Acts 20:32 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able...

Acts 20:32Acts 20:32

““And now, brethren, I commend And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are among all them which are sanctified.”sanctified.”

““Commend” Commend” (Dictionary.com)(Dictionary.com)1. to present, mention, or praise as worthy of 1. to present, mention, or praise as worthy of

confidence, notice, kindness, etc.; confidence, notice, kindness, etc.; recommend: to commend a friend to another; recommend: to commend a friend to another; to commend an applicant for employment.to commend an applicant for employment.

2. to entrust; give in charge; deliver with 2. to entrust; give in charge; deliver with confidence: I commend my child to your care.confidence: I commend my child to your care.

3. to cite or name with approval or special 3. to cite or name with approval or special praise: to commend a soldier for bravery.praise: to commend a soldier for bravery.

4. Feudal Law. to place (oneself or one's land) 4. Feudal Law. to place (oneself or one's land) under another's protection so as to become under another's protection so as to become his vassal. his vassal.

5. Archaic. to recommend (a person) to the kind 5. Archaic. to recommend (a person) to the kind remembrance of another. remembrance of another.

Commending The Commending The BibleBible

COMMEND paratithemi -…"to place with someone, entrust, commit." – (a) of the Lord Jesus in "commending"

His spirit into the Father's hands, Luke 23:46; (b) of "commending" disciples to God, Acts 14:23;

– (c) of "commending" elders to God, Acts 20:32.

(Vine's Expository Dictionary )

Commending The Commending The BibleBible

Is the “word of his grace” Is the “word of his grace” commendable today?commendable today?– PertinentPertinent– ApplicableApplicable

Does it apply today? Can it do for Does it apply today? Can it do for us what it has done for men in other us what it has done for men in other ages?ages?

Commending The Commending The

BibleBible To OthersTo OthersSix Reasons to commend the Bible (Psalms 19:7–Six Reasons to commend the Bible (Psalms 19:7–

9)9)

– It changes lives (19:7a; cf. I Peter 1:23)It changes lives (19:7a; cf. I Peter 1:23)

– It gives wisdom (19:7b; cf. Proverbs 2:6)It gives wisdom (19:7b; cf. Proverbs 2:6)

– It brings joyful security (19:8a; cf. Phil. 3:1)It brings joyful security (19:8a; cf. Phil. 3:1)

– It gives direction for living (19:8b; cf. Psalms 119:105)It gives direction for living (19:8b; cf. Psalms 119:105)

– It sets limits and expectations (19:9a; cf. Hebrews 4:12)It sets limits and expectations (19:9a; cf. Hebrews 4:12)

– It brings certainty & confidence (19:9b; John 8:32)It brings certainty & confidence (19:9b; John 8:32)

The Bible reveals God’s will & purpose; it is The Bible reveals God’s will & purpose; it is intended to evoke intelligent reverence, well–intended to evoke intelligent reverence, well–founded trust and willing obedience. founded trust and willing obedience.

Is The Bible Still Is The Bible Still Adequate?Adequate?

Why some think the Bible is Why some think the Bible is inadequateinadequate––– Some say man has evolved in his Some say man has evolved in his

intellectual attainments to the point intellectual attainments to the point that he no longer needs the Bible as a that he no longer needs the Bible as a crutch.crutch.

– Some say the Bible has failed and is Some say the Bible has failed and is failing to solve man's problems. failing to solve man's problems.

– Some say that because of so many Some say that because of so many changes the Bible is inadequate to changes the Bible is inadequate to provide a solution.provide a solution.

God Does Not God Does Not ChangeChange

God Is the Same (James 1:17; Hebrews God Is the Same (James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8)–13:8)–

– Whatever changes take place because of time Whatever changes take place because of time and technology, these will not change the and technology, these will not change the nature or power of God. nature or power of God.

– Man in all his accomplishments hasn’t even Man in all his accomplishments hasn’t even begun to approach God (Isaiah 40:12-26). begun to approach God (Isaiah 40:12-26).

The Bible Is Adequate Because…


Isaiah 40:12-26Isaiah 40:12-26

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? shewed to him the way of understanding?




Behold, the nations are as a drop of a Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before him are as nothing; and they nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? or vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? what likeness will ye compare unto him?




The workman melteth a graven image, and the The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Have ye not known? have ye not heard? moved. Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? the earth?




It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.




To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.



God Is the Same (James 1:17; Hebrews God Is the Same (James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8)–13:8)–

– Whatever changes take place because of time Whatever changes take place because of time and technology, these will not change the and technology, these will not change the nature or power of God. nature or power of God.

– Man in all his accomplishments hasn’t even Man in all his accomplishments hasn’t even begun to approach God (Isaiah 40:12-26). begun to approach God (Isaiah 40:12-26).

– The Bible was written to reveal God to us. We The Bible was written to reveal God to us. We cannot learn His will in any other way; cannot learn His will in any other way; therefore, the Bible is adequate for us therefore, the Bible is adequate for us (Romans 10:17).(Romans 10:17).


Truth Does Not Truth Does Not ChangeChange

All Truth Proceeds from God All Truth Proceeds from God (Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 32:4)–32:4)–

– PHYSICAL TRUTH PHYSICAL TRUTH is revealed in nature is revealed in nature (Romans 1:20). It does not change (Psalms (Romans 1:20). It does not change (Psalms 33:9; Hebrews 1:3). But, it is gradually 33:9; Hebrews 1:3). But, it is gradually understood (Isaiah 40:28).understood (Isaiah 40:28).

““Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.” understanding.”


Truth Does Not Truth Does Not ChangeChange

All Truth Proceeds from God All Truth Proceeds from God (Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 32:4)–32:4)–

– PHYSICAL TRUTH PHYSICAL TRUTH is revealed in nature (Romans is revealed in nature (Romans 1:20). It does not change (Psalms 33:9; Hebrews 1:20). It does not change (Psalms 33:9; Hebrews 1:3). But, it is gradually understood (Isaiah 1:3). But, it is gradually understood (Isaiah 40:28).40:28).

– SPIRITUAL TRUTH SPIRITUAL TRUTH is revealed in Scripture (II is revealed in Scripture (II Timothy 3:15–17; II Peter 1:3). It does not Timothy 3:15–17; II Peter 1:3). It does not change (Psalms 119:89). These are truths and change (Psalms 119:89). These are truths and laws that relate to our spiritual needs and laws that relate to our spiritual needs and eternal destiny.eternal destiny.

– Just as in the physical realm, so in the spiritual Just as in the physical realm, so in the spiritual realm there is a constancy regarding truth. realm there is a constancy regarding truth.


Man Does Not Man Does Not ChangeChange

In Nature, in Needs & in Knowledge–In Nature, in Needs & in Knowledge–

–Still a dual being (Genesis 1:26–27)Still a dual being (Genesis 1:26–27)

Physical needs met in nature (Genesis 1:28)Physical needs met in nature (Genesis 1:28)

Spiritual needs met in the Scriptures (II Peter Spiritual needs met in the Scriptures (II Peter 1:3)1:3)

–Still looking for answers (Acts 17:23–31)Still looking for answers (Acts 17:23–31)

Where did I come from?Where did I come from?

Why am I here? Why am I here?

What is my destiny?What is my destiny?


What Man What Man Needs…Needs…

Man’s Spiritual Needs–Man’s Spiritual Needs–

–To know the True God (Acts 17:23)To know the True God (Acts 17:23)

–To be happy & satisfied (Ecclesiastes To be happy & satisfied (Ecclesiastes 12:13)12:13)

–A reason & purpose for living (I Peter 1:3–A reason & purpose for living (I Peter 1:3–4)4)

–A perfect rule for life (I Peter 2:20–24)A perfect rule for life (I Peter 2:20–24)

–The remedy for sin (Romans 1:16–17)The remedy for sin (Romans 1:16–17)

–Comfort & assurance (John 14:1–3)Comfort & assurance (John 14:1–3)

Sin Does Not Sin Does Not ChangeChange

Sin is still the problem (Romans 5:12, 18)Sin is still the problem (Romans 5:12, 18)––

– There may be new ways of sinning (II Timothy There may be new ways of sinning (II Timothy 3:13)3:13)

– It is still sin.It is still sin. A transgression of God's law (I John 3:4).A transgression of God's law (I John 3:4). The same source (James 1:14; I John 2:16) The same source (James 1:14; I John 2:16) The same nature (Hebrews 3:13.The same nature (Hebrews 3:13. The same result (Galatians 6:7–8).The same result (Galatians 6:7–8).

– Man's attitude toward sin may change over Man's attitude toward sin may change over time, but not God's attitude (Matthew 7:23).time, but not God's attitude (Matthew 7:23).

– The remedy for sin is still the same (James The remedy for sin is still the same (James 1:21). 1:21).


Is the Bible Is the Bible “Adequate”?“Adequate”?

The Bible is Adequate. The Bible is Adequate. Though many changes have Though many changes have

occurred and continue to take place; occurred and continue to take place; God, truth, man and sin remain the God, truth, man and sin remain the same.same.

Since the Bible deals with these it is Since the Bible deals with these it is applicable now.applicable now.

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Acts 20:32 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able...

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