When an Armor becomes a Straightjacket

"The culture is put on as though it were armor against self-doubt, but it becomes a mental straitjacket which cleaves to the flesh and can never be removed except through comprehensive faith in the saving work of Christ."  Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of the Spiritual Life.

Jesus’s teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people

"Jesus's teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day. However, in the main, our churches today do not have this effect. The kind of outsiders Jesus attracted are not attracted to contemporary churches, even our most avant-garde ones. We tend to draw conservative, buttoned-down, moralistic people. The licentious and liberated or the broken and marginal avoid church. That can only mean one thing. If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did." Tim Keller, The Prodigal God.

Can do you Learn, Unlearn and Relearn from the "Inerrant and Infallible" Bible?

Learn, Unlearn, Relearn.

• The "conservative" Pharisees likely believed that Moses, their Torah and the Prophets (the OT) were inerrant and infallible. It so framed and fixed their thoughts, consciousness and even their unconsciousness that it could never be changed for any reason, even upon seeing supernatural miracles. In order to learn they needed to unlearn and relearn their very own Scriptures.

Inerrancy and infallibility both refer to the idea that the Bible is without error. However, inerrancy emphasizes the accuracy of the Bible in all matters, including history and science, while infallibility emphasizes the Bible's reliability in matters of faith and doctrine.

"Inerrant" means there are no errors, while "infallible" means there can be no errors. For example, "inerrancy" refers to the belief that the Bible is free from error in matters of science and faith. "Infallibility" can refer to the more limited view that the Bible is without error in conveying God's self-revelation to humanity.

Some authors use "inerrancy" and "infallibility" interchangeably. Others say that "infallibility" says less than "inerrancy".

"Biblical inerrancy" is the belief that the Bible is without error or fault in its teachings. It implies that the Bible contains no material errors or internal contradictions in the original writings, and that it is completely trustworthy and accurate in all of its teachings and historical accounts. The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy says that the Bible speaks with "infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches" and that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact.

Some equate inerrancy with biblical infallibility, while others do not. One definition of biblical infallibility is that the Bible makes no false or misleading statements on any topic.

• "Conservative Christians" emphasize holiness often without unity with "sinners and tax collectors," while "Liberal Christians" emphasize unity with everyone [except those they disagree with!] often without holiness. But Christ emphasized both holiness and unity and both "conservatives" and "liberals" crucified Him.
• "Conservative Christians" emphasize holiness without unity, while "Liberal Christians" emphasize unity without holiness. But Christ emphasized holiness and unity and both "conservatives" and "liberals" crucified Him.
• Conservatives stress holiness without unity. Liberals stress unity without holiness. But Christ stressed holiness and unity and both conservatives and liberals crucified Him.
• Conservatives stress holiness not unity. Liberals stress unity not holiness. Christ stressed holiness AND unity and conservatives and liberals crucified Him.
• Conservatives stress holiness, not unity. Liberals stress unity, not holiness. Christ stressed BOTH unity AND holiness and we collectively crucified him.

Learning Requires Unlearning

This profound quote explains why we Christians might get severely stuck, but the quote may be quite uncomfortable, unnerving, disconcerting and disagreeable to some (Disciples are learners and learning requires unleaning):

"In the NT the disciples of Jesus are called "learners" (matheiteis). A disciple can therefore never leave learning behind, and consequently can also never leave unlearning behind. No one can learn, who is not prepared to unlearn. (Learning) is gained only by those who break out of boundaries that have been set, who venture out of fixed paths into the unknown, and who do not let their heart and head be stunted by routine. ...only by what we can unlearn do we show whether and to what extent we are capable of learning." Alan Hirsh.

Theme of Salvation: Acts 1-28

"For my eyes have seen your salvation" (Lk 2:30). "...which you have prepared in the sight of all people: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel" (Lk 2:31-32).

• Salvation is [entirely] what God does for you + [it is expressed by] what you do [i.e. how you live] that reflects your salvation (Phil 2:12-13).
• Salvation is not "going to heaven after you die," but it is your life while you are still alive existentially speaking.
• Salvation in Scripture is communicated not just for the individual but for the entire community/nation (Exo 19:5-6).

Acts 1:1-26. Witnessing Christ Saves You and the World (Ac 1:8). The world mission mandate. Continue what Jesus began.

Acts 2:1-47. The Holy Spirit Saves You (Ac 2:38). Pentecost. The power of Pentecost, of Preaching, of Prayer.

Acts 3:1-26. God's Refreshing Saves You (Ac 3:19). Healing a lame beggar.

Acts 4:1-37. Courage in Christ Saves You (Ac 4:12-13). Before the Sanhedrin.

Acts 5:1-42. Obeying God Saves You. (Ac 5:29). Living Your New Life Saves You (Ac 5:20).

Acts 6:1-15. Attending to Prayer and the Word Saves You (Ac 6:4). Hellenistic and Hebraic Jewish widows dispute.

Acts 7:1-60. Forgiving Others Saves You (Ac 7:60). Stephen's martyrdom. Martyrdom and legacy.

Acts 8:1-40. Scripture Saves You (Ac 8:35). The Ethiopian eunuch.

Acts 9:1-43. Conversion Saves You (Ac 9:15-16). Paul's conversion. The greatest conversion in history.

Acts 10:1-48. Believing in Jesus' Name Saves You (Ac 10:43). Cornelius.

Acts 11:1-30. Being a Christian Saves You (Ac 11:26). The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Acts 12:1-24. The Lord's Angel Saves You (Ac 12:11). Jerusalem. James was martyred, but Peter was rescued.

Acts 13:1-52. Forgiveness Saves You (Ac 13:38). Pisidian Antioch.  "...through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you."

Acts 14:1-28. Hardships Saves You (Ac 14:22). [To Enter the Kingdom of God].

Acts 15:1-40. Grace Saves You (Ac 15:11). Jerusalem. [Grace Alone Saves, The Way to be Saved is by Grace].

Acts 16:1-40. Faith Saves You (Ac 16:31). Philippi. [Believe and Be Saved]. How does faith express itself?

Acts 17:1-34. Reason Saves You (Ac 17:2-3). Thessalonica, Berea, Athens. Examining Scripture/The Creator saves you (17:11, 24-25).

Acts 18:1-28. Preaching Saves You. Corinth. Keep on speaking (Ac 18:9).

Acts 19:1-41. Daily Bible Study Saves You. Ephesus. [2 Years of Daily Discussions (Ac 19:9)].

Acts 20:1-38. A Profligate Prodigal Life Saves You (Ac 20:35). Miletus. Ephesian elders. 6/11/23.

Acts 21:1-40. Dying for Jesus Saves You (Ac 21:13). Caesarea. Arrival in Jerusalem. 6/18/23.

Acts 22:1-30. Telling Your Story Saves You (Ac 22:15). Jerusalem. Defense speech to the Jewish people. 6/25/23.

Acts 23:1-35. God's Nearness Saves you (Ac 23:11). Before the Sanhedrin. The plot to kill Paul. 7/2/23.

Acts 24:1-27. A Clear Conscience Saves You (Ac 24:16). Caesarea. Felix. Wadas. 7/9/23.

Acts 25:1-27. Not Doing Wrong Saves You (Ac 25:8, 11). Festus. 7/16/23.

Acts 26:1-32. Obeying God's Calling Saves You (Ac 26:19). Paul makes his defence to Jewish King Agrippa. 7/16/23.

Acts 27:1-44. A Hero's Journey Saves You (Ac 27:23-24). 7/23/23.

Acts 28:1-31. Teaching the Bible Saves You (Ac 28:30-31). 7/30/23.

Chronological Study of Paul's Ministry. Dates and places when the epistles were written.

• AD 33/34: Paul's conversion (Acts 9).
  
• AD 36: Paul's 1st Jerusalem visit (Gal 1:18).
• AD 44: Herod Agrippa 1 died (Ac 12:23).
• AD 46: Paul's arrival at Antioch (Ac 11:25-26).
• AD 46: famine (Ac 11:27-30).
• AD 47: Paul's 2nd Jerusalem visit.
• AD 48: 1st M. journey (Acts 13-14). 4-10 months. Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe.
• AD 48: From Antioch, before the Jerusalem council, Paul wrote Galatians.
• AD 48/49: Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).
• AD 49: 2nd M. journey (Acts 16-18). Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth.
• AD 49-51: From Corinth, Paul wrote 1,2 Thessalonians. AD 49-Claudius expelled Jews (Ac 18:2). AD 51-52-Gallo proconsul (Ac 18:11-12).
• AD 51: Paul returned to Antioch (Ac 18:22).
• AD 52: 3rd M. journey (Acts 19-21). Ephesus. Macedonia [Philippi]. Greece/Achaia [Corinth].
• AD 53/54: From Ephesus, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians.
• AD 54: From Macedonia, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians.
• AD 54/55: From Corinth (Ac 20:2-3), Paul wrote Romans.
• AD 55: Arrival in Jerusalem (Acts 21). Transferred to Caesarea (Acts 23). In prison for 2 years (Ac 24:27). Felix was governor from AD 52-59, when Festus succeeded him. [?Luke/Acts written during Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea.]
• AD 57: Sailing to Italy (Ac 27:1-2).
• AD 58: Arrival in Rome. In prison for 2 years (Ac 28:30). AD 60-62 or 58-60.
• From Rome (AD 60s), Paul wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colosians, Philemon [1st imprisonment], 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy [2nd imprisonment].
• AD 64: Paul martyred.

Estimated that Paul travelled 13,400 mi. [in a straight line on a map, so much more. NY-SF 2,565 mi; S'pore-Chgo 9,358 mi]

Paul did not measure his life by comfort or convenience, safety or security. He takes risks, which puts others at risk, and appears reckless/irresponsible.

The Holy Spirit is mentioned 42x in Acts.

1. AD 47-50: 1st missionary journey (Acts 13–14)
2. AD 50-53: 2nd missionary journey (Acts 15:36–18:22)
3. AD 53-57: 3rd missionary journey (Acts 18:23–21:15)
4. AD 57-62: Imprisonment in Caesarea and Rome (Acts 21:16–28:31)
5. AD 62-65: Through second Roman imprisonment

Acts 14:1-28. Hardships Saves You (Ac 14:22). [To Enter the Kingdom of God].

1. God has been so kind to you (Ac 14:17).
2. Hardships strengthen your faith  (Ac 14:22a).
3. Our home is the kingdom of God (Ac 14:22b).

Acts 15:1-40. Grace Saves You (Ac 15:11). [Grace Alone Saves, The Way to be Saved is by Grace].

1. Grace negates the law [circumcision] for salvation (Ac 15:1, 5; Gal 5:6; 6:15).
2. Grace is all that is needed for salvation (Ac 15:11; Eph 2:8-9; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 3:5).
3. Grace is not burdensome (Ac 15:11, 24, 28), but has obligations (Ac 15:20, 29; 14:22).

The Application of Grace

1. The primacy of grace is God (Rom 1:1b; Eph 2:8-9).
2. The power of grace is transformative (Tit 2:11-12).
3. The perseverance of grace is secure (Rom 8:38-39).
4. The price of grace is costly (1 Pet 1:18-19).

Acts 16:1-40. Faith Saves You (Ac 16:31) [Believe and Be Saved]. How does faith express itself?

1. Faith rejects/accepts Mark (15:36-40),
2. Faith circumcises Timothy [Lystra] (16:1-5).
3. Faith submits/is sensitive to the Holy Spirit's redirection [Troas] (6-10). God guides.
4. Faith responds to the gospel [Philippi] (11-15). God saves.
5. Faith drives out demons (16-18). God frees people from the power of demons.
6. Faith causes an uproar (19-21).
7. Faith sings after flogging (22-25).
8. Faith saves families (26-34; 35-40).

Acts 17:1-34. The Creator Saves You (Ac 17:24-25). [Preaching to the Religious and the Unchurched. Mission Saves You and Others]. How do you live a life of mission?

1. Reason from the Scriptures/Bible [Thessalonica] (Ac 17:3, 1-9).
2. Examine the Scriptures every day [Berea] (Ac 17:11, 10-15). Analyze. Memorize. Personalize. [Recall, Repeat, Remember, Reflect, Repent.]
3. Preaching Scripture without using Scripture [Athens] (Ac 17:24-25, 28, 16-34).

• Use your mind and your reason, even your feelings, but know that it is not full proof and requires help from God and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 18:1-28. Preaching Saves You [Keep on Speaking (Ac 18:9)]. Keep on speaking [Corinth]:

1. Always reasoning, persuading, preaching, testifying, speaking (1-11): What Paul is doing continually (Ac 17:3).
2. Expect opposition, jealousy, violence, ridicule, misunderstanding (Ac 18:6; 13:8, 45, 50; 14:2, 5, 19; 16:19-24; 17:5, 13, 18, 20, 32).
3. Encouragement needed:
   1. From God (Ac 18:9-11).
      
   2. From outsiders occasionally (12-17): Charges against Paul dismissed by Gallio's speech.
      
   3. From strategizing (18-23): Paul leaves Corinth, leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and returns to Syria.
      
   4. From co-workers, colleagues and comrades (24-28): Priscilla and Aquila explain to Apollos more about Jesus.
      

Acts 19:1-41. Daily Bible Study Saves You [2 Years of Daily Discussions (Ac 19:9)].

Acts 20:1-38. Working Hard to Help the Weak Saves You (Ac 20:35).

Acts 21:1-40. Dying for Jesus Saves You (Ac 21:13).

Acts 22:1-30. 

Acts 23:1-35.

Acts 24:1-27.

Acts 25:1-27.

Acts 26:1-32.

Acts 27:1-44.

Acts 28:1-31.