Let us begin with the scripture:
Deuteronomy 23:18 (ESV) – “You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.”
In this verse, two forms of illicit income are mentioned:
The fee of a prostitute, referring to money earned through female prostitution.
The wages of a dog, a metaphor for a male prostitute. In ancient Hebrew context, the word “dog” (Hebrew: keleb) could be a derogatory term referring to male cult prostitutes, particularly those associated with pagan temple rituals (see also Strong’s Concordance H3611).
This usage reflects both moral corruption and ritual impurity. Male prostitution, often practiced in pagan temples, was directly tied to idolatry and sexual perversion, which God forbade for Israel (see Leviticus 18:22 and 1 Kings 14:24).
Leviticus 18:22 (ESV) – “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
1 Kings 14:24 (ESV) – “…there were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations that the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.”
These male prostitutes were often linked to Canaanite fertility worship and were considered detestable because their acts directly opposed God’s design for sexuality and worship.
God is holy, and His house must be kept holy. Offerings to God were to be from clean hands and pure hearts (see Psalm 24:3–4). God rejected not only sinful acts but also any proceeds gained through sin, especially sexual immorality tied to idolatry.
Proverbs 15:8 (ESV) – “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.”
By forbidding the earnings of prostitution (both female and male), God emphasizes that the source of an offering matters. It is not enough to give to God—how we live and how we earn matters deeply to Him.
Scripture teaches that holiness is the first and most important offering God seeks from us. Without repentance and sanctification, our gifts—even generous ones—are not pleasing to Him.
Romans 12:1 (ESV) – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Jesus also reaffirmed this principle in the New Testament:
Matthew 9:13 (ESV) – “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
In other words, God desires transformed lives more than outward religious acts.
Jesus instructed believers to reconcile with others and come before God with sincerity, not hypocrisy:
Matthew 5:23–24 (ESV) – “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
This shows that God values right relationships and internal purity above ritual sacrifice.
Scripture warns that those who continue in willful sin, including sexual immorality and deceit, without repentance, will be excluded from the Kingdom of God:
Revelation 22:14–15 (ESV) – “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
The term “dogs” here again refers to those living in moral and spiritual corruption—those who have rejected God’s path of holiness.
God forbids income from prostitution (male or female) from being used in offerings to Him.
Holiness and sincere repentance are what God desires more than material gifts.
We are called to live holy lives, offer ourselves to God, and repent from sin.
Those who persist in sin and refuse to repent are in danger of being excluded from eternal life.
May we strive to live in holiness, offering ourselves fully to the Lord.
Maranatha! (The Lord is coming.)Please share this message with others so that they too may be edified.
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WHO GAVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS?
Have you ever considered the devil’s strategy in accusing Jesus—the argument strong enough to lead to His crucifixion? Understanding this reveals how Satan sets traps for believers, particularly in the end times.
The Bible tells us that the Jewish leaders searched for reasons to condemn Jesus but found none that could legitimately stick. It wasn’t until the final moments that they resorted to an accusation that carried weight: the Temple.
Matthew 26:59-61 (ESV):“Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last, two came forward and said, ‘This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’”
At first glance, this may seem like a simple statement about the Temple. But theologically, it highlights several key points:
Satan’s cunning: There were many statements Jesus made that could have justified His death in the minds of His accusers, such as when He called them children of the devil instead of Abraham (John 8:44 ESV). Yet the Temple statement had a specific weight—it touched on God’s dwelling place, the spiritual heart of Israel. Satan’s strategy was to use human pride and misunderstanding to bring Jesus to the cross.
The Temple as a spiritual symbol: The Temple in Jerusalem represented God’s presence among His people. When Jesus spoke of destroying and raising it in three days, He was not referring to Herod’s stone structure but to His body, the true dwelling place of God (John 2:19-21 ESV). This reveals Christ’s ultimate purpose: the establishment of the new covenant through His death and resurrection, where believers become God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22).
Historical preparation by God and opposition by Satan: During Zerubbabel’s time, the rebuilding of the Second Temple was opposed by enemies, and the Spirit guided the Jewish leaders to refuse their help (Ezra 4:1-3 ESV). Centuries later, Herod the Great extensively renovated the Temple, spending 46 years and immense resources (John 2:20 ESV). While this made the Temple magnificent in appearance, Satan’s hand was at work: turning God’s house into a place of commerce and human control.
Herod’s Temple became a center of economic exploitation and human authority, where strict regulations meant anyone wishing to innovate or challenge the system needed Herod’s permission—or faced death. The priests and the people were silenced by fear, a spiritual warning that human authority can obscure God’s authority when corrupted.
When Christ entered this Temple, He disrupted all commercial activity, showing that true worship must be pure and holy, not corrupted by profit or human agendas (Matthew 21:12-13 ESV). This angered the Jewish leaders, who asked:
Luke 20:2 (ESV):“‘Tell us by what authority you are doing these things. Who gave you this authority?’”
Their question reveals a human tendency to confuse earthly authority with divine authority. The ultimate authority belongs to God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, acts with divine authority—not human permission.
Theological lessons for believers today:
Satan understands the end times: he knows Christ will reclaim His church and will attempt to infiltrate it through deception (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ESV). This is why false doctrines and corrupt religious systems proliferate.
True salvation is not about religious affiliation or denominational loyalty. It comes through repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit, and living in holiness (Acts 2:38 ESV; 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV).
Believers must discern between the appearance of godliness and the power of God (2 Timothy 3:5 ESV). Practices not rooted in Scripture—idol worship, praying to saints, or unscriptural rituals—are traps of deception.
Even today, Satan does not have full power to destroy humanity. But in the end times, he will have temporary authority to persecute believers who resist the great deception (Revelation 13:7 ESV). Only those who are truly in Christ, living under God’s guidance, will stand firm.
So, the question remains: have you truly been saved, or are you relying on your religion or denomination for security? Denominations cannot save; only a personal relationship with Christ can. Salvation requires repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit, and a life committed to holiness.
Repent today, for Christ could return at any moment.
Maranatha.
Do you want me to do that next?
Many people say they are saved—but what does it truly mean to be saved? Is it just a prayer you say once, or a transformed life that continues daily? Today, we’ll explore this through the story of Zacchaeus, a man whose encounter with Jesus shows what genuine salvation looks like.
Luke 19:1-10 (NIV) gives us the account:
“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ … Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house.’”– Luke 19:5, 8-9 (NIV)
Zacchaeus wasn’t just curious about Jesus—he was ready to change. When Jesus called him, he responded with joy, humility, and radical generosity. His response revealed a heart that had truly repented.
Notice what Jesus said after Zacchaeus committed to making things right:
“Today salvation has come to this house…” – Luke 19:9 (NIV)
Zacchaeus didn’t just say sorry. He corrected the wrongs he had done. This aligns with what John the Baptist preached:
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” – Matthew 3:8 (NIV)
In other words, true repentance is not just a feeling or a statement—it results in visible, tangible change. This kind of repentance involves both the heart and the hands: a change in attitude and behavior.
Zacchaeus restored four times what he had taken. This reflects the Old Testament principle of restitution for theft or fraud:
“If anyone sins… by deceiving a neighbor… he must return what he has stolen… and must add a fifth of the value to it.” – Leviticus 6:2-5 (NIV)
While the Mosaic Law required a 20% increase, Zacchaeus went far beyond—demonstrating a heart deeply convicted and eager to make things right. This is a key indicator of genuine conversion.
Salvation is not hidden; it produces evidence. Jesus said:
“By their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:16 (NIV)
If we claim to follow Christ, our lives should show it—not just in words, but in deeds. That includes:
Letting go of wealth or possessions gained through sin
Walking away from immoral relationships
Changing how we dress, speak, and conduct ourselves
Making amends with those we’ve wronged
Jesus warned of people who honor Him with their lips but not with their lives:
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” – Matthew 15:8 (NIV)
Repentance that doesn’t lead to transformation is false. A changed heart leads to a changed life.
Just like Zacchaeus, God is calling people today. He is ready to enter your “house”—your life—if you’re ready to respond in repentance and faith.
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10 (NIV)
If your repentance hasn’t resulted in change, it’s time to begin again.Let go of sinful habits, make things right, and live a life that reflects Jesus. The call is not to perfection, but to surrender and transformation.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
May the Lord bless you and strengthen you as you walk in true repentance.Please share this message—it may be the turning point for someone else.
Question: What did the Apostle Paul mean when he said, “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill” (Philippians 1:15)? What does it mean to preach the Gospel out of envy?
Answer: To understand what Paul meant, it’s good to read the whole passage:
Philippians 1:12–18 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.
Philippians 1:12–18
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.
Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison. During his imprisonment, two groups of preachers emerged who began proclaiming the very same gospel he had preached.
Surprisingly, Paul didn’t respond with bitterness. Instead, he rejoiced. Why? Because regardless of their motives, the Gospel of Christ was still being preached, and people were being saved.
What can we learn from Paul and these rival preachers?
This shows us that the Gospel can still bear fruit even when preached by people with wrong motives. Today, too, there are false teachers who draw people to Christ, but that doesn’t mean they themselves will be accepted by Him on the Day of Judgment.
Jesus made this clear in:
Matthew 7:21–23 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21–23
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
So we must be careful about our motives in preaching. Are we truly serving the Lord? Or are we competing with a certain pastor, apostle, prophet, or minister?
Likewise, as preachers of the true Gospel, we shouldn’t retaliate when false teachers oppose us. If the message they proclaim is truly the Gospel of Christ, let us rejoice in the fruits, just as Paul did. The rest judgment of motives belongs to God alone on that day.
May the Lord bless you.
Please share this message with others!
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Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome as we study the Bible, the Word of God, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Today, we’ll be learning about a man named Theophilus. The Bible doesn’t provide a lot of details about him, but he played a significant role in the spread of the gospel.
Before we dive into Theophilus’ story, let’s first establish some background on certain letters found in the Bible.
In the New Testament, we come across several letters written to individuals. These letters, originally intended for specific people, have proven to be helpful even to us today. For example, we have the letters Paul wrote to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. These letters were meant to build them up in their faith and ministry, but God allowed them to be preserved and read by many, even up to this day.
Timothy, Titus, and Philemon probably never imagined that the letters they received from Paul would be read by countless generations to come. They, along with Paul, were unaware of the impact these letters would have.
It’s a bit like you writing a letter today to a distant relative, and many years from now, that letter ends up being read all over the world. You’d be amazed! That’s exactly what happened with Paul and these individuals. They exchanged letters to strengthen each other in their ministry, but God had much bigger plans for those letters.
We’re using these three as examples because they’re well-known, but there was another important person in the Bible who played a significant role in the writing of the scriptures—though he isn’t as famous as Timothy. This person is THE HONORABLE THEOPHILUS.
Just like Paul wrote First and Second Timothy, there were also letters written by Luke, which we could call First and Second Letters to Theophilus.
Many of us don’t realize that the books of Luke and Acts were originally written as personal letters to one individual, not to the general public or the whole church. These books were specifically addressed to one man Theophilus. In other words, the books of Luke and Acts could be referred to as The First Letter to Theophilus and The Second Letter to Theophilus.
So, who exactly was Theophilus?
In short, Theophilus was a high-ranking official, probably a Roman, and not a Jew. He was a man of status, and he had a particular interest in the story of Jesus and His Apostles, especially Paul. However, he wasn’t sure what to believe about what he was hearing. By the time he heard these stories, Jesus had already ascended to heaven, Paul was elderly, and the Apostles were scattered across the world.
Because of his position and wisdom, Theophilus sought out Luke who had traveled extensively with Paul on his missionary journeys and asked him to investigate and write an accurate account of all he had heard about Jesus and the Apostles. Theophilus wanted to get the truth and be certain about the stories he had heard.
We don’t know exactly how much support Theophilus gave Luke to complete this task, but we know he did it wholeheartedly.
Luke, being a well-educated man (he was a physician) and a devoted follower of Christ, diligently compiled an account of Jesus’ life from His birth to His ascensionand then continued to write about the Acts of the Apostles after Jesus’ ascension. He also chronicled Paul’s missionary journeys and how the gospel was spread to the Gentiles.
After gathering and writing all this information, Luke sent it to Theophilus. And these are the books we now read as the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
Without a doubt, when Theophilus received these two letters, he was greatly satisfied. His doubts were resolved, and he glorified God for the clarity he now had.
Let’s take a brief look at the introductions to these letters Luke wrote to Theophilus, and then we’ll consider what we can learn from him.
Luke 1:1-4 (NIV)
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
Acts 1:1-3 (NIV)z “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. After His suffering, He presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
First, consider how many valuable lessons and teachings we find in the books of Luke and Acts. If you’ve read them, you know how foundational and rich in faith they are.
Theophilus wasn’t satisfied with just hearing surface-level stories about Jesus. He wanted to know the full details how Jesus was born, the circumstances surrounding His birth, who His family was, what He preached, for how long, how He died, how He rose again, and where He is now. Perhaps Theophilus wanted to know all this for his own benefit, but also for his children and family.
Theologically, Theophilus exemplifies the believer’s desire for a deeper, more personal relationship with the truth of the gospel. His pursuit reflects a biblical model of discipleship that seeks to understand the fullness of God’s revelation. In Luke 1:3, we see Luke’s intentional effort to deliver a “carefully investigated” and “orderly” account. This underscores the importance of accuracy and depth in understanding the events of salvation history, which is foundational to the Christian faith.
His goal was to avoid being misled by false teachings or the confusion that was spreading at the time. He sought reliable, accurate information. So, he went to Luke, who he believed was the best person to provide him with a trustworthy account.
And Luke, in turn, investigated thoroughly and wrote everything in detail.
Theologically, this demonstrates the reliability of Scripture. Luke wasn’t merely recounting oral traditions or popular stories. He carefully investigated the events he described, ensuring that his writings were reliable. This speaks to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, which asserts that Scripture, in its original manuscripts, is fully truthful and trustworthy in all that it affirms.
That’s why Luke says:
“…I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
As we’ve seen, Theophilus didn’t just want to hear about Jesus. He also wanted to know about the Acts of the Apostles what they did, how they spread the gospel, and especially about Paul. He wanted to know who Paul was, how he encountered Jesus, and what he went through on his journeys. Luke wrote everything down, leaving nothing out!
Now, think about how much we’ve learned from the book of Acts about Paul’s life and ministry. There’s so much we can take from it. We see that the journey of faith involves highs and lows, suffering, and challenges. This is consistent with the theology of the Christian life, which teaches that the believer’s walk will involve perseverance through trials (Romans 5:3-4) and that suffering produces spiritual maturity (James 1:2-4).
So, because Theophilus sought to know and pursued the truth with diligence, it has become a blessing to us as well.
Likewise, we should be like Theophilus when it comes to matters of the Kingdom of Heaven. When we diligently seek to understand God’s Word, the knowledge we gain not only benefits us, but it also helps others and future generations.
Theologically, this teaches us the importance of the pursuit of truth. The Bible encourages believers to “study to show [themselves] approved” (2 Timothy 2:15). Theophilus’ quest for certainty in the gospel challenges us to approach God’s Word with diligence, desiring a deeper understanding of God’s redemptive plan, just as he did.
Maybe today, you’re doing something smal—writing something down or teaching your children. It might seem insignificant, but you don’t know what God’s plan for it might be in the future. Perhaps Theophilus thought he wanted the letters for his own benefit and for his family. But God had a much greater plan for those letters, impacting millions of people in generations to come.
Ask yourself how great is the reward awaiting Theophilus? And he wasn’t even a Jew!
One day, he will stand before the Lord and realize that his quest for truth not only blessed his own family but also impacted billions of people across generations. Right now, Theophilus is asleep in the grave, but at the resurrection, he will see the vast reward for his effort. And perhaps, had he known, he would have asked for even more knowledge to be written down for an even greater crown.
Because of his diligence, we have the books of Luke and Acts.
Matthew 8:11 (NIV)
“I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”
May the Lord help us do something today that will benefit us and future generations.
Maranatha!
Notes on Theological Concepts:
I hope this expanded version is what you had in mind! Let me know if you need any additional details.