Category: New Testament

Acts 26:24 (KJV)
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

Interestingly, Festus said of Paul, “much learning doth make thee mad.” I am often accused of being “unlearned”^[1]because of my position on the doctrines of Christ. I find in Paul’s defenses three responses:

Felix trembled^[2]
It is unfortunate that he did not come to Christ.

Festus shouted
He thought the doctrines of Christ and His resurrection were ludicrous, insane.

Agrippa waffled
Paul looked into this man’s eyes and pleaded for him to trust. Agrippa replied, “Almost.”

But 

• Almost is not good enough
• Conviction is not far enough

Faith is the key that opens the door to saving grace.

---

^[1] I’m in good company. Acts 4:13 (KJV)
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

^[2] Acts 24:25 (KJV)
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
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Acts 26:24 The Key to Saving Grace

Acts 22:1 (KJV)
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

Rhetoric
“the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.”^[1]

The Apostle was well-trained even before his salvation and calling. He was also highly experienced by this time, having spent years in public preaching. While he was unsuccessful in persuading this audience (there are significant lessons to be learned even from that observation), he was nonetheless masterful in his presentation.

Men, brethren, and fathers
My understanding is that this was a traditional opening meant to express respect.

Men,
General audience. All who would hear.

Brethren
Of the same family, sentiments, and background.

Fathers
Leaders, elders, counselors, and teachers.

This opening could be thought of individually or corporately. He was one of them, respected them, and appealed to their reason and emotions.

We do not have to be obnoxious in our appeals. Neither do we have to be dripping with false affections. We can: 

• Identify with our audience, 
• Give them proper respect, and 
• Deliver doctrinal truth to which they may choose their own responses

---

^[1]https://www.google.com/search?q=rhetoric&oq=rhetoric&aqs=chrome..69i57.4870j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 22:1 The Art of Effective Persuasion

Acts 21:9 (KJV)
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Nearing the end of Paul’s ministry, at least as a free man, he arrived in Caesarea to lodge with Philip. What a time this must have been. Philip was saved and serving the Lord much sooner than Paul. Philip was one of the seven original deacons, of whom was Stephen, whom Paul had his hand in his martyrdom.

Philip had gone on to serve as an evangelist in the city of Caesarea. The Bible says he had four daughters, “which did prophecy.” I believe some groups make this out to be something entirely unnecessary. Adam Clarke writes, “Probably these were no more than teachers in the Church: for we have already seen that this is a frequent meaning of the word prophesy; and this is undoubtedly one thing intended by the prophecy of Joel, quoted Acts 2:17-18 of this book. If Philip’s daughters might be prophetesses, why not teachers?”

I would challenge his phrase, “no more than teachers,” because there is little more valuable than those who study and teach the Word of God. It requires a heart, a dedication, and a spiritual discernment. Few attain it. Many, if not most, are content to be the served rather than the servants. Would to God we had more men and women who were: sold out to God, stable in their church membership, willing and gifted to serve.

But I do get his gist. He calls them “no more than servants,” in contrast to the wild-eyed definitions of the prophets we often find among the Pentecostal and Charismatic sects of Christians.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 21:9 No More Than Teachers?

Acts 20:38 (KJV)
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Acts 20:17-34 is perhaps the best summary of scriptural ministry we’ll find in the Word of God. Interestingly, Paul summoned the elders of Ephesus to hear this. These were certainly not the only believers, and maybe not the ones he was closest to. But Ephesus was where he invested the longest part of his time.

I get what’s going on now more than any time in my life. I’m beginning to sense the close of my years, and though some insist I am still young and have many years ahead of me, I know my time is shorter now than it used to be. Mortality is setting in.

• I am thankful for what the Lord has allowed me to be a part of
• I am hopeful for the Lord’s soon return
• I am happy for those God has called to carry on

At the same time

• I am mindful of the trials I experienced and
• I am cautious for those who will turn away from the truth

I can’t say how much more time I have to invest in the ministry. If God gives me even another 15 years, I know they will fly away.

I want to be free from the blood of all men, having, by the grace of God, served Him in all good conscience.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 20:38 A Scriptural Ministry

Acts 18:12 (KJV)
And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

Paul had “assuredly gathered”^[1] that God sent him west into Greece and the Western World. Looking back in time, we can see the impact of the Macedonian call and Paul’s obedience to it. But it was no easy walk. Paul and his team experienced persecution, mockery, and oppression in virtually every city they preached the Gospel.

• In some places, they were forced out of town
• In some places, they were beaten and jailed
• In some places, they were laughed at and mocked
• In some places, riots broke out as a result

But they were exactly where God called them to be.

A man can never fail when he is where God places him. His successes may not be what worldliness is attracted to, but they will yield an eternal fruit that is better far than anything offered on earth.

---

^[1] Acts 16:10 (KJV)
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 18:12 This Man Can Never Fail

Acts 17:16 (KJV)
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

While waiting, he could not wait.

The Apostle had gone to Athens under pressure. The Jews of Thessalonica had chased him down in Berea and forced his evacuation. Having arrived in Athena, he called for Silas and Timothy to meet him there. While he waited, the Apostle became stirred for souls in Athens and began preaching.

Sometimes, we might find ourselves in what we might call a holding pattern. Perhaps we are it sure what our next step will be. We may be waiting on the Lord for our new assignment. But waiting is never an excuse for idleness, and I would suggest a sure sign of the Spirit of God working through a person is that he is easily stirred to ministry.

We need not wait while we wait. There will always be something to do for God. We do not have to find a new place, a fresh call. All we need to do is what we can for Christ. God will do all the rest.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 17:16 He Could Not Wait

Acts 16:18 (KJV)
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

I by no means wish to cast aspersion upon the Apostle; I only desire to make applications based on my personal ministry observations.

The Bible says that the damsel possessed followed Paul and distracted his ministry with her “cries” for many days. The Bible further says that after many days Paul, being grieved, turned, and commanded the spirit to come out of her. Perhaps it took these many days before the Holy Spirit gave Paul liberty to give this command. I do not know. What I do know is that for many days

• The evil spirit continued to possess the damsel and to vex the ministry of Paul
• Paul was forced to persist in his ministry, dealing with this evil spirit’s pressure and grief.
• Those Paul preached to were subjected to the harassment of the evil spirit

Had Paul turned and commanded the spirit to come out of her the first day

• The damsel would have been free sooner
• Paul would have less stress sooner
• His audience would have been protected more quickly

Why he waited many days is a mystery. The Bible does not say, and I would not question Apostle Paul. I do know that in the years I’ve been in the ministry, I have, too many times, waited longer to confront an evil than I think I should have.

Seldom do those I need to confront turn on their own. Very often, the problems I had hoped to avoid by waiting happens nonetheless.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 16:18 Why He Waited?

Acts 14:2 (KJV)
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

I believe Christians have lived in such a high reputation in America that we have lost the reality of the Word of God.

Unbelieving people have always sought to make the minds of the world around us “evil affected against the brethren.”^[1] In Ezra 8:31, there were those who “lay wait by the way.”^[2]

Again, the reality is that, since we are men of like passions, those who lay wait will find something about us with which to stir up others and make their minds evil affected against us. Often, what they find will be, at least in part, true.

Peter taught us 1 Peter 4:15-16 (KJV)
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Indeed, we must not be careless with our testimony. But, neither ought we to be excessively concerned with the twisted accusations of evil minds.

---

^[1] For those who might offer the rebuttal that our accusers are also Christians, remember that many of those who accused Ezra and Nehemiah claimed to also be fellow worshipers.

^[2] Ezra 8:31 (KJV)
Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 14:2 The Twisted Accusations of Evil Minds

Acts 11:29 (KJV)
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

I understand that there were at least four dearths, or famines, that happened during the reign of Claudius Caesar. The fourth one hit Judea especially and was of such pain that Queen Helena of Adiabene, Northern Assyria, purchased large quantities of food from Alexandria and Cyprus to offer relief of the suffering. At the same time that she was doing this, the Christians in Antioch and the very young churches nearby, determined to send relief themselves, which they did, every man according to his ability.

I am reminded of many of the great natural disasters we’ve seen in recent years. Katrina comes to mind, but even more recently, there was a tornado in Shawnee, OK. Whenever these natural disasters happen, state and federal aid comes quickly.

• Food and water are rushed in
• Shelters are erected
• Electrical and other utility crews come from across the country

At the same time, Christians become involved.

A church in Shawnee resulted from the efforts of Christians attempting to minister to the physical needs of those impacted. Christians, not willing to leave the fate of others in the hands of the “Queen Helena’s” of the world, also determine to do what they can.

• Physical needs are met
• Financial needs are met and, as a result, very often
• Spiritual and eternal needs are met

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 11:29 Sending Relief

Acts 9:10 (KJV)
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

As important as a good name is, it is not everything.

As far as I can tell, there are three men in the Bible named Ananias.

• One, with his wife Sapphira, lied to the Holy Ghost and gave up the ghost^[1]
• One was the high priest who prosecuted Apostle Paul^[2]

This one was a devout believer who witnessed to, and baptized Saul of Tarsus.

I am happy that the Word of God tells us we stand before God on our own merits (our foundation being Christ). We are not judged for the sins of our parents or our children. It is ours alone to know the Lord and to walk with Him.

Ezekiel teaches us that our name in the past isn’t even the chief concern. A testimony is created in real-time, present day. What happened yesterday is old news so far as God is concerned.

• Today is the time of salvation^[3]
• Today harden not your heart^[4]
• Serve the Lord while it is today^[5]

God knows you and me for who we are, not for whose name we might bear.

---

^[1] Acts 5:1 (KJV)
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

^[2] Acts 23:2 (KJV)
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

^[3] 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

^[4] Hebrews 3:15 (KJV)
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

^[5] Hebrews 3:13 (KJV)
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Acts 9:10 Your Name is Not Everything