Getting Around To It
Sometimes, we will have promised to do something, but for whatever reason (sometimes reasons of our own making, sometimes reasons beyond our control) we are delayed in accomplishing what we endeavoured to do. It is not uncommon to hear folks say at such delays, "I'm getting around to it." Friend, there are a number of things we must get around to quickly.
While in custody in Caesarea, Paul took advantage of the opportunity to speak with dignitaries about the hope which is in Christ. Among those whom he spoke to are Felix and Agrippa. As Paul "...reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, 'Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." (Acts 24:25) So far as we know, Felix's convenient time never came. He didn't get around to it.
Two years later, Paul was able to speak with King Agrippa. He spoke with him about the Lord appearing to him, and his work of preaching. He called for Agrippa to account for himself, "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." (Acts 26:27) Belief alone is not sufficient, and Agrippa knew that. His response? Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." (Acts 26:28) Agrippa's almost was not enough. He didn't get around to it.
Friend, have you heard the message of the gospel? Do you know that Jesus said, "Unless you believe that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24)? Are you aware that the Lord also commanded that we repent, strongly stating, Unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5)? But don't stop there friend, there is more. Jesus plainly taught, "...whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33) Are you willing to confess Jesus as Christ?
“Don't stop short as Felix or Agrippa did.”
One more step, and you will be added by the Lord to His church. Don't stop short as Felix or Agrippa did. Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel throughout the world. He stated, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) Baptized? But why? In Luke's parallel, Jesus states that "...repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name..." (Luke 24:47) In Luke's sequel, he recorded the message of the apostle Peter at Pentecost, "Repent, and let everyone one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) Why be baptized? When we obey this command, just as when Noah obeyed the command to build and enter the ark, God grants salvation (1 Peter 3:18-21).
What is the end result? Luke continues, "Those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:41-42, 47).
Friend, why procrastinate? Why not obey the Lord, even today? Don't plan to get around to it, do it, and do it even now. And just in case you are planning to wait until you can get around to it, look in the upper left corner - there is your very own "Round TOIT".
Article Navigation:
Answering The Atheist
The Atheist's Complaint:
When was Jesus born? Was it before 4 BCE* (Matthew 2:1; Luke 1:5), or after 6 CE** (Luke 2:1)? Is there a contradiction?
Response:
If the dates supplied by wikipedia are valid (below) are valid (and they are generally accepted), then certainly there is a problem if the Scriptures tell us that Jesus was born during the latter years of the reign of Herod, and in the reign of Cyrenius as governor of Iudaea. The question is, do the Scriptures say such?
Certainly, a reading of the English text appears to produce a contradiction. We read:
- "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem." (Matthew 2:1)
- "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth." (Luke 1:5)
- "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria." (Luke 2:1-2)
The text which is called into question is Luke 2:2. If Jesus was born in the days of Herod (who presumably died in 4 BC), then how could Quirinius be governing Syria (who presumably began his reign in 6 AD)?
The trouble is in the English translation of the text, not in the text itself. Keep in mind that the New Testament was written in Greek, not English. Since the translators were not inspired, there is the potential for erroneous translations. Should the Greek word protos have been translated "first" in this text?
The word can be translated "before" or "former" (ie. John 1:15, 30; Acts 1:1; Revelation 21:4). If it were so translated in Luke 2:2, we would read literally:
This is census took place before Quirinius was governing Syria."
Such a translation is true to the meaning of the Greek word, and in no way contradictions other details provided by Luke or any other New Testament writer, or the record of history.
There is no contradiction.
* wikipedia.org lists Herod the Great as living from 73-4 BC
** wikipedia.org indicates that Quirinius (Cyrenius) did not become governor over Iudaea until 6 AD
This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.