions (e.g., special pleading before God – Jug 20:25-28 [victory in battle]; 1Sa 7:3-6 [repentance/forgiveness]; 2Sa 12:15-16 [mercy to the sick]; Ezra 8:21-23 [safety from danger])[3]. Included in our eternal assessment will be how we treated those who differed with respect to these kinds of new world problems (10-12 the “judgment seat of God” = The final judgment determining where we send eternity). Knowing this, should cause us to steer clear of ever being negative of someone for their choices/decisions in the area of new world problems when those choices/decisions are based on biblical conviction and God-honoring intentions.   1.2. be based on biblical conviction and God-honoring intention (5) “fully convinced [convicted] in his own mind [thinking supported by Scripture]” = IOW: He must possess biblical conviction. Hence why Paul says what he does at the end of the chapter (23) “But whoever doubts [possesses no biblical grounds for his indulgence] is condemned [in sin] if he eats because the eating is not from faith [the Christian Faith]. For whatever does not proceed from faith [the Christian Faith] is sin” = If our practice cannot be supported from the pages of Scripture (the book defining the Christian Faith) then we are acting in rebellion to God (regardless of what we think or how we view our actions). Biblical conviction therefore represents the first prerequisite for determining our choices (abstinence or indulgence) with respect to new world problems. The second is our intention (6-9) = Making choices based on what pleases self or others is no longer an option. Such decisions must now be made based on what we believe is honoring to God – including in the areas fasting or eating and drinking (See also 1Co 10:31). The reason behind this prescription? The Christian’s life now belongs to Christ (v8 “we are the Lord’s”). He has become our new “master” (v4), the One Who gained such authority/ownership by His death and resurrection (again v9; See Mat 28:18; 1Co 15:27; 2Co 5:17; Consider also 1Co 6:19-20). There are two questions (then) that should be utilized in making our choice with respect to new world problems: 1) Do I believe I can support my abstinence or indulgence from Scripture? 2) Is my intention to honor/please God in abstaining or indulging? Examples of new problems relevant to us where these questions need to be applied: drinking alcohol outside of sacred times, fasting during the week, movies, tv shows, video games involving witchcraft.     1.3. not become an area of proselytization in respect to those holding a different position (yet doing so with the right conviction and intention) (1 “welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” w/4) = God supports his current (biblically based) conviction. Conversion to a different position is not necessary.   1.4. never cause another Christian to stumble (13-15) IOW: though what you choose to indulge in may be okay (not sin before God), if others in the Body of Christ view it as sin (to them it is still “unclean”) and see you doing it, they could become “grieved” (i.e., disenchanted in living the Christian life) – or worse, encouraged to do what for them would be sin since they do not possess the biblical conviction or God-honoring intentions to support such indulgence with respect to themselves (“it is unclean to anyone who thinks it is unclean”; See again v23b). Becoming a “stumbling block or hindrance” in this way puts us in danger of being guilty of several serious sins: 1) We are guilty of not “walking in love” toward our covenant brothers/sisters (15; Failing to walk in love toward our cov bros/sis is a sign that we are not a child of God – 1Jo 3:10), 2) We cause a covenant bro/sis to apostasize (15 “destroy” [ἀπόλλυμι]) = Every time this Greek word is used in the NT, it refers to something that is – or in danger of being - completely and permanently lost (Mat 12:14; Jam 4:12; Jud 1:5). Given the context in which Paul uses this word (“destroy the one for whom Christ died”), the thing in jeopardy is the person’s salvation. Our indulgence becomes for the weak Christian (those lacking the proper biblical understanding or conviction), the vice leading to their destruction (e.g., alcohol leading them back to their former alcoholism – i.e., unrepentant drunkenness/addiction), or the violation of conscience leading them to look for answers outside the Christian Faith (e.g., Christians are hypocrites because they preach against witchcraft, yet indulge in movies, tv and games which include it. Christianity therefore must not be true[4]). Both Paul and Jesus strongly warn against becoming a stumbling block of this magnitude (one leading to the apostasy of others) (1Co 3:16-17, 8:8-10 w/10:27-29; Mat 18:5-10).   1.5. also (therefore) be decided based on our ability to practice it while still preserving the conscience and spiritual prosperity of others in the church (16-22) = A sign of poor thinking – and very likely also, a selfish heart, is to believe that the only criteria for determining what I (as a Christian) can practice is whether or not that thing is considered lawful before God. Lawfulness is merely the first criteria; the second is whether it is helpful or harmful to me or those God has placed in my sphere of influence. As such, our primary goal should never be to seek and protect all those lawful indulgences that God has provided to the Christian, but rather seek to protect those in the Body of Christ who might be unnecessarily harmed by our practice. It is this kind of Christian that is “acceptable to God and approved by men (1Co 10:23-24, 31-33).” Our mindset therefore toward those indulgences which are justified – though questionable, should be, “If I cannot practice it safely (v22), without others accusing me of “evil” (v16) or causing another to “stumble” (v20), then I will (happily) forgo its practice (v21; 1Co 8:13).” The additional question (then) we must consider when making our choice: Can I practice it without being accused or guilty of association with evil by others? (Association w/evil = Sin/Damnation; 1Co 10:14-22; 2Co 6:14-7:1; Hence Rom 14:21 and 1Co 8:13).   (Important Takeaways Not To Miss):   2. Diversity of practice with respect to new world problems (where there exists biblical conviction, God-honoring intentions and no cause for stumbling among others) should be supported in the church (1, 13, 19).   3. God honors those who abstain because they do not possess the biblical conviction and God-honoring intention to indulge (2-4 w/14) “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus” = I possess Biblically based conviction. “but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean” = They do not possess the biblical conviction to indulge.   4. God condemns those who indulge without possessing the biblical conviction and God-honoring intention to do so (23 “if he eats” = Indulgence – not abstinence, is the issue). [1] Practices, places or things that may be permissible under the New Covenant that did not exist in the past or were not permitted under the Old Covenant.  [2] The kosher slaughtering of animals (OC requirement) has had a long history of being illegal in many parts of the secular world - e.g., “The Driving Force Behind The Ban On Kosher Slaughtering” by Melanie Phillips (http://jns.org); “The Prohibition of Ritual Slaughtering and Freedom of Religion of Minorities by Pablo Lerner (Cambridge University Press); “The Day Kosher Slaughter Was Saved” by Baruch Sterman (http://commentary.org). [3] See “On Esteeming One Day Better Than Another” by R. Dederen (Andrews University Seminary Studies vol. 9, pp. 16-35) [4] In 2007, the Barna Group did an extensive research project in which they asked non-Christian people why they rejected Christianity. 85 percent said it was due to the hypocrisy they had witnessed among their ranks.

Journaling: Romans 15

December 11, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 15

Journaling: Romans 13

November 20, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 13

How Shall We Then Live? Part 2 (in re: to the govt) 1. God commands every human being to respectfully obey the government (and their deputized agents) in the place where they reside or currently exist[1] (1a “in subjection” = In respectful obedience [same word as Luk 2:51]): 1.1. Earthly govts have been established by God (1b) “instituted” = Appointed [same word as Act 22:10] (Dan 2:21, 4:17, 20). This includes: 1) His earthly sacred govt of the church – Joh 18:36w/Luk 22:29 w/Heb 12:28 [w/23 = the church]w/Mat 16:16-19 w/Joh 20:21-23; See also Act 23:1-5), 2) the evil secular govts of the world (e.g., Babylon – Dan 2:37-38, 4:27, Egypt – Exo 9:16, Rome – Joh 19:11; Hence – 1Pe 2:13-17). Examples of deputized agents: 1) secular (president, police, court judges), 2) sacred (pastors – Tit 2:15).[2]   1.2. Rebelling against earthly govts (or their deputized agents) means resisting God and incurring His judgment through them (2) “judgment” = God has authorized and empowered the secular and sacred governments to carry our His wrath against those who are disobedient to their authority and laws (3-5) “bear the sword…an avenger” = Earthly govts are the instrument through which God secures justice or vengeance (Rom 12:19). This is true for the church as well (e.g., 1Co 6:1-6 [Mat 18:15-20 w/Deu 17:6-13]; Heb 10:26-30). “for the sake of conscience” = Disobedience to God’s governing authorities brings also the consequence of a guilty conscience – which when operating properly, indicates corruption in the soul – an ailment that must be remedied otherwise it will lead to more serious sin (e.g., 1Ti 1:19).   1.3. Our respectful submission/obedience to them includes paying taxes as well as any other fees or payments they may require to support them and their work (6-7) “revenues” = Additional fees and payments serving as a revenue source for the govt (e.g., permits, licenses, customs/duties, tolls – Mat 9:9 “toll booth”). “honor” = Most likely a reference to financial honor (See Rom 12:10; 1Ti 5:17). God also sees as acceptable, governments demanding their citizens to financially support those employed by them/their deputized agents (e.g., ancient tax collectors [head and land taxes]: – Zacchaeus, Luk 19:1-10 [chief tax guy in the region of Jericho. A portion of what they collected went to their support]).   1.4. The only exception is when the governing authorities demand something that is sinful (Act 5:29).    (in re: to the Law) 2. Christianity is all about love because: 2.1. it is all about fulfilling the Law (8) “the law” = The entirety of God’s OT laws. See verse 9, “the commandments, ‘You shall not…” = The Ten Commandments. If you have the Ten Commandments then you also have the rest of the commandments since they represent what each of the ten looks like in specific cases (they are the case laws). Hence (Deu 5:31). PNTM: 1) Paul is concerned w/Christians obeying God’s Law (which means Rom 10:4 cannot mean Christians are off the hook w/regard to obedience to the Law). 2) Obeying God’s law is how we love one another (9) = Paul sees obeying God’s Law as synonymous with loving others. This is also how we love our enemies - Mat 5:44 = Not they must become our friends or we must have affections for them but we must treat them righteously/according to God’s Law - e.g., Rom 12:20).   2.2. You can’t love people without adherence to God’s laws (10) = As a logical syllogism: Premise 1) True love does no harm to others. Premise 2) The Law was established to keep us from doing harm to our neighbors. Conclusion: Love requires the Law (or the Law represents the rules for love – 1Ti 1:5-8). Consider (then) churches/Christians who reject adherence to God’s Law. They are churches refusing to love others (love w/o the Law is a non sequitur).   3. The other reason Christians need to be concerned about obeying to God’s Law is because our obedience after becoming a Christian now weighs heavily in our final assessment before God (11-12) “Besides this” = Besides obedience to the Law being necessary to loving others, it is also necessary to our salvation. The Law - or our obedience to it represents the deeds/criteria used by God on Judgment Day to determine whether or not we were faithful to the covenant (whether or not we were faithful to our vow of faithfulness [“faith”] - Rev 20:11-15 “what they had done” = Were they obedient/disobedient to God’s Law?). “the hour has come for you to wake from sleep…The night is far gone; the day is at hand” = There is no more time to waste not taking our sin seriously (being asleep in spiritual darkness – making our “10”s into “2”s; 1Pe 4:3). “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” = Idiomatic way of saying, “the certainty of our salvation is being determined more now (in our day-to-day Christian lives), than when we got baptized (first believed and were justified). “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” = Our faith alone will not be enough to save us. We must also be characterized by taking action (“cast off…put on” = Aorist [continued action]) in respect to what is sinful (“works of darkness”) and what is righteous (“armor of light”).      4. Two major keys to obeying God’s Law are: 4.1. the avoidance of all those things/activities that impair our thinking, inflame our feelings or corrupt our wills (13) “Let us walk properly as in the daytime” = Let us live lives characterized by obedience to God’s Law which oncludes the avoidance of the three things/activities established in Paul’s three couplets: 1) impaired thinking: “orgies” = Most likely not a reference not to sexual parties but popular Roman (or pagan) religious services often conducted at night and involving the use of alcohol to produce estatic forms of worship similar to modern day Pentecostal services (trance like chanting, unintelligible speech, chaotic bodily movement and occasional vomiting).[3] Hence Paul’s coupling of this word (“orgies”) with “drunkenness.” Access to the spiritual realm was believed to be achieved through impairment of one’s mind (Pro 23:33; Pro 31:4-7). Examples of other things to avoid that impair thinking: Dependency on opioids, marijuana, lack of sleep. All have been shown to not only impair thinking, but possibly lead to long-term thinking problems (shrinking of the brain, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease). How impaired thinking leads to sin/disobedience: you won’t obey what you don’t understand or think incorrectly about (Isa 5:13; Jer 4:22; Mat 13:15 “dull” = impaired; Eph 4:17-18). 2) inflamed feelings: “not in sexual immorality” = Avoidance of all things related to or encouraging this capital crime. IOW: avoiding those things that inflame our feelings – most especially those things which are sexual in nature (e.g., entertaining sexual thoughts, viewing or listening to sexually- stimulating media: movies, music etc). Inflammation w/respect to our feelings is most common among those who obey their feelings – i.e., those not avoiding “sensuality” (2Pe 2:18  [NAS] “by fleshly desires, by sensuality” [apposition]; Gal 5:19. = Sensuality is a sin). Sociological studies show that sensuality (life det’d by our feelings) or the constant inflammation of our feelings – even when not specifically related to sexual things – more than often leads in the direction of sexual acts (e.g., gluttony stimulates sexual drive)[4]. This is true even among the animal kingdom – creatures who live completely based on their feelings (e.g., food supply determines sexual activity/birth rates). Hence the reason Peter compares such people (those living according to their feelings) to animals (2Pe 2:10 w/12). How then to avoid inflaming our feelings and the sexual immorality/disobedience that follows: Practice self-control/stop saying “yes” to your flesh in the little things (Act 24:25; Luk 16:10). Also, get rid of your addictions (anything that you will sin to keep is an addiction – e.g., drugs, alcohol, food, video games). By nature, all addictions inflame the feelings/identify us as people enslaved to our feelings. 3) corrupted wills: “quarreling and jealousy” = According to James, jealousy is a main cause of quarreling/sinful fighting (Jam 4:1 w/3:16; See Mat 27:18). The spark however, setting this doomed sequence of disobedient behavior in motion is a corrupted will: the fulfillment of your will (or way) is more important that God’s will or way. Your main mission/motive in life is self not God (Jam 4:2-3). Adopting this as our life’s mission/motive is diametrically opposed to God’s prescribed purpose and laws: everything for the advancement of His glory and kingdom (Rom 11:36). Corrupted wills also happen to those Christians whose loyalties/mission is divided (“one foot in the world, one in the church”). Only those putting God first in their mission and motives are His friends (Jam 4:4 w/8 “Draw near to God” = Make Him your main mission/motive in living). Notice putting God first (versus possessing selfish or corrupted wills) requires the removal of two things: 1) the removal of sinful habits/deeds (“cleanse your hands you sinners = Hands a metaphor for deeds), 2) the removal of doubt w/respect to God and His Word (“purify your hearts, you double-minded” = Hearts are a metaphor for our wills, double-minded a reference to doubts – See Jam 1:8). In summary, you will possess a corrupted will (one not fully committed to God) as long as you hold on to sinful habits and doubts. Example of a sinful habit to avoid that is associated w/both doubt and disobedience:  You do not schedule counseling/call pastor to resolve your doubts, to help you find the answers in God’s Word. Removing doubts is a part of renewing our minds (Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23).     4.2. the replication of the person of Jesus in the person of us (14) “put on” [ἐνδύω = to clothe or completely cover – Mat 22:11; Mar 1:6; Luk 24:49] = To replicate – or produce a close copy – captures this idea when the garment/clothing is the person of Jesus. The fact that we (or our person) are wrapped in His person however means that this replicate will carry the unique aspect of seeing not simply a living example of Christ, but what His person looks like when embodied and expressed in the unique person that God has made each of us. It means not the loss of our identity, but seeing to it that our identity is shaped exclusively by Jesus. Hence the reason the followers of Jesus are called “Christians” (Literally, “little christs”). This then is the other necessary key to obeying God’s Law – or conquering what stands in its way – the “flesh” or the gratification of our “desires.” Our job is to be the full-time understudies of Jesus (in theater, an understudy is someone who studies every aspect of another actor so as to function as their replacement). A great place to start in our endeavor to become Jesus’ replicate/understudy: In all things, WWJD?  [1] By government is meant: any entity demonstrating sovereignty or the infrastructure and ability to consistently enforce its laws in the face of local or foreign opposition. This definition of government represents a “biblical hybrid” of modern understandings or criteria of govt recognition (e.g., Montevideo Convention, Declarative Theory of Statehood). The most significant difference between modern views and the biblical record would be the fact that God sees (and has appointed) as legitimate even those governments whose current occupation and control of a particular territory is not approved of by its population or former occupying government (e.g., Israel under Babylon or Rome). [2] In respect to the pastor’s authority, disciple of the Apostle John, friend of Jesus’ mother Mary and early church father Ignatius writes, "It is fitting that you should run together in accordance with the will of the bishop (anointed pastor) who by God's appointment rules over you…He that refuses to assemble with the church [for the judgment of the bishop] has condemned himself. Let us be careful then not to set ourselves in opposition to the bishop, in order that we may be subject to God…Beloved, be careful to be subject to the bishop and the presbyters [other elders]. For he that is subject to these is subject to Christ, who has appointed them; but he that is disobedient to them is disobedient to Christ Jesus. He that does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. For he that does not yield to his superiors is self-confident, quarrelsome and proud. God resists the proud. And the proud have greatly transgressed. The Lord says to the priests, 'He that hears you, hears Me; and he that hears Me, hears the Father that sent Me. He who despises you, despises Me; and he that despises Me, despises Him who sent Me…We ought to receive everyone whom the Master of the house sends to be over His household as we would do Him who sent him. It is manifest therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we look upon the Lord Himself…It is becoming therefore, that you also should be obedient to your bishop, and contradict him in nothing; for it is a fearful thing to contradict any such person. For no one does [by such conduct] deceive him that is visible, but does in reality seek to mock Him who is invisible. And every such act has respect not to man, but God."   [3] For example see “Why Roman Orgies Weren’t Really A Thing” by Spencer McDaniel (http://talesoftimesforgotten.com) [4] For example, “Female sexual behavior is inhibited by short-and long-term food restriction” (Gill, C.J. and Rissman, E.F.; Physiology and Behavior) 

Journaling: Romans 12

November 13, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 12

Journaling: Romans 16

December 18, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 16

1. Recommendation from reliable sources is necessary for those Christians attempting to transfer their church membership or raise support as missionaries. 2. Christian Unity/Fellowship requires more than Christian profession given Satan’s strategy of seeding churches with false brethren and teachers in order to divide/destroy God’s kingdom and people. 3. False brethren and teachers are defined. 4. Receiving the Father’s peace and the Son’s favor includes rescuing us from Satan’s powerful worldly forces. 5. Women play a crucial role in advancing God’s kingdom and church. 6. The only gospel that will give us the strength (or perseverance) to get to heaven is the one that agrees with the OT prophetic message of a coming King whose salvation would be granted to all those nations (or peoples) willing to give faithful obedience to Him and His Law. 7. Like Enoch, some verses “walked with God, and were no more”(Gen 5:24).

Journaling: Romans 11

October 30, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 11

What about the Jews? (Part 3): God’s behavior toward people (including His covenant people – Jew/Gentile) 1. God already knows and leads to the truth people whose biggest problem is intellectual not moral. 1.1. The perfect example is the Apostle Paul (1, 1Ti 1:12-14 = Paul was ignorant yet faithful and so received God’s grace) 1.2. This included a few other first century Jews who were likewise faithful during Israel’s apostasy against Jesus (5-6) “a remnant chosen by grace” = A small number of Jews chosen to hear and receive God’s favor of gaining salvation by faith in Christ versus through the OC way (e.g., circumcision, animal sacrifice, adherence to separation and sabbaths – i.e. “on the basis of works”) (e.g., Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Joseph and Mary, the other Apostles and all the Jews of the Jerusalem church who became Christians) 1.3. This was also true during Israel’s apostasy in the days of Elijah (2-4; 1Ki 19:14-18) 1.4. This has always been true (e.g., Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35 “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality” = Peter realized that people - not God- has always been the answer to the question, “what determines who gets saved?”). 2. God also knows and will give over to spiritual darkness those in the covenant community (e.g., the church) whose biggest problem is not intellectual but moral. 2.1. (7-10) = The covenant community (“Israel”) whose purpose of existence was to serve God and get to heaven failed through their disobedience and apostasy (“failed to obtain what it was seeking” – i.e., salvation). Only the few (during that first century) who were faithful were spared and received it (“the elect obtained it”). Those in the covenant community whose problem was not intellectual, but moral, God pushed further in the direction of their desired darkness and sin (i.e., He gave them what they were truly “seeking”). He “hardened” them with a “spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see [“eyes…darkened so that they cannot see”] and ears that would not hear” (no longer any ability to see the truth or escape the sin they chose to follow), “their table [has become] a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution (what they feed on wb poison to their souls – convincing and driving them further in the direction of damnation – Psa 69:21 w/22) …bend[ing] their backs forever” (Psa 69:23, “mak[ing] their loins tremble continually”) = B/C of their moral stubbornness God will not only cause them to go mad but become cowards controlled by fear (including the fear of missing out in this life) (Deu 28:28, 65-67; Rom 1:28; Eph 4:17-19; 2Pe 2:20) IOW: The day of grace for that covenant person is gone. 2.2. that God promises to also harden the Christian (remove His saving grace) if our problem continues to be moral is confirmed by Paul’s warning in (22). 3. Israel’s (the Jews) “fall” from grace was not total nor final (5w/11a): 3.1. their former apostasy (1st cent. rejection of Christ) does not affect future generations (23-24, 30-32; “consigned” = Handed over to the consequences of their sin – See Rom 1:24, 26, 28; Re: apostasy and future generations still possessing opportunity - Hos 14:1-7; prophecy regarding the restoration of apostate Israel in Jesus’ day – Jer 50:17-20 w/Eze 34:1-16, 23-24. Hence Jesus’ mission - Mat 15:24. PNTM = The children of apostate parents are not automatically apostate. No one loses their opportunity for salvation b/c of the actions of their parents – Eze 18:20). 3.2. God is planning a revival among the Jews that will start when the Gentiles have apostasized (i.e., when they have closed themselves off to being saved) (25-29; “mystery” = God will accomplish such a revival w/o violating the free-wills of the Jews [Hence Paul’s concluding response – 33-36!]; WHEN THIS REVIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE: v25 - “[when] the fullness of the Gentiles have come in” = Nor more/few Gentiles are able to be saved due to the successful propagation of false gospel preaching [Mat 24:11-14 w/Luk 21:24 = Fullness of the Gentiles wb associated w/false prophets preaching a false gospel of lawlessness/loyalty grown cold that wb popular at the end of time1]; HOW THIS REVIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE [v26a - “And in this way all Israel will be saved” = Revival/the majority of Jews - versus a remnant – v5]: v26b - “The Deliverer will…banish ungodliness [false religion/false JUDAISM – i.e. JUDAISM 1.0.] from Jacob” = The Jews will embrace Judaism 2.0. [the version containing Jesus and its NC application of the Law]. Notice the mention of it being associated w/a “covenant” [v27]. The banishing of ungodliness/the taking away of Israel’s apostasy will happen as a result of God successfully establishing His new “covenant” version of Judaism w/them – NOT SOME COMPLETELY NEW RELIGION [i.e. Evangelical Christianity – Roman Catholicism 2.0.]; “As it regards the gospel, they [those 1st cent. Jews rejecting Christ] are enemies for your sake. But as it regards election [God’s salvific plans], they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” = God’s promise to Abe/Isaac/Jacob to always have their offspring/the Jews in His salvific plan wb fulfilled - See Gen 17:7 [“everlasting covenant” = Covenant until the end of human history/world]; also Deu 7:6-8, 10:14-15; Jer 31:6-20, 35-37, 33:25-26; Hos 11:8-11; Zec 10:6-8; My theory on how God does it = Satan’s big coming out party and revelation regarding Jesus – Rev 20:7-8 w/Isa 27:1-9). 3.3. their acceptance of Jesus will usher in His return and the Reboot (11-15 “life from the dead” = Return of Christ/Reboot – Joh 5:28-29; 1Co 15:52 w/Mat 24:29-31). 4. What God’s relationship to the Jewish people should teach us about our religion/salvation: 4.1. we do not possess a new religion. Rather God has “grafted” us into the existing Jewish religion (Judaism 2.0) (16-18; Joh 4:22) 4.2. our salvation/relationship w/God is conditioned upon faithfulness. If we do not maintain what we have gained God will cut us off/not spare us (i.e., eternally damn us) in the same way He has many of His former people (19-22; 1Co 10:1-14; Consider how Paul’s words in Romans 11 affect our translation of Rom 8:31-39 = Jesus’ love is not unconditional). 1 Several Jewish apocalyptic sources seem to speak to this (e.g., 4 Ezra 4:35-37; Apoc. Bar. 23:4, 30:2, 75:6; Apoc. Abr. 29:17).

Journaling: Romans 10

October 23, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 10

1. The Apostle Paul’s God wants all people (or at least, all the Jews) to be saved, whereas the Calvinists’ God does not. (1) “my heart’s desire…is that they may be saved” = Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. His desire is therefore also that of God. He desires even the rebellious (those on their way to hell) to turn and be saved. Such desire is in direct violation of Calvinism’s doctrines of Unconditional Election and Limited Atonement which teach that before creating anything, God chose those Christ would die for and be saved as well as those Christ would not die for and be damned. Put another way, Calvinism falsely teaches that it was never God or Christ’s desire to save those who end up going to hell. 2. Hell will have its share of people who were zealous for God. (2) = Those Paul speaks of as possessing “zeal (as in zeal for God) but not according to knowledge” were Jews who had rejected Jesus (i.e., Jews on their way to hell). Jesus speaks of similar people in (Joh 16:2-3) = Notice once again, the problem is zeal without knowledge (“they have not known the Father”). PNTM = Zeal does not make you real (as in a real Christian). Lots of people have zeal for God who – because of what they believe, are still on their way to Hell (i.e., they believe a false gospel). 3. Being unteachable makes you unsavable. (3) “the righteousness of God” = Jesus (His redemption/propitiation – See 3:21-25); “For being ignorant of (SB: refusing to recognize [ἀγνοέω; 1Co 14:38]; vv17-21) the righteousness of God (Jesus – His redemption/propitiation – See 3:21-25), and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness (again, Jesus)” = The Jews refused Jesus (or faith in Jesus) as God’s new way of gaining justification/salvation, choosing instead to stick with the old way of circumcision, etc. (the works of the law). IOW: They were unteachable which means - as long as they remained in that state - they were also unsavable. PNTM = Getting saved requires you possess a teachable heart to God’s truth even when that truth goes against – or is different – from what you have heard in the past (Evangelicals = 1st century Jews). 4. The new way of gaining justification/salvation through faith in Jesus means that the old way of gaining such righteousness (i.e., the works of the law) has ended. 4.1. The old way of gaining salvation (the OC “law for righteousness”) has ended/been replaced by the new way of faith in Christ (4). 4.2. Under the old/OC way (“the righteousness that is based on the law”), a person had to do “the commandments” (i.e., perform the works of the law/the clean laws/circumcision etc.) in order to gain justification/salvation (5). 4.3. Under the new/NC way (“the righteousness based on faith”), God requires that we believe in the miraculous message about Jesus without being eyewitnesses to His heavenly exaltation/existence or His resurrection from the dead (6) = Do not require being an eyewitness to Christ’s heavenly existence/exaltation to believe; (7) = Do not also require to be an eyewitness of His resurrection in order to believe; (8) = God’s revelation of these miraculous things establishes your obligation to believe (w/o the need to be an eyewitness). You are instead to put faith in what God says. Hence (9) = Gaining salvation now comes by putting faith in God’s message about Jesus (i.e., that He has been exalted as “Lord” in heaven and that “God raised Him from the dead”). 5. Paul practiced “Principled Hermeneutics” (The universal, timeless principle established by God’s OT instruction retains its authority under the NC). 5.1. (6-8) = Paul is quoting Deu 30:11-14 according to its established principle: we can know and do what God requires without being eyewitnesses to God’s heavenly glory or His miraculous deeds, NOT its original instruction: the second generation of Israel knew and could do the OC commands -including the works of the law - without like their parents - seeing God in His Shekinah/heavenly (“heaven”) glory or experiencing God’s miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea (“beyond the sea”) (Deu 30:11-14). 5.2. CONSIDER AGAIN how Paul applies this to Jesus: 1) he makes it about Christ’s shekinah/heavenly glory or exaltation to heaven (“bring Christ down”), 2) he makes it about His miraculous deed or resurrection from the dead (“bring Christ up from the dead”). 5.3. HOW WE KNOW PAUL IS APPLYING The PRINCIPLE VERSUS THE ORIGINAL: 1) he makes it about Christ rather than God’s commands (Deu 30:11 vs. Rom 10:6-7), 2) he changes the question “Who will go over the sea?” (Deu 30:13) to “Who will descend into the abyss?”. Neither of those changes wb permissible if Paul were adhering to the original instruction (since they violate what its original meaning), 3) the original instruction was in reference to obeying God’s commands whereas Paul is using it now to refer to faith. B/C Evangelicals do not recognize the enduring authority of God’s established OT principles, they admit confusion over this text (e.g., Doug Moo). 5.3. Other examples of Paul practicing “Principled Hermeneutics” (and by it confirming the enduring authority of God’s established OT principles) (1Co 5:1-5, 9:7-11, 10:1-14). Paul explicitly confirms this as the NT hermeneutic in (Rom 15:4). This is also what Jesus is referring to in (Mat 5:17-18) as demonstrated by His institution of faith as the new application to fulfilling God’s clean law/propitiatory requirements. IOW: the way we fulfill every jot/tittle includes fulfilling the clean laws thru its new application of faith). 6. To gain salvation (both now and in the future) a person must not only believe in Jesus as their Savior, but also commit their loyalty to Him as “Lord” (King/Master) (9-13) = Notice that to be saved, Paul requires both belief in Jesus’ role as Savior (“believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead”) and confession/calling upon Him in His role as Lord (King/Master) (“confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord…everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”). What’s the difference between the two acts? Belief in His role as Savior means you place your trust in His person and work as the means to gaining a right relationship w/God (as the way to be “justified” before God – v10). Confession/calling upon Jesus as Lord however, refers to loyalty – or the commitment we make to submit to His commands. And once again, both are necessary to gain salvation. IOW: you can’t simply believe in Jesus (or what He did on the cross for sin) and get to heaven. We must also commit to obeying Him as our King/Master (Confession as loyalty/commitment to obey His commands - Mat 10:26-33; 2Ti 2:11-12; See also 1Pe 3:21 “appeal to God” = Take a vow of loyalty). 7. Getting people saved requires: 7.1. we preach the right gospel message (one that requires more than simple belief to be saved – i.e. submission to Jesus as Lord is also necessary) (14) = Notice again, both calling on/confessing and belief are mentioned – i.e., LBS) 7.2. we are ready/equipped to share and defend the gospel (15) “beautiful are the feet” = Ready/equipped are the feet (Isa 52:7; Eph 6:15 “put on the readiness given [or required] by the gospel”) 7.3. we don’t make excuses for - or waste our time w/people whose rejection is clearly moral not intellectual (16-21).

Journaling: Romans 9

October 16, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 9

Paul’s closing words/final principle in Romans 8: nothing outside the Christ’s covenant people can separate them from His covenant love. The question this prompts for the Jew: Why then have the majority of Christ’s original covenant people – most specifically those Jews living in the first century, been rejected or separated from Christ’s covenant love?1 Paul’s answer not only establishes proper thinking on the subject but also a possible strategy for dealing w/those already offended by our beliefs: 1. Strong affirmation of shared truths is the divine strategy and starting place for correcting those whose ignorance or misunderstanding have caused them to be strongly offended by your beliefs/words (1-5; e.g., interacting w/Evangelicals). 2. When covenant people go to hell it is not because: 2.1. God doesn’t care/Jesus didn’t die for them (1-5; v3 = If Limited Atonement is true then the Holy Spirit/Paul qualifies as a better savior than Jesus; Act 20:28) 2.2. God’s Word failed to change them into obedient people (6) “But it is not as though the Word of God has failed” = God’s Word has not failed to change people in the direction of obedience, rather those people failed to obey the changes required by God’s Word; “not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” = Not all Jews (those whose genealogy can be traced back to Abraham) will be heirs to the promises. And that again because of their volitional choice to reject God’s new requirements for justification/salvation (faith vs. works of the law).2 3. [Genealogy is not enough]: Being born into the family of God is not enough to qualify as heirs (you must also qualify for His promises) (7-8). 4. [God is sovereign in His requirements for receiving mercy]: God alone is the One Who decides - and can change, what will be the requirements for receiving His mercy (justification/salvation) and becoming heirs to the promises: 4.1. in re: to Isaac (versus) Ishmael = God decided to change the requirement of: you must be the firstborn to be the heir”, to: you must be the firstborn natural son (or son of the promise) (9) 4.2. in re: to Jacob versus Esau = God decided to change the heirship from the firstborn natural son to his brother (10,12-13) (11) = The reason God “calls” (or makes the decision to put) Jacob before Esau, to change the birthright from the older to the younger before they were born (or “had done [anything] good or bad” or before Esau did it himself by selling his birthright to Jacob), was to reinforce the fact that He still reserves the right to decide or change the requirements of birthright - or who becomes the heir of His promises- which when in respect to spiritual things, refers to salvation. Put another way, God did it “in order that His purpose of election (His plan for receiving birthright/mercy/salvation) would not be bound to what people decide or are committed to (“not because of works”) but (once more) His decision (“Him who calls”). As it re: to “works” being what we are committed to (See 16 “exertion”) = Literally, “running” (YLT = “So, then -- not of him who is willing, nor of him who is running, but of God who is doing [mercy]”; “running” is a metaphor for commitment/devotion - e.g., 1Co 9:26). 1 That Jesus was the God of the Old Covenant and through whom the Jews had experienced His covenant blessings and curses is proven by several passages in both the Old and New Testament (e.g., Jud 1:5; Mal 3:1). 2 What follows is the support for these two truths: 1) genealogy is not enough, 2) God is sovereign in His requirements for receiving mercy, 3) God’s mercy is not available to those who hate Him. What then Paul is communicating in v11 and 16: God is completely sovereign in His decision as to the requirements of His mercy/salvation. His decision is not swayed or influenced by our wills, what we desire, what we are committed to or where our devotion lies (e.g., the first century Jews’ devotion to genealogy and “works of the law”; e.g., The modern gospel of sincerity = God will save all who are sincere in their desire/beliefs and devotion). 5. [God’s mercy is not available to those who hate Him]. 5.1. in re: to Esau (14) = Though God’s hatred toward Esau (and choice to give the heirship to Jacob) was not based on anything he had done (11 “works”), it was due to what He saw in Esau’s heart while still in his mother’s womb (Gen 25:23 “two nations” = One for God the other against Him. IOW: God saw that Esau hated him; Isa 48:8) 5.2. in re: to Moses and the Israelites (15 w/Exo 33:19) = His abundant goodness makes Him merciful. His Name is essentially “God of Mercy”. For this reason, the Jews called God’s mercy His “right hand” – or “most dominant trait.”3 Notice however, His Name as the “God of Mercy” is still tied to righteousness (Exo 34:5-7 w/Exo 20:5-6) = God’s mercy is only available to those who love Him (i.e., our love is the pre-requisite). Those who hate Him (i.e., who refuse to submit to His ways/requirements) will eventually be hardened. 5.3. in re: to Pharaoh (16-18 w/Exo 9:13-16) = As part of His abundant goodness, God showed Pharoah the damage He could do in the hopes that he would submit and be able to receive His mercy (“But for this purpose I raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” = I showed you my power to give you a chance at mercy so that my name [“God of mercy” – Exo 20/33/34] might be proclaimed through you as one who received it). Pharaoh’s hardening came after many attempts by God and Moses. IOW: God only hardens those who continue to reject His goodness by refusing to submit to what He is requiring of them at that time - which in respect to Pharaoh was letting Israel go, in relation to the first century Jews, it was leaving behind the old requirements for justification and embracing the new. 6. We must (therefore) be careful to never question or be critical of what God chooses to require of us since the problem is with us not Him (His is abundantly good and righteous in all He does!): 6.1. (19-20) = The excuses of the rebellious: It’s not my fault, this is how I was born (“Why does He still find fault?”)? I am not resisting him, why does He hate me (“who can resist His will?”)? How dare we blame God for what is our fault and the result of our faulty choices (Ecc 7:29; Pro 19:3). 6.2. (21 w/Jer 18:1-12) = Whenever God acts in wrath or destruction toward nations or people, it is only because they refused to turn from their sin or stubborn rebellion and submit to Him. IOW: The potter’s right or choice as to how to use the clay (for honorable or dishonorable purposes) is based on its pliability to His will (Eze 18:23, 32, 33:11). 7. God’s goodness and righteousness includes showing great patience toward those who are rebelling against His requirements: 7.1. in the hope that they will eventually submit and become His beloved people/heirs to His promises (22-26; 2Pe 3:9) 7.2. but will eventually wear out leading to swift judgment (27-29). 8. The reason then for God/Christ’s separation from many first century Jews is because they refused to pursue justification/mercy according to God’s new requirement which is faith in Christ not the old way of the works of the law (30-33 ) = Notice what makes the difference between the “Gentiles” (those receiving “righteousness”[mercy/salvation]) and “Israel” (those failing to receive “righteousness” [mercy/salvation]) is not God’s choice of them (the view of Calvinism) but which people chose to submit to God’s changed requirements for receiving mercy (“Good-bye Calvinism!”). 3 Aspects of Rabbinic Theology: Major Concepts of the Talmud (Solomon Schechter, p. 322-23

Journaling: Romans 8

August 28, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 8

(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction is established by what is written? LEGEND: 1) Christianity is Judaism 2.0 (a marriage-covenant relationship of gain and maintain) NOT Roman Catholicism 2.0 ( a merit-based system of earn or burn) (Eze 16:59; Gal 5:6 w/21; Phi 2:12; 2Pe 1:5-11), 2) We gain positional/vertical justification (i.e., enter into a restful state/right standing/saving covenant with God) only through observance of God’s clean or sabbatical laws; those laws whose function is to cleanse/remove the stain/curse of our sin before God): [2.1.] OC = “the works of the law” (atoning sacrifice, a covenant sign [circumcision], atoning holidays [Passover-Pentecost, Yom Kippur], and spiritual separation [unclean foods and people], [2.2.] NC = Faith in Jesus Christ as our once-for-all atoning sacrifice which upholds the other clean/sabbatical laws through its new application/expression of: baptism (covenant sign – Col 2:11-12), the Lord’s Table (atoning holidays – Joh 13:1-8), separation from false Christians, the apostate, and rebellious pagans (spiritual separation – 1Co 5:9-13; 2Co 6:14-7:1; 2Jo 1:9-11), 3) We maintain the grace of continuing to receive positional/vertical justification/propitiation/forgiveness and our restful state/righteous standing/salvation/relationship with God through faithful obedience to His moral commands (practical/horizontal justification – Jam 2:14-26; Rom 6:1-23; Jud 1:21); those laws which accomplish love/being righteous toward God and others – including repentance which means confessing and turning from sin as well as paying the necessary penalties when I sin - Mat 22:36-40; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:6 w/13-14; As it re: to repentance – Luk 3:1-18; Luk 19:1-10; Lev 6:1-7 w/Mat 5:23-24; Act 20:21 w/26:20 = We must now maintain [keep] the repentance promised when we gained salvation), 4) Faith in Jesus Christ for positional justification is only accepted by God in baptism which regenerates us and communicates our vow of loyalty to repent and faithfully follow all of God’s laws (Joh 3:1-5; Mar 16:15-16 w/Mar 1:15; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21), 5) Besides the children of those already possessing salvation, the only persons welcomed to gain a saving covenant relationship w/God (i.e., positional justification) are those already practicing His moral commands or those promising to repent/turn from their sins and obey (Gen 6:9 w/18; Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35; Rom 2:26).

Journaling: Romans 7

August 21, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 7

(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction is established by what is written? LEGEND: 1) Christianity is Judaism 2.0 (a marriage-covenant relationship of gain and maintain) NOT Roman Catholicism 2.0 ( a merit-based system of earn or burn) (Eze 16:59; Gal 5:6 w/21; Phi 2:12; 2Pe 1:5-11), 2) We gain positional/vertical justification (i.e., enter into a restful state/right standing/saving covenant with God) only through observance of God’s clean or sabbatical laws; those laws whose function is to cleanse/remove the stain/curse of our sin before God): [2.1.] OC = “the works of the law” (atoning sacrifice, a covenant sign [circumcision], atoning holidays [Passover-Pentecost, Yom Kippur], and spiritual separation [unclean foods and people], [2.2.] NC = Faith in Jesus Christ as our once-for-all atoning sacrifice which upholds the other clean/sabbatical laws through its new application/expression of: baptism (covenant sign – Col 2:11-12), the Lord’s Table (atoning holidays – Joh 13:1-8), separation from false Christians, the apostate, and rebellious pagans (spiritual separation – 1Co 5:9-13; 2Co 6:14-7:1; 2Jo 1:9-11), 3) We maintain the grace of continuing to receive positional/vertical justification/propitiation/forgiveness and our restful state/righteous standing/salvation/relationship with God through faithful obedience to His moral commands (practical/horizontal justification – Jam 2:14-26; Rom 6:1-23; Jud 1:21); those laws which accomplish love/being righteous toward God and others – including repentance which means confessing and turning from sin as well as paying the necessary penalties when I sin - Mat 22:36-40; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:6 w/13-14; As it re: to repentance – Luk 3:1-18; Luk 19:1-10; Lev 6:1-7 w/Mat 5:23-24; Act 20:21 w/26:20 = We must now maintain [keep] the repentance promised when we gained salvation), 4) Faith in Jesus Christ for positional justification is only accepted by God in baptism which regenerates us and communicates our vow of loyalty to repent and faithfully follow all of God’s laws (Joh 3:1-5; Mar 16:15-16 w/Mar 1:15; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21), 5) Besides the children of those already possessing salvation, the only persons welcomed to gain a saving covenant relationship w/God (i.e., positional justification) are those already practicing His moral commands or those promising to repent/turn from their sins and obey (Gen 6:9 w/18; Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35; Rom 2:26).

Journaling: Romans 6

August 14, 2022 • R. Scott Jarrett • Romans 6

(Romans 15:4) “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” = What timeless instruction (truths/principles) is established by what is written? LEGEND: 1) Christianity is Judaism 2.0 (a marriage-covenant relationship of gain and maintain) NOT Roman Catholicism 2.0 ( a merit-based system of earn or burn) (Eze 16:59; Gal 5:6 w/21; Phi 2:12; 2Pe 1:5-11), 2) We gain positional/vertical justification (i.e., enter into a restful state/right standing/saving covenant with God) only through observance of God’s clean or sabbatical laws; those laws whose function is to cleanse/remove the stain/curse of our sin before God): [2.1.] OC = “the works of the law” (atoning sacrifice, a covenant sign [circumcision], atoning holidays [Passover-Pentecost, Yom Kippur], and spiritual separation [unclean foods and people], [2.2.] NC = Faith in Jesus Christ as our once-for-all atoning sacrifice which upholds the other clean/sabbatical laws through its new application/expression of: baptism (covenant sign – Col 2:11-12), the Lord’s Table (atoning holidays – Joh 13:1-8), separation from false Christians, the apostate, and rebellious pagans (spiritual separation – 1Co 5:9-13; 2Co 6:14-7:1; 2Jo 1:9-11). 3) We maintain positional/vertical justification/our restful state/righteous standing with God/salvation through faithful/continued observance of the clean laws plus faithful obedience to the moral commands (practical/horizontal justification – Jam 2:24); those laws which accomplish love/being righteous toward God and others – including repentance which means confessing and turning from sin as well as paying the necessary penalties when I sin - Mat 22:36-40; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:6 w/13-14; As it re: to repentance – Luk 3:1-18; Luk 19:1-10; Lev 6:1-7 w/Mat 5:23-24; Act 20:21 w/26:20 = We must now maintain [keep] the repentance promised when we gained salvation). 4) Faith in Jesus Christ for positional justification is only accepted by God in baptism which regenerates us and communicates our vow of loyalty to repent and faithfully follow all of God’s laws (Joh 3:1-5; Mar 16:15-16 w/Mar 1:15; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21). 5) Besides the children of those already possessing salvation, the only persons welcomed to gain a saving covenant relationship w/God (i.e., positional justification) are those already practicing His moral commands or those promising to repent/turn from their sins and obey (Gen 6:9 w/18; Neh 9:8; Act 10:34-35; Rom 2:26).