Old Testament reading: Numbers 20-21
“But I did it that way before!” “Yes, but what were you told to do this time?” I can hear a parent or teacher having this conversation with some young person, and it seems to fit today’s reading as well. The heading in my Bible says “Moses’ Error at Kadesh.” I don’t think “error” is strong enough. Perhaps “sin” or “disobedience” would have been more accurate. Today’s text reminds us that even the greatest of men have feet of clay. Of all the times one might expect Moses to falter before God, this would not have been one of them. Moses had traveled this path before: the people had no water and began to complain (Ex 17:1ff). Moses was told to take his rod and speak to the rock in the sight of the people. Instead, Moses disobeyed God by smiting the rock as he had done before (Ex 17:6), rather than speaking to it as he had been commanded. This moment of weakness cost him entrance into the Promised Land. We would also mention that Aaron was also forbidden to enter Canaan on this account (v 12, 24). Lesson to be learned – The blessings of a lifetime of service can be forfeited in a moment’s time. The devil is always lurking, so be on guard!
New Testament reading: Acts 22-24
“And now why are you waiting? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). What is it about this text that makes it so difficult to understand? Most Evangelicals teach the exact opposite of what this text teaches concerning how to be saved. Tragically, most teach that one should call on the name of the Lord (e.g., sinner’s prayer), have their sins washed away, be baptized later (or not), then arise and go on one’s way. Such reveals a gross lack of understanding of what it means to call on the name of the Lord. Moreover, this doctrine causes Paul to teach a plan of salvation that contradicts the very one he himself said he obeyed. Finally, in Acts 2:21 Peter quoted Joel’s statement that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Would Peter have concluded his sermon without telling his audience how to call on the name of the Lord? If not, what statement did Peter make later in Acts 2 regarding remission of sins and salvation? Like Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38 also teaches us how to call on the name of the Lord.
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