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& MICAH REASON & REVELATION Predicted A Monthly Journal of Christian Evidences the PLACE August 2022•Vol. 42•No. 8 AP STUDY BIBLE ‟HI eA”m? Goes Digital GENTILES Received the Spirit Before Baptism?

BtaMhnedieLcaitthth,ltehleeTMohewsesinmahof, • “Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words Eric Lyons, M.Min. [of Jesus], were saying, ‘This truly is the Prophet.’ Others Article In Brief... were saying, ‘This is the Christ.’ But others were saying, ‘Surely Pieces of the Messianic puzzle had been revealed for the Christ is not coming from thousands of years, but never had a prophet predicted Galilee, is He? Has the Scrip- and recorded for all time the precise place in which the ture not said that the Christ Christ would be born. Then, seven centuries before the comes from the descendants birth of the Messiah, during dark days in Judah’s history, of David, and from Bethlehem, the prophet Micah revealed with great precision the the village where David was?’ “little [town] among the thousands of Judah” in which So a dissension occurred in the “the One to be Ruler in Israel” would be born. Micah crowd because of Him” (7:40- 5:2 is a fascinating passage of Scripture that testifies to 43, NASB). both the Bible’s supernatural inspiration as well as the identity and divine nature of Jesus Christ. The hard-hearted, egocentric Pharisees and chief priests did not TCONFUSION OVER THE CHRIST Yet others said, “Is this not He know the Old Testament as well HE crowds murmured while whom they seek to kill?” (7:25). as they professed. They chided the the critics lurked in the • “[S]ome of them from Jerusa- common people for their ignorance shadows. Complaints, com- lem said… ‘Do the rulers know of the Law (7:48) and then con- pliments, and confusion over the indeed that this is truly the temptibly challenged Nicodemus Man from Galilee spread among the Christ?’” (7:26). to “[s]earch and see that no prophet Jews at the Feast of Tabernacles like • The officers (whom the Phari- arises out of Galilee” (7:52, NASB). political opinions circulate today on sees and chief priests sent to Yet, the prophet Jonah was from social media during election time. arrest Jesus) came back empty- Gath Hepher of Zebulon (2 Kings handed, saying, “No man ever 14:25; Joshua 19:10-13), which is in • “Some said, ‘He is good’; others spoke like this Man.” Yet, the Galilee. Furthermore, in the desper- said, ‘No, on the contrary, He Pharisees arrogantly responded, ate, dark days of Assyrian domi- deceives the people’” (John “Are you also deceived? Have any nance in Galilee in the late eighth 7:12). of the rulers or the Pharisees century B.C. (cf. 2 Kings 15:29), believed in Him? But this crowd the prophet Isaiah foretold of the • In response to Jesus’ question, that does not know the law is everlasting Prince of Peace coming “Why do you seek to kill Me?” accursed” (7:46-48). “Search as a “great light” in “the land of The people answered and said, and see that no prophet arises Zebulun and the land of Naphtali… “You have a demon. Who is out of Galilee” (7:52, NASB). in Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isaiah seeking to kill You?” (7:19-20). 9:1-7). Who was this “great light”? Jesus of Nazareth, Who “came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be ful- filled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet” (Matthew 4:13-14). Indeed, in one sense, the greatest Prophet of them all, the Messiah, came “out of Galilee.”1 BETHLEHEM OF JUDEA— I “THE CITY OF DAVID” N another real sense, the “commoners”2 were right, too. “Scripture said…that the Christ R&

comes from the seed of David and its remote application and ultimate it “had fallen under the power of the from the town of Bethlehem, where fulfillment in “the Root and the neighboring Philistines of Gath.”5 David was” (John 7:42). David may Offspring of David, the Bright Micah lived during the same period have dwelt in Israel’s capital city and Morning Star” (Revelation as other eighth-century prophets, of Jerusalem once he became king 22:16; cf. Isaiah 11:1,10; Revelation including Amos (1:1) and Hosea and conquered the Jebusite city (2 5:5). [And He has the greatest of all (1:1), who prophesied to the North- Samuel 5:6-7), but it seems most any scepters—having “all authority…in ern Kingdom, and Isaiah (1:1), who Jew knew that David’s heritage was heaven and on Earth” (Matthew prophesied along with Micah in the in Bethlehem. 28:18).] Southern Kingdom. It was “in the This Bethlehem was not the Amazingly, one of the first signs days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Heze- Bethlehem of Zebulon (Joshua of the coming of the long-awaited kiah, kings of Judah” that Micah 19:15; in Galilee), but the Beth- Messiah was the appearance of received “the word of the Lord” lehem of Judah, also known as “His star” (Matthew 2:2,9), which (Micah 1:1). These three kings Ephrath or Ephrathah.3 People of “wise men [or “magi,” NASB] from reigned a combined 56 years (from Bethlehem were known as “Ephrah- the East” followed all the way to about 742-687 B.C.). “Jotham… thites” (Ruth 1:1-2; 1 Samuel 17:12). Judea (Matthew 2:1).4 The wise reigned sixteen years…and did what David’s great grandfather, Boaz, men stopped in Jerusalem, asking, was right in the sight of the Lord” “came from Bethlehem” (Ruth 2:4; “Where is He who has been born (2 Chronicles 27:1-2). Hezekiah, 4:11). David’s father, Jesse, was an King of the Jews? For we have seen though not perfect, was also a great “Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah” His star in the East and have come to king, one of the greatest in Judah’s (1 Samuel 17:12,15; 16:1,4). Prior worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). But long history, serving for 29 years to his 33-year reign in Jerusalem, Herod, the ruthless king of Judea, (2 Kings 18:1-20:21; 2 Chronicles which became known as “the city knew nothing about these things 29:1-32:33). Sandwiched between of David” (2 Samuel 5:7-9), David and inquired of “all the chief priests these two rulers was the cowardly, himself referred to Bethlehem as and scribes…where the Christ was repulsive King Ahaz, one of the “his city” (1 Samuel 20:6). In this to be born” (Matthew 2:4). What worst, most wicked kings in Judah’s sense, even Luke referred to Bethle- these men knew was the same thing history, reigning for 16 dark years. hem of Judah as “the city of David” the crowd knew 30-plus years later Among other things, he “sacrificed (Luke 2:4). in Jerusalem at the Feast of Taber- to the gods of Damascus,” “burned Why did Joseph and Mary travel nacles (John 7): The Messiah was to his children in the fire, according all the way from Nazareth in Gali- be born “[i]n Bethlehem of Judea, to the abominations of the nations lee to Bethlehem of Judea? To be for thus it is written by the prophet, whom the Lord had cast out before registered in the Roman census ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of the children of Israel,” “shut up the (Luke 2:1-2). But why Bethlehem? Judah, are not the least among the doors of the house of the Lord,” and Because “all went to be registered, rulers of Judah; for out of you shall overall, “encouraged moral decline everyone to his own city” (Luke come a Ruler Who will shepherd in Judah” (28:23,3,24,20). 2:3), and Joseph “was of the house My people Israel” (Matthew 2:5-6). and lineage of David,” and Bethle- Sadly, whether during the reigns hem was “the city of David” (Luke THE DARK DAYS OF MICAH of wicked or righteous kings, the 2:4,11,15). people of Judah, like their northern HAT “Scripture” is this counterparts (Micah 1:5-13), mostly WThe Star of Bethlehem that says “the Christ “still…acted corruptly” (2 Chronicles comes from the town 27:2). Repugnantly sinful behavior In about 1,400 B.C. God used a of Bethlehem, where David was” was especially characteristic of those non-Jewish, Mesopotamian sooth- (John 7:42)? Who was this prophet in positions of authority. But the sayer named Balaam to prophesy to who wrote that “a Ruler” will come mighty prophet Micah did not hold the Moabites about, among other from “Bethlehem, in the land of back. He was given “[t]he Word of things, how “a Star shall come out Judah” (Matthew 2:5-6)? the Lord” (Micah 1:1), and as a good of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out His name was Micah and he was steward of the Divine revelation, he of Israel” (Numbers 24:17). Some from the country town of Moresheth let the “high and mighty” have it. 400 years later, this prophecy had an (about 20-25 miles southwest of “immediate” application in Israel’s Jerusalem). Micah himself refers I am full of power by the Spirit great King David. But 1,400 years to the town as “Moresheth Gath” of the Lord, and of justice and later, Balaam’s prophecy would have (1:14), likely implying that for a time, might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. R&

Now hear this, you heads of the demned sin from the beginning,6 the thousands of Judah” (Micah house of Jacob and rulers of the but the story never ended there. 5:2)—the town of Bethlehem of house of Israel, who abhor justice Even as Adam and Eve were lurk- Ephrathah. and pervert all equity, who build ing in the midst of sinfully-minded up Zion with bloodshed and Jeru- blame games (Genesis 3:11-13), God \"But you, Bethlehem salem with iniquity. Her heads boldly announced to the devil His Ephrathah, though you are judge for a bribe, her priests teach gracious plans to save humanity little among the thousands for pay, and her prophets divine through “the Seed” of woman, Who of Judah, yet out of you for money (Micah 3:8-11). would deal a crushing blow to the shall come forth to Me the “[H]er rich men are full of violence” head of Satan (Genesis 3:15). “Since One to be Ruler in Israel, (6:12). Speaking hyperbolically, the world began,” God “spoke by the Whose goings forth are from Micah professed, “The faithful man mouth of his holy prophets” about has perished from the earth, and the Hope, the “horn of salvation,” of old, from everlasing.\" there is no one upright among men. Who would save His people from - Micah 5:2 - They all lie in wait for blood; every sin and its fatal consequences (Luke man hunts his brother with a net. 1:67-70). MMICAH’S MESSIANIC PROPHECY That they may successfully do evil ICAH chapter 5 begins with both hands—the prince asks Remarkably, the Bible writers with a doom-and-gloom for gifts, the judge seeks a bribe, and did not speak in mere broad gen- statement seemingly the great man utters his evil desire; eralities about the coming Christ. about the siege that Sennacherib’s so they scheme together” (7:2-3). In Throughout the Old Testament, ruthless Assyrian army would lay short, they “hate good and love evil” God announced that the Deliv- against Jerusalem and King Heze- (3:2). erer of humankind (and the sinful kiah.8 Hezekiah (the most powerful Tragically, Jerusalem was a repug- mess that humanity made) would “judge of Israel”) would be openly nant center of spiritual disease (as be a male descendant of Abra- insulted by Sennacherib’s spokes- was Samaria in the North). The ham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse, man, the Rabshakeh, who would courageous prophet Micah boldly and David.7 Notice the spectacu- come to the door of Jerusalem, confronted all manner of abusive lar specificity of the prophets! The shouting taunting words of mock- leaders and prophesied of their Messiah, Who would bless “all the ery in the Hebrew language for all to eventual demise. “For behold, the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3), hear.9 In the words of Micah, Assyria Lord is coming…. The mountains would come from Abraham (not would “strike the judge of Israel with will melt under Him…. I will make his brothers Nahor or Haran). The a rod on the cheek” (Micah 5:1). Samaria a heap of ruins” (Micah Savior would come from Isaac (not 1:3,4,6). And “Zion shall be plowed Ishmael, and not Zimran, Jokshan, Though the household of David like a field, Jerusalem shall become Medan, Midian, Ishback, or Shuah, in Hezekiah’s day would face heaps of ruins” (3:12). Indeed, the the other sons of Abraham—Gen- humiliation,10 “the true Israel will brutal Assyrians conquered Samaria esis 25:2). He would come from come forth triumphant.”11 How? in 722 B.C. And though Jerusalem Jacob (not Esau, the father of the Because “the One to be Ruler in was spared for a time following the Edomites). He would come from Israel…shall come forth” (Micah fearless prophesying of Micah and Judah (and not one of the other 11 5:2). The One long-awaited descen- Isaiah and the righteous reforms of sons of Jacob, not even Levi, the dant of Abraham and David was King Hezekiah (cf. Jeremiah 26:18), father of the Levitical priesthood). coming (Matthew 1:1). And though the capital city of the Jews would The ultimate “anointed One” (i.e., His presence on Earth would still fall calamitously at the hands of the Christ) would come from the Babylonians in 587 B.C., approxi- anointed King David (and not the mately 100 years after Micah pro- other sevens sons of Jesse—1 Samuel nounced the Lord’s judgments. 16:1-13; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Jeremiah 23:5-6). And from where did the BHOPE…AND HONING IN ON THE HERO greatest king in Israel’s history hail? UT not all is lost. There is Not Hebron, Jerusalem, or Jericho. Hope from Heaven. A Hero Not Dan, Bethel, or Beersheba. And is on the horizon. Yes, God not Bethlehem of Zebulon (Joshua and His faithful prophets have con- 19:15). Not anywhere in all of Pal- estine except from “the little among R&

lie in the future, the Messiah, Micah Micah 5:2. The elitist Pharisees, as haps similar to what they later received testified, already had a past! His well as the “commoners,” knew it in Matthew 2:12. goings forth are “from of old;” some 32 years later (in John 7). And 5 “Moresheth Gath” (1996), Fausset’s “from long ago” (NASB).12 How yet, though the Messiah stood in Bible Dictionary (Electronic Database: long? Micah said, “From the days their midst, most missed, ignored, Biblesoft). of eternity” (5:2, NASB).13 But or refused to accept the amazing, 6 Genesis 2:17; 3:8-19; 4:5-15; 6:3-8; Luke that must mean that the Messiah fulfilled fact that Jesus was born 11:49-51; 2 Peter 2:5. is…God. Indeed, as Isaiah, Micah’s just five miles down the road in 7 Genesis 3:15; 12:1-4; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; fellow 8th-century prophet in Judah, Bethlehem of Judea—just as Micah, 49:10; Isaiah 11:1,10; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; said, “For unto us a Child is born, the proven inspired prophet (cf. Jer- Jeremiah 23:5-6. unto us a Son is given; and the gov- emiah 28:9), promised He would 8 Cf. 2 Kings 18; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah ernment will be upon His shoulder. 700 years earlier. 36-37. And His name will be called Won- 9 “[T]he Rabshakeh said… ‘What confi- derful, Counselor, Mighty God, ENDNOTES dence is this in which you trust? You Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” speak of having plans of power for war; (Isaiah 9:6). 1 Jesus grew up in Galilee and remained in but they are mere words. And in whom this region during much of His ministry. do you trust, that you rebel against According to Micah and Isaiah, me? Now Look! You are trusting in God Himself would step out of the 2 The “crowd” whom the Pharisees the staff of this broken reed, Egypt…. splendors of heaven to be the Prince claimed did “not know the law” (John [G]ive a pledge to my master the king of of Peace, the Ruler in Israel.14 And 7:49). Assyria, and I will give you two thousand where would He first make His horses—if you are able on your part to appearance? Centuries before the 3 Which is “the name either of Bethlehem put riders on them!... Have I now come Messiah’s birth, the prophet Micah itself or of a district in which Bethlehem up without the Lord against this place to gave us one more piece of the puzzle. was situated” [Ernest Masterman (1996), destroy it? The Lord said to me, “Go up Micah (and only Micah) precisely “Ephrath; Ephrathah,” International against this land, and destroy it!”… Has revealed the place from which the Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Electronic my master sent me to your master and Messiah would come forth: the little Database: Biblesoft)]. Moses wrote that to you to speak these words, and not to town of Bethlehem in the region of after Jacob’s wife Rachel died, she was the men who sit on the wall, who will eat Judea. “buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, and drink their own waste with you?... Bethlehem)”—Genesis 35:19; cf. 48:7. Do not listen to Hezekiah’” (2 Kings The scribes and chief priests in 18:19-31). King Herod’s day (Matthew 2:4-6) 4 From where did these men receive such 10 As well as Babylonian captivity roughly knew of the Messianic nature of knowledge? How did they know that 100 years later. one particular “star in the East” indi- 11 Homer Hailey (1993) A Commentary on cated the Messiah’s entrance into the the Minor Prophets (Religious Supply), world? No one can know for sure, but p. 208. it seems they had Divine direction, per- 12 The Hebrew term qedem literally means “ancient time, aforetime” [Fran- Reason & Revelation is published monthly by Apologetics Press, Inc. Periodicals postage cis Brown, S.R. Driver, and Charles A. paid at Montgomery, AL. Postmaster: Send address changes to Reason & Revelation, Briggs (1906), The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, studylight. 230 Landmark Dr., Montgomery, AL 36117; issn:[1542-0922] usps# 023415. org/lexicons/eng/hebrew/06924.html]. It is used of God in Deuteronomy 33:27 Apologetics Press is a non-profit, tax-exempt work dedicated to the defense of New and Habakkuk 1:12 where the term is translated “everlasting” or “eternal.” Testament Christianity. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. 13 This Hebrew word (olam) often refers to “for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore” Editor: Orders: (Brown, et al., https://www.studylight. org/lexicons/eng/hebrew/05769.html). Dave Miller, M.A., M.Div., M.A.R., Ph.D.* Phone: (800) 234-8558 Often it is used in reference to the eter- Fax: (800) 234-2882 nality of God, including in Micah 4:7 (*Communication, Southern Illinois University) where the prophet referenced the Lord’s On-line Web store/catalog, subscription eternal reign. Associate Editor: order/renewal form, current issues, archives, 14 Cf. John 1:1; 20:28; Philippians 2:5-11. and other information (all orders processed Jeff Miller, M.S., Ph.D.* on a secure server): (*Biomechanical Engineering, Auburn University) URL: w w w. A p o l o g e t i c s P r e s s .o r g E-mail: [email protected] Annual Subscription Rates: Discovery—Scripture & Science for $14.00 Domestic Kids is a sister publication for children. 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\"I Am He\" or \"I Am\"? is unwarranted and obscures the power of Jesus’ statement. He was, THE Bible plainly teaches Dave Miller, Ph.D. in fact, forthrightly declaring His that Jesus is divine. When deity to the hard-hearted Jews by He came to Earth to die on Eternal Present, i.e., He has always identifying Himself with the same the cross for humanity, He was God existed and always will because, Deity that Moses encountered at the in the flesh (John 1:14; Colossians unlike everyone else, He possesses burning bush.2 This fact is evident 1:15-19). Jesus unhesitatingly called infinite eternality. Incredibly, the in the context. Three verses later, attention to this fact on several same may be said of Jesus. He is Jesus again states: “When you lift up occasions since the acknowledg- “the same yesterday, today, and for- the Son of Man, then you will know ment of this truth is necessary for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). He declares: that I am He, and that I do nothing salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Recall “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the of Myself; but as My Father taught the incident 1,500 years before Jesus Beginning and the End…who is and Me, I speak these things” (vs. 28). came to Earth when Moses was who was and who is to come, the Once again, the NKJV places “He” tending livestock in the desert and Almighty” (Revelation 1:8)—pre- in italics. And then, for a third time, encountered a bush that was on fire cisely the same thing that is said Jesus pointedly presses the fact to but continued to burn unconsumed. about God (Revelation 4:8). Since bring closure to His confrontation: Warning him to keep his distance the purpose of the Gospel of John is “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see and remove his shoes, God identi- to cause people to believe that “Jesus My day, and he saw it and was glad.” fied Himself as the God of Abra- is the Christ, the Son of God” (John Then the Jews said to Him, “You ham, Isaac, and Jacob. Announcing 20:31), it is to be expected that the are not yet fifty years old, and have to Moses his mission to return to book should contain multiple allu- You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to Egypt to proclaim to Pharaoh God’s sions to the deity of Christ—and them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, demands, Moses proceeded to offer such is certainly the case. In fact, we before Abraham was, I AM” (vss. a series of quibbles designed to jus- encounter several instances in John 55-58). The Jews correctly under- tify his reluctance to go. One of where Jesus applies to Himself the stood that Jesus was making a direct those excuses was framed in this same expression that God used at claim to Deity, evidenced by the fact question: “If I come to the people the burning bush: “I AM.” that they prepared to execute Him of Israel and say to them, ‘The God for the capital crime of blasphemy.3 of your fathers has sent me to you,’ For example, on the occasion Jesus stressed this same point to the and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ when Jesus faced the incessant Samaritan woman with whom He what shall I say to them?” (Exodus unbelief of the Jews, He forthrightly engaged in a conversation regard- 3:13, ESV). God’s response was deci- declared to them: “Therefore I said ing His identity. His remarks were sive: “I AM WHO I AM.” And he to you that you will die in your such that she first considers Him said, “Say this to the people of Israel: sins; for if you do not believe that to be a prophet (John 4:19). But as ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (vs. 14). I am He, you will die in your sins” He continues to speak, she admits (John 8:24). The word “He” is in that she is aware of the fact that the The import of God’s declaration italics in the NKJV and several other Messiah/Christ was yet to come. He on this occasion pertains to the translations,1 indicating the transla- uses her admission to declare: “I eternal nature of deity. God is the tors’ insertion. However, in keeping who speak to you am He” (vs. 26).4 with the theme of John, as well as Once again, in various translations, the immediate context, its insertion the word “He” is in italics to denote its insertion. But I suggest that Jesus was connecting Himself with the “I AM” of the burning bush. After the feeding of the 5,000, the disciples sought to row back across the Sea of Galilee when there arose a sudden storm. Gripped by fear for their lives, their fear was enhanced by the sudden appear- ance of Jesus walking on the water toward their boat. “But He said R&

to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’” soldiers were not Romans. They To summarize, it so happens that (John 6:20). The English reader were Jewish soldiers sent by the chief the expression “I am He” likewise would likely never know that the priests and Pharisees. Consequently, connotes that Jesus is the divine words “It is I” are a translation of the they were likely quite aware of the Messiah Who was to come. So, the Greek ego eimi—“I am.” The only Jewish anticipation of the coming import remains the same either way. reason for the disciples not to fear a Messiah, as well as the import of the However, inserting the word “He” life-threatening situation is if Jesus expression “I AM.” They were likely was not only unnecessary, its inser- was more than a mere man who, in initially stunned by the bold, but tion obscures and softens the force fact, possessed the divine power to presumptuous, affirmation by Jesus, of Jesus’ claim explicitly linking still a storm. Undoubtedly, Jesus only to recover themselves and dis- Himself directly to the statement was again calling attention to His miss the claim to deity as the rant- spoken by God to Moses at the divinity—as indicated by the JUB: ings of a madman. burning bush. Indeed, the very heart “I AM. Be not afraid.”5 On the occa- and core of Christianity is Christ as sion when Jesus washed the feet of The following English translation the divine Son of God. One cannot His disciples, as a predictive prelude renderings capture the meaning: even be a Christian unless that to Judas’ betrayal He quoted Psalm CEB: “When he said, ‘I Am,’ they divinity is orally confessed prior to 41:9 and declared: “Now I tell you shrank back and fell to the ground.” conversion (Romans 10:9-10). before it comes, that when it does CJB: “When he said, ‘I AM,’ they come to pass, you may believe that went backward from him and fell to ENDNOTES I am He” (John 13:19). Once again, the ground.” ISV: “When Jesus told Jesus was deliberately spotlighting them, ‘I AM,’ they backed away and 1 ASV, BRG, KJV, LEB, NASB (1995). His divinity to His disciples by fell to the ground.” JUB: “And when 2 Several English translations recognize identifying Himself with the burn- he said unto them, I AM, they went ing bush episode. He intended to backward and fell to the ground.” this fact and refrain from inserting “He,” emphasize to them that they would Keep in mind that the words “I including: CEB, ERV, GNT, ISV, PHIL- realize that He is the great “I AM.” am” are also used throughout the LIPS, JUB, NABRE, NASB, TPT, TLV, WYC. Bible simply to refer to any person’s 3 “Believing that He was speaking sheer Still another occasion appears to existence—even in John where the blasphemy and claiming equality with set forth the same realization. When blind man identified himself as the the great ‘I Am,’ they sought to stone the mob came to arrest Jesus, which one that Jesus had healed (9:9). The Him”—Marcus Dods (no date), The consisted of Judas, together with a issue in John, however, is whether Gospel According to John in The Exposi- detachment of troops, and officers Jesus intentionally used the expres- tor’s Greek Testament, ed. W. Robertson from the chief priests and Pharisees, sion to link Himself to God and Nicoll (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans), carrying lanterns, torches, and weap- thereby assert His deity.6 It is equally 1:782. ons, the text states: “Jesus therefore, interesting that Jesus enlisted the 4 Literally: “I am, the one speaking to you.” knowing all things that would come use of “I am” in seven additional 5 Also the CEB, TLV, and WYC. upon Him, went forward and said instances when He offered descrip- 6 For more discussion of the nuances to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ tions of His divine nature, each pref- of the Greek, including the issue of They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Naza- aced by ego eimi: 1. “I am the Bread the predicate nominative, see Robert- reth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He’” of Life” (6:35). 2. “I am the Light of son, Grammar, pp. 879-880; Robert- (John 18:4-5). Once again, “He” is the world” (8:12). 3. “I am the Door” son, Word Pictures, 5:68,146,242,284; in italics. Observe the reaction to (10:9). 4. “I am the Good Shepherd” Alford, 1:801-802; P.B. Harner (1970), Jesus’ identification: “Then—when (10:4). 5. “I am the Resurrection and The “I AM” of the Fourth Gospel (Phila- He said to them, ‘I am He,’—they the Life” (11:25). 6. “I am the Way, delphia: Fortress); Raymond Brown drew back and fell to the ground” the Truth, and the Life” (14:6). 7. “I (1977), “The EGO EIMI (‘I Am’) Pas- (vs. 6). One might assume that they am the Vine” (15:5). In each of these sages In the Fourth Gospel” in A Com- were surprised that Jesus would cases, a feature of Jesus’ Person is panion to John: Readings in Johannine come forward and identify himself, spotlighted that can only describe Theology, ed. Michael Taylor (New York: since one would think that a crimi- deity. No mere human being can Alba House), pp. 117-126; Georg Brau- nal would try to evade arrest and not rightfully be said to be the Bread mann and Hans-Georg Line (1976), “I give himself up so easily. But surely of Life, the Light of the world, etc. Am,” The New International Dictionary such surprise would hardly evoke These glorious affirmations pertain of New Testament Theology, ed. Colin a reaction that included falling to solely to Christ in His divine state. Brown (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan), the ground. Remember, that these 2:278-283; E.D. Freed (1982), “Ego Eimi in John viii. 24 in the Light of Its Con- text and Jewish Messianic Belief,” Jour- nal of Biblical Literature, 33, 1:163-167, April. R&

Gentiles Dave Miller, Ph.D. Jesus was assuring the disciples Received the that, though He soon would be Spirit Before Christ” (Galatians 3:27)? Does the seized and taken away from them, Baptism? Bible contradict itself? How can nevertheless, He would send in His anyone receive the Spirit before he/ place the Holy Spirit—Whom His THE conversion of the first she is clothed with Christ? enemies could not take away. In Gentiles was an incredible fact, He would abide with them moment in redemptive his- The answer to these questions forever. Therefore, verse 17 says tory—literally fulfilling prophecies lies in a deeper examination of the nothing about whether an unsaved spoken centuries earlier (e.g., Isaiah underlying language. In the first individual can be the recipient of 62:2). Here is Luke’s description of place, John 14:17 uses the Greek Holy Spirit activity. the momentous event: verb lambano, which is the usual word for “to take with the hand, lay The conversion of the Gentiles While Peter was still speaking hold of, any person or thing in order in Acts 10 is recounted by Peter in these words, the Holy Spirit to use it,” “to take in order to carry Acts 11 when he came to Jerusalem. fell upon all those who heard away,” “to seize, take away forcibly.”1 Luke reports that “Peter explained the word. And those of the cir- In this verse, Jesus was not saying it to them in order2 from the begin- cumcision who believed were that unsaved persons cannot receive ning” (vs. 4), suggesting that the astonished, as many as came the Holy Spirit. Consider the con- account in Acts 10 is not necessar- with Peter, because the gift of text: ily in strict order. Peter explains how the Holy Spirit had been poured “he entered the man’s house” where out on the Gentiles also. For they If you love Me, keep My com- Cornelius informed him that an heard them speak with tongues mandments. And I will pray angel had appeared and instructed and magnify God. Then Peter the Father, and He will give you him to “send men to Joppa, and call answered, “Can anyone forbid another Helper, that He may for Simon whose surname is Peter, water, that these should not be abide with you forever—the who will tell you words by which baptized who have received the Spirit of truth, whom the world you and all your household will Holy Spirit just as we have?” And cannot receive, because it neither be saved” (vss. 13-14). Observe care- he commanded them to be bap- sees Him nor knows Him; but fully that Cornelius could not be tized in the name of the Lord. you know Him, for He dwells saved until and without hearing Then they asked him to stay a few with you and will be in you. I inspired words that would instruct days (Acts 10:44-48). will not leave you orphans; I will him how to be saved. It is evident from this account that come to you (John 14:15-18). the Gentiles received the Spirit Having been informed about this before they were baptized in water. How can anyone receive fact by Cornelius, Peter next states: Jesus stated emphatically: “I will the Spirit before they are “And as I began to speak, the Holy pray the Father, and He will give Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at you another Helper, that He may clothed with Christ? the beginning” (vs. 15). The Greek abide with you forever—the Spirit term rendered “began” (arxasthai) of truth, whom the world cannot means “to begin,” “to denote what receive” (John 14:16-17). If that one begins to do.”3 “Peter had be the case, how can water baptism scarcely begun to speak.”4 Indeed, be “for the remission of sins” (Acts Peter was just beginning to speak, 2:38) in order to be “clothed with not having yet expressed the words of salvation. He had not yet been given the opportunity to convey the words by which Cornelius and his household could be saved. He was, in fact, interrupted in his efforts by their reception of the Spirit. Greek lexicographer Thayer makes this very point when he states that the word “indicates that a thing was but just begun when it was inter- rupted by something else.”5 R&

Those who assume that reception Spider or Lizard? of the Spirit on this occasion was Dave Miller, Ph.D. proof of the Gentiles’ saved condi- tion completely miss the very reason Q: Proverbs 30:24-28 men- the same Greek word in Leviticus God administered Holy Spirit bap- tions four tiny, exceedingly 11:30 for a different Hebrew word tism to them. The Gentiles’ recep- wise animals. The King (anacah) which is also identified as tion of the baptism of the Holy James Bible called the last a gecko.4 Most English translations Spirit had nothing to do with their one “spider,” but the Amplified have “lizard” rather than “spider,” salvation. It merely served to prove version called it “lizard.” These two including the ASV, ESV, NASB, NIV, to the Jews that the Gentiles had species are unrelated and totally dif- RSV, and NRSV. The important thing an equal right to enter the king- ferent. Which of the Bible transla- to focus on is the meaning intended dom. Indeed, only two instances tions renders the last animal right by the context—which is stated of Holy Spirit baptism are explic- in verse 24: “There are four things itly reported in the New Testament, Aas compared to the Hebrew word? which are little on the earth, but they and neither had anything to do with : Sometimes the meaning of a are exceedingly wise.” That’s the point the salvation of the recipients.6 In Bible word can be difficult to the inspired writer is making. the first instance, depicted in Acts 2, pinpoint, especially when it is the purpose was to equip the apos- used only one time and particularly ENDNOTES tles (who were already saved) to if it refers to a specie of animal. The launch the Christian religion. The Hebrew lacked specificity on such 1 Edwin Hatch and Henry Redpath second instance (Acts 10) served the technical distinctions. The Septua- (1897), A Concordance to the Septuagint purpose of demonstrating to the gint (the Greek translation of the Old (Oxford: The Clarendon Press), 2:712. Jewish Christians that non-Jews had Testament) used the word kalaboteis1 a divine right to have access to the which classical scholars Liddell and 2 HenryLiddellandRobertScott(1940), A Gospel and enter the kingdom7— Scott identify as equivalent to aska- Greek-English Lexicon (Oxford: The which explains precisely why, after laboteis defined as the “spotted lizard, Clarendon Press), pp. 256,865. such a powerful divine demonstra- gecko.”2 The current most popular tion, Peter immediately called for Hebrew lexicon also identifies the 3 L. Koehler, W. Baumgartner, M.E.J. water baptism, since that act is the creature as a type of lizard, specifi- Richardson, & J.J. Stamm (1994-2000), divinely-designed entranceway into cally, the gecko.3 The Septuagint used The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the the Kingdom (Acts 10:47-48; John Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, elec- 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13).8 tronic ed.), p. 1338. ENDNOTES 4 Ibid., p. 73. 1 Thayer, p. 370, italics in orig. SPEAKING SCHEDULES 2 The Greek word means “in sequence in Kyle Butt Athens, AL (256) 232-1096 time, space, or logic, in order, one after August 7 Florence, AL (256) 764 -9642 the other” [Danker, et al., p. 490, ital- August 10 Trussville, AL (205) 833-1400 ics in orig.], “successively” [W.J. Hickie August 17 Sevierville, TN (877) 338-3397 (t1h9e7N7erwepTrienstta),mGernetek(G-ErnangldishRLapeixdicso, nMtIo: August 19-21 Gurley, AL (256) 776 -2695 Baker), p. 92], “in succession” [Robert- August 28 son, Word Pictures, 3:152]. 3 Perschbacher, p. 55; Danker, et al., p. 140. Eric Lyons Florence, AL (256) 764 -9642 4 Rpr.eCta.Htio.nLeonf stkhie(A19ct6s1orfetphreinAt)p,oTsthleesI(nPteear-- August 3 body, MA: Hendrickson), p. 444. August 5-6 Mountain Home, AR (870) 425- 4330 5 Thayer, p. 78. August 17 Hope Hull, AL (334) 281-6020 6 For an extensive examination of the August 22-24 Sevierville, TN (256) 290 - 0702 phenomenon of “Holy Spirit Baptism” August 26-28 San Saba, TX (325) 372-5584 in the New Testament, see Dave Miller B(a2ca0lpe2st,0is)Tm, oMnOgoucdceeurSrnp-TDeaoadkyianMyg?,i(r&MaclHoens?otlgDyooSmpMierriiyrt-, Dave Miller Montgomery, AL (334) 264 -2985 AL: Apologetics Press), pp. 39ff. August 7 7 “also for the Greek”—Romans 1:16; 2:9,10. 8 For additional discussion, see Kyle Butt Jeff Miller (334) 365-4201 July 31 - Aug. 3 Prattville, AL (256) 290 - 0702 (D20o1e2s)n, ’“tIfTChoartnMeliueas nHaHdethWeHasolSyaSvpeidri?t”, August 18-20 Sevierville, TN https://apologeticspress.org/if-cornelius- had-the-holy-spirit-doesnt-that-mean-he- was-saved-1693/. R&

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