ERC Sundays

Pastor Matt continues our series with the Multiplying Church with Paul's farewell message to the Elders of the church in Ephesus.

Matt and Chris do a deeper dive on the Epicureans and the Stoics and give their thoughts on the "Unknown God"

Pastor Chris continues the journey through Acts with Paul's experience in Athens, the city of idols.

Pastor Matt and Pastor Chris continue a conversation on the questions asked about the Christian life in this week's sermon, "Why are we doing this?" - The Bear Pope and Chris' red phone case also make an appearance, alongside "Frumpy Chris"

*** SHOW NOTES***

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/acts-14/

Pastor Matt preaches on Paul and Barnabas' experience in Lystra and asks the question we all should be asking in each aspect of our life, "Why are we doing this?" - hopefully each decision is for God's glory and our good.

Pastor Matt and Pastor Chris discuss the visions for Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10, and Peter's explanation to the early church in Acts 11. "Cornelius!!!" (?)

***SHOW NOTES***

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/acts-10/

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/acts-11/

https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/act/10/1/s_1028001

https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/act/11/1/s_1029001

Pastor Chris continues the series of the Multiplying Church in Acts chapter 10.

Pastor Matt and Pastor Chris debate the aspects of adventures with Harrison Ford characters, and make a deeper examination of Paul's conversion in Acts 9.

Pastor Chris preaches on the conversion of Saul to Paul, as the Early Church continues to multiply.

Pastor Matt and Pastor Chris talk about a few leftovers from Acts 8, including the presence of the Holy Spirit in believers, forgiveness, and a "Pastor's React" segment to a John Crist comedy sketch.

*** SHOW NOTES***

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/acts-8/

Acts 8:22 Commentaries

Matthew Henry Commentary

When tempted with money to do evil, see what a perishing thing money is, and scorn it. Think not that Christianity is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, its false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which must be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon our repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon's repentance, not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. Grant us, Lord, another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and did not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtle poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God

Benson Commentary

If perhaps, the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee — Without all doubt, if Simon had repented he would have been forgiven; and this dubious manner in which Peter speaks of his obtaining forgiveness, intimates, not that his repentance, if sincere, might possibly fail of acceptance, for that would have been contrary to the whole tenor of the gospel; but the doubt was, whether he would sincerely repent; whether, after the commission of a sin so nearly approaching the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, he could ever be brought to true repentance.

Ellicott’s Commentary

The “if perhaps,” in the Greek, as in the English, implies a latent doubt. Did the thought come across the mind of the Apostle that the sin of Simon came very near that “sin against the Holy Ghost which hath never forgiveness” (Matthew 12:31)? The use of such words by the chief of the Apostles, after the apparent concession of a plenary power in John 20:23, are terribly suggestive. He neither forgives nor condemns, but bids the offender turn to the Searcher of hearts and pray for forgiveness. Had he seen repentance, he might have said, “Thy sins are forgiven thee.” Had he seen a conscience utterly dead, he might have closed the door of hope. As it is, he stands midway between hope and fear, and, keeping silence, leaves judgment to the Judge.

Expositor’s Commentary

“if perhaps … may be forgiven thee”. St. Peter does not throw doubt on forgiveness after sincere repentance, but the doubt is expressed, because Simon so long as he was what he was (see the probable reading of the next verse and the connecting γάρ) could not repent, and therefore could not be forgiven, cf. Genesis 18:3. “If now I have found favour in thine eyes,” εἰ ἄρα (אִם־נָא), which I hope rather than venture to assume;