Washing With The Word: Ephesians 5:25-27
“25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26) so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27) that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭
This context is about marriage. Within it, Paul uses the relationship of Jesus to the church as an illustration of love.
I want to focus on verse 26. Jesus wants to sanctify and cleanse His church “by the washing of water with the word.” What an amazing phrase!
This word picture is also used in Titus 3:5-6. Let me quote; “5) He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6) whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
When these two texts are compared, we discover that the washing, regenerating and renewing are active ministries of the Holy Spirit. He uses the Word of God as His cleansing agent. In Ephesians 6:17, the word of God is called the sword of the Spirit.
Let me be transparent. I aggressively pursue the washing of the Word in my life. I read Scripture, listen to Scripture, memorize Scripture and meditate on Scripture. As Psalm 1:2 says, I do this both day and night.
Most mornings, Debby and I read around ten chapters together and then pray. As I go through the day, I listen to Scripture or great sermons through my hearing aids or a headset. I don’t listen to secular radio and we don’t own a TV.
Most nights when I lay down to sleep, I listen to audio Scripture. My favorite is the book of Psalms. As I sleep, the Spirit of God washes, cleanses and regenerates me. Many times it includes physical healing and restoration.
Any fear, anxiety or tension is literally washed away by this process. Often as I rest, I find my spirit praying along with the Scriptures. Most nights I listen through the whole book of Psalms.
This amount of washing in the Word has been a growing delight in my life. I cannot remember the last time I watched a movie, TV program or secular radio.
It used to consume much of my time and frankly caused turmoil in my soul. They fed lust, fantasy, tension and ungodly passion. I constantly felt filthy, dirty and double minded. I was ashamed of myself and living under condemnation.
By Gods grace that’s all gone. I now feel so clean, in constant fellowship with God and live with a clear conscience. I honestly don’t miss the garbage in my soul. The inner battle is over. Jesus won and my flesh lost!
I share these things to encourage you to lay aside the old self, renew your mind and put on the new self. (Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:1-11) This is a process that we are responsible to pursue in our own lives. God does not force it on us.
I’m not sure I’ve got it right, but the inner fruit of this abiding in the Word is amazing. In the process, I sense I am gaining a genuine biblical world view that is not tainted by theological bias or loyalty to one camp or the other.
This constant washing with the Word and regenerating with the Holy Spirit has become normal for me. I encourage you to enjoy more and more times of washing with the Word in your own life.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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Daily Bible Commentary Celebration:
Today marks a major milestone for the Daily Bible Commentary. (September 23, 2025) After more than sixteen years of getting up and writing nearly every night, the whole New Testament is now complete. I am blessed, humbled and shocked.
But this is not the end of the project. We are now working on editing every New Testament book for electronic publication. They are available on the GoServ Global webpage as they get edited.
We are also working on translating the Daily Bible Commentaries into other languages. Swahili is already in progress for East Africa. I want these practical commentaries to be available to people around the world free of charge.
My plans are to keep wiring and posting daily, but I will be addressing key subjects I deem important to growing in freedom, fruitfulness and maturity in Christ.
If the Daily Bible Commentary has been a blessing to you, I invite you to join me financially and help spread the Gospel around the world through this very unique tool. I get zero personal renumeration from this project, but there is a cost to editing, publication, translation and distribution.
This is much bigger than our personal financial resources. Huge doors and opportunities are opening around the world. My vision and faith are being stretched. I don’t want the lack of finances to be our limitation.
Here is my simple request:
Consider a one time gift the help me celebrate this milestone. Or better yet; please pray about a monthly gift to GoServ Global dedicated to the Daily Bible Commentary Project. Think in terms of the cost of a cup of coffee a day. This could be the price of home brew or a coffee shop Latte. All gifts are helpful!
Also, if any of you have skills or ideas to help with marketing and distribution, please contact me personally. I welcome volunteer help and creativity. Let’s work together to reach millions around the world with the Gospel and this practical Bible tool.
In the meanwhile, I look forward to many more Daily Bible Commentaries dedicated to your blessing and growth “in Christ.” It is such a blessing serving you!
Sincerely,
Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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The Ascension: Luke 24:50-53
“50) And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51) While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52) And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53) and were continually in the temple praising God.” Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭50‬-‭53‬ ‭
It is called “The Ascension.” Jesus departed by bodily being lifted up into heaven. As He was blessing them, He parted from them.
Luke also wrote the book of Acts. He records this event in greater detail in Acts 1:9-11. Let’s quickly look at these verses.
“9) And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10) And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11) They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”” ‭‭ According to the Acts account, the last thing Jesus spoke to them about was the charge to carry the gospel to the whole world in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Vs 6-8) As He was giving this blessing them, He was lifted up into the sky and a cloud received Him from their sight.
Two angels immediately appeared to them and spoke of His return. Every New Testament text dealing with His second coming includes the language of clouds accompanying His return. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
In the Acts account, Luke stressed that He “will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
In the meanwhile, we are in the church age defined by the indwelling and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our mission is world evangelization. We are in the age of signs and wonders given to validate the gospel message. (See Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:4)
Every born again and Spirit filled believer is called to be actively involved in this mission until Jesus returns. Jesus will not return until the gospel is carried to every nation, tribe and tongue. (Revelation 5:9; 14;6)
Herein is defined our calling and purpose “in Christ.” This is the mission of every local church. To the degree that you embrace world evangelization both locally and globally you will experience the power and glory of God in your life.
With the book of Luke now ended, the next natural reading would be the book of Acts. I highly encourage you to study the book of Acts next. This will give you a picture of how Jesus wants to work in and through His church around the world.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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Final Instructions: Luke 24:44-49
“44) Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45) Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “46) Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47) and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48) You are witnesses of these things. 49) And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”” Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭44‬-‭49‬ ‭
This full context could be looked at as the Luke version of the Great commission. Because of the eating of the fish, some look at this as a separate appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. According to Acts 1:3-5, He appeared to them many times after His resurrection over a span of forty days.
It can be pointed out that in each of the five accounts, He sent them out as witnesses into the whole world. Luke is unique because He emphasizes the importance of grounding the gospel in the Scriptures.
Another significant component of Luke is the promise of the coming Holy Spirit. This corresponds closely with Acts 1:4-8.
Luke adds that they were to “stay in the city until they were clothed with power from on high.” The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is always associated with power for witnessing. (See Acts 1:8)
At first glance, it looks like a slight difference between Mathew and Luke. Matthew says they went into Galilee after His resurrection, while Luke says they stayed in Jerusalem.
The solution is that they most likely did both. Keep in mind, His many post resurrection appearances spanned forty days.
The fishing trip recorded in John 21, happened back in Galilee. The Sea of Tiberius is the Roman name for the Sea of Galilee. After that event, they returned to Jerusalem for the ascension at the mount called Olivet and remained in the upper room until Pentecost.
Ten days elapse between the day of ascension to Pentecost. This helps us fill in the narrative.
Again, Luke stresses the importance of grounding the gospel in the Bible and the importance of receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. They must not be separated. We need both.
World evangelism must never be attempted in the strength of our own flesh. We are now in the age of the Holy Spirit. Why not depend on Him for divine leading and power? This is in keeping with the final instruction given by Jesus to His followers. It is also in keeping with the record of the book of Acts.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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A Biblical World View: Luke 24:44-45
“44) Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45) Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,” Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭44‬-‭45‬ ‭
Jesus again points to the essential foundation of the Word of God. This time He adds the words He spoke and taught during His public ministry. Later, they were recorded and written down as the four Gospels.
In this short exchange, Jesus endorsed the three sections of the Old Testament. They were commonly refered to as the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms.
Establishing the cannon and trustworthiness of the rest of the New Testament is another exciting venture. For example, in 2 Peter 3:14-16, Peter categorized tbe writings of Paul as Scripture.
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments comprise the inspired word of God. We need to establish our faith and doctrine on the study of the full Scriptures.
From beginning to end, the Bible points to Jesus Christ. It talks about His divine birth, public ministry, signs and wonders, betrayal, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. It also unpacks the mystery of the church age, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and His promised Second coming.
In these two short verses, Jesus called His followers to accept and stand on the Word of God. This results in what is commonly called “a biblical world view.” The entirety of the Bible is truth.
It stands in stark contrast to other religious writings and human philosophies. It has been proven over and over again by history and archaeology. It has endured the test of time and the scrutiny of many critics. The Bible is the proven Word of God.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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His Scars Tell the Story: Luke 24:36-43
“36) While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37) But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38) And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39) See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40) And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41) While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 41) They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; 42) and He took it and ate it before them.” Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭36‬-‭43‬ ‭
About the time the two men arrived and were telling their story, Jesus showed up. It often happens that way. When the witnesses begin to speak, God shows up with anointing and power.
Even with all of this, some still refused to believe. An unbelieving and hard heart is difficult to overcome.
There were most likely two reason why Jesus asked for food. First, the menu was broiled fish. We must conclude that He had a taste for the finer things of life.
Second, He wanted to prove He was physically present and not merely a spirit, dream or vision. He was present in His glorified body.
The meal took some time. He showed them His hands and feet. According to other texts, the spear wound in His side was still visible as well.
Think about it, He defeated death on the cross, but He forever bears the scars of the cross on His body. His scars both brand Him and tell the gospel story.
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