What does it mean that the “letter killeth”? The biblical reference is to 2 Corinthians 3:6, which reads, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (KJV). The NKJV reads similarly with “who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Scripture in this context contrasts the Old Law of Judaism with the New Law of Christianity—the Gospel of Christ. But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) The New Testament or Gospel of Christ is superior to the Old Testament Law of Judaism, which has passed away (Romans 7:6-7; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14). Since the Old Testament Law had no provision for the complete forgiveness of sins, it could only condemn in as much as …

But when the Pharisee heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher which is the great commandment in the law?” And he said to him “You shall love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:34-40) The Pharisees were intent on tangling Jesus in His own words. When the young lawyer was confronting Jesus about the greatest commandment, he did not want the truth. Instead, he wanted to make our Lord stumble in His own teachings. When Jesus was found in the Temple engaging the learned men of His time, He was not just a child jabbering about things beyond His understanding. He was teaching them that the Lord God of Israel was one God. This was the theme of His entire ministry. He taught that God the Father should be the primary love and devotion of all men for all times. Secondly, man should look to his neighbor with the love and concern that he desires for himself—“love your neighbor as yourself.” Loving our neighbors is to realize that our neighbors are as we were at one time—lost, without God and without hope in this world and in the next.  Just as someone …

Most of us understand that words convey thoughts, everyday communications, instructions, etc. The words we use may not mean the same for all people. Understandable words can be misunderstood. Do we all understand alike what love is? I would suggest the most common definition of love is “a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person; a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child or friend” (Dictionary.com). However, we know that a man can beat his wife and children, harming the ones he loves. Many times, people are murdered because of a twisted understanding of love. Usually broken homes, because of divorce, are the results of broken foundations. The basic foundation for the home is love. There is no foundation more solid and more enduring, more tolerant and forgiving than love. Love emanates from God. Since God is the founder of the home, what could be more appropriate, more meaningful and more purposeful than to say that home and love are as inseparable as God and love are inseparable. Home without love is like God without love! (Howard 92) Love is a prominent topic, especially in the New Testament portion of the Bible. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, …

Psalms 42, 48, 55 and 73 point out King David’s pondering of the question of where God is. He cited many problems created by the wicked for him. Yet, in each of these situations where God was not personally present working a miracle in his life, he cited the Lord’s continued loving kindness, righteousness and trust. What was God doing during this time of sorrow in David’s life? The answer comes in Psalm 73:17. David noted that he suffered pain at the thought of the profits of the wicked and the Lord’s seeming absence until he went into the sanctuary of God. There God’s Word was being read, and David said he understood the wicked are set in slippery places. They would slip up, be cast down and suffer for their sinful ways. King David had not left the Lord to curse him, to leave his righteous ways or to deny his trust during the time of sorrow. Instead, he understood God’s work on the wicked when he went into the sanctuary of God. As we enter worship and have a part of God’s Word taught to us, we may come to understand that God still cares for us despite what may befall us. Do we wish to be on a slippery slope as are the wicked around us, or do you and I prefer to abide inside God’s teaching and enjoy His blessings?

Matthew 14, Mark 4 and Luke 8 provide three accounts of the same parable. Matthew and Mark’s accounts are labeled as parables of the sower for the productive seed, the Word of God, falls on good soil and produces some 30, some 60 and some 100-fold. There is a difference in Luke’s account; the productive seed falls on the good soil, which represents good and honest hearts. With patience, the seed bears fruit. The evangelist’s heart must be right. Speaking ability is great, but without God’s love it reminds us of the clanging of a hammer on metal. Others will really never care how much we know until they know how much we care. God loved lost souls and showed how much He loved them (John 3:16). Jesus also loved lost souls and showed how much He loved them (John 10:15). He could have called twelve legions of angels to protect him (Matthew 26:53), but He gave His life while we were yet sinners (Romans 5). Our Lord endured the suffering and the shame of the cross for us (Matthew 27:32-44). He loved us so much that He was willing to take our sin upon Himself, even though because of that, God would forsake Him (Matthew 27:46). The apostles loved lost souls and went everywhere preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. James, the brother of John, was killed with the sword because he preached the Gospel (Acts 12:1-2). Peter was thrown into prison (Acts 12:3-5), and John was exiled to the …

The apostle Paul was in a Roman prison when he wrote the letter of Second Timothy to his “son in the faith,” Timothy. This is the last recorded letter Paul ever wrote. In 2 Timothy 4:9, 21, there are two statements made by Paul that greatly encouraged the younger evangelist to make every effort possible to come see him before it was too late. Paul wrote, “be diligent to come to me quickly” (v. 9) and “Do your utmost to come before winter…” (v. 12). There are two reasons implied in these statements for Timothy to make every effort to go to Paul as soon as possible. One is that winter would not be the time to travel by boat. The wintry storms made it very dangerous to travel on the seas. Paul had experienced shipwreck during that season of the year (Acts 27). No doubt, the most important reason for Timothy to make haste to come to him as quickly as possible is found in the words of Paul in verses 6-8. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.” Should Timothy tarry too long, it would be too late to see Paul alive for his “departure” was at hand, that, his death was imminent. In life, there are words we need to express and actions we should take before it is too late, that is, we should do them before “winter” comes. Husbands and wives should …

Especially noteworthy Bible characters introduced after Noah are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These men are often known as the Patriarchs, the fathers of the Israelite people. Abraham in particular deserves special attention. The Patriarchs are important because they are the ones who received the promises of inheriting the Promised Land, of numerous descendants and the ones through whom all nations of the world would be blessed. What is even more momentous about these men receiving these promises is when they received them. These covenants were made before the Law was given. The reason this is so significant is because it demonstrates what can and does happen apart from the law (Romans 4). Of all the many things that could be discussed about the Patriarchs, there is one more thing I want to mention here. All three had multiple sons, but not every son received the same blessings. Abraham had Ishmael, Isaac and 6 more sons by Keturah, but only Isaac received the promises. Isaac had Esau and Jacob, but only Jacob received the promises. Bloodlines mattered for the purpose of bringing the Messiah into the world, but now that the Messiah has come, the only bloodline that matters is spiritual (Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 9:6). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NKJV).

I like the account in Genesis 2:18-22. And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. One has to wonder, did God not know that Adam was alone? Did God think just making one human was enough, only to realize that He needed to create two? Well, of course God doesn’t make mistakes. Adam needed to understand the value of another creation like him. After naming the animals, Adam noticed that he was alone; this made the creation of Eve all the more special to him. God has never expected His people to be alone. Naturally, this is the case with marriage, but the same is true in …

As the basis of this article, let us introduce two passages of Scripture. First, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (Psalms 142:4). David’s enemies were on every hand, and there seemed to be no one who really cared about him. Second, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). The apostle Peter gave comfort and solace to those who were undergoing severe persecution by telling them of One who cares. The chasm dividing these two attitudes is almost unfathomable. How many times in our lives have we been disappointed by the lack of interest in us that others have expressed. When we needed comfort, understanding or just needed to have someone close by to whom we could turn, their attitude of “us four and no more” crushed us. We think of the prodigal in the “far country” who, before wasting his substance in riotous living, was surrounded by many fair-weather friends. However, when he had “spent all…no man gave unto him” (Luke 15:11-16). We stand with the prophet Jeremiah as he observed the misery and degradation of the inhabitants of his beloved city Jerusalem. The enemies were at the gates; the hunger was so severe that “the hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people” (Lamentations 4:10). Amidst this …

 “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men’” (Mark 1:16). Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He spied a man and his brother. Their names were Simon and Andrew. They followed John the Baptist when he was preaching in Judea, and one of them, Andrew, was present the day following Jesus’ baptism when John declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” When Andrew heard John say this, he went and found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. They listened to Jesus teach, and they became obedient to that teaching. That day Simon and Andrew were working with their father. Their current task was mending the nets for the fishing boat. Fishing was their livelihood. This was their occupation—their trade. Some men, it might be said, live to fish. Simon and Andrew fished to live. Jesus came to them and said, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They immediately left their father’s nets behind and followed Him. There are many important lessons we can learn from this, but following are two. When Jesus Calls,You Have to Choose. Jesus did not leave a third alternative. Simon and Andrew had to choose either to stay or to follow Him. They made the best choice. They chose their Teacher. Their determination that …

Many proclaim they love Jesus. How many really do will be determined by the Righteous Judge at the Last Day (2 Timothy 4:8). Those who “love His appearing” will be those who have been prepared according to Jesus’ terms. Those terms are revealed; they are not secret. The revealed words of Christ will be the standard of judgment in the Last Day (John 12:48). These words include those revealed to the apostles and the prophets by the Spirit poured out after Jesus’ Ascension (John 16:13; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 3:5; Hebrews 1:1-3). There is no guessing as to what is required of us. Of course, one may prefer to guess (I speak sarcastically). Many people appear to so prefer. There is an attitude in the world of Christendom that emphasizes love, but that love is redefined in terms of a postmodern world. Postmodern—some say post-Christian—societies emphasize the equality of all belief systems. There is no truth in this worldview (except, of course, the doctrine-devastating irony that “the truth is that there is no truth”). Love is defined as full acceptance and endorsement of all worldviews. This worldly philosophy spills over into the mindset of the Christian who desires minimal friction with the world. Just love. Don’t study on disagreements. Don’t aim to “speak the same thing” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Just love. Love Jesus, and love people. That is all you need. This is the Postmodernism absolute doctrine. However, the Savior of the world defined love. “If you love Me, keep My …

“Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Parents normally prefer to discipline their children immediately. This teaches a child the principle of consequence. Yet, God chooses to allow the sinner to go unpunished. By doing this, Solomon noted that men are more likely to sin again and to sin more often. This being the case, why does God work this way? Peter said, “God is patient, not wanting any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Paul noted that “God desires all men to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). We are fortunate that God doesn’t immediately punish. If He did, we would not have the time to repent. Neither would we have the time to serve Him. The fact is, the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Solomon noted that most men, when given more time, are simply given more opportunity to sin. However, for those who have a heart for God, time is a gift. With that time, necessary corrections can be made (Romans 2:4). Yet, know this: “it will be well for those who fear God” (Ecclesiastes 8:12), but “it will not be well for the evil man“ (Ecclesiastes 8:13).

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). When a person becomes a Christian, he receives a calling that is higher than anything else in this world. Our calling is the Gospel message (2 Thessalonians 2:14), which is more excellent than anything we have ever seen, heard or on which we have set our hearts (1 Corinthians 2:9). God’s calling is for each of us. For while the calling is for all (Acts 2:39), it was prepared by God specifically for you (Romans 8:28-30). Before God made this world, He had you in mind (Ephesians 1:4-6). Before God ever said, “Let there be light,” He had a plan for you. He planned to call you! God’s calling is to moral excellence. We are called to live on a higher plane—to live like godly people. Second Peter 1:3 says we were called to God’s glory and excellence. Our new life as Christians is devoted to living in God’s moral virtue and in His perfection (Matthew 5:48). God’s calling is to an excellent life. The life of a Christian is not the life of a person of the world. We live by a different standard. “Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, whatever things that are excellent…” (Philippians 4:8). A Christian’s life should not include or even encourage those things that are sinful. Those include sexual immorality, …

A man walks into the doctor’s office for his annual checkup thinking that he is in exceptional health. He eats a well-balanced diet, exercises, gets plenty of rest and is very conscientious when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. To his surprise, the doctor gives him some unfortunate news regarding his health. He has a problem with his heart and will need immediate surgery. The surgery goes well, and the man begins his recovery. Now more than ever, this man pays special attention to the kind of care he gives to his heart. This man knows that to the body the heart is an essential muscle needed for life. If the heart is not functioning correctly, then the whole body is affected. Any person that desires to be healthy needs to pay special attention to his or her heart, especially if there is a known problem with the heart. Just like having a good heart is essential for physical health, it is also essential to be pleasing to God. In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel was sent out by God to anoint the king who was to rule after Saul. Samuel was sent to Bethlehem to anoint the king from among the sons of Jesse. The older sons of Jesse passed before Samuel, and he was sure one of these men would be the next king. However, God saw something different in these men. God saw their hearts and would not appoint any of the older sons as king. Then, …

Acts 8:36 (KJV) reads, “As they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Going back to the beginning of the account (Acts 8:26), where was baptism mentioned? Which one of them said anything about baptism? Well, actually it was verse 35. Verse 35 says that Philip “began at the same scripture [Isaiah 53] and preached unto him Jesus.” Friend, you cannot separate baptism from the teaching of Jesus, as denominational preachers do today. Baptism is part of the teaching of Jesus. Jesus went to the cross where He died and shed His blood to take away our sins, but baptism is the means by which we contact that blood. Jesus shed His blood in His death (John 19:33-34), and we imitate the death of Christ through baptism (Romans 6:1-5). In answer to his question, “What doth hinder me to be baptized” (v. 36), Philip told the eunuch, “…If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest” (v. 37). The only thing keeping this man from obeying God in baptism was the confession of his belief in Christ Jesus. “And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (v. 37). So, what happened? Verse 38 tells us that the eunuch “commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” The question of this …

What do we think when we hear the word “restoration”? Old furniture? Antique cars? Simply put, restoration is bringing something back to its original condition. Spiritually, whenever there is a departure from God’s will, there stands a need for restoration. Sometimes, even people need restoration. Humanity was created to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Corinthians 10:31), but “all have sinned” and have fallen short of that glory (Romans 3:23). From the first sin (Genesis 3:6), accountable human beings have needed restoration. The fulfillment of this need began very shortly after the first sin. It was in the promised “seed of woman” (Genesis 3:15). The remainder of the Old Testament shows the coming answer to real restoration. The New Testament reveals the reality of that answer. Thanks be to God who provided His image-bearer, mankind (Genesis 1:26-27), with a way to be restored (John 3:16). Jesus Christ is the one who “washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). Thus, Jesus Christ is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). For restoration to be a reality, the Word of God must take precedence (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Restoration can only occur when the Bible is learned, respected and applied. When the right attitude is present along with a proper understanding of God’s Word, restoration will take place (Acts 8:30-31; 10:33). May we all “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6), taking advantage of the opportunities we have to hear God’s Word. Let …

A column appeared in Mad Magazine in 1970. It was a satirical treatment of a politician making a speech against his opponent, thought to be uncomplimentary, but it was actually quite complimentary. Of course, those unfamiliar with the terms used in it would perhaps not recognize the article as complimentary. Let me give you one example: “When I embarked upon this political campaign I hoped that it could be conducted on a high level and that my opponent would be willing to stick to the issues. Unfortunately, he has decided to be tractable instead—to indulge in unequivocal language, to eschew the use of outright lies in his speeches, and even to make repeated veracious statements about me.” Sounds rather vicious? Well, consider the meaning of the terms in bold italics: “tractable” (easy to deal with); “unequivocal” (clear); “eschew” (avoiding); and “veracious” (truthful). Now, go back and read the sentence again with these definitions fresh in your mind and you will see how words may sound one way but actually have an unexpected meaning. What would your reaction be if someone said you were “peculiar”? If you are like me, your first reaction may be, “Who are you calling ‘peculiar’?” The word “peculiar” can be a loaded word these days. If you say someone is acting peculiarly, he or she might take offense. Notice this passage: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). Some have taken the …

Question: “What are the differences between the teachings of Old Testament and the teachings of New Testament?” The basic meaning of the word “testament” in the Bible is “covenant” or “contract.” The first 39 books of the Bible are commonly called The Old Testament. The first book of the 39 books teaches us about God creating the world, man’s early history and the beginning of the nation of Israel. The remaining 38 books of the Old Testament primarily teach us about God’s covenant with the nation of Israel and about Israel’s history during the time of that first covenant. The last 27 books of the Bible are commonly called The New Testament. The first four of these books teach us about the birth and earthly work of Jesus Christ. He revealed the New Covenant, which is God’s covenant for people of all nations today. The remaining 23 books of the New Testament teach us about people obeying the Gospel and living according to the new covenant. There are many differences between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The following comparison can help us see some of the differences. Old Covenant New Covenant

Those who ridicule God’s command to be baptized in order to be forgiven would do well to consider at least seven occasions when God used water to separate those who followed Him from those who rejected Him. The first outstanding example is the flood. If one only read the Old Testament story, he could easily see that principle. It is made more certain, striking and significant when we read of it again in Hebrews 11:7 and especially in 1 Peter 3:20-21 where we are told in specific terms that the water that saved them from the wicked world is a type of the baptism that saves us. The second outstanding example of the use of water to separate God’s people from others is in the story of Israel crossing the Red Sea. In Exodus 14:30, we find, “Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians and they saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore.” Paul referred to this in 1 Corinthians 10:2 when he wrote, “They were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” The third example is in Judges 7 where God had Gideon’s army to undergo a “water test.” Those who were watchful and careful and lapped the water in their hands were separated from those who did not. There are many lessons we can get from that story, such as the fact that God does not need large numbers to do any job He wishes to do, but our lesson today is …

The Bible at Ephesians 5:23 teaches that Christ is the Savior of the body. Now what is the body? The body is the church. Speaking of God, the apostle Paul said, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23). Again, speaking of Christ, the apostle said, “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18). In verse 24 of the same chapter, the apostle again stated, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” So, the body of which Christ is the Savior is the church. In saying Christ is the Savior of the body, the apostle in effect was saying Christ is the Savior of the church. Now the question is, “Which church?” There are hundreds and perhaps thousands of churches on earth today, with different names, following different patterns of worship and teaching different doctrines. In the first century when the apostle wrote these words, there was only one church—the one that Christ had promised to build. He had said it’s going to be, “My church” (Matthew 16:18). The Bible says that Jesus adds daily to the …

Someone probably asked, “Why do people do the things they do?” Sometimes, we really do wonder because some people on occasion do some strange things. Question: “Why are some people less than honest in financial matters?” While varying answers may be given, surely, we will agree that such dishonesty is a product of one’s frame of mind. Be reminded that the Bible exhorts us to think on honest things (Philippians 4:8). Without a mindset that embraces honesty, one cannot realistically expect honest actions to follow. The daily application of the godly attitude of honesty naturally leads one to do honest deeds (2 Corinthians 13:7), not only in a few matters but in all matters (Hebrews 13:18). Our honest actions, as all our deeds, are done before the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:21). We must also strive to be honest among the “Gentiles” (1 Peter 2:12) and among “all men,” including Christian brethren (Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:21). May each of us make every possible effort to fulfill our financial obligations in a timely manner. Honesty is a good policy for all of us as citizens of this world and especially as citizens of the kingdom of Heaven. This is one way in which we may genuinely separate ourselves from the world and illustrate our sanctification in a very practical manner.

There seems to be a constant barrage of articles touting discoveries that supposedly debunk the Bible, pointing to its origin as being somewhere other than inspiration by God. A current Associated Press article refers to a recently translated 4,000-year-old tablet from ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), which has its own account of the flood. On display at the British Museum, it speaks of building a round vessel to survive a flood, along with the instructions to collect animals “two by two.” Irving Finkel, who translated the tablet, is quoted as saying, “I’m sure the story of the flood and a boat to rescue life is a Babylonian invention,” and he believes the tale was likely passed on to the Jews during their exile in Babylon in the 6th century B.C. Finkel also believes the story of some type of a flood in antiquity generated many flood stories in other cultures, including Israel. It is true there are accounts of a flood found in many different ancient cultures, with some estimates of over 500 such stories. Every continent has its own variation of a catastrophic flood having occurred. The flood is not the only event that other cultures have recorded, similar to what is found in Genesis; the confusion of languages at the tower of Babel is also widely referenced. The number of such stories being recorded, even with all the different variations of details, attests to the reality of the event itself. The variations in details can easily be attributed to …

The last thing most people think of when asked about Babel is success. A close examination, however, reveals three key principles of success in this otherwise sad story. The Lord observed, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language” (Genesis 11:6a). Jesus told the scribes, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:24-26). Paul urged the Philippian saints to fulfill his “joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2). He instructed members of the church of God at Corinth to “be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). The Savior saw unity as a great first step in evangelism (John 17:20-23). The people at Babel were not all talk and planning, but they began to act (Genesis 11:6b). Luke summarized his Gospel record as an account “of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). The scattered Christians “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Paul instructed the churches of Galatia to seize every opportunity to do good (Galatians 6:10). Paul told Timothy to command rich Christians to “be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). The Lord said of the people at Babel, “Now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them,” underscoring the power of a vision (Genesis 11:6c). Paul’s single-minded goal of receiving the upward call from the Lord drove …