How does a local church operate? What talents and abilities are needed? Is every church going to have the same talents or needs? Let’s look at how God sees the value of every single church member in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”
We put food into our bodies, which convert it into energy, lubricants for our joints and perspiration for cooling. Each human body has about 200 billion nerve cells connected by hundreds of trillions of synapses. The heart pumps about 1½ gallons of blood every minute to every part of the body.
1 Corinthians 12:14-17 ‘For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?’
Human feet are complex designs for walking erect. 25% of our body’s bones are in our feet, and contain three arches each for strong load bearing. But these are also dynamic arches, absorbing various shocks as the load changes. At the same time feet use leverage to propel us forward.
Our hands are designed to strongly grasp large objects and skillfully handle small objects. Most of the fingers are actually controlled by muscles in the forearm through long tendons that pass through leverage points. Fat cells in the fingers give protection for delicate nerve cells which detect touch and heat.
Our eyes remain the same size from birth. We blink over 4 million times a year to irrigate the eye. The vestibulo-ocular reflex is like a miraculous steadicam for the eyes. The retina is among the most complex tissues in the body, too complex for our current computers to analyze.
How could our ears evolve by accident? Sounds comes through into the outer ear which is designed to amplify sound. Behind the eardrum, three little bones amplify and transmit the sounds. Then the cochlea converts them into electrical signals for the brain, through the incredibly complex microscopic organ of Corti.
1 Corinthians 12:18-21 ‘But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”’
Why are the feet, hand, eyes and ears placed where they are? What would it be like if our feet, hands, eyes or ears were situated in a totally different place? Can you imagine a few different places? What would it be like if we had to live like that?
1 Corinthians 12:22-24a “On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it.”
Without identifying which parts of the body are weaker, they are just as necessary as the stronger parts of our body. The same with those parts which we cover up with clothing and shoes for protection or modesty. They are just as necessary as our eyes which are usually uncovered.
1 Corinthians 12:24b-26 “But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
We pay careful attention to those parts of our body which need protection from sunburn, scratches, damage, uv light, heat or cold. We care just as much for our feet as our hands, or our eyes as for our ears. We would not want to be without any of them.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts.”
Today’s apostle (small a) might be a messenger, or a missionary. Today’s prophet might be a man or woman who speaks God’s will. A teacher is a master of the Scriptures and teaches the Bible well. Miracles, healings, administrators, helpers, and translators? All are needed for a church to run.
A local church operates like a human body. God values the talents and abilities of every single member. Not every church going to have the same abilities or needs. Like a human body needs every part, hands, feet, ears and eyes, at different times for different purposes, so too does the local church need everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Spiritual Manifestations
What kinds of epiphanies do we experience in a local church? Is spiritual enhancement of intellectual words, deeds of faith and foreign language skills a manifestation of the Holy Spirit? Let’s see how God’s glory was revealed in spiritual gifts given to an ancient church by exploring 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 “Now concerning spiritual [manifestations, things, gifts, matters], brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, [in the manner] you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed’; and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”
This chapter begins broadly with spiritual manifestations, which also occur in other religions. For example, tongues exist in non-Christian religions. How can we discern which spiritual manifestations are from God? We discern by what is spoken. Words of wisdom, knowledge, and languages can effectively curse Jesus or call Him Lord.
An acquaintance once told the story of attending a revival service. Down front a woman began shouting in tongues. Naive people thought it was from the Holy Spirit and praised Jesus. My acquaintance is Greek and knew it was not from God, because the woman yelled filthy words in Greek.
A well-known evangelist tells the story of getting a strong urge to speak in tongues to a fellow passenger on a flight. He finally gave in and started speaking. His neighbor was shocked to hear his unwritten central Asian local dialect. The evangelist then led his new friend to Christ.
Spiritual manifestations are common to many religions. Deuteronomy 13 teaches that false prophets can also perform miracles. Matthew 7 teaches we judge by good/bad fruits. Paul discerned that spiritual manifestations were causing divisions in Corinth. No longer led astray by idols, their greatest manifestation was being led to Jesus.
The most important speaking is saying, “Jesus is Lord.” Under Roman state persecution those words could lead to a person’s death. In a country with religious freedom like ours, anyone can say the words, but the proof of the words in our culture, is lives SUBMITTED to Jesus as Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 “Now there are varieties of GIFTS, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of MINISTRIES, and the same Lord. There are varieties of EFFECTS, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Not all diversity is good. Godly diversity exists in a variety of grace-endowments, ministries [diaconates] and energizings. The purpose of these spiritual manifestations was not for selfishness but the common good. The gifts listed are not ALL the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but ones which were controversial in Corinth.
Psychologists say that personality tests have no scientific basis whatsoever. Gullible corporations spend billions each year on them. What about spiritual gifts tests? They are sloppy, half-testing only manifestations that were controversial in Corinth, and ignore that God has given a great variety of spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10).
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 “For to one is given the word of WISDOM through the Spirit, and to another the word of KNOWLEDGE according to the same Spirit; to another FAITH by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of HEALING by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of MIRACLES, and to another PROPHECY, and to another the DISTINGUISHING of spirits, to another various kinds of TONGUES, and to another the INTERPRETATION of tongues.”
This sampling of divine manifestations, begins with the least-showy ones. We could divide these epiphanies into three kinds: gifts of intelligent words, deeds of faith and words that need a translator. When we witness these things, do we see a manifestation from God or just pass it off as normal?
We cannot limit divine manifestations to this list. God’s gifts are unlimited and the things God gave us may not even be on the list. Far better than a faulty test is the testimony of those Christians who know us best. Such epiphanies are everywhere if we open our eyes.
1 Corinthians 12:11 “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”
Let’s understand God doesn’t want cookie-cutter Christians. We are all different because God wants it that way, for His purposes. Our unique spiritual gifts are not to be abused, or make us jealous, or to puff us up, but so we can be happy to contribute to the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Deuteronomy 13; Matthew 7; 1 Peter 4:10
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 “Now concerning spiritual [manifestations, things, gifts, matters], brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, [in the manner] you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed’; and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”
This chapter begins broadly with spiritual manifestations, which also occur in other religions. For example, tongues exist in non-Christian religions. How can we discern which spiritual manifestations are from God? We discern by what is spoken. Words of wisdom, knowledge, and languages can effectively curse Jesus or call Him Lord.
An acquaintance once told the story of attending a revival service. Down front a woman began shouting in tongues. Naive people thought it was from the Holy Spirit and praised Jesus. My acquaintance is Greek and knew it was not from God, because the woman yelled filthy words in Greek.
A well-known evangelist tells the story of getting a strong urge to speak in tongues to a fellow passenger on a flight. He finally gave in and started speaking. His neighbor was shocked to hear his unwritten central Asian local dialect. The evangelist then led his new friend to Christ.
Spiritual manifestations are common to many religions. Deuteronomy 13 teaches that false prophets can also perform miracles. Matthew 7 teaches we judge by good/bad fruits. Paul discerned that spiritual manifestations were causing divisions in Corinth. No longer led astray by idols, their greatest manifestation was being led to Jesus.
The most important speaking is saying, “Jesus is Lord.” Under Roman state persecution those words could lead to a person’s death. In a country with religious freedom like ours, anyone can say the words, but the proof of the words in our culture, is lives SUBMITTED to Jesus as Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 “Now there are varieties of GIFTS, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of MINISTRIES, and the same Lord. There are varieties of EFFECTS, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Not all diversity is good. Godly diversity exists in a variety of grace-endowments, ministries [diaconates] and energizings. The purpose of these spiritual manifestations was not for selfishness but the common good. The gifts listed are not ALL the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but ones which were controversial in Corinth.
Psychologists say that personality tests have no scientific basis whatsoever. Gullible corporations spend billions each year on them. What about spiritual gifts tests? They are sloppy, half-testing only manifestations that were controversial in Corinth, and ignore that God has given a great variety of spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10).
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 “For to one is given the word of WISDOM through the Spirit, and to another the word of KNOWLEDGE according to the same Spirit; to another FAITH by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of HEALING by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of MIRACLES, and to another PROPHECY, and to another the DISTINGUISHING of spirits, to another various kinds of TONGUES, and to another the INTERPRETATION of tongues.”
This sampling of divine manifestations, begins with the least-showy ones. We could divide these epiphanies into three kinds: gifts of intelligent words, deeds of faith and words that need a translator. When we witness these things, do we see a manifestation from God or just pass it off as normal?
We cannot limit divine manifestations to this list. God’s gifts are unlimited and the things God gave us may not even be on the list. Far better than a faulty test is the testimony of those Christians who know us best. Such epiphanies are everywhere if we open our eyes.
1 Corinthians 12:11 “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”
Let’s understand God doesn’t want cookie-cutter Christians. We are all different because God wants it that way, for His purposes. Our unique spiritual gifts are not to be abused, or make us jealous, or to puff us up, but so we can be happy to contribute to the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Deuteronomy 13; Matthew 7; 1 Peter 4:10
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Is Confirmation Biblical
What is this thing called confirmation? What does it have to do with baptism? Is it even in the Bible or just vain human tradition? Let’s look at how the biblical term “laying on of hands” is confirmation, and that it is found in the list of basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2.
Infant baptism in NOT MANDATED in the Bible. Jesus was not baptized until He was 30. However, infant baptism is also NOT FORBIDDEN and has plenty of precedence in the Bible. Adult Israelites AND their children were baptized into Moses. Baptism pictures being circumcised by Christ, which physically was performed on both infants AND adults. At least three households were baptized in Acts, and it’s statistically likely that some contained children.
If we were baptized as infants through our parents’ faith, we need to confirm our own faith, and have the Church confirm our confession with the laying on of hands and prayer, and we want God to confirm our adoption by sealing us with the Holy Spirit.
Faith Confirmed Publicly
When we are baptized as infants, we cannot confess our sins or confirm our faith. Therefore the laying on of hands is delayed until we can. When we are of age, we answer questions confirming our faith before the assembled local church, followed by prayer with the laying on of hands.
Matthew 10:32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.”
Luke 12:8 “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God”
Romans 10:9-10 “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1 John 4:15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
Confirmation is an historically more recent western term. The biblical term is the Laying on of Hands. The purpose is asking God to grant the Holy Spirit. These previous verses do not specifically refer to a ritual we moderns call confirmation, but the following verses do.
Baptism Confirmed with Laying on of Hands
Whereas in adult baptism laying on of hands usually follows immediately after washing by the water, in Acts is a case where the apostles prayed and laid their hands on people long after their baptism, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17 “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.”
In the letter to the Hebrews we also see that baptism (ceremonial washings) and laying on of hands are two separate events.
Hebrews 6:1-2 “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.”
Laying on of hands is very much associated with receiving or being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:17 “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.”
Though God can give the Holy Spirit at any time of His choosing, it is normal to expect the coming of the Holy Spirit with the laying on of hands.
Acts 19:5-6 “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them…”
The Order is God’s Choice not Ours
On one occasion, God gave the Holy Spirit before baptism. Infant baptism puts baptism before repentance. Therefore repentance must take place before laying on of hands.
Acts 10:44-48 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, ‘Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?’ And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
God Confirms with the Seal of the Spirit
In the early church, confirmation was also known as the “Seal of the Spirit,” whereby God confirms our faith by giving us the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”
Ephesians 1:13 “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise”
Ephesians 4:30 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
If anyone has been baptized as an infant and not yet confirmed their faith, nor had the Church confirm its love with the laying on of hands, nor had God’s confirmation sealing them with the Holy Spirit, then it’s time to get on with it. If any adult has repented but never been baptized then it’s time to get baptized with confirmation through the laying on of hands.
Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:12; 1 John 4:15; Acts 8:14-17; Hebrews 6:1-2; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:5-6; Acts 10:44-48; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Infant baptism in NOT MANDATED in the Bible. Jesus was not baptized until He was 30. However, infant baptism is also NOT FORBIDDEN and has plenty of precedence in the Bible. Adult Israelites AND their children were baptized into Moses. Baptism pictures being circumcised by Christ, which physically was performed on both infants AND adults. At least three households were baptized in Acts, and it’s statistically likely that some contained children.
If we were baptized as infants through our parents’ faith, we need to confirm our own faith, and have the Church confirm our confession with the laying on of hands and prayer, and we want God to confirm our adoption by sealing us with the Holy Spirit.
Faith Confirmed Publicly
When we are baptized as infants, we cannot confess our sins or confirm our faith. Therefore the laying on of hands is delayed until we can. When we are of age, we answer questions confirming our faith before the assembled local church, followed by prayer with the laying on of hands.
Matthew 10:32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.”
Luke 12:8 “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God”
Romans 10:9-10 “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1 John 4:15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
Confirmation is an historically more recent western term. The biblical term is the Laying on of Hands. The purpose is asking God to grant the Holy Spirit. These previous verses do not specifically refer to a ritual we moderns call confirmation, but the following verses do.
Baptism Confirmed with Laying on of Hands
Whereas in adult baptism laying on of hands usually follows immediately after washing by the water, in Acts is a case where the apostles prayed and laid their hands on people long after their baptism, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17 “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.”
In the letter to the Hebrews we also see that baptism (ceremonial washings) and laying on of hands are two separate events.
Hebrews 6:1-2 “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.”
Laying on of hands is very much associated with receiving or being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:17 “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.”
Though God can give the Holy Spirit at any time of His choosing, it is normal to expect the coming of the Holy Spirit with the laying on of hands.
Acts 19:5-6 “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them…”
The Order is God’s Choice not Ours
On one occasion, God gave the Holy Spirit before baptism. Infant baptism puts baptism before repentance. Therefore repentance must take place before laying on of hands.
Acts 10:44-48 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, ‘Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?’ And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
God Confirms with the Seal of the Spirit
In the early church, confirmation was also known as the “Seal of the Spirit,” whereby God confirms our faith by giving us the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”
Ephesians 1:13 “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise”
Ephesians 4:30 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
If anyone has been baptized as an infant and not yet confirmed their faith, nor had the Church confirm its love with the laying on of hands, nor had God’s confirmation sealing them with the Holy Spirit, then it’s time to get on with it. If any adult has repented but never been baptized then it’s time to get baptized with confirmation through the laying on of hands.
Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:12; 1 John 4:15; Acts 8:14-17; Hebrews 6:1-2; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:5-6; Acts 10:44-48; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
A Long Journey to Jesus
What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12.
The Magi
Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’”
According to Friberg [1] the Magi were wise men. Louw-Nida [2] adds that they studied the stars. Herodotus [3] called them Persian priests. Eastern traditional history [4] recounts that they were eventually baptized by Thomas. They were advisors to kings who were led to Christ through their knowledge of scriptures.
[1] Friberg, Timothy, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller. Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Baker's Greek New Testament Library. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000. BibleWorks, v.3 [2] Louw-Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. United Bible Societies. 1989. [3] Herodotus 7.19, 7.37, 1.107, 1.108, 1.120, 1.128 [4] Brent Landau. Who were the Magi? 11/29/2011. biblicalarchaeology.org
Matthew 2:3-4 “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.”
The Magi came to worship Jesus. Herod felt threatened, and so plotted to kill Him. A leper, a synagogue leader, the disciples, a gentile woman and Zebedee’s wife also worshiped Jesus (Matthew 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9, 17). After all, Jesus was “God with us.”
The Prophecies
Matthew 2:5-6 “They said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
How interesting that the Bread of Life, should be born in the House of Bread, Bethlehem! The prophecy of Micah 5:2 was well-known. Matthew is here not quoting the scripture word for word, but perhaps the scribes’ rendering of the text. One description of Messiah is a shepherd ruler.
Matthew 2:7-8 “Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.’”
Ever since Constantine, the church has compromised with worldly power in fear of persecution. Power is threatened by the command to love our neighbor, feed the poor, and courageously welcome strangers. Fear of the powerful who profit from human misery, has watered down the Gospel. Christianity threatens power and greed.
The Gifts
Matthew 2:9-10 “After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
This may have been a journey and an arrival that took place in the evening. The star seems to have appeared again to guide them. Unaware of local politics, they seem to have been naive to Herod’s schemes and it was necessary that they receive a warning in a dream.
Matthew 2:11-12 “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.”
Gold was a royal gift. Frankincense, from Boswellia sap makes incense, perfume and anointing oil for priests (Exodus 30:32-34). Myrrh comes from Commiphora sap, was a bitter preservative to anoint the dead. The gifts may have been prophetic and symbolic of Christ as King, High Priest and suffering Savior.
Do we have an epiphany of God during church services or do we just see the physical? Is the journey too far for us to come and worship our Savior, or is church the most important event in our week? The day star rises every Sunday morning. Where are we?
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
The Magi
Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’”
According to Friberg [1] the Magi were wise men. Louw-Nida [2] adds that they studied the stars. Herodotus [3] called them Persian priests. Eastern traditional history [4] recounts that they were eventually baptized by Thomas. They were advisors to kings who were led to Christ through their knowledge of scriptures.
[1] Friberg, Timothy, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller. Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Baker's Greek New Testament Library. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000. BibleWorks, v.3 [2] Louw-Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. United Bible Societies. 1989. [3] Herodotus 7.19, 7.37, 1.107, 1.108, 1.120, 1.128 [4] Brent Landau. Who were the Magi? 11/29/2011. biblicalarchaeology.org
Matthew 2:3-4 “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.”
The Magi came to worship Jesus. Herod felt threatened, and so plotted to kill Him. A leper, a synagogue leader, the disciples, a gentile woman and Zebedee’s wife also worshiped Jesus (Matthew 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9, 17). After all, Jesus was “God with us.”
The Prophecies
Matthew 2:5-6 “They said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
How interesting that the Bread of Life, should be born in the House of Bread, Bethlehem! The prophecy of Micah 5:2 was well-known. Matthew is here not quoting the scripture word for word, but perhaps the scribes’ rendering of the text. One description of Messiah is a shepherd ruler.
Matthew 2:7-8 “Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.’”
Ever since Constantine, the church has compromised with worldly power in fear of persecution. Power is threatened by the command to love our neighbor, feed the poor, and courageously welcome strangers. Fear of the powerful who profit from human misery, has watered down the Gospel. Christianity threatens power and greed.
The Gifts
Matthew 2:9-10 “After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
This may have been a journey and an arrival that took place in the evening. The star seems to have appeared again to guide them. Unaware of local politics, they seem to have been naive to Herod’s schemes and it was necessary that they receive a warning in a dream.
Matthew 2:11-12 “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.”
Gold was a royal gift. Frankincense, from Boswellia sap makes incense, perfume and anointing oil for priests (Exodus 30:32-34). Myrrh comes from Commiphora sap, was a bitter preservative to anoint the dead. The gifts may have been prophetic and symbolic of Christ as King, High Priest and suffering Savior.
Do we have an epiphany of God during church services or do we just see the physical? Is the journey too far for us to come and worship our Savior, or is church the most important event in our week? The day star rises every Sunday morning. Where are we?
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
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