Day 340, 6th December Bible Commentary

Day 340, 6^th December  Bible Commentary With Dr Oluwatoyin Ojo From the Book of Acts And Ephesians.

THE ISLANDERS

The Islanders where an excellent host to the survivors but their role was rather temporary —three months. Rome became a mission field as it where for Paul. And this commentary progress into Ephesians as the Apostle Paul wrote to the saints in Ephesus while in Rome.

ACTS 28:1-31

THE ISLANDERS:

The Islanders like everybody else, believes God speaks through situations — they were exceptionally kind to the survivors taking responsibility for their care. “They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.” v.2

BUT SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENED:

Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. (v.3)

Immediately Paul was tagged a murderer believing he had escaped great wrath in the sea yet the nemesis of his sins and wickedness had cut up on him.

“But Paul shock the snake off into the fire and suffered no I’ll effects.” v.5

EXPECTATIONS Vs REALITY

Paul was not harmed as expected (v.6); and God gave room for him to perform miracles. First healing the father of a public leader — Publius the chief official of the Island (v.7). And then for all who were sick who came forward.

• They were there three months before continuing the journey to Rome.
• In Rome, Brothers and sisters showed warmth and Paul felt blessed. Graciously, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him (v.15-16).  Eventually, he rented an apartment (see v.30).

(v.17-20)

PAUL REPORT HIS CASE TO THE LOCAL JEWISH LEADERS, but they stated in reply to his statement of appeal “we have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you“ v.21

It turned into an outreach opportunity as the leaders and the people what to learn what Paul had to say and he witnessed among them ( Read v.22) he talked about Jesus and referenced the laws and prophets. Some agreed and yet some disagreed.(v.23-28)

“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” v.30-31

While in Rome Paul wrote our next book of study Ephesians;

EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1

His greetings (v.1-2)

The Elect

For the elect, something significant is that all of the blessings come from the heavenly realm and more so the decision was made there.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight, in love” v.4

Redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, is expressed lavishly upon us on earth.

We understand we have been predestined “in order that we, who are first in hope to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” v.12; and all else then who hear the message are being marked with a seal  — of the Holy Spirit.

“ Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” v.14

FAITH AND LOVE

The apostle Paul commends their faith in prayers — then he prays for more spiritual blessings of wisdom, revelation, understanding of divine calling, the expectation, “and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raise Christ from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet” v.19-22a —

Christ being elevated Head of us (the Church, his body).

EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2:1-22

“As for you, you who were dead in your transgressions and sins,” v.1: you lived honouring Satan the ruler of the kingdom of the air, but are now fully qualified for God’s wrath he gave us mercy instead because he loved us we became alive with Christ.

That is God “made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you have been saved.” v.5

v.6-7—TWO THINGS HAPPENED TOGETHER —

We are resurrected so we are partaking in a royal chairing in an heavenly kingdom — Spiritual state of being having its full expression in an age to come.

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” v.8-9

PREDESTINED FOR GOOD WORKS, let’s get the job done —perhaps you are young and ever wondered what it is that you calling is.

Just say to yourself — GOOD WORKS — let it resound, echo to yourself.

GOOD WORKS

Now some you will enjoy doing, some you will not.  You may argue, I don’t know the exact. Well if it’s good works, you can’t go wrong!

Keep doing what is good works, as doors open you could streamline.

This answers the ‘Who am I” question for every believer.

“Therefore, remember that formerly you who were Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those who call themselves the circumcision (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you will separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in this world.” v.11-12

OUR ONENESS IN CHRIST — is just as true as we would allow it.

This wonder is done by the blood of Christ, being peace that removes barriers and hostility —[the measures of this world]— so humanity is unified through the lens of the cross ( read v.14-16).

Now “through him we both have access to the Father by one spirit” v.18

FELLOW CITIZENS: Intimate with God through baptism {(water and the Holy Spirit), resurrection}, having Christ as the Cornerstone! So that we are “built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” v.22

NIGHT: THE BLOOD OF CHRIST makes all the difference: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once we are far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ”  Ephesians 2:13

In all you doings, decision-making and thought of other and self let the blood count.

©️ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Dr Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo.

Warmth

Toyin