MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
The Seven Baptisms
Written by: Max Klein
Baptism means identification or association:
Introduction:
1. This meaning began in Homer's time. Homer wrote of the one-eyed giant, Cyclops who had trapped Ulysses and his men in a cave and was eating them one at a time. The ingenious Ulysses devised a plan. He had his men sharpen a large log and together they rammed this log into the eye of the one-eyed Cyclops rendering him blind. They identified (baptized) the sharpened log with Cyclops’ eye which changed Cyclops from a seeing giant to a blind giant. Having blinded the Cyclops, they were able to maneuver their way out of the cave. Another example by Homer: Homer's Odyssey, book 9, used baptism for hot metal identified (baptized) with water when a smith dipped a piece of hot iron into water. This is how a blacksmith would temper swords in the ancient world. After this identification, the sword was made stronger and so less likely to bend.
2. Xenophon said that the Spartan military recruits after finishing infantry training would identify (baptize) their spears with pig’s blood. They would run by a barrel of pig’s blood and thrust their spears into this blood. This ritual, identified their spears with killing and the soldier’s readiness for combat with the enemy.
3. Euripides used the word for a ship identified with the bottom of the sea when it sank. Before sinking, the ship was valuable; after sinking it had no value at all.
4. So "baptize" in the classical Greek meant to identify one thing with another so that the characteristics of the original thing were altered. Therefore, the interpretation of the word "baptism" is identification with something that brings about a change.
5. There are a number of cognates related to this Greek word such as bapto, baptizo, baptisma, baptismos, baptistes, and embapto. A few examples follow:
6. John 13:26, “Jesus then answered, ‘That is the one for whom, I shall dip [the future of the Greek word bapto] the morsel and give it to him. So, when he had dipped [the aorist participle of bapto; the sop now takes on a new meaning that of honor] the sop [the morsel], He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.”
To give someone a sop [a special bit of food usually a piece of bread or meat with a tasty sauce] was the highest honor of a banquet. At a banquet a special piece of bread or meat was prepared along with a special sauce for the guest of honor who would then honor someone by giving it to that person. Jesus as the guest of honor took this sop and dipped it into a special sauce and gave it to Judas. In this way, the Lord Jesus Christ honored Judas as a member of the family of God, and for his ministry as an apostle to the Lost Sheep of Israel. This honor should have given Judas second thoughts regarding his plan to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin.
7. Matthew 3:7, “but when he [John the Baptizer] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism [identification: the Greek word baptisma], he said to them, “You brood of vipers [poisonous snakes], who warned you to flee from the wrath to come [Baptism of Fire: identification with the fire of Torments and then the Lake of Fire]?”
8. Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teaching about Christ, let us advance to maturity, not laying again the foundation [of the basics such as]: a change of thinking about dead works [just as an unbeliever must have a change of mind about Christ to obtain salvation, so the believer must have a change of mind about legalism (dead works) in order to obtain the spiritual life], and of faith toward God [Faith-Rest Drill], (2) doctrine of baptisms [the Greek word baptismos; a reference to the seven types of baptism as found in Scripture] as well as the laying on of hands [ritual rebound in the age of Israel], and of resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment [the Great White Throne Judgment].
9. Matthew 3:1, “In those days John the Baptizer [the Greek word baptistes; when John baptized someone into the Jordan River, the converts were identified with the plan of God and his kingdom.] came proclaiming [as a herald] in the desert of Judea.”
There are two categories of identification in Scripture namely an actual identification or a real baptism and a representative identification or a ritual baptism which uses water.
The four real or actual identifications with something that has significance.
1. The Baptism of Moses: 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 presents the baptism of Moses, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; (2) and all were baptized [the Greek word baptizo] into Moses in the cloud [the Lord] and in the sea." This was a real identification in which Moses was identified with the Lord and the open path through the Red Sea and the Jews were identified with Moses. By the way, none of the Jews got wet, only Egyptian unbelievers who were immersed in the water as a means of death.
2. The Baptism of the Cross is found in Matthew 20:22, “But Jesus answered [Salome by addressing her sons] and said, “You [plural: a reference to James and John] do not know what you [James and John] ask. Are you [James and John] able to drink of the cup [bear the punishment of all the sins of the world] that I am about to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism [the sins of the world identified with Christ followed by the Father judging them] that I am baptized with [identified with]?” They [James and John] said to Him, “We are able. [the dumbest statement that James and John ever made]” [I selected the longer text as did Jerome.]
3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Retroactive Positional Truth and Current Positional Truth) occurs at salvation for Church Age believers only.
Colossians 2:12. Having been buried [aorist participle] with Him [Jesus Christ] by means of the baptism [God the Holy Spirit identified us with the burial of Jesus Christ as part of our salvation] by means of which [Baptism] you have been raised up [main verb] with Him [in union with Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the Father] through faith [at the point of salvation] in the operational power from the source of God who has raised Him [the humanity of Christ was given a resurrection body] out from the dead [physical death].
Romans 6:3-9:
Romans 6:3: Or do you not know that all of us who [a correlative] have been baptized into [identified with] Christ Jesus [Current Positional Sanctification: we are in union with Christ in his life in heaven], have been baptized into His death [Retroactive Positional Truth and so identified with his substitutionary spiritual death on the cross]?
Positionally, (in union with Christ) we share His righteousness, heirship, priesthood, destiny, election, eternal life, royalty, sonship etc. All these making us a new spiritual species in Christ Jesus. The plural correlative hosoi (ὅσοι) means that if we were identified with Christ in heaven and we were, then also we have been identified with Christ in his substitutionary spiritual death in which he removed the power of sin nature. Thus, the sin nature should not have power over our lives.
A few more points will be noted:
1. Note that the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation enters the believer into union with Christ at the right hand of God the Father which union is called current positional truth.
2. This verse also mentions identification with Christ in His spiritual death on the cross which identification theologians call retroactive positional truth. Retroactive positional truth also includes identification with Christ in His physical death and burial as well.
3. Identification with Christ in His death, then, has a two-fold connotation namely all personal sins were judged at the cross and since that is the case, God the Father is free to provide in grace, the Recovery Procedure. The second connotation is that good and evil were rejected by Jesus on the cross since good and evil are a part of Satan’s policy and plan. On the cross, Jesus relied on the proto-type spiritual life which operated under the two power options namely God’s power system.
4. So, the old sin nature’s ruling power over the Christian has been broken since all sins were judged on the cross and the Recovery Procedure has been provided. So, Retroactive Positional Truth has destroyed the sovereignty of the old sin nature over the life of the Christian.
5. Also, since Jesus rejected the good and evil policy of Satan so should the believer reject Satan’s policy of good and evil as the believer applies Retroactive Positional Truth.
Romans 6:4: Therefore, we have been buried together with Him through the identification [Baptism of the Spirit] into His death [physical], in order that just as Christ has been raised up from the dead [on Resurrection Sunday], through the glory of the Father [through the Father’s power], [So also we, the dead in Christ, will be raised from the dead by the power of the Father, and those alive at the Rapture, by the power of the Holy Spirit.] in this manner we also might walk in newness of life [Experiential sanctification should reflect our future ultimate sanctification.].
Christ had to die physically “and Jesus having shouted clearly with a loud voice said, Father, into your hands I deposit my [human] spirit, and having said this, he exhaled” (Luke 23:46). This last exhale caused His soul and spirit to depart from his mortal body resulting in physical death. Just as Christ had to die physically in order to obtain his resurrection body, so we must depart from our body of corruption, or mortality in order to receive our eternal body called our resurrection body.
The Newness of Life:
1. The newness of life provided through the baptism of the Spirit includes positional freedom from producing good and evil. Not only are we free from the tyranny of good and evil but we are also free from having to produce good and evil.
2. The believer has no obligation to improve the devil’s world through social action, socialism, welfare state, communism, environmentalism, or any social gospel, social action, getting involved, etc.
3. The human race is protected from Satan’s policy of good and evil through the laws of divine establishment which promote freedom instead of improvement at the cost of freedom.
4. In addition to the Laws of Divine Establishment the believer is insulated from good and evil positionally through the baptism of the Spirit.
5. Divorced from the Old Sin Nature positionally and its useless activity of human good and the function of evil, the life of the believer can be devoted to glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ through maximum knowledge and application of Bible doctrine.
Romans 6:5: For if we have become united with Him [Christ, the new husband] in the likeness of His death [the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross], and we have, and not only this, but also, we shall be [united in the likeness] of His resurrection [Current Positional Truth: in union with the resurrected Christ].
Romans 6:6: Be knowing this [through Retroactive Positional Truth], that our old man [our former husband, the sin nature dates back to the Garden] has been crucified together [with Him], in order that the [human] body, with reference to its sin nature, [the sin nature located in the body] might be rendered powerless [when we use Recovery Procedure and the two power options], that we should no longer be slaves to the sin nature.
“Our old man has been crucified with Him” meaning that the power of the sin nature has been broken on the cross. Since the power of the sin nature was broken by the work of the cross, we as believers have no excuse for not executing the spiritual life. We will not be able to say to Christ at our evaluation that our sin nature was too powerful for us to execute the spiritual life.
A few points for further clarification:
1. Retroactive positional truth is that phase of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation which identifies the believer with Christ in His spiritual death, physical death and his burial.
2. In the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross all the personal sins in human history were imputed to Christ, but at the same time the other two trends of the old sin nature were not imputed for judgment.
3. Good and evil is the policy of Satan as the ruler of this world and the function of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life. In fact, the sin nature functions as the agent of Satan.
4. Good and evil were not imputed for judgment on the cross. Hence, in the spiritual death of Christ on the cross they were rejected to remain an issue in the angelic conflict, rejected to be perpetuated in human history as an issue every believer must face, and either overcome through the intake of doctrine or be entrapped by ignorance of doctrine and therefore lose out in glorifying God in time.
5. We are identified with Christ in His spiritual death, which means that we must understand that our sins have been judged and that good and evil has been rejected.
6. It all adds up to the fact that the sovereignty of the old sin nature over human life has been made powerless through retroactive positional truth.
7. The imputation of all personal sins of the human race to Christ on the cross means that the believer through the rebound technique is instantly forgiven sins, cleansed from all wrong doing which includes Satanic good and evil, restored to fellowship and filled with the Spirit.
Romans 6:7: For we who have died [the Christian is identified with the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ: theologically called Retroactive Positional Truth] have been acquitted [positional deliverance] from [the power of] the sin nature.
A few points for further clarification:
1. A dead person is discharged from the obligations of his former sphere of life. This is why the word “death” is used in this context. It is not a literal, physical death we are discussing but identification with Christ in His death.
2. As unbelievers we were under the authority of Satan as the ruler of this world, and under the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
3. Both the power of Satan and the old sin nature have been abrogated through the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation.
4. This passage, then, emphasizes the annulling of the power and the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
5. Positionally, the power of the sin nature has been broken. Experientially, the old sin nature controls to the extent that we fail to understand and utilize the provision and support of logistical grace.
Romans 6:8: Now if we have died with Christ, and we have [retroactive positional truth], we also believe that we shall live in association with Him [the instrumental of association; a reference to Current Positional Truth].
In this verse, the 1st Class conditional sentence shows the relationship between Retroactive Positional Truth with Current Positional Truth. The protasis, the ‘if’ clause states the reality of Retroactive Positional Truth and the apodosis, the concluding clause states the doctrinal inference and the reality of Current Positional Truth. While Retroactive Positional Truth presents positional rejection and separation from good and evil as the policy of Satan and the function of the old sin nature, Current Positional Truth relates the believer to the function of the royal family of God. In other words, they have separate functions.
Romans 6:9: Knowing that because Christ has been raised from the dead [He received a resurrection body], no longer can He die; [physical] death is no longer a master over Him.
Analysis:
1. Retroactive positional truth destroys the sovereign authority of the old sin nature over human life. Current positional truth, on the other hand, destroys the limited authority of physical death in human life.
2. Instead of being ruled by the old sin nature located in the cells of the human body and influencing our souls toward sin, good and evil, we now have a new sovereign, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are identified with Him in His deaths, in His burial, resurrection, ascension and session.
3. Before salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit our lives were under the absolute rule of Satan who is the ruler of this world and under the rule of the old sin nature which is the ruler of life, and under the limited rule of physical death. All of that, of course, has been changed since salvation.
4. Now both retroactive and current positional truth have abrogated the authority and power of these former rulers. The power of Satan over our lives has been broken through identification with the rejection of good and evil namely Satan’s policy and plan and through our position in union with Christ. The power of the old sin nature is broken through retroactive positional truth and the power of physical death is broken through current positional truth.
5. Therefore, having studied these things by principle and by implication we are now ready for application, verses 12 & 13 specifically.
6. Having been positionally liberated from the sovereignty of the old sin nature as an absolute ruler, and the authority of physical death, we must recognise and apply doctrine for the experiential victory commanded in verses 11-13.
Galatians 3:25-28, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the authority of [have need of] a school bus. (26) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For all of you who were baptized into Christ [identified with Christ through union with Him] have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek [no racial distinction], there is neither slave nor free man [no social or economic distinction], there is neither male nor female [no gender distinction]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [All Christians have the same privileges and opportunities to execute the spiritual life.]”
Current Positional Truth, Elaborated:
In the Church Age, Current Positional Truth establishes our relationship with Christ as opposed to religion. It refers to the Church Age believer in union with Christ and is the key to understanding the Church Age and how the royal family came into being. Therefore, it is the basis for distinguishing between Christianity and religion. Christianity is a relationship with God without merit whereas religion is a system of works to gain the approbation of God. Never shall the twain meet!
The mechanics of Current Positional Truth is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereby the Spirit enters us into union with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For also by agency of the one Spirit we are all baptized [identification resulting in becoming a new spiritual species] into one body [in union with Christ], whether Jews or Greeks [racial distinctions are removed], whether slave or free [class and economic distinctions are removed], even all were made to drink [the aorist passive, the voice of grace] the one Spirit [The Holy Spirit did not ask us whether we wanted to be put into union with Christ or not.].” Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord [becomes our Lord positionally at Salvation]), one faith [faith alone in Christ alone; Acts 16:31], one baptism [Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation].”
Current Positional truth guarantees that there will be no judgment for believers in eternity, Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thus, the condemnation which occurred at the first birth was removed at the 2nd birth. As a result of being born with the sin nature and the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin, we were condemned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity, but now that has been removed. Romans 5:12, “For this reason just as through one man [Adam] the sin [nature] entered into the world [procreation], and so spiritual death through the sin [the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin to the sin nature], and so spiritual death spread to all mankind, because all sinned when Adam sinned [since we were all genetically in Adam when he sinned, we will receive Adam’s Original Sin].” However, at our spiritual birth, the 2nd birth, our pre-salvation sins were all forgiven including Adam’s Original Sin. After which, the Spirit entered us into union with Christ where there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Current Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever. To live with God forever, the believer must have eternal life and God’s perfect righteousness, 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life, and this life is in his son [Since we are in union with Christ, we share this life.]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And He [the Father] made Him who knew no sin [perfection] to be a sin offering [imputation of sins on the cross] as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [current positional truth].” To live with God forever means you must have His life, and you must be as righteous as He is.
Positional truth guarantees the believer’s eternal security, Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death [nothing in death] nor life [nothing in life] nor angels nor principalities [ruling angels] nor powers [human organizations] nor things present nor things to come (39) nor height [nothing in heaven] nor depth [nothing in Hades] nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life in Christ is for all eternity!
Positional truth belongs to all categories of believers whether they be apostate, mature, immature, spiritually adult, or carnal. Since Current Positional Truth occurs at the point of salvation before experience in the Christian life begins, it doesn’t depend on that experience. 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus [at salvation], called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.” So, even though you may be carnal or in reversionism, you still have positional truth. Being in union with Christ has nothing to do with what you do [experiential righteousness], or don’t do [failure to execute God’s plan]. Current Positional sanctification is completely the work of God the Holy Spirit and so is not based upon our volition, but on the sovereign decision of God. We make the decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but we don’t make the decision to enter into union with Christ “all were made to drink the one Spirit” as per 1 Corinthians 12:13. God the Holy Spirit graciously did that for us and so it cannot be undone.
Current Positional truth creates a new spiritual species in Christ as per 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power; behold, new things have come to pass.” You become a new spiritual species at salvation by being put into union with Christ. It is what God does for you, and therefore it is grace. It is not what you do after salvation, such as the self-righteous works of legalism. The “old things” have to do with spiritual death and those things related to that death; the “new things” refer to things you receive at salvation such as the 40 assets and the unique spiritual life.
Positional truth should motivate the production of divine good and a pattern of life compatible with royalty as per Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his creation, having been created in Christ Jesus [a new spiritual species with many assets] for the purpose of divine good production [via experiential sanctification] which the God [the Father] has prepared in advance [in eternity past, God the Father provided election and predestination as part of our Portfolio of Invisible Assets], that we in the sphere of them [election and predestination] may pattern our lives.”
Even though a Christian may die the Sin on to Death, he will not lose his position in union with Christ (1 John 5:18-20), and so cannot lose his salvation. In order for a believer to lose his position in Christ, he would have to sin in that status, but since the believer cannot sin in union with Christ, he cannot lose his position in Christ and so cannot lose his salvation. Thus, it is comforting and reassuring to a believer to know that even though a loved one may have died the ‘sin on to death’, he has not lost his salvation.
Because we are in union with Christ, we share His:
1. Eternal life, 1 John 5:11, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life [At salvation, God the Father imputes this life to the human spirit], and this life is in his son [The Christian also shares the life of Christ through union with Him]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].”
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth and the life [eternal life]; no person [in human history] comes face to face with the Father [having an eternal relationship with the Father] except through Me.’”
2. Perfect righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And he (God the Father) made him [Jesus] who knew no sin (perfection) to be a sin offering as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in him [positional truth]. Sharing the righteousness of Christ, we become the objects of God the Father’s love as per Romans 8:39.
3. Election, Ephesians 1:4, “just as He [the Father] has elected us for Himself in Him [Jesus Christ] before the creation of the world [in eternity past], that we may be set apart [experiential sanctification] and blameless [ultimate sanctification] in the presence of Him [Father].”
4. Destiny, Ephesians 1:5, “By means of love, He has predestined us for the purpose of adoption as adult sons to Himself through Christ Jesus our Lord according to the grace purpose of His will.”
5. Sonship, Galatians 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
6. Heirship, Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself testifies together [bears witness] with our [human] spirit, that we are the children of God. (17) Now, if we are children and we are, also heirs, on the one hand heirs of God [the Father], and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed [if it is true that], we suffer with Him [pass all three stages of undeserved suffering], that also we might be glorified with Christ.”
7. Sanctification, 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.”
8. Priesthood, Hebrews 7:12-19, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change in the Law also. (13) For the One [the Lord Jesus Christ] concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe [the tribe of Judah] from which no one has officiated at the altar. (14) For it is evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests, (15) and this is clearer still, if another priest arises similar to Melchizedek, and there has, (16) who has become a priest not on the basis of physical requirement [a reference to the Levitical Priesthood] but on the basis of indestructible life [the Lord’s priesthood is forever]. (17) For this reason, it is witnessed, ‘You are a priest forever similar to the order of Melchizedek.’” [We are in union with Christ. Therefore, we are royalty and priests forever. We represent ourselves before God as royal priests.] (18) For, on the one hand, there is a rescinding of the former commandment [the Mosaic Law that authorized the Levitical priesthood] because of its weakness and uselessness (19) (for the Law brought nothing to completion), but on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope [the second door of hope for the Church Age believer—a personal sense of destiny—by which we enter the adult spiritual life] through which we draw near to God.”
Hebrews 7:26-28, “For it is fitting that we should have such a high priest, impeccable integrity, the One who cannot do evil, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; (27) Who does not need daily, like those Levitical priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He [Jesus] offered up Himself. (28) For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of His [God the Father’s] oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has become perfect forever [Jesus Christ is a perfect high priest].”
9. Royalty, 1 Peter 2:9, “ But you and only you are an elect [elect by God the Father] race [as a new spiritual species], a royal priesthood [since Jesus is a king-priest], a holy nation [God’s entity: a nation of priests: every Christian is a priest], a people for God’s own possession [a protected people], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him [Christ] who has called [in eternity past] you out of darkness [spiritual death and the Cosmic Systems] into His amazing light [his plan];”
10. New Spiritual Species, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power [Old Covenant]; behold, new things have come to pass [This would include the New Covenant to the Church.].”
Current Positional Truth changes our relationship with Angels.
1. Through current positional truth the believer is higher than angels positionally.
2. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and so superior to all angels. By virtue of being in union with Christ, every believer is now positionally superior to angels.
3. Positional truth has fulfilled the believer’s triumph with Christ in the angelic conflict. We are victorious with Him already.
4. Furthermore, positional truth demands compatibility with experiential righteousness. Therefore, the believer’s walk on this earth must be compatible with positional truth since we have perfect security in Christ, we have the freedom to choose for Jesus Christ, to love Jesus Christ, to respond to His love, and to fulfill our purpose on this earth.
What positional truth is not?
1. It is not an experience, emotions or ecstasies.
2. It is not progressive; it cannot be improved in time or eternity.
3. It is not related to human merit or ability.
4. It cannot be changed by God, man or angels. It is eternal in nature.
5. It is not obtained gradually as you grow in grace, but in toto at salvation.
6. It is not known apart from the metabolization of doctrine.
7. From understanding the doctrine of positional truth, we progress in our spiritual life, but we cannot improve it since it is perfect at salvation.
8. We are not in Christ because of what we do (execution of the spiritual life) or fail to do (fail to execute the spiritual life), but because of what God has done.
A few points of explanation:
1. The conclusion from positional truth, whether retroactive or current, is that the Christian must apply these doctrines to his spiritual life.
2. In Romans 7:1-4 where we have an illustration of a woman whose first husband has died freeing her to marry another. This is what actually happens to us as believers at salvation. The old sin nature is the husband up to the point of salvation, but at the moment we believe in Jesus Christ positionally the sin nature is dead, as it were, the first husband has died and we have a new husband through union with Christ. Retroactive Positional Truth removes our first husband, the sin nature whereas Current Positional Truth enters us into union with Christ, our new husband.
3. The old sin nature-husband is still around, still seeking to regain his control over his former wife, the believer. But union with the second husband, the Lord Jesus Christ, has broken the first husband’s authority over the former wife.
4. The Baptism of Fire:
Matthew 3:11, “On the one hand I [John the Baptizer] baptize you [believers] by means of water because of a change of thinking [about Christ], but the one coming after me is mightier than I whose sandals I am not worthy to lace [loosen, remove]. He himself will baptize by means of the Holy Spirit [a reference to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age] and by means of fire [a reference to the Baptism of Fire at the 2nd Advent].”
Baptism of Fire: The baptism of fire (identification with fire) is defined as the judgment of unbelievers both Jew and gentile at the Second Advent. They will be removed from the earth and placed in fire for 1000 years until the Last Judgment, Luke 3:16-17; Mathew 25:31, 33. The analogy to the Baptism of Fire is found in Matthew 24:36-41. The one left in the field is the mature believer; the one taken is the unbeliever.
Parables of the Baptism of Fire:
1. The wheat and the tares (the unbelievers), Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40.
2. The good and bad fish (unbelievers), Matthew 13:47-50.
3. The ten virgins: five wise, five foolish (the unbelievers), Matthew 25:1-13.
4. The sheep and the goats (the unbelievers), Mathew 25:31-46.
5. The talent test, Matthew 25:14-30. The one talent man represents the unbeliever.
If Jesus Christ had not been rejected by the Jewish people, then the age of Israel would have continued until its completion (the Tribulation completes the age of Israel). (However, they did reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah and so the client nation was destroyed, and the Church age was intercalated that is inserted before the age of Israel was complete.) After the completion of the age of Israel at the end of the Tribulation, comes the wrath of God namely the Baptism of Fire when the Lord removes both Jewish and gentile unbelievers from the earth and identifies them with fire forever. After which, the Millennial reign begins.
The Three Ritual Baptisms. None are extant at the present time. They are representative identifications in which water is used as a training aid to represent some principle of doctrine.
1. The Baptism of John is found in Matthew 3:2-6, “Saying, ‘Change your thinking [regarding Christ] for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ [The future king was already on the earth] (3) For this is what was communicated through Isaiah, the prophet saying, ‘The voice of one [John the Baptizer] proclaiming loudly in the desert [of Judea]. Prepare [the aorist tense is a one time-decision] the way of the Lord [an idiomatic expression for salvation]. Keep on making upright [the use of the Recovery Procedure followed by the development of experiential righteousness] His paths!’ (Isaiah 40:3) (4) Now, John himself kept on having a garment of camel’s hair [very uncomfortable] and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. (5) Then [after John went where God wanted him to be] Jerusalem kept on going out to him [face to face] and all Judea and all the districts around the Jordan. (6) and they were being baptized [identified with the kingdom] by him [under John’s authority] in the Jordan River [where Israel crossed when they entered the land], and they kept on confessing their sins [post-salvation confession of sins].”
MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
Galatians: Chapter One
A verse-by-verse commentary by Max Klein
Galatians 1:2
And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia
καὶ οἱ σὺν ἐµοὶ πάντες ἀδελφοί, ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Γαλατίας·
Galatians 1:3
Grace to you and prosperity from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
χάρις ὑµῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡµῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,
Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself a substitute for our sins so that he might deliver us out from this present evil age [as ruled over by Satan] on the basis of the will of God even our Father,
τοῦ δόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁµαρτιῶν ἡµῶν ὅπως ἐξέληται ἡµᾶς ἐκ τοῦ αἰῶνος τοῦ ἐνεστῶτος πονηροῦ κατὰ τὸ θέληµα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ πατρὸς ἡµῶν,
Galatians 1:5
To whom be the glory forevermore [unto the ages of the ages], Amen.
ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων· ἀµήν.
Verse 6-9: the denouncement of the Galatian believers by the sarcasm of Paul: Paul used some sarcasm that these warlike people would understand.
Galatians 1:6
I am amazed [surprised] that you have so quickly deserted [in the face of the enemy; gone AWOL from the gospel] from him [Father] who called you [invited you to believe in Christ] by the grace of Christ for another of different kind of gospel [the false gospel of Judaism using the Mosaic Law as a basis for salvation].
Θαυµάζω ὅτι οὕτως ταχέως µετατίθεσθε ἀπὸ τοῦ καλέσαντος ὑµᾶς ἐν χάριτι [Χριστοῦ] εἰς ἕτερον εὐαγγέλιον,
Paul would always get a group of believers started in the spiritual life. Then, after he would leave town for another assignment, the Judaizers from Jerusalem would come along and confuse everyone. As a result of this, many of the Galatians defected.
1. Some Galatian unbelievers believed that circumcision was necessary for salvation. In which case, they were not saved.
2. Some Galatian believers who were saved by grace in hindsight now thought that circumcision was necessary for salvation. They had entered into legalism.
3. Some Galatian believers thought that circumcision was necessary to execute the spiritual life, and so were circumcised. They had entered legalism.
4. Some Galatian believers not only thought that circumcision was necessary for the execution of the spiritual life, but that keeping the Mosaic Law in general was the spiritual life, and so were living under the Mosaic Law. A Christian under the Mosaic Law is not able to execute the spiritual life (Galatians 5:18).
Regarding the Call or invitation of God the Father:
1 Corinthians 1:9, “The God [the Father] is faithful through whom you have been called [invited] into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord.”
Relating the ‘Call’ of God to the ‘Election’ of God: The Holy Spirit enables the unbeliever to comprehend the Gospel. (Theologically, this is called Common Grace). After the unbeliever comes to an understanding of the gospel, God the Father invites or calls that unbeliever to enter into fellowship with Christ through faith alone in Christ alone. If the unbeliever responds by believing in Christ, the Holy Spirit will take that faith or belief in Christ and make it efficacious. (Theologically, this is called Efficacious Grace.) Since God the Father always knew that this particular unbeliever would respond to His invitation, He elected him in eternity past. Thus, the unbeliever who accepts the invitation or the call of God the Father to believe in Jesus Christ has been elected into the Father’s plan in eternity past. Ephesians 1:4, “Just as He [the Father] has elected [from the Greek word, ‘eklego’] us for Himself in Him [positional sanctification] before the creation of the world that we may be set apart [experiential sanctification] and blameless [ultimate sanctification] in the presence of Him [Father].” Believers are commanded to make their calling and election a reality as per 2 Peter 1:10-11, "Therefore, rather brethren, be more motivated [perception of doctrine regarding your portfolio of invisible assets] to make your calling [the Greek word, klesis] and election [the Greek word, ekloge] a spiritual reality; for by doing these things [fulfillment of the protocol plan of God], you will never stumble at any time [become a loser]. For in this manner [execution of the protocol plan], your entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ [ultimate sanctification in the resurrection body] will be richly supplied [conveyance of eternal escrow blessings to winners]."
Galatians 1:7
Which is really not another [of the same kind]; rather [except] there are some who are throwing you into confusion [disturbing you] and desire to distort the gospel of Christ.
ὃ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλο· εἰ µή τινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑµᾶς καὶ θέλοντες µεταστρέψαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
The Galatians started with the gospel of grace, but now they have switched to legalism. After Paul had left Southern Galatia, the Judaizer moved in and distorted all which Paul had communicated to the Galatians. The Judaizers taught salvation by works namely one has to be circumcised and must keep the Mosaic Law in order to gain salvation. (Today, the Christian Judaizers say that to be saved, one has to be baptized.) There is no difference from saying that one has to be circumcised to be saved from saying that one has to be immersed into water to be saved. Paul is testifying not only against the Galatians but against all generations of Christians involved in legalism. In Paul’s day it was circumcision; today it is water baptism. No one is saved or spiritual by being circumcised; no one is saved or spiritual by undergoing water baptism. God’s program operates on grace, not works.
The Jewish people historically gravitated toward legalism:
Moses recognized the Jewish tendency toward arrogant self-righteousness when he stated in Deuteronomy 9:4-6, " Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God had driven them [the Canaanites] out before you, saying, Because of my righteousness [great experiential righteousness] the Lord has brought me into possess this land; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you. (5) It is not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is for the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. (6) Know then, it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stubborn people.”
Galatians 1:8
Moreover, even if we or an angel [superior to any Judaizer] from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, let him keep on being accursed.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐὰν ἡµεῖς ἢ ἄγγελος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ [ὑµῖν] εὐαγγελίζηται παρ’ ὃ εὐηγγελισάµεθα ὑµῖν, ἀνάθεµα ἔστω.
As an apostle, Paul had the authority to pronounce a curse upon someone which curse from Paul the Lord would honor. The word ‘anathema’ is the strongest word for a curse. It means to be set apart for divine destruction.
Galatians 1:9
As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him keep on being accursed [to remain under a curse].
ὡς προειρήκαµεν, καὶ ἄρτι πάλιν λέγω, εἴ τις ὑµᾶς εὐαγγελίζεται παρ’ ὃ παρελάβετε, ἀνάθεµα ἔστω.
The phrase is repeated to let the reader know that Paul will not remove this curse.
Galatians 1:10
For am I now trying to win over men [through false teaching such as the use of legalism, emotion and gimmicks] or God [by teaching the truth]? Or am I striving to please men [by telling them what they want to hear or by giving them what they want]? If I were still trying to please men, but I am not, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ, but I am [a contrary to fact conditional sentence].
Ἄρτι γὰρ ἀνθρώπους πείθω ἢ τὸν θεόν; ἢ ζητῶ ἀνθρώποις ἀρέσκειν; εἰ ἔτι ἀνθρώποις ἤρεσκον, Χριστοῦ δοῦλος οὐκ ἂν ἤµην.
In general, mankind prefers emotionalism or legalism to grace teaching related to the truth. The largest churches in the world are those that emphasize emotion and the 2nd largest are those that teach legalism. By contrast, usually the pastors that teach the spiritual life accurately have relatively small congregations.
There was nothing in Paul’s life or his approach in evangelizing and in teaching God’s word that would suggest that Paul was trying to please men. Paul never tried to please men through eloquence, emotional messages or by any other method of gaining their approbation.
Galatians 1:11
For I would have you know, brethren that the good news which was preached under my authority is not according to men [the standard of human viewpoint].
Γνωρίζω δὲ ὑµῖν, ἀδελφοί, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν ὑπí ἐµοῦ ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν κατὰ ἄνθρωπον·
Mankind always wants to do something whether it be for salvation, recovering fellowship or the spiritual life. In fact, most unbelievers reject God’s grace offer of salvation and prefer to trust in their own righteousness as a basis for entrance into an eternal relationship with God. Even most Christians choose some system of works or good deeds for their spiritual lives rather than accept and implement God’s grace system of power.
Galatians 1:12
For I neither received it [his knowledge of the spiritual life] from man, nor was I taught [it by man], but I received it through a revelation from Jesus Christ [in Arabia].
οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐγὼ παρὰ ἀνθρώπου παρέλαβον αὐτό, οὔτε ἐδιδάχθην, ἀλλὰ δι’ ἀποκαλύψεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
The Lord Jesus Christ personally taught the Apostle Paul for three years in the Arabian Desert.
Galatians 1:13
For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I kept on persecuting the church of God beyond measure, and I kept on ravaging it [kept on trying to violently destroy it].
Ἠκούσατε γὰρ τὴν ἐµὴν ἀναστροφήν ποτε ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσµῷ, ὅτι καθ’ ὑπερβολὴν ἐδίωκον τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐπόρθουν αὐτήν,
Galatians 1:14
And I kept on advancing [being promoted] in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
καὶ προέκοπτον ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσµῷ ὑπὲρ πολλοὺς συνηλικιώτας ἐν τῷ γένει µου, περισσοτέρως ζηλωτὴς ὑπάρχων τῶν πατρικῶν µου παραδόσεων.
The more he persecuted the church, the more he pleased the religious leaders of Judaism, and so was promoted and given authority. This cycle continued until he was saved.
Galatians 1:15
And he was pleased [God the Father in eternity past] when he had selected me [in the divine decree for a special job as the greatest apostle], out from my mother’s womb [at birth] and had called [elected in eternity past] me through His grace.
ὅτε δὲ εὐδόκησεν ὁ ἀφορίσας µε ἐκ κοιλίας µητρός µου καὶ καλέσας διὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ
The Pleasure of God:
God is pleased to save those who believe in Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:21, “For in as much as [the plan of God is based] in the wisdom of God [God's omniscience in the Divine decree], the world through its wisdom [human I.Q. rejecting divine revelation] did not know God. The God decided with pleasure through the foolishness of a proclamation [the viewpoint of the pseudo intellectuals regarding the gospel message] to save the ones who believe.”.
God is pleased to appoint his Son as Savior and to reconcile the world to himself, Colossians 1:19-20 “For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, (20) and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made reconciliation through the blood [the work of being judged for all the sins of humanity] of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
God is displeased with Old Testament offerings, Hebrews 10:6-8, “In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have taken no pleasure (7) "Then I said, `Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do your will, O God [the Father].' (8) After saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have not desired, nor have you taken pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law),.”
Divine omniscience knew that Paul would become a great believer and so decided in eternity past that Paul would be the 12th apostle. This, Paul had to explain to the Galatians since they were attacking his authority.
Galatians 1:16
To reveal His Son in me [in his soul] that I might proclaim Him among the gentiles [as the apostle to the gentiles], I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood [with people],
ἀποκαλύψαι τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐµοὶ ἵνα εὐαγγελίζωµαι αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εὐθέως οὐ προσανεθέµην σαρκὶ καὶ αἵµατι,
Galatians 1:17
Nor did I go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia [between Acts 9:22 and 23] and returned once more to Damascus [Acts 9:23b-25].
οὐδὲ ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυµα πρὸς τοὺς πρὸ ἐµοῦ ἀποστόλους, ἀλλὰ ἀπῆλθον εἰς Ἀραβίαν, καὶ πάλιν ὑπέστρεψα εἰς ∆αµασκόν.
Galatians 1:18
Then, three years later [after his conversion] I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.
Ἔπειτα µετὰ τρία ἔτη ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυµα ἱστορῆσαι Κηφᾶν, καὶ ἐπέµεινα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡµέρας δεκαπέντε·
He wanted to learn what happened in the early Church. This was Paul’s first trip to Jerusalem verses 18-24. This is also taught in Acts 9:26-30.
Galatians 1:19
But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother [spent a few days with James].
ἕτερον δὲ τῶν ἀποστόλων οὐκ εἶδον, εἰ µὴ Ἰάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν τοῦ κυρίου.
Since James was an expert in the Old Testament, Paul wanted to discuss with him matters regarding the Old Testament.
Galatians 1:20
(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)
ἃ δὲ γράφω ὑµῖν, ἰδοὺ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ ὅτι οὐ ψεύδοµαι.
Galatians 1:21
Then, I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
ἔπειτα ἦλθον εἰς τὰ κλίµατα τῆς Συρίας καὶ τῆς Κιλικίας.
Galatians 1:22
And I was still unknown by sight [about 13 to 14 years after his salvation] to the churches of Judea to those [members] in Christ;
ἤµην δὲ ἀγνοούµενος τῷ προσώπῳ ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Ἰουδαίας ταῖς ἐν Χριστῷ,
In spiritual preparation, it is best to be unknown.
Galatians 1:23
But only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.”
µόνον δὲ ἀκούοντες ἦσαν ὅτι Ὁ διώκων ἡµᾶς ποτε νῦν εὐαγγελίζεται τὴν πίστιν ἥν ποτε ἐπόρθει,
Galatians 1:24
And they were glorifying God because of me.
καὶ ἐδόξαζον ἐν ἐµοὶ τὸν θεόν.
The Apostle Paul:
1. Paul participated in the martyrdom of Steven in 36 AD. Acts 7:54-8:4, “Now when they heard this [Steven’s message], they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. (55) But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; (56) and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (57) But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. (58) When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul [His first involvement in murder.]. (59) They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" (60) Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep [died]. Acts 8:1, Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.) (2) Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. (3) But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. (4) Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”
2. Paul’s conversion to Christianity in 37 AD. Acts 9:1-5, “Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, (2) and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way [Christians], both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (3) As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; (4) and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (5) And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, [This is when Saul believed in Christ.]”
3. Paul meets Ananias. Acts 9:6-18, “Now, get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do." (7) The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. (8) Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he couldn’t see anything; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. (9) And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank [A dramatic change from being a destroyer of Christians to becoming an apostle of Christ. Paul must have been overwhelmed by these events and had much to meditate on!]. (10) Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias [a great believer]; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." (11) And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying [Saul is already functioning as a believer], (12) and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight." (13) But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; (14) and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name [as if the Lord did not know this]." (15) But the Lord said to him, "Go [an abrupt command], for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; (16) for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake." (17) So, Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [Paul had to be identified with an apostle or a great believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit.]." (18) And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized [Paul already understood Retroactive and Current Positional Truth from the answer he had received from the Lord, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”];
4. Paul spends a few days in Damascus, Syria explaining the gospel to the Jews in their synagogue. Acts 9:19-22, “and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus [only stayed for a short time before going to the Arabian desert], (20) and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." (21) All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" (22) But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ [At this point they are not hostile toward Paul, but after three years they will be. Though Paul was able to explain the gospel well, he was not equipped to explain the spiritual life. So, he departed for Arabia for his seminary education].
5. Paul goes to Arabia to learn about the spiritual life from the Lord Jesus Christ, 37-40 AD. (Galatians 1:17; between Acts 9:22 and 23).
6. Paul returns to Damascus and spends some time there, Galatians 1:17b and Acts 9:23-25, “When many days [when a sufficient period of time] had elapsed [after Paul’s three years in the Arabian Desert], the Jews [have become hostile toward the truth] plotted together to do away with him, (24) but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; (25) but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.
7. After being forced to leave Damascus, Syria, he went to Jerusalem circa 41 AD. 2 Corinthians 11:32, 33, “In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, (33) and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.”
8. There [in Jerusalem, his first trip] he spent 15 days with Cephas that he might be brought up to date regarding the early church. Also, he spent a few days with James, an expert in the Old Testament with whom he discussed certain matters of the Old Testament. Then, Paul began evangelizing the Jews in Jerusalem. Galatians 1:18, 19 and Acts 9:26-30, “When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples [Peter and James]; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. (27) But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him [Paul], and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. (28) And he [Paul] was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. (29) And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. (30) But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.” After Paul debarked from the ship at Tarsus, he went back to the cities of Syria, and then returned to Tarsus, Cilicia (Galatians 1:21).
9. Barnabas, needing help at Antioch, Syria, went to Tarsus to seek Paul’s help in 44 AD as per Acts 11:25-26, “And he [Barnabas] left for Tarsus to look for Saul; (26) and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch [Syria]. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
10. In 46 AD, Agabus came to Antioch announcing that a famine was about to occur all over the world as per Acts 11:28-30, “One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit [as a prophet, the Holy Spirit provided this information to Agabus.] that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. (29) And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. (30) And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders [in Jerusalem: Paul’s 2nd trip to Jerusalem].” Funds were collected from the Antioch Christians to be taken to Christians in need in the land of Judea.
Acts 12:25, “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem [from Paul’s 2nd trip to Jerusalem] when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John who was also called Mark.”
11. Paul and Barnabas taking John Mark with them, go on their 1st Missionary Journey circa 47-48 A.D. Acts 13:1-16, “Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (2) While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (3) Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (4) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. (5) When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. (6) When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, (7) who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. (8) But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. (9) But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, (10) and said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? (11) "Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. (12) Then the proconsul believed [in the Lord Jesus Christ] when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. (13) Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. (14) But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. (15) After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it." (16) Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:” Acts 13:42-14-28, “As Paul and Barnabas were going out from [the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia], the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. (43) Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God. (44) The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. (45) But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. (46) Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. (47) "For so the Lord has commanded us, `I have placed you as a light for the gentiles that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth.' " (48) When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (49) And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. (50) But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. (51) But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. (52) And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (1) In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. (2) But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. (3) Therefore, they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. (4) But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. (5) And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, (6) they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; (7) and there they continued to preach the gospel. (8) At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked. (9) This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, (10) said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he leaped up and began to walk. (11) When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us." (12) And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. (13) The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. (14) But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out (15) and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. " (16) In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; (17) and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." (18) Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. (19) But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. [Though he was dead, he was resuscitated.] (20) But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. (21) After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, (22) strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (23) When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (24) They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. (25) When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. (26) From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. (27) When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. (28) And they spent a long time with the disciples.”
Paul goes to Jerusalem for the third time with Barnabas and Titus [possibly a native of Antioch, Syria] between his first and second missionary journeys to explain to the council in Jerusalem his work with the gentiles as per Galatians 2:1-10, “Then, after an interval of fourteen years [after Paul had left Jerusalem for Damascus in 36 A. D. I went up again to Jerusalem [Paul’s third trip in 50 A.D.] with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. (2) It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run in vain. (3) But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. (4) But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage [through legalism]. (5) But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. (6) But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me. God shows no partiality) well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. (7) But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (8) (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), (9) and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (10) They only asked us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do. At which time, a council at Jerusalem was held in which Paul and Barnabas were given the right hand of fellowship by James, Peter and John. It was also understood at the council that Paul and Barnabas continue to go to the gentiles and the other apostles to the circumcised.”
12: Paul’s 2nd and 3rd Missionary Journeys: Paul’s second missionary journey with Silas circa 50 A.D. to the early spring of 53 AD. During this trip, Paul wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians from Corinth where he spent his last 18 months other than a brief stopover at Ephesus. On his 3rd missionary journey, he writes from Ephesus to the Galatians in 55 A.D. to the Corinthians in 57 A.D., and to the Romans in 58 AD. After completing his 3rd missionary journey, Paul goes to Jerusalem for the 4th and last time.
On Paul’s 3rd missionary journey, Paul establishes in Ephesus what will become the greatest church in the pre-canon period of the Church Age.
Paul on his 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys went to Ephesus [on his 2nd for just a short period but on his 3rd for nearly 3 years] which was located three miles from the coast of the Aegean Sea. It was opposite the Island of Samos and had a tremendous harbor at the mouth of the Cayster River. This city with a population of three hundred thousand was connected by roads to all the major cities of the province of Asia Minor.
On his 2nd missionary journey, Paul and Silas departed Antioch of Syria, went through Cilicia and Southern Galatia. At Lystra, a city of Galatia, Timothy joined the team. These three then went to Troas and then onto Macedonia where churches were established in Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. Silas and Timothy were left in Macedonia while Paul having to leave Berea hastily went to Athens. Timothy delivers a report about the Thessalonians to Paul in Athens. From Athens, Timothy is sent back to the Thessalonians to encourage them through his teaching. Paul having left Athens, goes onto Corinth. While in Corinth, Timothy and Silas arrived bringing some funds from the Philippian Church and a report regarding the Thessalonica Church. After hearing the report, Paul wrote 1st Thessalonians circa 52 AD, and 2nd Thessalonians a short while later. After spending about 18 months in Corinth, Paul set sail for Ephesus for a short stop before returning to Antioch, Syria as per Acts 18:18-22, “Paul having remained [in Corinth] many days longer [18 months], took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for [Antioch] Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchrea [the eastern seaport of Corinth], he [Paul] had his hair cut for he was keeping a vow [the Nazarite Vow]. They came to Ephesus, and he left them [Priscilla and Aquila] there. Now, he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, but taking leave of them, and saying, ‘I will return to you again if God wills,’ and he set sail from Ephesus. When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church [in Jerusalem], and went down to Antioch [Syria].” This ended officially his 2nd Missionary Journey.
After spending some time in Antioch, Syria, Paul began his third missionary journey. Since Paul will spend up to three years in Ephesus on this journey, it behooves us to know something about Ephesus. Ephesus was at the crossroads of the Roman Empire for it linked the orient with the west. Between its harbor and the main city was a boulevard seventy feet wide with beautiful pillars along its sides. Also, the city was famous for an open-air theater carved out of the side of a mountain and seated 25,000 people. The Temple of Artemis with 120 pillars, one of the Seven Wonders of the World was also located in this city. (Each of these pillars, studded with gold, silver and various precious gems, was dedicated by a king or a famous prince and had been engraved with his famous deeds and accomplishments.) (This temple dedicated to Artemis was destroyed in 356 B.C. on the same day Alexander the Great was born.) Ephesus was also the Roman headquarters for the province of Asia. Thus, there was a Roman garrison, a governor and court there, and most importantly, it became the greatest church in the first few centuries of the Church Age.
Circa 1200 B.C. Ionians migrated to Ephesus so that by the time Paul had a ministry there, the people spoke primarily Ionic Greek, a very sophisticated form of Greek from which Attic Greek developed. So, an Ionian with a large vocabulary could communicate very well with this sophisticated language. This is just another reason why they became such a successful church. Ionic Greek became the most revolutionary, the most dynamic language of the ancient world.
Emotions are no substitute for thought. Some people will never truly orient to life because they have never done anything to increase their vocabulary. They do not realize that the greater the vocabulary, the greater is the potentiality for thought. And in the day in which we live, emotion has been substituted for increasing one’s vocabulary, and so many want only to feel good at all costs which becomes the basis for alcohol dependance, drug addiction even attendance at churches which emphasize emotions. When you have an entire generation of people who cannot think, then you have a generation of people who live by their feelings, by their emotions and will degenerate to the point of self-destruction.
When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he bumped into an unusual group of believers who had not yet received the assets of the Church Age, the 40 things which the person receives when he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Three of which were specifically mentioned in the “Jewish Pentecost” namely the Indwelling and Filling of the Spirit and the distribution of a spiritual gift.) So, though living in the Church Age, they were operating under the assets of the Old Testament. This situation occurred because they had believed in Christ before the Church Age, and so, in order to receive the experiential spiritual life of the Church Age, they would need to have a Pentecostal experience equivalent to the Jewish Pentecost which occurred in Jerusalem around 30 A.D. and the gentile Pentecost which occurred under the authority of Peter as found in Acts 10:24, “The following day he [Peter] arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” Then, Acts10:44-48 gives us the rest of the story, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. (45) The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. (46) For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, (47) “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” (48) So, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.”
Now, for the story of the Pentecost which occurred under the authority of the Apostle Paul in Ephesus during his 3rd missionary journey is found in Acts 19:1-9 which we might call either the mixed Pentecost or the Johnny come late Pentecost, “And it came to pass that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul [circa 54 AD] having passed through the upper coast [the highlands of northwest Asia Minor] came to Ephesus [from the northeast by following the valley of the Cayster River] and found certain disciples [Old Testament-believers who had believed in Christ under the ministry of John the Baptist]. (2) he [Paul] said to them, “Having believed did you receive the Holy Spirit [the Indwelling and the Filling of the Spirit]?” And they said to him, “We did not so much as hear whether there was [a ministry related to the] Holy Spirit.” (3) And he said to them, “Therefore, on what basis did you receive [water] baptism?” And they said, “On the basis of John's baptism” [to be distinguished from the pre-canon- baptism of the early church]. (4) Then Paul said, John baptized with a baptism characterized by a change of thinking [John only baptized those who had changed their mind about Christ and had believed], saying to the people that they should believe in the One coming after him [John, the Baptist], that is, in Jesus. (5) And having heard [what Paul had said], they were baptized [by God the Holy Spirit] into the person of the Lord Jesus [Spirit-Baptism]. (6) And as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with foreign languages [communicated the gospel in some foreign language] and prophesied [about the content of truth and material not yet put into book form: a communicational gift necessary since the Bible had not yet been completed and circulated]. (7) And there were in all about twelve men. (8) And going into the synagogue, he spoke with confidence for about three months, disputing [to argue from the reasonable standpoint of the Word] and persuading [influencing by presenting correct information] the doctrines concerning the kingdom of God [the kingdom of the regenerate]. (9) But when some [Jewish unbelievers in the synagogue] began to be hardened [by rejecting the gospel: the inceptive imperfect] and did not believe [in Christ], speaking evil of the Way [the Lord Jesus Christ as the way of salvation] before the multitude, he departed from them and separated the disciples [must separate from apostasy], disputing daily in the school of Tyrannus [Tyrannus was a court physician in Rome who after his retirement founded a medical school in Ephesus].”
The Lord led Paul to Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey after Apollos had left for Corinth. The Lord used Priscilla and Aquila to help Apollos, not Paul (Acts 18:27-19:1). How was it that Priscilla and Aquila were residing in Ephesus? When Paul left Ephesus at the end of his 2nd missionary journey to return to Antioch, Priscilla and Aquila remained behind (Acts 18:19). A short time later Apollos, a Jewish Alexandrian came to Ephesus and began to teach boldly and eloquently in the synagogue. After hearing him, Priscilla and Aquila realized that Apollos was not up to date on church age doctrines. So, they pulled him aside privately and gave him a briefing regarding these doctrines. It was not necessary for Apollos to meet Paul at this time, but it was very important for him to have met Priscilla and Aquila.
The Holy Spirit led Paul in such a way on his 3rd missionary journey as to avoid the cities of the Lycus Valley. You see, when Paul came back to Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey, he did not travel on the main highway which ran from Galatia to Ephesus, the most direct route. (This would have taken him through the Lycus Valley in which were three cities: Colossi, Hierapolis and Laodicea. (It was God’s will that his ministry to those in these cities would not be face to face but would be handled through written epistles such as Colossians and Philemon.)) Rather, after departing Galatia he traveled northwest, and so when he was directed by the Lord to go to Ephesus, he merely came down the Cayster Valley from the northeast which is described by the phrase in this verse as, “the upper coast.” (The Cayster River flowed southwest into the harbor at Ephesus.)
At the end of the 3rd Missionary Journey, Paul makes a short stop at Miletus where he met the pastors of Ephesus for a farewell speech before departing for Jerusalem (Acts 20:17-38).
13. Paul should have gone to the Roman Church at the end of his 3rd missionary journey as per Romans 15:19-24, “By the power of signs [to the Jews] and by miracles [to the Gentiles] in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that from Jerusalem, I Paul, on a circuit as far as Illyricum, have fulfilled the Gospel of the Christ. [Paul had finished his work in both Asia Minor and in Greece as far west as Illyricum.] (20) In fact, my standard operating procedure: I consider it a point of honor to proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has been mentioned [but he does when he decides to go to Jerusalem at the end of his 3rd missionary trip], in order that I might not build on a foundation belonging to another [but he attempted to do this when he decided emotionally to go to Jerusalem rather than to immediately sail for Rome]. (21) And not only this but just as it stands written [a quote from Isaiah 52:15], "They [the Gentiles] shall see, that is, those to whom it was not reported concerning Him [Jesus Christ], and they [gentiles who have not heard] shall understand." (22). For this reason, I also have been hindered many times from coming to you [because he was busy ministering to the gentiles in Asian Minor and Greece], (23) But now, no longer having a place of ministry in those regions [had established local churches with native pastor-teachers in Asian Minor and in Greece], and having a desire to come to you [in Rome] for many years, (24) Whenever I go to Spain for I expect to see you when passing through, and by you be assisted to that place [Spain], if first I am satisfied with you in part [Paul planned on ministering to the Romans before going on his 4th missionary journey to Spain],”
14. Paul makes a sentimentally emotional decision to go to Jerusalem for the Holy Week, Romans 15:25, 26, “But [a change of plans and contrary to what he has just stated in Romans 15:19-24] now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints [to bring them the funds collected; a flimsy excuse for violating God’s geographical will for his life], (26) For Macedonia and Achaia have decided with pleasure to make a special offering to the poor ones among the saints who are in Jerusalem.”
15. Paul is warned many times not to go to Jerusalem. As a consequence of his decision to go anyway, Paul will spend 2 year in house arrest in Caesarea, and 2 years in house arrest in Rome. Acts 20:16, 17, “For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus [at the end of his 3rd missionary journey] so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. [17] From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the pastors of the church [around Ephesus]. Acts 20:22, 23, “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit [forbidden: the Holy Spirit was making every effort to restrain Paul], I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there [since Paul was now going contrary to the will of the Lord, he has lost his confidence], (23) except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds [chains, fetters] and afflictions [severe punishment] await me [Paul rationalizes away these warnings as if he needs to endure these sufferings for the Lord.].” Acts 21:1-4, “When we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; (2) and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. (3) When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre for there the ship was to unload its cargo. (4) After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.” Acts 21:8-14, “On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. (9) Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. (10) As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. (11) And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his [Agabus’s] own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: `In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles [the Romans].' "(12) When we [Luke and others] had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. (13) Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus [but that was not the will of the Lord]." (14) And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, "The will of the Lord be done!"
16. In 58 A.D., Paul was at the peak of his ministry. 1. He had a tremendous response to his evangelism; thousands were being saved. 2. He was establishing with great success many churches in Asia Minor, Macedonia and Achaia. 3. Paul, as a one-man seminary, was teaching and training many pastors. 4. Paul’s writing ministry was phenomenal for he had already written six epistles which would be in the Canon forever. All of this was lost in his first two years of incarceration in Caesarea except for the opportunity to evangelize a few elites like the governors of Judea namely Felix and Festus and, Herod Agrippa II and Bernice and a few others as well. However, there was not one convert during that time. Then, after a rough voyage to Rome and under house arrest in Rome, the Lord permitted him to reestablish his writing ministry namely the Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.
17. Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey:
Upon his acquittal and release in circa 63 A.D., Paul traveled east to Asia Minor by way of Macedonia before embarking on his 4th missionary journey which would take him to Spain. This was a change of plans for he stated in 58 A.D. that he was going to travel to Rome and then directly to Spain, but now upon his release from Roman house arrest, he first heads back east. Philippians 2:24, “and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.” Philemon 22, “At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.”
He apparently went to Philippi first and then to Colossi and then unto Ephesus from where he apparently sailed to Spain and spent approximately two to three years there.
18. From Spain after completing his 4th missionary journey, he returned to Ephesus where he had left Timothy and then to Macedonia from where he wrote 1 Timothy. 1 Timothy 1:3, “As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,” and then onto Nicopolis of Epirus (a province on the western coast of Greece) where he spent the winter and from where he wrote Titus. In the spring of 68 A.D. in Nicopolis (the city of victory founded and named after the Emperor Octavian’s victory at the Battle of Actium), he was arrested and brought to Rome in chains. Then, waiting for his trial, he wrote his last letter to Timothy in the early summer of 68 A.D., and shortly after was executed.
19. The Pauline team of missionaries had been dispersed.
Timothy was at Ephesus, 1 Timothy 1:3, “As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,”
Titus was at Crete, Titus 1:5, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,” After Titus had completed his work in Crete, Paul sent him to Dalmatia. 2 Timothy 4:10, “for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.” Paul then summons Titus to come to him in Nicopolis just before winter. Titus 3:12, “When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.”
Trophimus was left at Miletus, 2 Timothy 4:20, “Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.”
Erastus was at Corinth, 2 Timothy 4:20, “Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.”
Crescens was in Galatia, 2 Timothy 4:10, “for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.”
Tychicus was in Ephesus, 2 Timothy 4:12, “But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.”
20. A brief account of Paul’s trial is given in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 14-17, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; (8) in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (14) Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. (15) Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. (16) At my first defense no one [who could have been there at my trial] supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. (17) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth.” Between the trial and execution, Paul wrote 2 Timothy. His execution took place on Via Ostia, a short ways out from the city limits. Less than a year later, Nero was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard, thus ending the Claudio-Julian line. One cannot murder the greatest Christian and get away with it!
Relating the pre-historic angelic history to human history:
Angelic creatures were created simultaneously with no gradual development. Psalm 148:2a, 5, “Praise Him, all His angels; (5) Let them praise the person of the Lord [God the Son] for He commanded and they were created [in heaven with eternal bodies and perfect angelic righteousness].”
Of His creation, the greatest was Lucifer. Ezekiel 28:12, “Son of man [Ezekiel], take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyre and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “You [Lucifer] were the one sealing a pattern of perfection, full of wisdom and great beauty.” He has a voice like a pipe organ. He was superior in genius, beauty, personality, and persuasiveness to any creature. As a creature, Lucifer had a throne, “I will raise my throne above the stars [angels] of God.” He was the chief of angels and his name was Lucifer, [light bearer, the Shining One].
The angelic decision to retain perfect angelic righteousness and to have eternal life with God or the eternal lake of fire with Satan was a decision all the angels had to make after Satan’s fall. Satan’s fall, not redemption, was the issue in eternity past. There was no need for a God-angel, no need for a cross whereby angelic sins would be an issue. They already had perfect righteousness and eternal life. Angels were created with eternal life, not human life. Those who chose to follow Satan, made an eternal decision. Revelation 12:4: Satan succeeded in persuading one-third of all angelic beings to revolt with him. The result of the conflict was a great trial, in which Satan and all fallen angels were condemned to the eternal lake of fire. Matthew 25:41, “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones [unbelievers at the 2nd Advent], into the eternal fire which has been prepared in the past with the result that it continues forever for the devil and his angels.’” After Satan’s fall and the angels who followed him had all made their decisions to reject God and his plan, a trial was convened and a sentence was passed namely the Lake of Fire for Satan and 1/3 of the angels who chose for Satan and against God.
Isaiah 14:12-14, “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn. You have been cut down to the earth [in the middle of the Tribulation], you who have weakened the nations. But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven;’ [Satan wanted to be the ruler of the third heaven. This was his desire to displace God as the ruler of the third heaven.] ‘I will raise my throne above the stars of God;’ [The stars of God refer to angels, Job 38:7; Revelation 12:3-4. He wanted to rule over all the angels, not just one third of them.] ‘And I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recesses of the north.’ [where he would have his throne] ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;’ [will rule over all the angels] ‘I will make myself like the Most-High.’ [Satan thought that he would replace God as the final authority.]
During the trial, Satan (‘diabolos’ translated devil) acquired this name. ‘Diabolos’ is the Greek equivalent to Satan, the Hebrew word.
John 1:12, “But as many as received Him [not a mechanic but merely the result of having believed in Jesus Christ], to them He gave the authority to become the children of God, those who believe in His person [the mechanics of salvation].”
‘Receiving Christ’ is a concept regarding the result of having believed in Him as one’s savior. The mechanics of salvation requires faith alone in Christ alone. The misinformed believer who walks around yelling, “Receive Christ into your life, heart or embrace but never gives the mechanics of salvation is misleading many unbelievers.
The Galatians were a Celtic people. In the 5th to the 6th century B.C. the Celtic peoples in Europe had reached the shores of the Atlantic. At that point, there was a major disagreement among its leaders which caused a split. One of the groups sailed across the English Channel and eventually settled-into what are now Wales, Scotland and Ireland. A second group known as the Gauls, settled-into what is now France. The third group moved eastward settling in Asia Minor and became known as the Galatians. Their last king, King Amyntas realized that Rome was and would remain the most powerful force in the area. So, being a bachelor upon his death, he left his kingdom to Emperor Augustus and to the Romans circa 25 B. C. The Roman Emperor Augustus not only made it into the Roman Province of Asia, but gave it other cities in the south (Southern Galatia) as well to protect against lawlessness. Thus, certain cities located in Pisidia and Lycaonia (Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe) became Galatian cities as well. So, when Paul went on his first missionary journey, many Galatians’ living in these cities responded to his gospel message and Bible teaching.
Galatians 1:1
Paul an apostle not sent from men, nor through the agency of man [not appointed by man], but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him [Christ] from the dead [God the Father was an agent in the resurrection of Jesus].
Παῦλος ἀπόστολος, οὐκ ἀπí ἀνθρώπων οὐδὲ διí ἀνθρώπου ἀλλὰ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ θεοῦ πατρὸς τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν,
Apparently, Paul’s apostleship was being attacked by the Judaizers. So, Paul states that the source of his apostleship was God through the agency of Jesus Christ, the one who gave him that spiritual gift and through the agency of the Father who planned it.
Ephesians 4:8, 11, “Therefore He said, when He ascended into heaven, up on high, He led a host of captives in triumphal procession from a state of captivity [Abraham’s Bosom] and He gave spiritual gifts to men. (11) Then He [Christ] gave some apostles, prophets, evangelists and others pastor-teachers.” [In celebration of His victory, Christ initially handed-out spiritual gifts.]
Paul on his first missionary journey went to Southern Galatia namely the cities of Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derba. Acts chapters 13 and 14 give the details of his evangelism in this area. As a result, many wonderful churches were established.
