Trinitarian Salvation (John 14:25-31 Jeff Kliewer)

Father's Day Prayer and a Call for Biblical Masculinity

Father, this morning, we begin by praying for the fathers in this room and listening. God, we pray that the fathers would be strong. Lord, we pray that fathers would not compromise with sin, but they would demonstrate true masculinity and lead as they are led by Christ.

Father, we pray blessing on the fathers today and we thank you for all of our fathers. Thank you for this great Father's Day and pray that your Holy Spirit would help men to step up as men. Father, as we open the word this morning, we pray that your Holy Spirit would illuminate to us the meaning that is already in the text.

And I pray for myself, Father, that I would not bring anything novel, no new idea of my own, but rather that I would be submissive to your word and deliver your word to your people. Your word is truth.

And every word that you have spoken is breathed out by you. So we pray that we would honor your word this morning and that you would speak to us in Jesus' name. Amen. Fatherhood is good, isn't it? Fatherhood is good, and yet Satan hates the leadership of fathers in the home.

He has been making fathers the ground zero of his attacks, and therefore society very much is reeling because of the lack of masculine leadership in the home and in the church. It is Satan's strategy to tear down.

But greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world. Our church, and not particularly Cornerstone, but the Evangelical Church in the United States of America, received a wonderful victory this last week.

A great victory, something in my mind that is quite significant. And that is, there was a meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in California last week. Now, no, the SBC is the largest Protestant, Evangelical, conservative church in the United States of America.

Largest body in America. And they met because about a year ago, one of their member churches ordained three women to be pastors. There was a leader who many of you are familiar with. How many of you have heard of Rick Warren?

Purpose-driven life, the purpose-driven church. He will be on TV, CNN, MSNBC. So one of the, his book was actually one of the best sellers of all time. And he has one of the largest churches in America.

So when he retired, he replaced himself with a man and his wife to be co-senior pastors of Saddleback Church. Well, the SBC kicked them out of the denomination. And just this last week, he had appealed the decision and the conference came together to decide on that case.

Now, recognize many of the pastors in the SBC were themselves prone to drift to the left. In 2020, with the George Floyd BLM movement, many of them fell into the woke propaganda. And there was a leftward lurch even in this denomination.

But just the other day, Rick Warren stood up on the floor of the convention. And he argued that he has only come to disagree with one word, the word men, that pastors must be men. But he agrees with the entire Baptist faith and message, except for that one word.

So he said, look, I agree with 99 .99999 can't we have a difference at this one point? And right when he asked that question, the hall filled with maybe 10 ,000 people all shouted out at the same time, no.

They took a vote and the vote came back 9 ,437 to 1 ,212. 88 of the pastors voted no to having female pastors. I say that's significant. Al Mohler, who at times had himself begun to drift left, now took a strong stand against female pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention.

He said this at that microphone. The issue of a woman serving in the pastorate is an issue of fundamental biblical authority. Fundamental biblical authority. Now, the scripture speaks clearly about the role of pastor.

We have two. Sets of books, you have 1st and 2nd Timothy and the book of Titus that are called the pastoral epistles. And they talk about the role of elder in 1st Timothy chapter two. Paul says, I forbid a woman to teach or exercise authority over men.

Then he appeals to creation order for that reasoning in the church. In chapter three, he says he must be a man. The word is a nair in the Greek. So not only does this word man appear in the Baptist faith and message, the issue is it appears in the Bible.

The word of God, that one word appears there. So what then is the issue? It is not an issue of competence. Samuel Johnson was a brilliant Brit who wrote a dictionary in the 1700s. He very funny. He quipped often he hated the American Revolution, so I'm not a big fan of Samuel Johnson.

But he made a funny comment that I think misses the point. He heard about some Quakers who were now allowing women to preach in their assembly. Remember, for 1700 years, this was not done. This was a novelty, a woman preaching.

And so he quipped, Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog walking on his hind legs. It is not done well. But you are surprised to find it done at all. Interesting comment. Like a dog walking on its hind legs is the preaching of a woman.

It is not done well. What is he saying there? There's a problem in competence. But then he goes on to say, and you are surprised to find it done at all, because this was not done until this time. Now, of course, as you look out at the landscape in the United States of America, the churches that have begun to do this are no longer the small minority, but the majority of PCUSA pastors, Presbyterian Church, and Episcopalian and Methodist.

The churches that opened that door now have a majority of women as the leaders in the pulpit. So at the time it was novel, but now it has become predominant. But I say Samuel Johnson was wrong. The issue is not that women can't speak the Word of God.

And this is what's so confusing to many people, because in Acts 2, verses 17 and 18, the Bible says when the Holy Spirit, the Helper, comes, he will empower not only men, but it explicitly says in Acts 2, verse 18, on your male and female servants alike.

So is the Bible competing with the Bible? Absolutely not. During the days of the Reformation, one woman named Argula von Grumbach took a strong stand, and she spoke prophetically against the powers that be.

In Bavaria, a young student began to preach the true gospel, the Reformation doctrine. And the university at Ingolstadt in Bavaria imprisoned him for doing this. And the whole faculty stood together in this Roman Catholic tradition.

And the town also stood against this young man. But one woman stood up to speak against this, and she wrote a letter. And it referenced the Bible 80 times. And it called on these leaders to repent and to let this young student go and to let him preach.

And this woman spoke powerfully, helped along by the Holy Spirit. Martin Luther said this about her. The Duke of Bavaria rages above the measure, killing, crushing, and persecuting the gospel with all his might.

That most noble woman, Argula, is there making a valiant fight with great spirit boldness of speech and knowledge of Christ. She has attacked the University of Ingolstadt for forcing the recantation of a certain youth.

She alone among these monsters carries on with firm faith, though, she admits, not without inner trembling. Her neck was on the line. This woman spoke the truth of God's word prophetically in the culture.

Likewise, in the Reformation, Marie Dentierre was a prominent female reformer. She was an evangelist. Well, Pharrell, I always say Pharrell because of Will Pharrell, but Will Pharrell was leading the Reformation in Geneva.

And Calvin was there as well, leading and preaching in the churches. Very often, this woman, Dentierre, would be out evangelizing, speaking with women, going house to house, sharing the good news of the true gospel and bringing Reformation to Geneva.

She was very honored by the leaders of the church. And she taught women in Bible studies. Did she speak prophetically? Well, if so, listen to her words. We are not permitted to preach in public congregations and churches, she told the women.

We are not forbidden to write and admonish one another in all charity. She taught women and she preached to other women in that context. She would go about evangelizing and she was very useful for the kingdom.

Acts 2, 17 and 18 teaches that we all need the help of the Holy Spirit to speak all the time in all of the contexts of our interactions. In fact, I think women speak more than men. Isn't that scientifically proven now, like 30 ,000 words a day versus the 15 ,000 that men speak?

But would that every word that a woman speaks and every word that a man speaks be helped along by the same Holy Spirit? They should have biblical truth on their lips all the time, taught by the Spirit, speaking by the Spirit just as men should.

It is not an issue of competence. It is an issue of biblical authority. You see, every single word that God has spoken is true. The pastorate, the pulpit, is reserved for men. And Acts 2, 17 and 18 is the word of God that all of us must speak in all of our speaking in a way that is carried along by the Spirit's help.

What we saw in California was a victory on two fronts. A victory for biblical authority. The issue was one word. And by the manipulation of this pastor, Rick Warren, who said, we agree on 99 .99999%. We just disagree on the word man, that the preachers must be men.

This was fundamentally a rejection of what the Bible said because the Bible said unerring. But consider what havoc is being wreaked in the culture by the rejection of God's design. Matt Walsh asked the question this way, what is a woman?

And who was able to answer that question in the culture? They could not answer because there was no longer a distinction. The difference given in the Bible between men and women is a difference of authority.

And to reject even that word can see an entire society crumble. Gary Hamrick just preached a sermon that you should watch. It's called the transing of America. The transing of America by Gary Hamrick.

Understand that when the church surrendered biblical distinctions in role between men and women. That women now would do the same functions in the pulpit as men would do. It was not long before those same denominations also caved to homosexuality.

And each one that once put women in the pulpit would within a few decades put homosexuals in the pulpit. And perform gay marriages. It was a slippery slope. And the logic of homosexuality is no different than the logic of the trans movement.

It is really one and the same logic. God created man and woman in his image. This is God's design. But to collapse the difference under the term gender. By the way guys listen. God created them male and female.

The word for that is sex. It is biological. The use of this term gender was actually a literary term. That is now being applied to people so that it could blend and trans one way or another. As if it's only pronouns.

The truth is God made two sexes. Male and female. And the use of that term gender is a manipulative tool to blend the difference. To erase the difference and blend the two together. All this to say it is a biblical issue.

Trinitarian Salvation and the Order of Father and Son

And secondly another great victory was won. It is also a victory for the doctrine of the Trinity. Trinitarian salvation.

Listen.

It is because God is who he is. And we are made in his image. That the world functions the way it does. Rightly ordered. God the father and God the son. Are equal in nature. In power. In glory. They share one essence.

And yet.

The father is greater than the son economically.

In function.

There is a distinction between the father and the son. And you would not be sitting here saved this morning. Unless the father commanded the son. And he obeyed passively the will of his father. Actively and passively on the cross.

If it weren't for the submission of the son. To the father. None of us would be saved. When we say that there must be male headship in the home. It is because we are made in the image of God. And just like the father and the son are equal.

And yet there is an ordering of relationship. A hierarchy. Where the father is leading in that role. In the same way the husband must lead in the home. When it is rightly ordered that way a home will function well.

If you break down that order you will break apart a home. Where the woman begins to take headship over the man.

The home will crumble.

Even if it looks like it's holding together from the outside. On the inside it won't. Do you understand the significance? This actually is a theological Trinitarian issue. The nature of God himself. Let's read this as it's revealed to us in John 14. 25 to 31.

Guys when we speak about the Trinity. Don't zone out. I've seen this happen for 20 years in ministry. So it's not you guys in particular. But when you start to talk deep theology. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The ontology versus the economic Trinity. How many of you are already feeling a yawn coming on? This has immense practical significance. Do you want to be a person that lives at peace? In your own heart and in your home?

Do you want to have joy? Do you want to have knowledge? It comes from theology believe it or not. Theology matters. It's what shapes how we think. And therefore how we live. Even when we don't even realize it half the time.

John 14 verses 25 to 31. These things I have spoken to you. While I am still with you.

But the helper.

The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name. He will teach you all things. And bring to your remembrance. All that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your hearts be troubled. Neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you I am going away. And I will come to you. If you loved me you would have rejoiced. Because I am going to the Father.

For the Father is greater than I. Mark that well because the cultist who knocks on your door. Is going to turn to this verse. And try to convince you to be a Jehovah's Witness. And you need to understand what this is saying in truth.

And now I have told you before it takes place. So that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you. For the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me. But I do as the Father has commanded me.

So that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise let us go from here. John chapter 14 is Trinitarian. As Jesus was teaching Trinitarian doctrine. Did you notice in the 14th chapter. That the disciples were not tracking with him.

Whatever he said. A disciple would ask a question that. Betrayed the fact that they didn't get it. He says he goes to prepare a place for them. That where he is they would also be. He describes that as the Father's house.

And Thomas says where are you going? And his answer is I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And then a few verses later. He says another thing and Philip totally misses the point.

So Jesus gives more understanding. A bit later Judas not Iscariot. Asked the very question that he just answered. And so he doubles down. How you can obey the commandment by the help of the Holy Spirit.

Listen the disciples at this point. Prior to Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has been with them.

But not in them.

The teaching ministry of the Spirit is muted. Compared to the full measure that will come upon them. At Pentecost. You'll notice a big change in Peter. Denying Jesus until after Pentecost. With the Holy Spirit preaching Jesus in Jerusalem.

The very streets that crucified his Lord. The teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. Is not yet as fully operative in them. As it will be. They need the teacher. And that's the point look at verse 25 and 26.

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the helper the Holy Spirit. Whom the Father will send in my name. He will teach you all things. That's what you need. They need an advocate.

I said last week as we were studying the Holy Spirit. In John 14. That you have a helper. And that's Jesus. You need another helper. That's the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the helper. The paraclete. The counselor.

And the Holy Spirit will be in you. To keep you. John MacArthur summarized very well. That same teaching when he said. You have two full-time intercessors. The Holy Spirit securing you inside of you.

Against the impulses and strengths of your own corruption. And you have Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Interceding for you against any accusation brought against you. It takes two full-time intercessors.

To secure you for glory. Jesus, the paraclete. And the Holy Spirit, the paraclete. This Spirit will teach you and illuminate to you all things. Two important doctrines that I want to disambiguate. So that you have a clear understanding of each.

The first is inspiration. And the second is illumination. Inspiration, illumination. What is the inspiration of the scriptures? Second, Timothy 3 .16. All scripture is God-breathed. It's breathed out by God.

Inspired.

Illumination is when God takes what is already written in the Word. And opens your mind to understand it. This is the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. But think of the impossibility of John. Without the Holy Spirit inspiring.

Writing down the words of Jesus.

I mean think about it.

What year was Jesus crucified? 30 or some scholars say 33 AD. When was the book of John written? When were these words written down? Probably 90 AD. Which means that's 60 years between when he heard the words spoken.

And when he wrote them down. Now is there anybody here that's more than 60 years old. That would like to write in perfect order. A conversation that you had 60 years ago. You wouldn't put your life on it that it was accurate.

And yet for these to be the very words that Jesus spoke. Requires that he get them exactly right. So look now again. Jesus actually anticipated this. And it actually gives us the doctrine of inspiration.

Because without inspiration. We couldn't have his Word. Look what it says. The helper, the Holy Spirit. Whom the Father will send in my name. He will teach you all things. And bring to your remembrance.

All that I have said to you. So when John sat down to write the book of John. He was a human with his own circumstances. And prone to err. Writing words. But in this unique situation. The inspiration of scripture.

He was carried along by the Holy Spirit. To write down the exact words. That God had said. What Jesus said in his lifetime. So there's not even a missing letter. Let alone a word. Jesus said that every jot and tittle is inspired.

What's a jot and a tittle? It's the smallest stroke of the Hebrew language. Not a one of those would pass from God's Word. You see, Jesus is fully God in flesh. Which means he's fully human. Functioning as a human.

But he's fully God. Divine in his nature. In the same way, what we have in the Bible. Is fully a work of men. Paul would write to the Corinthians. In his circumstance. Addressing particular issues in his time.

It's a human document. But do not miss the doctrine of inspiration. It is also fully the Word of God. God inspired every stroke of the pen. It was a miracle. The Spirit helped the author of scripture along.

In writing down what we have. And therefore also preserved it for us. So we have inspiration. But how can you, believer. Interpret it right? Notice in verse 26. You have the helper. The Holy Spirit. And he will teach you all things.

This was recorded. Not just for the apostles. For inspiration. But also for you, Christian. That the Spirit would illuminate. This is the doctrine of illumination. Bring to your mind. The meaning of Christ in the text.

Now this is what was debated in California. We all know about Rick Warren. He's the famous one who wrote the books. And the biggest church. But there was also a second church on trial. In California last week.

From Louisville, Kentucky. Pastored by a woman named Linda Barnes Popham. Now an aside here to the young men. Notice her name is Linda Barnes Popham. When she married in 2001. She took the last name Popham.

But she also wanted to keep her own last name. What's in a name? Well the tradition of taking the man's last name. Is to submit to his headship.

And any woman.

Young men. That says to you when you're proposing marriage. Yes I'd like to take your last name. But I need to keep my name right next to it. You need to rescind the offer of your last name.

Why?

Because it indicates. That if she will not submit to your headship. In name. She will not do so in practice either. There will be a competition for headship in the marriage. And young women this is just as instructive for you.

When you're looking at a man to marry. Understand. You better not say yes to that proposition. As great as he is and as charming as he is. And as funny and as well you seem to fit. Unless he is willing to be the spiritual head of a home.

And he is submitted to Christ. The way he's asking you to submit to him. Your home will be a wreck. Look for a man. Who is willing to submit to Christ. The way he's asking you to submit to him. He's not submitted to this word.

Then you're going to have to say no. As painful as it will be. Now that's an important aside. But it's also to the point. Because when this woman. Preacher. Pastrix. Linda Barnes Popham. Got to the microphone to speak.

She spoke for three minutes. And I'll just read a couple of sentences. She said we know that Jesus is the only way to the father. And all God's people said amen. We know that his word is perfect.

Amen.

And we know that one day he's coming again. Amen. But then she said this. We also know that the spirit gives illumination to our hearts and minds.

And therefore.

We don't all interpret every scripture the same way. The doctrine of illumination. Is precisely the opposite of that. Precisely the opposite. It is not that the Holy Spirit living in individual Christians.

Will lead you to differing interpretations. Yes there are many interpretations. That is because we err. We hold on to our traditions. Our wrong thinking. Our inability to read a text in context. The error is with us.

Not with God. When God gave us the word of God. He did not give us a lump of play-doh.

Made of words.

And it would be our job. To grab from those words and fashion something pretty. And as long as what we say is beautiful and loving. Then everybody will applaud and say that was a good interpretation. His words are not to be treated like that.

As if we are the maker of the meaning. Illumination means this. He will call to remembrance everything that he said. That is you can correlate all of scripture. You can follow the train of thought of the author.

And you can remember what he said. His word will be illuminated to the faithful student of scripture. Who rightly divides the word of truth. That's illumination. And it is exactly the opposite of the current understanding.

In our culture.

Our culture believes in post-modern thinking. That meaning is invested from within the person. Rather than being external to us that we must submit to. It's whatever a person's private interpretation is.

And that's why at a Bible study. Not at Cornerstone. But you've experienced this. At a Bible study everybody goes around the room and says. This is what the text means to me. Now sure. There are applications that go out in a thousand different directions.

But the interpretation of what it means.

Is one meaning.

It's whatever Jesus meant when Jesus said it. That is the doctrine of illumination. Hugely important. Next if you continue in verse 26. The practical. This is the helper. The Holy Spirit teaching you.

The ones who are taught by the Spirit. Who are submitted to the word of God. Under his headship. Will experience what? Verse 27. Peace. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your hearts be troubled. Neither let them be afraid. Now a whole other sermon could be preached on this. Because the word let. Implies that you are the governor. Your emotions. Your heart. The seed of your emotions.

Gives information to your mind. But it is God who puts your head. Your brain over your heart. You're not to follow your heart. You're not to get out of your head. Rather the head. Is the governor of the heart.

That allows the emotional information. To inform decisions. So you listen to a person. And your heart goes out in compassion. That's information. That your brain is to process.

And you may.

Because of that. Make a decision. That's informed by your emotions. But ultimately. You cannot flip that upside down. When you begin to think emotionally. And your heart begins to govern your mind. That's when you're going to cause.

Great damage. And you'll end up living without peace. The knowledge of the word of God. The truth of scripture. Governing your thinking. Will be able to control. The deceitfulness of your heart. You want to live in peace.

Learn theology. Learn the roles. Of father son and holy spirit. Spend time thinking about. The deep things of God. Being taught by the spirit. 2nd Corinthians chapter 2. You go chasing after peace.

In the world.

You'll never find it. But you will find it.

In a treasure trove.

Where you never expected it would be. Theology matters. In the depths of God's word. As you go deep. And get rooted and grounded. Yes the roots are pressing in. Farther into the ground. And drawing up water.

You become like a tree. Planted by streams of water. Whatever you do will prosper. Your tree will yield fruit in season. And one of those fruits is the fruit of the spirit. Called peace. You'll live at peace.

When you're deep in the word of God. It's a fruit of the spirit. The spirit and the truth. The spirit helping you. As you go deeper into the word. You will be a person who has peace. In your life and in your home.

The Father Is Greater Than I: The Economic Trinity and Salvation

Next verse 28. You heard me say to you. I am going away. And I will come to you. If you loved me you would have rejoiced. How can we rejoice. That he is going to die. And be buried. Ascend to heaven.

And will be left behind.

How could the disciples rejoice. Well if their theology was right. They would see the answer. And he gives it here. It's because. I am going to the father. Because I am going to the father. How is it that his going to the father.

Would bless them. Well the next answer is even more perplexing. What does it say.

For.

The father is greater. Than I. If you say. That God the father is greater than the son. In his nature. In his power. In his glory. I have a heretic hat. That I can give you after church today. The father is not ontologically.

Or in his essence or in his nature. Greater than the son. Any more than a husband. Is greater than his wife. In nature. Jesus here is not speaking. Ontologically of the nature. Of father and son. He is speaking in the context.

This is why context is so important. In the economy of the relationship. In the function. Of father and son. The son is submitted to the father. That is the nature of things. As they are ordered. In the economy of the trinity.

So theologians will say. The economic trinity. When referring to the function.

Or the role.

Of the father being over the son. And greater than the son. The ontological trinity. Is the father and son. Equal in nature and essence. So here when Jesus says. The father is greater than I. He is speaking in context.

As it relates to us.

Follow this.

If the son of God. Submits himself. Functionally to the will. Of the father. Then this is good for you. Because now. In his passive obedience. He will die a bloody. And horrifying death on a cross.

Obediently.

Submitting himself to that plan. Acts 4 .27. God means it for good. Genesis 50 .20. But the world will mean it for evil. In that plan. The son of God. Will die not for his sins. But for yours. Your sin will be buried.

With Christ. Pictured in baptism. He will rise in newness of life. He will ascend to the father. And catch this. The third member of the trinity. The helper. Can then be poured out. Do you see what happens?

Unless he dies and rises and ascends. And sends the Holy Spirit. You are in the weakness of your flesh. You cannot obey the commandments. You will die in your sin. But if the helper comes. He will regenerate you.

Washing you with the water of his word. Renew you from the inside out. He will empower you to keep the commandments. He will teach you the word.

You will grow in him.

And you will become a powerhouse. For the gospel of Jesus Christ. He will empower you. To go on the street. And tell someone about Jesus. He will empower you to lead. Fathers in your home. And raise up godly children.

Everything that you cannot do. He can do. He will be the power. That you need. He can do what you cannot. Do you see that? Unless he goes to the father.

You are impotent.

Helpless. And now I have told you before it takes place. So that when it does take place. You may believe. I love here the objectivity of that. It's like predictive prophecy. Remember in the book of Isaiah.

Where Isaiah says that Cyrus the king. Will come. Before Cyrus had even been born. Historical records show that Cyrus. Was shocked. To find him prophesied. Himself prophesied in the book of Isaiah. And that is why he was so kind.

To the Jewish people. Interesting. Predictive prophecies. Everything that was foretold about Jesus. In the old testament came true. And now here it's happening again. Jesus is telling them now. What's going to happen.

So that when it does. They will believe. The truth is objective. There's evidence here. To follow it. It's not just a subjective religious feeling. Because everybody has those all around the world. That's why there's so many religions.

This is objectivity. And lastly in verses 30 and 31. He says. I will no longer talk much with you. For the ruler of this world. Is coming. The ruler of this world. The god of this age. Is the devil. The devil is coming.

And he's referring to this dark hour.

That's coming that very night.

Remember they're in the upper room. And that night Judas will betray him. In the garden of Gethsemane. The devil is coming. And then he'll be strung up on the cross. The devil is coming. How many of you.

Have read. Lion the witch in the wardrobe. Chronicles of Narnia by C .S. Lewis. And you'll notice that the devil. The Luciferian figure comes. That wicked witch. And she makes a demand.

On. The lion.

She makes a claim. And so the lion. Goes and lays down. On the altar of sacrifice. That's a heretical picture. Of the gospel. That picture is a ransom to Satan. That she can make a claim. On the son of God.

Now that book. Is actually very helpful in a lot of ways. We take it as allegory. Chew the meat spit out the bones. We get it that that's wrong. But look at verse 31. What it literally says. He has no claim on me.

The devil has no claim. The ransom to Satan view. Of the atonement is a heresy. The ransom view. Of the atonement wherein. Jesus is paying our ransom. And purchasing us with his blood. That is true. But the ransom is not made to Satan.

Satan here has no claim. He is an instrument. Read the book of Job. In Job chapter 1. The sons of God present themselves. These angelic figures present themselves. And Satan. Being a created angel. Wants to do devastating things.

God allows him to do that. For his own purpose. Satan is only an instrument.

An instrument of evil.

Like the evil spirit. That came upon Saul. An instrument of evil. Genesis 50 20. As also in Acts 4 27. You had many instruments of evil. But notice the point now in verse 31. This is the meaning of. The death of Jesus.