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Ever read a passage in the Word and just pause .. because it doesn’t make sense?

This one stood out to me this morning:

Genesis:  18:21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.
(context:  the Lord (appearing as a man to Abraham) will go and investigate the city of Sodom to see if it’s really as bad as the “outcry” that comes to him is)

Scholars agree that this man was a Divine Manifestation of God.  He calls him “Lord”.  So, why then, did God have to go investigate Sodom in person to know whether or not their sin was as bad as He’d heard?

My ESV Study notes say:

I will go down to see. These words reveal that the decision to destroy the cities of the plain was undertaken with careful scrutiny of the evidence. This remark should not be interpreted as indicating limited knowledge on the part of God, any more than do the similar and ironic words in 11:5. All that is implied is God’s direct attention to the matter.

OK.  But it still makes me scratch my head.  Huh?  Have you ever noticed that before?  What’s your take?

As I continue through the M’Cheyne 1-Year Bible reading plan at YouVersion.Com I am enjoying some observations from the Book of Acts.  What an incredible time in our church history.  The power of God was so strong in the early church.

One doctrinal issue that differentiates those of a more “Charismatic” or “Pentecostal” vein is that of the “baptism of the Holy Spirit”.  It’s called many different things … “the baptism” … “the infilling of the Holy Spirit” … “the baptism of fire” … and on and on.  It typically refers to an encounter post-salvation where we receive God’s Holy Spirit … again.

I say “again” because we all agree that upon our salvation experience and profession of Jesus Christ as Lord, we receive the Holy Spirit.  (Ephesians 1:13 says we are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will be “in us” in John, etc).

Yet, throughout the Book of Acts we see examples where Christians have an experience where they are “filled” with the Holy Spirit.  In many cases, this experience is initiated through another Believer praying for them.

Here’s one such example:

14
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 8, 14-17, ESV, YouVersion.Com)

So, they had “received the word of God” … I think this means they’ve received Christ as Savior.  They are now Christians.  Jesus has risen and ascended, and the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Day of Pentecost.  We are “officially” in the New Testament, New Covenant church now.  These Christians received the word just like us.  Yet, it says they had not received the Holy Spirit, though they have been baptized.

Through the prayer of Peter and John, these new Christians “received” the Holy Spirit.  This occurs throughout the book of Acts.

I believe that we, as Christians, can receive the Holy Spirit again and again.  It’s a different type of “infilling”.  It’s not essential to salvation, yet who wouldn’t desire this?

I’ve heard some argue that God used the original apostles to distribute the Holy Spirit in the early church.  Huh?  So, once they die, we don’t get that?  I don’t think so.  Or maybe God was overwhelmed with the exponential increase in Believers, and needed some assistance … the Holy Spirit wasn’t coming fast enough from His throne directly, so he recruited some people to help Him get over the hump?  By no means.

All I know is this.  If I see evidence that Christians are being “filled” with the Holy Spirit … I want “in” on that bonus.  I want all of God’s Spirit.  In me, on me, around me.

Your thoughts?  Join the discussion by leaving a comment below.

7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7: 7-8, ESV, YouVersion.Com)

Over the Christmas holidays my Dad and I were having a talk about this Scripture.  (Pause to give thanks for a strong, Christian family and parents who are inspiring leaders in their faith!)  My Dad was saying how this verse really challenges him because his “success rate” of answered prayers isn’t as high as he’d like.  I think that applies to all of us.

Of course, I brought up the fact that we read later in Scripture (James 4) that sometimes the reason we don’t get what we ask for is because we are asking “amiss”, or contrary to God’s will.  (then again, I’ve seen God answer prayers when the answer wasn’t his plan … remember this prayer that God answered “give us a King, give us a King ..”)

This morning I am meditating on this verse.  It would do us good to meditate on it for a long time.   Something peculiar stood out for me this morning.  Jesus doesn’t just say “ask and it will be given”.  He gives us not one, not two, but THREE ACTION WORDS.  There are THREE verbs together here.  This tells me that “asking” alone isn’t enough.

ASK.
SEEK.
KNOCK.  (persistence, right?)

Take for example, a guy who lost his job and needs a new one.  You can “ask” God for a new job all day long.  But I don’t think that prayer will be answered necessarily, if that’s all you do.

ASK for a job.
SEEK for a job, search online, scan the newspapers, ask your friends, post bulletins at your church.
KNOCK on some doors.  Ask people.  Interview.  Submit resumes.  Do call backs.  Do followups.

As we pray and expect God to answer our prayers, think of these 3 action words, and how you can apply them to that prayer.  I’m not sure that simply “asking” is enough.

Comments?  Leave’em below!

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.
13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

(Acts 5: 12-13, ESV, YouVersion.Com, emphasis mine)

What do you suppose the people were so afraid of, that they “dared not join them”?

Thoughts?  Leave your comments below, and let’s discuss!

It’s my hope that one of the areas we’ll enjoy on the blog here in 2010 is increased discussion about God’s Word.

I believe that Matthew 5 is perhaps one of the more challenging chapters in the Bible.  Jesus’ teaching, “The Beatitudes”, and his explanation of what really constitutes sin ups the ante and is radical.

This morning, I’m especially stirred, challenged, and frankly, somewhat confused by this particular passage:

17
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 5:17-20, ESV, emphasis mine, YouVersion.Com)

We are taught that as New Testament Christians, we are no longer bound by the Old Testament Law.  (think specifically of the Ten Commandments, though there are thousands of other laws and commandments throughout the OT)

Yet here, Jesus seems to be alluding to that very Law, and actually, goes further in the next verses making it even more substantial.  (Example:  don’t commit adultery, but now, if you even think lustfully about a woman, you’ve committed adultery with her).

Guilty.

The only way our righteousness would exceed that of the “scribes and Pharisees” is by grace.  But Jesus doesn’t mention that at all in this passage.  He’s clearly speaking of keeping the rules.

So how does that play out?  Paul will teach us throughout the New Testament that we are not under law, but under grace.  Yet Jesus’ words here challenge us that “keeping the rules” is vital.

What are your thoughts?  Please add to the discussion below by leaving  a comment.