Posted on 05/22/2015 4:54:44 PM PDT by OK Sun
Acts 11:219-2619 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
I wonder, can we reason that there was a specific reason to send for Saul/Paul, even though some message being preached was converting Jews and Greeks in Antioch? So there was a thing about what Paul could teach them that seemed to go beyond the message the men of Cyrene and Cyprus were preaching, even though their message was bearing fruit. ... more to come
Acts 9:19 - 23Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."
21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,
Now this message infuriated the non-believing Jews, that he was suddenly saying indeed Jesus IS the Christ. To the Jews who rejected Jesus, this was the same as saying the Kingdom had come and they, the non-believers, had rejected it. Not only had the one sent by the Sanhedrin been converted to this 'rebel sect', he was now preaching a Way not comprehended by those rejecting Jesus, but he was also accusing those rejecting Jesus of killing The Messiah and causing the Kingdom to be taken from them and given to 'others'! And that bit would confuse the Jews the more, because the Kingdom about to be given to 'another' was a spiritual kingdom yet the non-believing Jews were expecting a physical kingdom of David's throne revived. ... more to come
Acts 10:10 -10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air.
13 A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!" But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." Again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy."
16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.
Something was not clicking with Peter. The vision of the foods Peter considered unclean was to prepare his heart to accept a different perspective, a new perspective to which God would apply His proof of approval with the Holy Spirit descending upon this new, previously 'unclean' 'other' to receive the kingdom. Jews were already receiving this seal of the Holy Spirit, but it was open to all such that there is therefore neither Jew nor gentile, only The Ekklesia being added to. ... more to come
Acts 10:17 -17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon's house, appeared at the gate; and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there.
19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself."
Note please that it is the same Angel who instructed Cornelius who is telling Peter that He sent these men from the house of Cornelius. Yet Peter still didn't quite comprehend what was afoot! But the vision caused Peter to accept these visitors into the house, where prior to the vision such 'unclean' would not be invited in and lodged there with Peter an anointed one.
Acts 10: 19 - 4319And as Peter was thinking of the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold three men seek thee. Arise, therefore, get thee down and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter, going down to the men, said: Behold, I am he whom you seek; what is the cause for which you are come? Who said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and having good testimony from all the nation of the Jews, received an answer of an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then bringing them in, he lodged them. And the day following he arose, and went with them: and some of the brethren from Joppe accompanied him.
24 And the morrow after, he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, having called together his kinsmen and special friends. And it came to pass, that when Peter was come in, Cornelius came to meet him, Cornelius came to meet him, and falling at his feet adored. But Peter lifted him up, saying: Arise, I myself also am a man. And talking with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said to them: You know how abominable it is for a man that is a Jew, to keep company or to come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed to me, to call no man common or unclean. For which cause, making no doubt, I came when I was sent for. I ask, therefore, for what cause you have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said: Four days ago, unto this hour, I was praying in my house, at the ninth hour, and behold a man stood before me in white apparel, and said: Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thy alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppe, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side. Immediately therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast done well in coming. Now therefore all we are present in thy sight, to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee by the Lord.
And Peter opening his mouth, said: In very deed I perceive, that God is not a respecter of persons. But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh justice, is acceptable to him. God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all.) You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached, Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost, and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose again from the dead; And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God, to be judge of the living and of the dead. To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him.
A powerful sermon, especially to the hearts of people who not being raised as Jews were still 'God fearing'. Note, when Peter says 'to preach to the people' he is referring specifically to the Jews, not gentiles. The People is Scriptural reference naming the Chosen People, God's chosen, The Jews.
Here's an aside I found while researching the Cornelius story, concerning the possible Cornelius connection to Judaism of that day. {Cornelius is the central character of a story I'm presently working on.}
When Pilot was appointed to govern and subdue Judea he desired to understand the Jews by appointing certain of his best Centurions and advisors to mingle with the Jews, learn their language and commune with them to learn their customs and beliefs. Cornelius may well have been one of these Centurions. He may also have been in Jerusalem during the times of the crucifixion, witnessing supernatural events which convinced him that Jesus was indeed the special one to be sent to and for the Jews, prophesied throughout the Septuagint. Cornelius likely was fluent in Greek and could read freely the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew texts) available to all at that time by the work of the seventy Rabbi's two hundred years earlier. ... more to come
Acts 10:44 - 48While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished, for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also. For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.
WOW! God's Spirit didn't wait for Peter to finish. And those of the circumcision were astonished. Why? Because the salvation was believed by the circumcision to be sent to ONLY The People of the circumcision. That is the basis of the confused message regarding being circumcised and following the laws of Moses which the Council in chapter 15 addressed.
The Holy Spirit came into believers immediately when the 'pricks' drew reaction, engendered faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. The amazing thing to address is the real possibility that Peter still did not realize in that moment why the message he preached, that Jesus is the Messiah spoken of by/in the prophets, was now simplified so perfectly that any Jew or Gentile who believes Jesus is Lord and Savior sent to them will be sealed by the Holy Spirit, regardless of knowledge of the OT scriptures or prophecies or being circumcised or adhering to the Laws of Moses, all 600+ of them!
The Grace of God in Christ, when believed as The Truth, brings the Holy Spirit seal upon the spirit of the believer. The connection to the law and the prophets is real, but it is transcended by the Grace of God in Christ to any who believe what Peter uttered in Matthew 16:16. ... more to come
Acts 11: 1- 31 AND the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them?
Why would these Jewish CHRISTIANS ask such a question if they had been sharing and preaching the message as Paul was delivering to the Gentiles and the Jews in private sessions during his missionary journey? Here's Peter's explanation and evidence that he was finally 'getting it', finally realizing that a new covenant was unfolding through them:
Acts 11:12 - 1912 And the Spirit said to me, that I should go with them, nothing doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: and we entered into the man's house. And he told us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing, and saying to him: Send to Joppe, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter, Who shall speak to thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, and all thy house. And when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, as upon us also in the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said: John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. If then God gave them the same grace, as to us also who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that could withstand God? Having heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying: God then hath also to the Gentiles given repentance unto life.
That 'same Grace as we also' came during preaching of the Kingdom arrived and rejected yet risen from the Dead, Jesus is the Grace of God in Christ, as Peter even tried to repeat at the house of Cornelius. But the Holy Spirit didn't wait for the sermon to finish, He responded to the belief sparked in the heart of the listeners.
Sure, Cornelius may have been teaching the coming Kingdom to those in attendance, for who knows how long, but they were not Jews. So, as Peter proclaimed the Kingdom come and rejected by the Jews, and Jesus the real Messiah prophesied, the listeners believed Jesus is the Grace of God in Christ, just as Peter was finally realizing. But not all yet understood the magnitude of the Grace.
Acts 15: 1-1AND some coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of the other side, should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem about this question. They therefore being brought on their way by the church, passed through Phenice, and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God had done with them.
5 But there arose some of the sect of the Pharisees that believed, saying: They must be circumcised, and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brethren, you know, that in former days God made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.
Interesting that Peter opens it up at this point (well, as holder of the keys, perhaps not surprising), citing that 'in like manner as they were shown approved, we were been shown approved' that Grace comes upon them also. If the Grace of God in Christ as Paul offered the message had been the same offered tot he Jews who believed, why would there be any dispute over what should be preached unto the Gentiles as The Way?
Acts 15:13-2113 And after they had held their peace [ Paul and Barnabas had recited the great things wrought among the gentiles during the missions ], James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me. Simon hath related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:
16 After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and the ruins thereof I will rebuild, and I will set it up: That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things.
18 To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world. For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted. But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.
James cannot resist referring his audience OF JEWS now become Christians, to the preaching of the laws of Moses (all 600 plus of them), because he now sets a new standard for this new covenant of the Grace of God in Christ not requiring the laws of Moses (all 600+ of them) being followed to retain God's Grace in Christ. To RETAIN, not to earn, to retain. what James offered to start his declaration is echoed in Paul's letter to the Romans, that men have not been without a witness to God The Creator since the beginning of humankind. James starts by pointing to the most pervasive witness, but then notes for his listeners that also in all these locations the laws of Moses ahd been offered in Synagogue on the Sabbath where this new covenant is blossoming.
The Grace of God in Christ, without following the laws of Moses to be retained, is what the Gentiles were being sealed by God's Holy Spirit over believing that. THis is the essence of the new covenant which the Jewish believers found hard to comprehend, and which they had yet to preach, as witnessed by what Peter tried to preach in the house of Cornelius but God didn't wait for Peter's planned punchline! The message as given by Jews was changing and it is evidenced by the change in what James found expedient tot he Gentile believers being added tot he ekklesia.
Believing, saved, sealed Pharisees were still thinking the old covenant must be observed to retain the seal of the Holy Spirit, because they were still preaching the Kingdom message, with all the baggage of the Mosaic laws attached. James, after listening to the stories told by Peter, Paul, and Barnabas realized a new covenant was now operating which didn't require the keeping of the laws of Moses to have the Holy Spirit seal. The children were being transitioned from milk to meat, strong meat indeed!
Well said.
You should write a book that takes on different topics of confusion such as Calvinism vs Armenianism or the doctrine of salvation etc..
Actually, being converted takes a moment, and as the case with Spurgeon, even being exhorted to "Look [to Christ] and live" can basically suffice to enlighten a convicted contrite souls enough that he can called upon the risen Lord Jesus to save Him by His sinless shed blood.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalms 34:18)
However, the preparatory work of conviction and abasement needed for conversion can take decades.
Also, rather than the easy believism Rome associates with sola fide, but which is most manifest among RCs, in Puritan Protestantism there was often a tendency to make the way to the cross too narrow, perhaps in reaction against the Antinomian controversy as described in an account (http://www.the-highway.com/Early_American_Bauckham.html) of Puritans during the early American period that notes,
“They had, like most preachers of the Gospel, a certain difficulty in determining what we might call the ‘conversion level’, the level of difficulty above which the preacher may be said to be erecting barriers to the Gospel and below which he may be said to be encouraging men to enter too easily into a mere delusion of salvation. Contemporary critics, however, agree that the New England pastors set the level high. Nathaniel Ward, who was step-son to Richard Rogers and a distinguished Puritan preacher himself, is recorded as responding to Thomas Hooker’s sermons on preparation for receiving Christ in conversion with, ‘Mr. Hooker, you make as good Christians before men are in Christ as ever they are after’, and wishing, ‘Would I were but as good a Christian now as you make men while they are preparing for Christ.’”
How’d they GET they?
I'm sure that a thorough search of FR would reveal Dan's output on just about everything on these subjects you could possibly absorb!
What had been promised to the Jews/Israel throughout the entire Old Testament? Wasn't it hat the Messiah would rule on the throne of David? They He would reign from Jerusalem? Where in the Old Testament was the "church" prophesied?
>>1. If the "good news" of the kingdom of God is different from the "good news" of Jesus Christ, are the two mutually exclusive?<<
No.
>>2. If the "kingdom of God" talked about in Acts 19:8 and Matthew 24:1314 both MUST refer to the kingdom that will be set up on earth with Jesus sitting on the throne of David during the millennium at the end of the tribulation, why did Jesus say in Luke 17:20-21:<<
The Kingdom of God did not come in a visible form. That's what the It began "in their midst" just as Jesus said. The Kingdom is now in heaven but will descend when Jesus sets foot on earth. Here's the quote from the Pharisees; "“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come". You really need to take all of scripture into account. Not just a few verses. Remember that Jesus also said "not yet" and that it wasn't for the apostles to know when He would "restore the Kingdom of Israel".
Acts 1:6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
Notice two things. First, the apostles clearly understood that Jesus was indeed going to restore the kingdom of Israel or they wouldn't have asked. Second, Jesus didn't say "I'm not going to", He simply said it wasn't for them to know when.
>>If it is what both Peter and Paul preached from the Old Testament to the Jews that Jesus was in fact that Messiah who would rule and that it was NOT going to be during their time on earth, why did Jesus tell Nicodemus that to enter the kingdom he must be born again (John 3), i.e., to have a spiritual birth?<<
Once again, The kingdom of God has already started but not the earthly part of that kingdom which the people of Israel expect.
>>If it is the kingdom that will be set up on earth with Jesus sitting on the throne of David during the millennium at the end of the tribulation why did Jesus say,<<
Well, let's look at the Matthew 21 passage you quoted.
Matthew 21:43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.
Then let's jump to verse 45
Matthew 21:45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.
Now, the kingdom was indeed taken from them wasn't it. It had been the chief priests and the Pharisees who ruled over Israel. Look who will rule instead.
Matthew 19:27 Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" 28 And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Notice two things there. First, Jesus said "in the regeneratation when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne". That's the earthly throne of David in Jerusalem. Second, who was it that was "producing the fruit of it"? It was the apostles and it is they who have been given the kingdom to rule over Israel. So you see, that was indeed taken from the chief priests and Pharisees and given to the apostles.
The kingdom of God did start with Jesus death and resurrection and has come but not as far as the nation of Israel is concerned with the physical rule of Christ in Jerusalem with the apostles ruling over the twelve tribes instead of the chief priests and the Pharisees.
However, the preparatory work of conviction and abasement needed for conversion can take decades.
Yes it can for some, others, not so much...I can only be an expert on my own case...
Some people respond to the call just by realizing that God loves them...And others, like myself wait until we realize there is no where else to turn, no where to get any answers or help...When you are in the bottom of a pit and there's nothing able to get you out, you (I) turn to God...
While I know where you're coming from, I disagree. The rich, young ruler was a case of a person keeping the commandments yet had not the faith to sell all that he had. The apostle Paul said as much about himself-being a Jew among Jew. It was all counted for rubbish. There are some people who keep commandments far better than Christian, yet they remain unsaved.
The law is good. It is given for our benefit. But it is foolishness to think that we can do any good apart from Christ. As Augustine prayed: "Command what you will, and grant what you command."
It goes deeper than that, and do not count the rich young ruler out. Paul thought he kept the law, and yet he was part and parcel of the murder of blessed Stephen, which violated the second greatest commandment. Because of his persecution of the church he was the least of all the apostles and unworthy to be called an apostle, so he is not a good example to make that point. If one does not keep the Messiah's commandments, if one does not obey the Messiah, do you really imagine he is saved ? If one does keep the Messiah's commandments, do you really imagine he is unsaved. Who is telling you to do anything without the Messiah ? Do everything he told you to do. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
First John, Catholic chapter three, Protestant verse seven,
Revelation, Catholic chapter twenty two, Protestant verses ten to sixteen,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James
That is an interesting question. The scriptures often talk about people being gathered with their fathers, but where was that? It is apparent that people in the Old Testament believed that 1) they would be gathered with their love ones, 2) it would be pleasant and forever, and 3) it would be in the presences of the Lord. David certainly did as he talked about it in the Psalms.
I think the people prior to the cross had a more accurate view-that we would be gather with other believers, we be in the present of God, and that we would have endless joy and peace. The New Testament talks about a bit more but not much.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
You bring up an historically old and interesting argument. I would say that faith is a gift from God that motivates one to diligently seek God.
What had been promised to the Jews/Israel throughout the entire Old Testament? Wasn't it hat the Messiah would rule on the throne of David? They He would reign from Jerusalem? Where in the Old Testament was the "church" prophesied?
That the Messiah would rule on the throne of David is not the only thing promised in the Old Testament. It is, to be sure, but to answer your question regarding where in the Old Testament was the 'church' prophesied, how about Romans 9?
22 [n]What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. 25 As He says also in Hosea,“I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’
And her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’”
26 “And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; 28 for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, [o]thoroughly and [p]quickly.” 29 And just as Isaiah foretold,
“Unless the Lord of [q]Sabaoth had left to us a [r]posterity,
We would have become like Sodom, and would have [s]resembled Gomorrah.”30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is [t]by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it [u]by faith, but as though it were [v]by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written,
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,
And he who believes in Him will not be [w]disappointed.”Footnotes:
- Romans 9:3 Lit pray
Cordially,
Doesn’t God give everyone a measure of faith? It’s the commands that TEST faith:
Offer a more excellent sacrifice.
Build an ark (not exactly a one room cabin. and done without a sawmill)
Leave Haran, and take everything with you on a 400 mile hike.
Desire to meet God, but try and turn down the leadership role of freeing a people from the most powerful nation on the planet.
I don’t know the rich young ruler’s heart, but the Lord found no fault with what he had been doing up to that point. The total selling out was the test he failed at.
Job was rich AND faithful, but God took everything (except his wife, I guess) to test him.
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