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In The Companion Bible, Dr. E. W. Bullinger puts in the margin "be come = may have
come. This is rendered hypothetical by the particle an (which cannot be translated),
because His Coming depended on the repentance of Israel (Acts 3: 19-26). It would then
have been (and will now yet be) the judicial coming of the Son of Man".
It was this possibility with tremendous consequences that dominated the period
covered by the Acts of the Apostles. Those who are blind to this or reject it, are throwing
away a divine key that solves many problems in connection with the epistles written
during this period. In verse 25 we find the Lord Jesus using the term "Beelzebub" given
to Him in sarcasm by His enemies. The origin of the word is unknown and has given a
lot of trouble to expositors. It may mean "lord of flies", or "lord of dung", or "lord of
idolatrous sacrifices". In 12: 24 it is evident that the Pharisees regarded the word as
meaning "the prince of the demons", Satan in other words. This was an exceedingly
serious charge as we shall see when the Lord deals with the sin against the Holy Spirit.
There follows a threefold "fear not" (verses 26, 28, 31). What has been taught them in
private the disciples are to proclaim publicly (verse 27) and they are not to be afraid of
the consequences, even though this meant persecution for them. The second "fear not"
reads:
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid
of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (gehenna)" (N.I.V.).
This is an awkward verse for those who believe the pagan doctrine of the immortality
of the soul. The Bible knows of no such doctrine as a concordance can easily show if the
occurrences of the words "immortal" and "immortality" are studied. God alone has
immortality (I Tim. 6: 14-16). Note too the differences between "kill" and "destroy".
Fire, both in human and divine spheres is not for the preservation of evil, but for its
destruction and abolishment. Verses 29-31 were obviously meant to comfort and
strengthen the disciples, even though they may be bitterly persecuted.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground
apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (10: 29-31,
N.I.V.).
It is amazing that, although God deals with millions, yet not one is lost in the crowd,
but is known, protected, and guided by Him. Here is One Who has all knowledge and
His loving care is beyond human comprehension. This is surely true for all time and
gives us the reason for the third "fear not" (verse 31).
The verses that follow are challenging indeed. They concern those who publicly
acknowledge Christ whatever the results may be in suffering and loss, and those who do
not do so and thus disown the Lord before men (10: 32, 33). Such, in their turn, are
disowned by the Lord at the judgment seat of God, "I will disown him before My Father
in heaven". As Dr. Plummer says, these words are monstrous, if He Who makes them is
not conscious of being Divine. Imagine any created being talking like this! These words
were indeed solemn to the Twelve.