Acts 9: When Lost- Pull Over and Ask for Directions!

Now the Lord moves to accomplish the third part of His Great Commission- to carry the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. In doing so, the Lord chooses an unlikely candidate- Saul of Tarsus. Saul at this time was the most recognized enemy of the early church as we read in verse 1 of Acts 9: “ Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.”

Saul of Tarsus had an impressive resume and background. His hometown was Tarsus. Tarsus was home to a well known university. His father was a Roman citizen, making Saul a Roman citizen, a highly prized privilege. His father was a Jew, a Pharisee and a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin. Saul was born with these credentials and he would add to them. Saul could match credentials with any Jew and then some.

In keeping with Jewish tradition, every Jewish boy learned a trade. Saul was a tentmaker. At age 13 he was sent to Jerusalem for Jewish training. Saul was an intelligent young man with great ambition. He studied under Gamaliel, a famous teacher at that time. In his course of study, Saul would have memorized great portions of the Old Testament. He also was schooled in the art of debate and very familiar with Jewish history and traditions.

Following Stephen’s death, it appears that Saul was placed as  the leader of persecution of the early church. Acts 9 tells us Saul went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that he might take any who believe in ‘The Way’ prisoners to Jerusalem. It is on his way to Damascus he has a life changing encounter with the Lord Jesus. And Saul of Tarsus is converted- becomes a believer and would change his name to Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles.

Luke describes Saul’s life and obsession at this time as an atmosphere of murderous threats. This was the sole pursuit of Saul’s life at this time- the elimination of what he considered a blasphemous cult of this Nazarene, called Jesus. Listen to Paul’s own description of his obsession as he testifies before King Agrippa in Acts 26: “ I too was convinced that I ought to do all  that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the high priest I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I  cast my vote  against them. In my obsession I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” Did you notice under whose authority Saul carried out his mission? The High Priest.

Notice also in verse 2, the name given to the Christian church and its followers by their enemies: The Way. The Christians were distinctly different and what must have been one of the characteristics that marked them was the love they showed for one another with their sharing of resources. In addition they were willing to suffer and even die for their beliefs.  Jesus was their role model and it was Jesus who said: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father except by me.( John 14)

Let us now observe the steps of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the number one persecutor of church.

Step 1. The Contact. It is never our idea to get saved- it is God’s idea. Some of us God has to hit over the head with a 2X 4 to knock some sense into our heads and others come at the still, small voice of God. Either way it is always God who initiates the contact. Here is what we know about the unsaved, lost person referred to in the New Testament as the ‘ natural man.’ The natural man does not understand God or spiritual truths, does not sense God, does not see God and does not seek God. None of us did. So God has to initiate the contact and invade our lives using the best method to get the best results for the “ natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God..” (2Corinthians 2:14) Guess who wrote that?  Paul, alias Saul of Tarsus.The natural man pursues the offerings of the broad way- happiness, fun, success, health, wealth- possession and positions in the hope they will satisfy their desires.  But until one realizes the purpose for which we were created and exist – the pursuit of happiness will be futile until we get saved. So it is we read of the Lord’s contact with Saul. “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice…” ( Acts 9:3,4) Saul, the sinner, the killer of Christians, the hater of Christ is stopped dead in his tracks. We know from other verses and accounts as Paul would tell this story over and over that he saw the Lord Jesus. ( I Cor. 15:8; I Cor. 9:1; Acts 22:14)  So it is that salvation begins with God. He contacts us.

Step 2. The Conviction.  There is no salvation without the conviction of sin. Sin separates man from God. So sin must be exposed- so one can recognize and confess their sin. Let us hear from the KJV the exchange that takes place between Saul and the Lord Jesus. “ Saul, Saul why persecutest me? And he(Saul) said, Who art thou Lord? And the Lord Jesus said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutes; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” ( Acts 9:4&5 KJV) Let us spend some time thinking about this question and this statement. It was Saul’s teacher, Gamaliel who said to the Sanhedrin when dealing with the apostles and Christianity-‘ Leave these men(the apostles) alone! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will only find yourselves fighting against God.’(Acts 5:38,39) It would later be the Apostle Paul who would write that God has built into every man a sense of right  and wrong. I believe from Luke’s writing that Saul had been troubled ever since Stephen’s death and Stephen’s dying prayer. Try as he might- there was something pricking his conscience. He was like an ox who kicked against the prods. The ox did no harm to the prods and succeeded  in only inflicting more pain on himself. Saul was fighting against God, just as his old teacher had said that would be the case if this Christian movement was of God. I believe Saul is miserable.

Notice the Lord calls him by name twice. It is in Luke’s writing that we see when the Lord Jesus wanted to emphasize the importance  of what he was about to say he repeated the name twice. Examples:  Martha, Martha (Luke 10); Simon, Simon 9(Luke 22) and Jerusalem, Jerusalem in Luke 13.  Then the Lord Jesus asked Saul this question: “ Why are you persecuting me?” Saul wants to know who he is.  But the question is to get Saul to think about what he is doing and why is he doing it. Like the question the Lord asked Adam when he sinned- Adam where are you?  He wanted Adam to look at his circumstances and the result of sin in his life. Now Jesus confronts Saul with this penetrating question. Why are you doing this?  What is driving you to do this- to live like this? Are you happy? Have you found the satisfaction and peace you desired?   Like the question asked of Hagar back in Genesis—where have you come from? And where are you going?

Ever have a time in your life- when you found these or similar questions coming to your mind? Where are you? What have your choices brought to your life?  Where have you come from and where are you going?  What is the direction of your life?  Why do you keep doing this? This is, I believe, the voice of God invading the privacy of your sin. It is the contact that is intended to lead one to conviction. The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Any person who lives in this world apart from Jesus Christ is as guilty as Saul was because they have  rejected Jesus Christ.  As Jesus said: “ Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” ( John 3: 18,19) Let us learn from Saul- when you are lost – pull over to the side of the road and ask for directions!

You see conviction is when the Lord puts His finger on the real issue in Saul’s life- faith in Jesus Christ and acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior.

Step 3. The Conversion. “ And he(Saul) trembling  and astonished said, Lord what would you have me do?( Acts 9:6 KJV) A complete reversal of Saul’s whole approach to life. There is a change- a radical change in his life. Saul who was carrying the orders of the High Priest had met the True High Priest and now the Lord Jesus would be his High Priest and from Him would he receive his orders. What would you have me do, Lord? Saul has surrendered because he realizes who he is fighting against- the Lord. Everything he had accomplished and all of his resume and heritage, he would count as nothing. His life had been previously driven by accomplishing what he thought was a worthwhile purpose that would give his life significance. Thus his obsession with stamping out this Christian Church. But the Lord with one penetrating question- why are you doing this? brought his purpose to naught.  From that day on – Saul who would become Paul would have a purpose that would satisfy him as no other purpose could . Paul would understand long before Rick Warren ever wrote his book, “ The Purpose Driven Life” what the truly purpose driven life was all about . It was not about Saul of Tarsus and his pursuit of significance and building a resume of success- it was all about the Lord Jesus . Listen to what Paul would later write: “ But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I might gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings becoming like Him in death, and so somehow to attain to the resurrection of the dead.” ( Phil. 3)

Step 4. The Consecration. The word consecrate is defined : to devote to a purpose; to declare sacred. ( Webster’s Dictionary)  Saul asked “ Lord, what will you have me do?” Thus with fear and trembling, Saul begins to work out his salvation.  The Lord will reveal his will to Saul and Saul will obey him. Saul acknowledges the Lord Jesus as Lord of His life. He will yield his will to His will.  Thus is the journey and struggle of every Christian. Saul’s actions will reveal his obedience as he does exactly what the Lord tells him to do. It does not mean that Saul/Paul would live in sinless perfection any more than you or I or any believer will. Paul would even confess that he ‘ was chief among sinners.’ But our priorities changed. We had a change of masters in our lives. Sin no longer reigned and we were no longer slaves to sin. The Lord Jesus had become our Master.

Step 5. The Communion.  To commune means to communicate intimately. A ‘commune’ is a community that shares all ownership and duties. Saul is blind- when he got up from this encounter, he could not see. ‘ So they led him by the hand. ( Like a child) For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.’ ( Acts 9:9)

The Lord directs a man named Ananias to go to Saul to help him, feed him and welcome him into the family of God. He calls him ‘Brother Saul’. Saul receives his sight, is baptized, fed and strengthened.  Eating together was a part of the fellowship. Saul is now part of the family of God. He was blind to the truth but now he sees. We are saved in an instant and then spend a lifetime plumbing the depths of our salvation and this new relationship which includes the most precious of all fellowships- the fellowship with the True and Living God. The God of Creation, the God who walked and talked with Adam and Eve is now available to us. And He walks with me and He talks with me and tells me I am His own.

Now let’s notice some other important elements of this conversion experience of Saul. In verse 11, the Lord Jesus is giving instructions to Ananias : “ Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is PRAYING.” One of the first marks of a Christian is he/she begins to pray to God.  God also has a specific ministry for each of us, just as He did for Saul of Tarsus. The Lord explains this is Ananias and us:  “ This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name”.

Saul ‘s ministry is to be to three groups:  Gentile people, all the non-Jewish nations of the world would be the Apostle Paul’s main field of mission work.  But the Lord would use Paul to witness to kings and governors and people in places of power. And Paul would also be a witness to his people, the Jews, the sons of Israel.

This would not happen all at once. Notice Jesus said- “ I will show him..” Saul/Paul would leave Damascus and spend three years in the Arabian deserts STUDYING THE WORD of GOD. Listen to what Paul writes in Galatians 1: 11,12-“ I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” This was during a three year period following his Damascus Road experience.  Paul would return as we read in verse 23 of Act 9 ‘after many days.’ The suffering begins then when the Jews conspired to kill him. Paul escapes by being lowered in a basked through an opening in the wall. So Saul/Paul reveals two identifying marks of a Christian- PRAYER AND STUDY OF GOD’S WORD. These are necessary preparations for the ministry the Lord has and they will require time- a growth cycle.

Paul would then go to Jerusalem where he tried to join the disciples but many still feared him. It is Barnabas who befriends him and takes Saul/Paul to the apostles. Saul continues to preach to the Jews and they continue to try and kill him. Once again Saul escapes the death threats and returns home to Tarsus.

God had a ministry for Saul. But even as learned as Saul was- it took time to develop and become clearly defined.  Let’s look at the timeline:  Saved on the road to Damascus.  Spends up to three years ( many days) in Arabian desert receiving the Gospel; returns to Damascus and Jerusalem for a brief time then back home to Tarsus. So from his conversion to his return to Damascus and subsequent visit in Jerusalem was a period of three years. This probably occurred between 35 AD and 38 AD.  The next time we will hear of Saul, his friend Barnabas goes to Tarsus to enlist Saul to help him in Antioch. They would spend a year there teaching and making disciples. We can date this period at around 42 AD because there was a severe famine and Barnabas and Saul carry a gift to the elders. Following the death of Herod which was in 44AD. So probably around 45 AD we will read in Acts 13- Barnabas and Saul are set apart for the work for which the Lord called them.  So from this we can see that it was at least a 10 year period of development for Saul ‘s ministry.

But we must also note the Lord called Saul to suffer for the name of Jesus. We don’t like suffering. But suffering is a part of life and of the Christian life. Suffering is a part of love. Did you realize that? Love hurts. “ For God so LOVED  the world, He GAVE  His only begotten son…” And for what reason did God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit enter into such a painful procedure as death on a cross, the taking on of the sins of the world?  That by His stripes we might be healed of our iniquities.  For you see- when you and I sin- God hurts. He Grieves.  For Love is a hurting thing.  Suffering is a part of love and God is love and suffered for us that we might have eternal life

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14

 

Acts 9: Part 2- The Cure for Death

“No guilt in life; no fear of death- That ‘s the Power of Christ in me!”  The chorus of a popular praise song expresses the victory that our Lord Jesus provides each believer with- the victory over death- the cure for death.   Death is to many something to be greatly feared and a mystery that they cannot seem to fathom.  But as Christians we have the only cure for death. Listen to what Paul writes to Timothy from a prison dungeon awaiting death. “ But it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has DESTROYED DEATH, and has BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY  through the Gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:10)

And Paul writes in I Corinthians 15: “ Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where O death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” From the very beginning God has instructed us that the wages of sin is death. But as Paul tells us in Romans 8- “ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the  LAW OF SIN AND DEATH.”

Now we know at Calvary the blood of the Lamb, ( the Lord Jesus) satisfied God the Father. “For if by the trespass  one man,(Adam) death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in the life through the one man, Jesus Christ. For just as through the disobedience of one man ( Adam), the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man( Jesus Christ), the many will be made righteous.” ( Romans 8: 17, 19)  This was always Gods’ cure for death.

With this in mind let us look at these two miracles performed  through Peter at the end of Acts 9. We will see that death takes on many forms besides just the end of physical life. And we must at the same time remember, these miracles are  a spiritual picture of how the Lord Jesus wants to bring life to all areas of our lives so that we might experience the fullness of God in our life. The Spirit Controlled Life. For wherever we do not allow the Life of Christ to rule in our lives- there is spiritual death there and it takes many forms. 

My intention is not to take away from the physical miracles  that occur here- but to look at the spiritual implications of these two miracles and the cure for death that the life of Christ brings as He abolishes death and brings life and immortality and light to dead, dark areas we each have in our lives.

The first miracle is a healing of paralytic named Aeneas in Lydda. He had been paralyzed, unable to walk for 8 years. Peter says to him: ‘ Jesus Christ heals you- ( Makes you whole KJV) Arise and make up your bed.’

Here is a man physically paralyzed. There is no feeling or sensation in his lower body. He cannot walk. This is not the life God intended for him or us to have. In Scripture- ‘walk’ is sometimes used as a description for how we are to live- i.e., ‘ walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins.” (I John1) We are also told in other places to walk in love, to walk not in darkness, etc.  So walking is a synonym for living.  Here is a physical picture of a life not being lived how God intended it to be lived.

Have you ever come to a place in your life- career, schooling, a relationship, ministry, church where you just no longer had any feeling or motivation to continue on. Or perhaps there is something you want to do- but cannot ever seem to get started ?  It is like you are paralyzed. You cannot find within yourself- the will and the energy to do what needs to be done. You see there are all kinds of deaths- the death of a dream, the death of a relationship, the death of a ministry.  Someone may have criticized your work, or laughed at your dream, killing your desires.  Perhaps someone’s words were like a dagger to your heart and you gave up your desire – your dream.  A part  of you died and it seems there is no way to revive it.

But notice who it is that makes you whole- Jesus Christ. It is in His Name that Peter tells the man to rise for it is Jesus who makes us whole. You cannot depend on your own strength to be made whole. It is no longer you- but Christ who lives in you. And to keep Him from an area of your life is to keep life from a dead area, to live a part of your life in darkness that only He can bring light to- abolishing death.  The only death that we should appropriate is the death of self and exchange it for the life of Christ.  Paul explains it this way in Galatians 2:20: “ I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME;  and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

This is, I believe, the spiritual implication of this healing, this miracle of a paralyzed man being made whole. It shows us the cure for the various forms death can take in our lives. A place where we have lost that feeling, that desire to be all that the Lord created us to be. It shows us that the Lord Jesus has the cure for the type of death that paralyzes our will.

Has God shown you an area in your life where His revealed will is not being done?  Where you have given up on it ever being done? Then realize you are depending on your own resources- not His. You see, Jesus Christ is both Lord and Savior. He cannot save you in an area you will not allow Him to be Lord.  It is a classic problem- and Paul addressed it his letter to the church at Galatia. “ After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” ( Galatians 3:3)  

The next miracle performed by the Lord Jesus through Peter is the restoration of life of a woman named Tabitha or Dorcas.  Again we will look beyond the physical miracle as great as it was to the spiritual implications of this miracle.

Notice what is said of this woman, Dorcas:  ‘who was always doing good and helping the poor.’  Here is a woman who is always doing good- a ministry of love and  unselfish giving. And one day she dies, rather suddenly it would seem.  A ministry interrupted by death. Sometimes when a ministry is beginning to flourish, to blossom and bear fruit something unexpected can interrupt the progress of this spiritual life. It can  cause it to die, as surely as an unexpected cold snap or bag worms can kill the blooms of your azaleas or dogwood tree.

When this happens in the life of a person, they can lose their zeal and eagerness for the work the Lord had for them. Instead of a burning heart, their hearts turn cold . They grow cold and indifferent, the very picture of death. They are in that area of their life- dead. Death always represents separation. Physical death is separation from life- a no-longer beating, heart, no flow of blood bringing life to tissue, no brain activity.  Eternal death is eternal separation from God.   A spiritual death separates one from the work of the Holy Spirit who enabled and empowered the work in a believer’s life.  Only the Lord Jesus can heal a dead spirit and raise it to life again. He can heal you from whatever caused that death. He can not only cause  it to blossom again;  He can also restore what the canker worm consumed.

In fact sometimes- the greatest works come to a ministry that has died and then has life breathed back into by the One who abolishes death and brings life. God is not willing that any should perish, but all would come to repentance. 

Now the break from chapter 9 to chapter 10 is an unfortunate interruption in the account of a three part healing. For just as Aeneas was healed and had life restored to his dead limbs, and Dorcas had life restored after her death, Peter encounters a healing in his spirit. It is an area in which Peter has not allowed the Spirit of Life to deal with an area of his heart that is occupied with the cold indifference of prejudice. It is an area where heritage and upbringing have blinded him to the light of Gods’ love, and wherever God is not present- there is death.  So Peter needs a miracle of healing for a dead zone in his spiritual life. An area of darkness the Lord will shine his light in and abolish the cancer of bigotry.

We are now introduced to a man named Cornelius. He is a  Roman centurion, a military man in charge of the Italian Regiment.  But we are also told he is a devout man, God-fearing who gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. He is as Gentile as Gentile can get. He is a part of the Roman Empire that holds the land of Israel under its control. Whereas, the Gospel has spread to the Samaritans already with some reluctance, it had not at this time spread to a Gentile. ( The Samaritans were half-Jews and shared common ancestry with the Jews.)

Now as we study this account, you will realize this man, Cornelius is not saved. Yet he is a devout, generous, moral, praying, God-fearing man. I want us to notice how careful the Holy Spirit is to advise of this man’s goodness and his belief in God. Whereas, being good and moral will not get one into heaven- they do indicate in this man’s life a hunger for God.  Remember the Lord Jesus said ‘ blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.’ ( Matthew 5)

Many people, especially non-Christians ask the question:  What about the person who has never heard of Jesus Christ? What about the man who lives up to the light he has, and is faithful to what he knows, but has never heard of Jesus Christ? What happens to that person? Here is the story to answer those questions. Here is a story of a man who acts upon the light he has and is obedient to the light he has. God will take it upon Himself to see that this person receives more light to lead him or her to the place where they can come to know Jesus Christ. 

In the case of Cornelius, God sends an angel to tell Cornelius where to find this man, called Peter, who can give him the light he needs. Listen to what Hebrews 11:6 tells us:  “Without faith it is impossible to please God and those who come to Him must believe that He is and that He is  a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” Do you see it? There are only two qualifications: believe that God exists and that He will reward those who diligently seek Him. That means anyone- who believes that God exists and honestly and diligently seeks to find Him- will receive the light they need to believe. God accepts those who fear Him and do what is right.   Also notice something else:  God listens to the prayers of the unsaved person who is honestly seeking Him.

Now we will deal with Peter’s healing for the dead zone in his life. For God is no respecter of persons and He hates racial prejudice and bigotry. He always wanted the descendants of Abraham to be a blessing to all the nations of the world. Peter is staying at the home of Simon the Tanner. At noon the following day as Cornelius’s servants are coming to get Peter as per the angel’s instruction, Peter went up on the roof to pray at noon.

Listen to this account: “ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, Peter fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kind of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice came from heaven and told him.’Get up Peter. Kill and eat. Surely not, Lord, Peter replied. I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. The voice from heaven spoke to him a second time and said: Do not call anything unclean or impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times.

Well as Gomer Pyle would say..Surprise, Surprise.  There are two surprises: first- Peter is a legalistic bigot.  Legalist can always be recognized for their boasting about what they DO NOT DO.  Example:  I do not smoke, I do not drink, I do not dance, I do not go to movies,…you get the picture. And they look down on anyone who does those things. The legalists is proud of the things they do not do. But do you know what Jesus said we ( His disciples) should be known by? Not by what we do not do – but by what we do- which is to love one another as He loved us- by this would men know we are His disciples.

The world is not impressed by our ‘  goody-two-shoes’ behavior. They are impressed if we are warm, friendly accepting people filled with joy – the joy of life and obvious peace we have in our lives. Our willingness to help another regardless of their lifestyle or condition.

The second surprise is that what God calls clean- we are not to call unclean. We, like Peter, sometimes have prejudices in our lives that if  we do not let the Lord cure us of it will create stumbling blocks. Sometimes if we do not let the Lord search our heart we will look upon another person’s particular sin or evil in their life with a prejudice that causes us to not treat them as God has treated them. To consider unclean what God has made clean. Sometimes this can be an individual who cannot forgive themselves of something they have done.

When we do not accept as cleansed, what God has said He has cleansed- we call God a liar.

Peter is about to learn this lesson. He is going to be cured. An area of his life where he had no feeling, was paralyzed is about to be brought to life. A dead zone in which he was cold and indifferent is going to be brought to life and feelings and sensation restored. 

Paul tells us in Ephesians 1: “  And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ to be put in effect when the times have reached their fulfillment – to  bring ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH TOGETHER UNDER ONE HEAD EVEN IN CHRIST.”   All together. This is what God wants. Break down those middle- separating walls of prejudice.

Jesus said: “ He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.”  (Matthew 12:30)

Is there an area in your life where the life of Christ does not reign? If so it is an area of death and darkness. “ But it is Christ Jesus who destroys death and brings life and immortality to light through the gospel.”  

The Lord brings light into darkness. He is the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not, as though they were. Abraham faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, since he was about a  hundred years old-  and Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief, regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he promised.” ( Romans 4)

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ( John 11)

You see it’s about a simple message and do you really believe. It’s still the Cross. It’s still the Gospel that saves men’s souls.

It is about the One who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the GOSPEL.

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14

Acts 8: It Ain’t Easy!

Have you ever run a full marathon ( 26 miles 385 yards)?  Guess what few have. In fact only 5 out of 3,000 will have ever done this. You know why?  It ain’t easy.

The Navy Seals were in the news recently for their assault on the Bin Laden compound. Did you know only one out of ten are selected to enter this program? Did you know only 2 out of 10 will complete it? You know why? It ain’t easy.

Bad habits are easy to form and hard to break. Good habits are hard to form and easy to break. Today’s lesson will look at easy believe- ism as we realize we all are prone to take the easy way.

The story so far…

On the day of Pentecost, the promised Holy Spirit came just 10 days after the resurrected Lord had ascended to heaven. The Holy Spirit came down that day and Peter preached, and the crowd heard the Gospel in their own language and 3000 souls were saved that day. From that day forward we believe when a person is truly saved, born again  of the Spirit the Holy Spirit comes at the instant of salvation. The Spirit indwells and seals the believer. The Spirit will never leave us nor depart from us. We can be filled many times, but the indwelling and sealing is once and for ever. We also can through disobedience quench the Spirit and grieve the Spirit.

In the early days of the church it was mainly Jews who were becoming believers. Jesus’ instruction was to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world. We read about the persecution of the Sanhedrin as well as the internal problems with Ananias and Sapphira, and the problem that arose with the Greek widows. Then we were spellbound with the trial and defense of Stephen which ended with his being stoned to death and the church moved to the next level.

Saul of Tarsus began a mission to destroy this work he called ‘the Way’ and literally dragged people from their homes and had them put in prison. So the 12 apostles stayed in Jerusalem while the others scattered. We pick up our story with Phillip, one of the seven original men selected to care for the Greek widows.  He goes to the city of Samaria and begins  to preach and we will meet a strange person named Simon and see something unusual happen with response to his preaching Christ in Samaria. You will soon realize why I have entitled this lesson –‘ it ain’t easy!”

Let me also remind you of the wisdom of God when combined with His other attributes  enable God to do the following: THE WISDOM OF GOD TELLS US THAT GOD WILL BRING ABOUT THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS, BY THE BEST POSSIBLE MEANS FOR THE MOST PEOPLE FOR THE LONGEST PERIOD OF TIME.

Let that sink in for a minute.   That means if there was a better way to do it, if there was a kinder, faster, more expedient, more gentle way, God would be using it.  But since He is All Wise, All Powerful, All Knowing  He always does not only what is right- but perfectly right. Which means if it took the death of Stephen, the persecution of Saul to scatter the church and spread the Gospel- then God knew best what it would take.

Consider the following attributes of our Heavenly Father: Creator of all things, owns all things, sustains all things. He is righteous in all His ways. He is Just in His wrath. He is intolerant of sin. He is Holy above all things.  Then I want you to remember – God does not change.

Sometimes we have to get on the other side of the storm- have some time to think about it and look back and we can see as Joseph did- you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good for the saving of many people. I don’t believe Joseph was probably that sure of this truth when he was in prison.

The world of Biblical times was inhabited by some unique people with unique powers. Take for example the story of Moses and his staff. When he cast it down before the Pharaoh it turned into a serpent. Was the Pharaoh impressed? Not by that magic trick and to show his disdain he called upon his two magicians, Jannes and Jambre to throw down their two staffs which also turned into serpents. ( It should be noted that Moses’ serpent consumed the other two serpents proving the devil’s power is less than the Lord’s- always has been, always will be.) Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2: “ the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of satan with all power, signs, and lying wonders…”

Jesus, Himself performed miracles during his earthly ministry. But he knew miracles can be duplicated or manipulated by the enemy. He often told those he healed not to tell anyone. And at the very beginning of his ministry in John 2- we see many followed because of the miracles but Jesus did not commit himself to them because he knew what was in their heart. You see IT  IS EASY TO  BELIEVE in miracles and miracle workers  that you can see and experience. But faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see. ( Hebrews 11:1)  And without faith it is impossible to please the Lord.

We will look today at an interesting passage of scripture and an intriguing and somewhat disturbing event. It is the story of Simon the magician, a Samaritan and of Phillip’s mission to the Samaritans. The story has much for us to think about- and one of them is ‘ easy believe-ism’. It is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. It is what is happening this Sunday, May 15, 2011 in churches  all over the world.

Let’s read the text as if for the first time ever.

The story is simple enough. Phillip, a man of God, goes to the city of Samaria and preaches Christ. The crowds heard Phillip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention(heeded KJV) to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits were cast out of many and many lame were healed and there was great joy in the city. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Verse 9 will introduce us to a man who shows up for a few verses in Acts 8, that we never hear from again.- But this occurrence has led to a lot of speculation. His name is Simon, he is a magician, a man who practiced sorcery. He claimed he was someone great and the people believed he had the power of God. Simon was the main man in Samaria. He would soon be replaced by Phillip and this new way- Christianity. Simon was no fool and he realized if you can’t beat ‘em- join ‘em. He figured he could learn to work this magic also. We are told to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Simon’s false confession of faith- for he did not possess what he professed comes one chapter before Saul’s confession of faith and subsequent conversion. This will allow us to lay one beside the other- like a real dollar bill compared to a counterfeit dollar bill. For that is how the banks teach tellers how to recognize the false by studying and comparing to the real.

Phillip’s arrival and preaching had dried up Simon’s ministry. So Simon wisely joined in and it would appear  to be a new believer. Of the Samaritans we read ‘ when they believed Phillip as he preached the good news of  the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ ,they were baptized, both men and women. Everything sounds great so far. More baptisms – more members added to the role.Even Simon- that old rascal we are told believed and was baptized.  Notice when he, Simon,was baptized he continued  with Phillip and look at what was his interest- ‘ he was amazed , seeing the miracles and signs that were done.’ Jesus knew that the belief that is based on miracles is shallow.  Like the seed that falls on the shallow earth with the rocky stone beneath. (Luke 8) It springs up but it withers in the sun.  Witness the Israelites who had seen  the mighty hand of God in the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the manna from heaven yet when Moses is up on Mount Sinai for 40 days- they want another leader and their old gods of Egypt.

Now the scene shifts for a moment as we read in verse 14 the apostles who stayed in Jerusalem  receive word of Phillip’s ministry in Samaria and the conversion of Samaritans.  Keep in mind up until this time, most of the converts to Christianity had been Jews. The Jews hated the Samaritans. In Luke 9,when the Samaritans did not receive Jesus, James and John wanted the village destroyed by fire from heaven. They despised the Samaritans and the Samaritans despised the Jews. A Jew would travel miles out of their way to avoid through Samaritan territory.

So the decision is made for Peter and John, the main apostles to go check this out. See what has really happened. Are these true conversions or not and if so- how would the church respond to these Samaritans?

Now by this time, if this is your first reading of this story, you might suspect that Simon is a tare among the wheat. That he is after  something that will empower him. He will be exposed. But if we are honest when we read when Peter and John came ‘they prayed they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon  ANY OF THEM! They had simply been baptized into the name of Jesus Christ.’ We are shocked!  None of them are saved? What is going on?

Let’s look carefully and prayerfully at this passage:  Phillip preached. He did miracles of healing. The Samaritans with one accord heeded the things spoken by Phillip ( verse 6)  Great joy was in the city. They believe the things concerning the kingdom of God  and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.( verse 12)  It is obvious there was a change as they turned from Simon’s sorcery to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But when Peter and John arrive we read: “ Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet, He had not fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they(Peter and John) laid hands on them , and they received the Holy Spirit.” ( verse 15-17)  What is going on here? What has happened?  Were they saved before or not?  If not why not?   The scripture teaches us when we get saved we receive the Holy Spirit immediately at conversion. The baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at the moment of salvation. We are sealed, indwelt in an eternal condition and the Spirit will never leave us or desert us. Filling is different and will occur numerous times. So based on Scripture- the Samaritans were not saved because they had not been indwelt by the Spirit yet. They said the right things  but yet the Spirit has not fallen on them.   Let’s look again to make sure we have not missed something.   Phillip preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord HEEDED the things spoken by Phillip, hearing and seeing the miracles.  But notice what is said of Simon- “this man is the great power of God. And they HEEDED him(Simon) because he had astonished them with his sorcery for a long time. Could it be- what the Samaritans believed was a shallow belief based on miracles? That what Phillip really represented was a new magician, a new more powerful miracle worker to believe in?

Let us remember how God operates : The wisdom of God tells us that God  will bring about  the best possible results, by the best possible means for the most possible people, for the longest period of time.

If Jesus would not entrust Himself to those who believed in His name when they saw the miraculous signs  He was doing as we read in John 2. Why do we expect the Holy Spirit to entrust  Himself to one who believes in the miracles and the miracle worker?  For He also knows the heart of man.

Listen to the Lord Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:20 and following: “ Therefore by  their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name and done wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from me, you who practice lawlessness?’

Jesus says you will know a tree by its fruit. A good tree will produce good fruit. There will be change in one’s life, you become a new creature. The plant that sprang up in the shallow soil never came to fruition. Compare Simon who wants to learn this new, more powerful magic to Saul at his conversion.Saul makes a radical change in his life,just like Zaccheus did. Perhaps the Samaritans and surely Simon wanted to add this new power and this Jesus to their current lifestyle. After all- there was the joy caused by the miracles, the casting out of unclean spirits, the healings . Jesus does not want to be something added to our lives- He wants to be our life. He wants to be the center of our new life.

So the Samaritans needed to receive the Holy Spirit.

“Unless one if born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3. )

Here in the early days of the church the Gospel and salvation must be presented fully. Just as it was in the days of the Samaritan revival where Phillip preached ,you will have tares among the wheat. You have those that receive the word with joy  but these have not root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.  What does that stone represent?  “ I will sprinkle clean water on you and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart nd an new SPIRIT  within you; I will take the heart of STONE  out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put MY SPIRIT   within you and cause you to walk in my statutes…” Ezekial 36. The stone represents an unrepentant heart.

You see those four types of soil in the parable of the seed and the sower  represent the different hearts of mankind. The hard packed earth represents the broadway  the majority of the world takes that seems right to them and many enter in. The soil on the rock represents the shallow heart- that likes the miracles and manna and the good stuff but let the talk of taking up your cross and the teaching of entering the hard, narrow way of following Christ and they fall away. Then there is the soil that represents the worldly heart that loves the things of this world so much they crowd out the seed of the Gospel. And the fourth soil is the good soil which is the heart that believes and receives and produces fruit. A noble and good heart. But we were all one of the other types of heart before we received a new heart weren’t we?

Salvation is of God. I do not want to confuse you – I want to challenge you to examine yourself and see that you are in the faith. Paul tells us to do just that in Corinthians.

I know you know these wonderful scriptures:

John 3:16; Romans 10:9 & 10  “ If you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart you believe and are justified , and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”  Heart not head belief.

The Samaritans had been conditioned, or conformed to believe in miracles and were drawn to men who could do such things. Satan understands our need to worship and he knows we like to have leaders we can see and hear. So false religions always have a strong , charismatic leader who people worship. That is why we call them ‘ idols.’

Let me assure you of this:

Salvation is free, but it is not cheap. It involves repentance, commitment, discipline  and a renouncing of all that stands in the way of Jesus.  I want you to go through these verses with me and then see if you agree with what I have to say about this lesson.

Matthew 7:13,14; Luke 13- the narrow door vs. 22; Luke 14;25John 2;  John 6:53

Let me tell you what many people who profess Christ but do not possess Christ always want: They want Christ without the Cross. They want salvation without sacrifice. They want ‘input’ without ‘output.’ The want what we all want in our flesh- ‘something for nothing. They want to take the shortcut. But there are no shortcuts to any place worth going!

Do you see what happened here in Samaria?  It is a classic case of ‘easy believe-ism’. That is not the whole story of the Gospel that Jesus told us. But somehow  it has become the norm .  The Lord experienced it in his own earthly ministries. He was the latest, greatest miracle worker and thousands followed Him to get something for nothing.

We need a new heart for our old hearts are deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can understand it?’ ( Jeremiah 17:9)   God makes all things new. He gives us a new heart, new desires, a new mind, a new relationship.

One of the commands of the great commission is to make disciples, teaching them to observe all things  that I(Jesus) have commanded you. ( Matthew 28)  Discipleship is an important, necessary element of the great commission and the spreading of the gospel. For the Lord wants us all to grow up, mature in our faith.

But God always does what will accomplish the most good for the most people for the longest period of time. Who else was affected here in this story? Peter and John. The laying on of  hands by Peter and John had nothing to do with the Samaritans receiving the Holy Spirit. The laying on of hands of the apostles was their way of putting their stamp of approval on the whole Samaritan movement. (Just as they had put their hands on the 7 men chosen by the multitude- it denoted their approval.)  Therefore I believe this was an event engineered by God that was necessary to get the largely Jewish believers to see God had accepted  Samaritans just as He accepted them. For as Paul would later write “ There is one body, and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and One Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” ( Ephesians 4)

Now Simon shows his true nature, his unredeemed nature by the actions he takes when he sees this laying on of hands and the Holy Spirit given. He pulls out his wallet and says I would like to buy this  power. His words revealed what was in his heart. Peter tells him what he can do with his money and that his  words out of his mouth reveal his heart is not right in the sight of God. Peter tells Simon to repent.

Now after this Peter and John return to Jerusalem. But notice in returning they preached the Gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.  Look what God had accomplished : the Samaritans got saved, Simon was exposed, Peter and John realized God was going to save the Samaritans , the  same way he saved them, and the Gospel was preached in many village

One more thing I see in this passage is the prayer of Peter and John that is very encouraging.’ They prayed for them(the Samaritans) they might receive the Holy Spirit’. (verse 15) For those we are concerned about their relationship with God, we also can pray for them they might receive the Holy Spirit.  In Luke 11, Jesus said: “ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit  TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM!”

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked and He is not willing that any should perish but all would come to repentance.

“Now this is the confidence we have in HIM, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions  that we have asked of Him.” ( I John 5:14,15)   ‘Ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find, knock and it will opened. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

So as Paul said: ‘ continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling..’

Salvation is free.. but the Christian life –  IT AIN’T EASY!

Acts 8- Scene 3

In verse 25 of Acts 8- let us  take note of what Peter and John did as they returned to Jerusalem from Samaria: “ When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.”

Notice the three things they did:  they testified; they proclaimed the word of the Lord; and preached the gospel. These three activities are considered to be the normal, usual activities of the church and the Christian.  To testify is to share your personal experience- the way you were – what happened and the way you are now. This is witnessing  101.  You do not tell people what they ought to do- you tell them what the Lord has done in your life. Next we read they proclaimed the Word of the Lord. They shared what the Scriptures said. If you have ever listened to Billy Graham or read of Bill Bright’s Campus Crusade ministry you know both always proclaim-  ‘the Word of God says..’ Both of these men who have been used mightily by the Lord say it does not matter what Billy Graham or Bill Bright have to say- they know the power of God’s word . “ For the Word of God is powerful and alive..” ( Hebrews 4:12) Then they preached the Gospel that is referred to as ‘evangelism.’ So we see the normal activities: witnessing, sharing Scriptures, and presenting the Gospel- i.e. evangelizing.

But let us remember the three symbols that would characterize the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost with the: sound of a mighty rushing wind; and tongues of fire.  Wind. Tongues. Fire.

Wind. Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:8-‘ You hear the sound of the wind, but you cannot tell where it is going, and you do not know whence it comes. So is he that is born of the Spirit..’ The wind is a symbol of the sovereign direction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit goes where He wills and we cannot  predict Him.

Tongues are a symbol of the proclaiming of the gospel in various languages.  The gospel started out in Jerusalem in the Hebrew and Aramic and probably Greek languages of the day and region- then spread until today it has reached many different languages in the known world, including isolated groups of people in their own native tongue.  The miracle on the Day of Pentecost showed us that the Lord wanted the Gospel to be translated to all the people groups of the world where they can hear it in their own language. This is why the invention of the printing press and the work of translation is so important since the days of Martin Luther to the work of Wycliffe today.

Fire represents judgment and purifying. These are two works the Holy Spirit performs in the church to keep it usable and clean. We see the work of the  Holy Spirit in the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira when God judged their hypocrisy. We see the work of the Holy Spirit in exposing  the  shallow faith of the Samaritans as well as the exposure of Simon’s false profession.

In verse 26 of Acts 8 we will read of the wind of the Holy Spirit to move Phillip to where He, the Holy Spirit would unexpectedly work with one individual.  It is the expected we come to rely on, isn’t  it? After all our  order of service is printed out and published in the bulletin  so we can know what is going to happen and the order in which it will occur. We are creatures of habit who like the familiar. But we must be careful for the Jews substituted the rituals of religion for a relationship with the True and Living God. Let us make sure we are not guilty of the same. Let us make sure we are born of the Spirit for it is the Spirit that brings life and the flesh accounts for nothing. The flesh, our old nature, likes ritual, ceremony and routine. It does not like change. It likes for the services to follow the order of the service as printed in the bulletin and be over in a timely manner.

Listen to what Peter would write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:  “ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who CALLED  us by His own glory and goodness. Through these (his glory and goodness) He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world cause by evil desires.” ( 2 Peter 1:3-4)   Then Peter describes what will produce a well-rounded fruitful Christian life as he described the virtues that grow out of this divine relationship: faith, goodness, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love.  The Peter cautions us: “ Therefore , my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.”

The Apostle Paul tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Let me tell you three identifying marks of a Christian:

1. Life marked by obedience. Jesus said if you love Him you will keep his commandments. This is not sinless perfection; however, it is a desire and passion to follow Him  in obedience. (John 15)
2. Life marked b change. 2 Cor. 5:17 tells us: “Therefore, If anyone is in Christ, the old has gone, the new has come. “ We have been changed and are being changed and transformed from the inside –out by the power of God and Gods’ Word as the Spirit reveals its truths to us and we obey.
3. Life marked by the seal of the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit Himself testifies to our spirit that we are Gods’ children.” Romans 8:16  The Holy Spirit indwells and seals the believer at the moment of salvation. Paul says we know that we know.

I have said all of that to make this statement:  There is the predictable and the orderly and the normal. And the Spirit can be at work in those conditions. Nothing wrong with that, just be careful you do not come to rely on that and  NOT leave God room to do the unexpected.  If the Holy Spirit wants to break into the routine and ordinary to do the extraordinary- let us be sensitive to it. So now let us look at the wind of the Holy Spirit blowing  into Phillip’s life to interrupt what he was doing in Samaria to move him where God wanted him .

“ Now an angel of the Lord said to Phillip, ‘ go south to the road- the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (vs.27)  What did we say last week about the wisdom of God?  The wisdom of God will bring about the best possible results, by the best possible means for the most people for the longest period of time.

Well, you might say if God sent an angel to tell me something, I would do it also. But does God send angels today?  Hebrews 1:14 tells us: ‘ Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” And Psalms 91 says: “ For He (God) will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” And also we are told in Hebrews 13: ‘ do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Do angels still make visible appearances?  Well there are documented stories in our time of angels intervening in the life of missionaries. The point is- the Holy Spirit like the wind will move as He pleases and will interfere with our pre-conceived ideas as to how He is going to accomplish the will of God.

The point is Phillip was sensitive to the direction of the Holy Spirit. God had a divine plan to send Phillip on a divine encounter. If you find your life interrupted by something unexpected, be prepared for God to bring some change in your life.  The wind blows and we can resist it or we can set our sails and go with it. Ask Jonah about resisting God’s direction.

God spoke to Jonah and gave him a personal, clear and direct word. God told Jonah to go to the wicked city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness had come up to Him.  What did Jonah do? He bought a ticket on a boat headed in the opposite direction we are told to ‘flee from the Lord.’ Does God speak to us today?  Yes. He speaks through His word, through His Spirit and others. Furthermore, you can heed his call or disregard his call. You might think I am not equipped to do that Lord- but if the Lord calls you to do something He will also equip you to do it. If God calls you to go to a Nineveh, don’t be like Jonah and think you have a better  idea than God.

Here is the point of the story of Jonah. God directed him where to go and Jonah went in the opposite direction. What did God do? He sent a great ‘wind’ on the sea that threatened to break up the ship. You know the rest of the story- Jonah thrown overboard, a great fish prepared by God swallows Jonah. Three days later Jonah repents, and promises God he will do what he tells him to do. And the word of the Lord came to Jonah a  SECOND TIME.  ( The God of second chances). And Jonah obeys.

Phillip is sent to lonely desert road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza. Remember what Jesus said in John 5:  ‘ My Father is always  at work to this very day, and I, too am working. I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son does also. For the Father loves the son and shows him all he does.’ Jesus never operated independent of the Father. In essence this was what the temptation of satan is always about to operate separate from God the Father and from his will and directions. It has been that way since the Garden of Eden. That is why in his Sermon on the Mount Jesus emphasizes there are two directions- the narrow way and the broad way.  There are two foundation on which you can build- the solid rock or shifting sands.  Jesus said always seek the kingdom of God first and all the things you need will be added.

Phillip obeys. He follows God’s directions even though they may not make sense to him. May not seem like the best use of his time.  Go to a lonely desert road? Witness to one man?  Why wouldn’t staying in Samaria be the best use of my time? But God knows how to get the best results by the best means for the most possible people for the longest period of time. Consider the Apostle Paul, who we know from his letters longed to go to Rome to preach the Gospel. Finally he gets to Rome- but he is a prisoner. Yet his prison epistles have reached untold millions- much much more than he could have ever reached by preaching to Roman crowds.

The wind of the Holy Spirit has blown Phillip down this lonely desert road. About that time an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of Ethiopia passes by in his chariot.  We read this man has been to Jerusalem to worship. So this is a man in search of the truth.

He must have purchased a copy of scripture. He is reading from the book of Isaiah aloud as he passes Phillip and the Spirit says to Phillip –‘go to the chariot’.  God told Jonah to go and Jonah said no. God said to Phillip go and he went. He was a ‘go-getter’.  Phillip was not a hesitant witness- he was a willing witness.  Witnessing is not optional for Christians- it is the last commandment of our Lord to us. To be witnesses to our Nineveh’s – on our  lonely desert roads to Gaza, or in your own neighborhood or workplace.

Phillip asks the man- ‘ do you understand what your are reading?’ How can I unless someone explain it to me?  He was an honest doubter, seeking the truth.  The Lord Jesus said ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened.  The eunuch wants to know who is the writer talking about- himself or someone else?  Phillip begins with that passage  and told him the good news about Jesus. Phillip  showed him how Jesus was the one who was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and by his stripes(wounds) we are healed. He showed him we all like sheep have gone astray.

They came to water and the eunuch wants to know why shouldn’t I be baptized?  The NIV omits verse 37- citing in small print it was not in early manuscripts- but the KJV has it .  The question is a very important question- what hinders me to be baptized?  Hinders- that is obstructs or holds one back. Phillip then answers the question that must be answered honestly. “ If you believe with ALL YOUR HEART- YOU MAY BE BAPTIZED.”   The eunuch answered and said , ‘ I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Listen to what God says:  “ I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with  ALL YOUR HEART.  I will be found by you and will bring you back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29)

And then in Proverbs 5- we read: “ Trust in the Lord with  ALL YOUR HEART,  and lean not to your own understanding, in ALL YOUR WAYS  acknowledge God and He will direct your paths.’

When I got saved in 1977 and started going to church and AA meetings. I was reading the Bible and the Big Book in AA.  Both told me many of the same truths- and the one that stood out was – ‘ half-hearted efforts did not work.’

What does the enemy tempt  you to do?  To live your life apart from God. To make your own decisions- to do what you want to do and feel like doing. It is a way that seems right – but the broad way leads to destruction. We thought going down the broad way was the way to go- it seemed like more fun and  everyone else was going down it. Didn’t we tell our parents everyone else was going to the party?  I will tell you exactly what happened because it is the way of sin. Sin takes you further than you want to go; keeps you longer than you want to stay and costs you more than you want to pay.  The deceitfulness of sin.

The eunuch and Phillip go down in the water . Phillip is whisked away to his next adventure and the eunuch goes on back home rejoicing. Can you imagine the work the Lord is going to do through this important official’s life in the country of Ethiopia?

Back in the book of Isaiah and I wonder did they Ethiopian man ever read this and he probably did for it is only two chapters away from where he was reading. In chapter 55 listen to this: ‘ Seek the Lord while He may  be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on him and to our God, for he will freely pardon.’

Seek Him while he may be found implies there can come a time when God cannot be found. The door will be closed.

I remembered something as I was preparing this lesson. One summer day a few years ago- I was flying to California.  The flight attendant brought a minor, a young boy around 10 years old who was flying back home by himself. Since he was sitting next to me – she told me to keep an eye on him. He was a typical 10 year old with a baseball cap, a summer tan and tennis shoes. I asked him was LA his home and he told me where his family lived in California.  I asked him where had he been and he had been to visit his grandparents, his mother’s mom and dad. They lived in the country outside of Ripley.  He came every summer to spend a couple of weeks. It reminded me of my mother’s grandparents. Then I noticed the bracelet on his wrist. It was made of three different colored strings- red, white and blue. And I knew what it was and asked him what is that unusual bracelet you are wearing?  He looked at me and said – it is a salvation bracelet.  I got saved at my grandparents’ church and baptized. I asked him what the colors stood for and he explained- the red stands for the blood of Jesus shed for our sins; the white stands for snow- His blood washes away our sins and we are white as snow;( he added – we have all sinned, you know);  and the blue stands for heaven where we spend eternity. This little boy was not ashamed of the gospel. And what he had just done was – testify, proclaim the Word of the Lord and share the gospel – just like Peter and John had done and just like we believers are supposed to do.

The Lord had used a wind to blow this little boy 1500 miles from home to a country church with loving grandparents who had told their grandson about the Lord many times I am sure. But now he was returning home a new boy.Just as God had a divine plan for the eunuch and Phillip and this little boy- he has divine plans for others including you and me.

You see if we love the Lord with all our heart; we will trust Him with all our heart. And when we do He will direct our paths.  Like a kite – or the sails of ship we await the winds of the Spirit to blow us in the way God would have us to go.

It matters not which way the wind blows – it is the set  of your sails that determine  the direction of the ship. Go with God! You will never regret it and He has promised He will always be with you.

Acts 8: The Aftermath of Stephen’s Death

As Stephen continues his sermon of both defense and indictment against the leaders of the Sanhedrin in Acts 7 he addresses the issue of his ‘ so-called blasphemy’ of the temple. Stephen talks about the tabernacle built according to the pattern and blue print given to Moses. This portable tent and the furniture and items that went within were carried from place to place as they wandered in the desert.

When you study scripture, you realize God will let us know what is more important to Him by the amount written about something. For example:  In Genesis 1 we are told:  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. ( 10 words)  Regarding stars, God simply states: He made the stars also.( 5 words) Yet there are over 50 chapters devoted to the specifics of the Tabernacle and its furnishings and how it was to be carried, set up and how the tribes of Israel were to set up their camp with the Tabernacle in the center.  The tribe of Judah with its standard being a lion always camped on the east. So the first light of day struck the Lion of Judah. Did you know Jewish scholars say the encampment formed the Star of David?  Why was there so much detail and  space allotted to this special tent?   Because its every component spoke of the elements of salvation and the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, and the coming again of the Lion of Judah. To create the heavens and the earth, to set the stars in the sky was no effort at all for Our Heavenly Father- but to save our souls and make us whole it took the death of the Son of God. The Tabernacle represented the Glory of God present in the midst of His people. His presence is to be the center of our daily lives!

Finally Joshua brought them into the land of Canaan they took from the nations that God had driven out before them. There the tabernacle remained until the time of David. This history was known by all present. David wanted to build a temple to replace the tabernacle, but God would not allow David to build it but his son Solomon instead.

Now it is interesting – this temple built by Solomon was the temple God ordained. However it was destroyed in 586 BC and then came the temple built by Zerubbabel in 515 BC. However, 500 years later, the temple was in such a state of disrepair, that Herod the Great began a large scale restoration project which was the temple in which Jesus taught, cast out the money changers, etc.  This would be destroyed in 70 AD- and there has been no temple in Israel since that time.

Stephen then makes this statement: “ The Most High does not live in houses built by men. Stephen quotes from Isaiah 66 –“ Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? Says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? You  cannot put God in a box. God is bigger than this temple. God made all things- He made the materials with which they built the temple, He created the men who built it. God Himself has said what kind of house can you build that will contain me?  There is no such building. I am afraid if we observed some who call  themselves Christians, we would see they live their lives as if God only lives in the church building. We do not see God in their homes, their work place or evidence of His Life in their life.

So as we come to the ending of Stephens sermon/defense let us look at what he has done:

*He has defended himself Scripturally.

*He has held their attention by speaking of what interested them most- their heritage.

*He shows them how their forefathers, the patriarchs have constantly rejected the redeemers and prophets sent by God the first time.

* In closing Stephen will indict them of the same sins as the patriarchs as they have rejected the Lord Jesus.

* He will present the Lord Jesus as the Messiah.

Stephen is telling them instead of following the great men of faith, Abraham, Joseph, Moses- they have identified themselves with the godless idolatrous forces that opposed these men of faith all through the history of Israel. The word of God confirmed this time and time again.

Now having accomplished factually what he set out to accomplish, Stephen moves to his climax. “ You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him- you who received the law that was put into effect through angels, but have not obeyed it. “

The agitation of those in the Sanhedrin has been building as they cannot answer Stephen’s charges. It comes to a boiling point and agitation creates anger which quickly becomes hatred. The truth is painful to these proud arrogant men. They begin to gnash their teeth. Gnashing of teeth is a picture of anger, hatred, pain and frustration.

Listen to these verses:

“There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.”  ( Luke 13:8, Jesus speaking.)

And again in Matthew 24:51-“ He will cut them to pieces and assign them a place with hypocrites where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Revelation 9: 20,21: “ The rest of mankind that were not killed by the plagues still did not repent..” Hearts so hardened they will not repent- only become angrier.

At work here is a principle that is very frightening. When you willfully reject God’s love, mercy and forgiveness and the gift of salvation there comes a time when God will harden your heart, close your ears and blind your eyes so that one cannot see or receive the truth. Remember God wants our attention and uses several methods by which to get our attention. He demands our awe, or respectful fear. He wants us to surrender our hearts and obey Him. (Proverbs 29:1 says: A man who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without rememdy.)

Do you see what has happened? Once again God gets their attention through His Word spoken with power by Stephen. They have heard the truth from Moses and the prophets. They heard John the Baptist and heard Jesus’ remarkable teaching, his miracles that confirmed he was the Messiah. Next came those apostles who amazed them with their wisdom and ability to rightly divide the Word of God. And now here stood Stephen with this powerful sermon, defense and accusations which they could not answer. They did not give their hearts to God, instead they hardened their hearts. And God will give them over. Light has come into the world- but they preferred darkness.

Look at the contrast- they are red-faced with anger and hatred, gnashing their teeth while Stephen is filled with Holy Spirit and thus in perfect peace.  His eyes are on things above and he is allowed to see into heaven and proclaims: ‘ Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man STANDING at the right hand of God.” Remember what Jesus said in Mark 14 at his trial when asked point blank: ‘ Are you the Messiah? I AM. AND YOU WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.’

The Lord Jesus sat down at the right hand of God after the work of Redemption, but Stephen’s exclamation indicates that when His followers are in trouble He stands as our High Priest to intercede.

The members of the Sanhedrin respond like spoiled children, they cover their ears and yelled at the top of their voices to drown out Stephen and dragged him out of the city to stone to death. Laying their clothes at the feet of Saul of Tarsus. Stephen prays for his attackers and asks God to forgive them.  He then falls asleep.    I like that description of death for a believer. Falling asleep.  Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. He stands to receive us into His waiting arms. There is no gap- no grave- no darkness just falling asleep one instant to awaken the next in the presence of the Lord.

Augustine says ‘ the church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen.’ One thing we can all do is pray. And our prayers continue to work even after we have gone to be with the Lord.

Let’s take a look at this young man, Saul of Tarsus. He would of course go on to become the great apostle- Paul.  Here is what Saul/Paul said of himself: Phil .3. He was very proud of his heritage and was an intelligent, ambitious young man. Possessing not only intelligence and ambition- but also possessing a Roman citizenship. Educated under Gamaliel, this was a young man who at one time was the chief persecutor the early Christian church.  His writing reveals a common and very dangerous condition that resulted in sin. Look at Roman 7:7 and then Titus 3.

Let’s look at this sin of covetousness and what it arises from and leads to:

To covet means to wrongfully desire for that which is not yours or currently attainable. It is associated with discontentment.

Jealousy is a fear of loss of something you possess.

Envy is a desire for what is not yours and begrudging the one who has it. This condition arises out of coveteous. It is closely connected to malice which is the desire to inflict pain or suffering on another. So with this kind of anger, envy, coveting and malice in his heart, young Saul begins to persecute the church or as he referred to it as ‘the Way.’

In looking at Saul’s life what we see is a young man who is searching for something to fill the hole in his life. He saw in the life of Stephen a contentment and completeness and peace that he lacked. Have we not all searched for  that something or someone who would make our lives complete?

Chapter 8 represents the movement of the church. In the early days the work that had begun in Jerusalem and Judea was primarily among Jews. This was according to Jesus’  instruction to be His witnesses in Jerusalem then into Judea and Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world. The stoning of Stephen was the beginning of the persecution of the church. Saul of Tarsus was instrumental in leading the attack on the church as we read of his efforts to destroy the church. “ Going from house to house, he(Saul) dragged off men and women and put them in prison.”

So with the exception of the apostles who remained in Jerusalem, believers were scattered into Judea and Samaria.  Dr. Luke’s account follows Phillip to Samaria. Don’t miss this process: Phillip went down to Samaria where he proclaims Christ. Persecution ends with proclamation of Christ.  God uses the persecution and death of Stephen to spread the Gospel and move out to Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.

Listen as Luke describes the impact of Phillip’s preaching: “ When the crowds heard Phillip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great JOY in that city.” What started with persecution ends with great joy. We cannot help but see the connection- persecution led by this young man, Saul of Tarsus was used by God to accomplish His will – the spreading of the Gospel. James writes in James 1 to consider it pure joy whenever you face trials. Adversity is to our faith what exercise is to our muscles. James tells us adversity and trials develops patience or perseverance  which matures our faith. Adversity purifies, enlarges and proves our faith. As far as trials go, Peter said as Christians you should not consider them unusual.

Let’s look at Phillip for a minute. He started out waiting on the tables, helping with the distribution of goods to the Greek widows. He who is faithful in little will be given more. But look at the three earmarks of  genuine ministry, a work of the Holy Spirit.

1. The ring of truth. The crowds paid close attention to what he said. They knew they were hearing the truth. Just as when Jesus taught- people listened and even commented-‘never did any man speak as this man(Jesus) speaks.’ Jesus said  you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
2. Genuine ministry is accompanied with power. Power that is a higher power, a power that comes from God.
3. The third mark of genuine work of God is joy. There was great joy in the city. This is the power of the Gospel- the power to break the chains of sin to set people free and fill them with joy.  The programs that society and the government develop to bring relief from suffering in our cities can only deal with physical problems- housing, food, clothing, medicine, education. But even society realizes these programs are band-aids- they do not address the real problem. Yes they address injustice and prejudice – but nothing can bring the type of joy the Samarians enjoyed but the power of God’s word when it leads to salvation. Then we can have an internal, eternal spring of joy within.

Now we know we have a relentless enemy who goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is called our ‘adversary.’ An adversary is an enemy or rival. When ever and where ever a genuine work of the ministry is going on as was in the early church- it will attract attention of the enemy and attacks will follow.

First we saw the apostles arrested and threatened and beaten. This only served to encourage them as being counted worthy to suffer for the Lord’s sake and name.  We are about to meet a man named Simon, who practice sorcery in the city of Samaria and amazed all the people. Let us consider  the attacks of the enemy upon the church so far:

1. Direct attack, threats and punishment of apostles. Told not to speak in the name of Jesus.
2. Next the attack within the church- Ananias and Sapphira and the seed of hypocrisy is sown with their lies to the Holy Spirit.
3. An attack resulting in dissension among believers- quarreling, hurt feelings that Greek widows were not being treated fairly. This was also an attack to distract the Apostles from the work of the  ministry- prayer and the ministry of the word.
4. Another attack of those in the Synagogue of the Freedman( Greeks) upon Stephen over doctrine. They accused him falsely of blasphemy against- the law, Moses, the Temple and God. This resulted in the persecution of the church and the scattering of believers.
5. And now another powerful work has begun in Samaria. Do you see the pattern? When there is the work of the Holy Spirit- when lives are being changed, the Gospel proclaimed it attracts the attention of the enemy. This attack is the epitome of the saying: ‘ if you can’t beat them- join them.’

Simon will be a tare among the wheat. He identified with the believers. He was baptized and joined the church. But he was unchanged. He was a fraud. He was a tare- he looked like wheat on the outside- but was empty on the inside.

There have been tares among the wheat from the beginning and  there are tares among the wheat today, right here in WJBC.  Jesus warned us about tares among the wheat in His parable in Matthew 13. We will look at that parable and this man known as Simon the Sorcerer and Phillip’s encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch next week as we continue our study of the Acts.

Acts 6-7: Stephen’s Sermon

We read last week of the attack from the outside by the Sanhedrin led by the High Priest. Now we will see the attack of the enemy from within the church.  Verse one of Acts 6 tells us with growth comes problems. Logistics must be addressed- but what we see is a spirit of discontent. There is ‘murmuring’- complaining about treatment. The Greek Jews complain against the Hebrew Jews claiming the Greek widows are being overlooked. The murmuring and complaining is causing dissension. We are seeing an attack from the enemy launched from within.

Let us consider once again the role of the apostles: they are the twelve who are commissioned with the responsibility of ‘ laying the foundation’. What is the foundation? The foundation is the Scripture, the Word of God. This is what they were doing as they met daily- ‘they devoted themselves, continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.’ This is what the church, the Body of Christ is built upon and rests on- the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God.  Depart from the scripture from the Word of God and the church will lose its strength- become malnourished and accept compromised, unsound doctrine.  We must remember- the Word of God is alive and powerful; it is life giving, life changing and life nourishing. Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. It is the Word of God that the enemy has attacked since the Garden of Eden.

Do you not see the subtle attack of the enemy?  What appears to be a problem of logistics and perceived indifference and mistreatment of some of the members is nothing more than an attack of the enemy with a primary goal of distracting the apostles from laying the foundation of the Word of God. The apostles realize their mission, the main thing is to give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. They do not consider the serving of widows a task beneath them- for they well remember what the Lord Jesus did on the night in the Upper Room when He took on the role of the bond servant and washed their dirty feet. It was a matter of each person using the gifts they were given by the Holy Spirit to serve the Lord and the body of believers. The gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit and these are the gifts that enable us to walk in the works God has ordained for us to walk in.

Therefore they chose seven men who would help fulfill these needed duties. Their requirements were to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. A spiritual person is dependent on the activity of God in their life. They recognize God works through them with the gift which He equipped them with. A carnal believer is just the opposite, depending on their own abilities. Remember what Lot did when Abraham told Lot he could choose which land he and his flocks and people would abide in?  The Bible tells us – Lot chose for himself. Lot is a poster boy for carnality.

The other qualification was wisdom. Wisdom is the application of Scriptural knowledge. It is implementing and applying truth. They are doers, not hearers only.  Thus the church, the Body of Christ is interdependent upon one another and dependent on God’s working through them. The eye does not say to the hand, I have no need of you. The health of the church is the key to  the healthy life in our society, our community, our government, and our nation. If our nation and society are sick it is because the Body of Christ, the true church, has lost its sense of purpose. It has departed from the foundation upon which it is built. It is on shaky ground. If you look to find what is the matter- we are murmuring among ourselves and the prayer and ministry of the Word is compromised as those in charge are busy addressing issues the enemy has created to distract us.

Notice once the apostles had found a solution to the problem- they were able to return to focusing on prayer and the ministry of the Word. The result: the Word of God spread, the number of disciples increased; and a larger number of priests became obedient to the faith.

The first name mentioned among the seven chosen is Stephen. His name, as well as the name of the others reflect their Greek background.  And for the next two weeks we will look at the story of Stephen, the first martyr. He was not only a deacon, but a preacher. He is described as being  a man full of God’s grace and power and did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

Because he spoke Greek, he preached and taught in the synagogues that were predominantly Greek.  Dr. Luke mentions Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, and provinces of Cilicia and Asia. As an interesting side note and a bit of geography, Cilicia is a Roman province in the southeast corner of Asia adjoining Syria. Tarsus, where Saul of Tarsus was from is the principle city of Cilicia. We can therefore make a reasonable assumption that Saul would attend this synagogue and hear the preaching of Stephen.  Here the problem begins as they begin to argue religion with Stephen. “ but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”

They could not win an argument against Stephen so they began to slander their opponent. They produced false witnesses to accuse Stephen of four offenses of blasphemy. They claimed Stephen had blasphemed:  God, Moses, the law and the Temple. It is against these charges Stephen will defend himself with one of the longest sermon recorded in the New Testament. Surely, the Lord has underscored the importance of this sermon by its length and the response. For it will lead to the stoning of Stephen, the church’s first martyr. It will be the beginning of the persecution of the church which as we will see will cause the church to scatter and the word will be spread in Judea and Samaria. Once again things are not what they seem or appear to be, because when the church gets persecuted, the church grows.

The charges are trumped up, false charges. Stephen had blasphemed none of them. He had shown that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of those things the law of Moses and the Temple had looked forward to, that Christ was the Messiah the fulfillment of the law. Jesus came to fulfill the law not do away with it. But those in control did not want any change to the way they did things. Sounds familiar doesn’t it?  The same old crowd saying  this is the way we have always done it.

As we end this short chapter six of Acts we see Stephen preparing to defend himself before the Sanhedrin. His is described by those who witnessed this event as-‘ his face was like the face of an angel.’ I believe this was the light and glow of the glory of God that shone upon his face as Stephen sat in perfect peace centered in the will of God.

Chapter 7- The Trial begins.

The high priest evidently reiterates the four serious charges against Stephen and ask for a plea- ‘are these things true?’ His defense, as we will see in this week and next, is completely scriptural. Stephen knew not only what he believed, but why he believed it. The word of God is described as alive and powerful and sharper than a two edged sword. Stephen will use it skillfully as both an offensive weapon and a defensive weapon. Just as we are to do- to be workman who can rightly divide the word of God and give a reason for our hope.

Stephen’s four-fold goal is clear. He must defend himself against the charges of blasphemy. To do this  he must capture the attention and interest of his audience, the Sanhedrin.  He also wants to indict them of their sins as we will see in the startling conclusion of his sermon. And Stephen above all else  wants to present the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.

Acts 7:2-3 Opening statement:  “ Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of Glory appeared to Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.” What a great opening statement- he establishes two things he needs to do in his opening. Stephen establishes he believes in the God of Glory and also he recognizes the Jewish hero-Abraham as the father of Israel. Stephen has just gone on the record that he is a believer in the very God of Abraham. Notice also the respect with which he addresses the Sanhedrin calling the majority of the members ‘brethren’ and calling the High Priests  and officials ‘fathers’.

Stephen then proceeds to get their attention with what he knows is of utmost interest to them. Stephen knows the favorite subject of every member of the Sanhedrin is Jewish History. They loved their patriarchs, their sacred scriptures and Stephen will skillfully use these not only to get their attention but defend himself, indict them of their sins and present the Messiah.

So he begins with the story of Abraham, the revered father of Israel.The Jews believed that it was because of their ancestry that they were saved. By telling the story of the birth of their nation he had captured their attention and will use their own story to show them from their own history how the very patriarchs they revered had rejected God’s chosen one. He will build his case on how they had done the same and rejected God’s chosen one – when they rejected the Lord Jesus.

Stephen carefully builds the story of Abraham as he accurately quotes the Scripture. The story changes emphasis in verse 8. He  tells of the birth of Isaac and the birth of Jacob, the father of the twelve patriarchs.  Verse 9 &10 is where the story shifts. Stephen quotes the scripture accurately and the members of the Sanhedrin cannot argue with the facts. “ Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph they sold him as slave into Egypt. But God was with him(Joseph) and rescued him from all his troubles.” The KJV says they were moved with envy. In Mark 15:10-KJV “ For he(Pilate) knew that the chief priests had delivered Jesus for envy.”

Stephen makes his first point in his building an indictment against the rulers of the Sanhedrin. Joseph, a most revered patriarch and hero of the Jewish nation who saved them during a famine was at first hated, reviled and despised by his brothers. They envied him. Stephen is telling  a familiar story of their history but showing them the behavior of the fathers of Israel and reminding them of  the fact their ancestral patriarchs had been dead wrong before about God’s chosen one. The very one who would save their lives during a time of a great famine.

First he makes the point they rejected Joseph, God’s chosen redeemer and sold him out of envy. Joseph the dreamer was God’s choice and they opposed God’s choice. These revered patriarchs were in fact by definition – blasphemers. He continues with the story as he describes how God was with Joseph and gave him wisdom and enabled him to gain the good will of the Pharaoh and was raised up to sit at the Pharaoh’s right hand as ruler over Egypt.  He goes on telling the story they knew so well, but perhaps were beginning to see in a different light. He tells how during the great famine, Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt and sent his sons there to obtain food, lest they starve to death. Very subtly, Stephen reminds them, the brothers did not recognize Joseph the first time. It is the second time they come  into his presence they will recognize Joseph as he reveals  himself to them.

There are many types and pictures of the Messiah in the OT. Every slain lamb in the Tabernacle and the Temple were a type of Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Ark of Noah was a picture and type of Messiah saving Noah and his family from the wrath of God. But to me, Joseph is  one of the most classic types of Christ. Surely these men gathered there that day  as they heard Stephen use Joseph as a type of Messiah could not miss it.

Joseph was arrested and put in prison on false charges just as they had done with Jesus Christ. Joseph is a picture of Jesus, as clear a one as you will find in the Bible.

Joseph was rejected by his brothers the first time he came to them just as Jesus who came unto them and showed them in word and deed that He was the Messiah. Jesus wept over these very leaders that Stephen was now standing in front of. He wept because they did not recognize the time of Gods’ coming to them.

Interesting that Joseph was rejected by his own brothers but accepted by the Gentiles in Egypt. When Joseph was rejected by his family and went down to Egypt a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan. Do you see what has happened to Israel since it rejected Jesus Christ? They fell into a spiritual famine that still exist today. They found no spiritual food, no spiritual sustenance.

Joseph was not recognized the first time- but the story of Joseph tells us he was recognized the second time. The first time Joseph is rejected and sold for envy. The second time – accepted. Notice what happens after this reconciliation with his brothers. Joseph sends for his father and all his family. All of Israel- 75 souls at the time. All of Israel was saved.

In Romans 11 we read: “ I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited; Israel has experienced a hardening in PART until the full number of Gentiles has come in. And so ALL Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

We will continue with the conclusion of this story next week. But in the meanwhile, let us recap the story so far:

1. He first answered their charges of blasphemy regarding God by professing he recognizes and worships the God of Glory, the God of our father, Abraham.
2. Stephen has gained their attention as he skillfully presents the subject they are most interested in- the history of the Jewish people- their patriarchs, and their God. Each Sanhedrin member there that day could trace their genealogical roots back to the 12 fathers of the 12 tribes. They took great pride in their heritage.
3. He is beginning his indictment of their sins by showing how throughout their revered history- their own fathers have rejected Gods’ chosen One. How they had often killed the prophets of God.
4. He will bring this indictment to a stunning conclusion by presenting Jesus Christ whom they crucified as the Messiah. Using the story of Joseph and Moses to paint as clear a picture of Jesus as we see anywhere in the Bible.

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Acts 7: Stephen’s Sermon-Part 2

Last week we began a study of the sermon of Stephen, the first martyr of the church. Having been falsely accused of four blasphemies, Stephen’s testifies before the Sanhedrin in a powerful scripturally based sermon.  The four blasphemies of which Stephen is falsely accused are: blasphemy against the law, Moses, the Temple and God.

The  sermon serves as not only his defense against the blasphemies but is used to show the Sanhedrin a pattern of behavior that reveals from the beginning the nation of Israel had been on the wrong side- rejecting Joseph, God’s chosen redeemer and not recognizing him the first time.  He will continue to show this pattern of rejection as he continues with his focus now on Moses.  In using the Old Testament, Stephen will not only defend himself against the charges, he will indict Israel and the Sanhedrin of their sins and present the Lord Jesus as the Messiah.  The Sanhedrin’s response: they will reject Stephen’s words of indictment and moved by anger and hatred will stone him to death.

In his opening testimony, Stephen will review the history of Israel from Abraham to Joseph. Clearly showing how the patriarchs rejected Joseph, God’s chosen redeemer the first time. He also mentions what God told Abraham regarding the future of his descendants. God told Abraham, “ your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own( Egypt), and they will be enslaved and mistreated and I (God) will punish the nation they serve as slaves and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.” This was God telling Abraham what was to occur in the future including how long it would last. Only God can foretell the future. No other religion has a book or worships a god that accurately foretells what is to happen in the future and it happens as it was predicted.

Let me remind you on this special day ( Easter Sunday) we celebrate a Risen Savior. A Savior whose coming was foretold with great accuracy and detail centuries before it occurred. The Cross, the empty tomb, the Risen Savior are all a part of and a place of prophecy fulfilled; Easter Sunday reminds us of a promise kept( promise?- God would provide Himself a lamb); and a principle of God’s carried out. That principle?  That without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.

So Stephen is center stage before the Sanhedrin defending himself and indicting them with their own history, their beloved patriarchs and a pattern of behavior that he will continue to prove through his direct quotes from the Old Testament. Never think the Old Testament is obsolete. The Old Testament supports the New Testament and explains it. Our faith in Jesus Christ is rooted in the fact that He is the fulfillment of all Old Testament types . He is the Redeemer promised to Israel; He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World.

Stephen continues with the story- God’s story of the nation of Israel. In verse 17 of Acts 7, Stephen brings the story forward from the time of Joseph and his father and brothers settling in Egypt during the famine. “ As time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham..” What was the promise of God to Abraham?  God told Abraham to get out of his country ( Mesopotamia) and leave his family and go to a country God would show Abraham. God had also told Abraham his descendants would be enslaved by another country. That country was Egypt. They would be there for over 400 years. Now that time has come and in the meanwhile, the 75 souls who went with Jacob down to Egypt have multiplied into (we believe) approximately 2,000,000 Israelites living in Egypt.   In verse 18, quoting from Exodus, Stephen reminds them of what happened, a ruler in Egypt came into power who knew nothing of Joseph, the great hero of long ago. This ruler dealt treacherously with our people( the Jews) and oppressed our forefathers and killed the newborn males. Now Stephen will tell the story of Moses, the giving of the law, and the temple.

The Egyptians made the children of Israel serve as slaves. They built the pyramids, the dug channels for the Nile. The nation of Israel was enslaved to a cruel taskmaster. ‘ And their lives were made bitter with hard bondage, in mortar and in brick and in all kinds of service in the field…’ ( Exodus 1:14) Has God ever allowed your life to become bitter with hard bondage? Do you look back at a time in your life when your life had become bitter and difficult and you were in bondage to sin?  God was weaning the hearts of the Israelites from Egypt, just as He will wean your heart from the things of the world, the sin and lifestyle we once enjoyed. The wine in the cup that sparkled once has now turned into bitterness and we long for something different. Like prodigals we have had our fill of the world and our hearts long for home and the unconditional love of our father. God wants our: attention, our awe, our hearts and our obedience.

In verse 20 of Acts 7 Stephen accurately tells  the story of Moses’ birth. God was preparing a deliverer, a redeemer who would set his people free.  Moses the baby, we are told was exceedingly fair- no ordinary child was he. His mother cared for him for 3 months in their home, at  which time we know she placed Moses in a basket and set him in the river. She had his sister follow to see what happened.  God directed that small basket with this unique child into the waiting arms of the Pharaoh’s daughter. She took him into the household of the Pharaoh and raised Moses as her own child. Moses had become the adopted son of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Moses received a first class education and Exodus, from which Stephen is quoting, tells us ‘Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in word and deeds.’

Now remember, one of the blasphemies, Stephen is accused of is blaspheming Moses. So far, the Sanhedrin can find no evidence in Stephen’s testimony of Moses that is blasphemous. Stephen continues with his history lesson of Moses by quoting accurately from the story in Exodus. Verse 23 of Acts 7  tells us:  “ And when he(Moses) was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.” God put this desire in the heart of Moses.  Moses is going to visit his people with the intention of helping them as we will see.

In verse 24, the story of Moses continues as his visit to his brethren allows Moses to see one of the Israelites being mistreated. Moses intervenes to defend his fellow Israelite from the Egyptian and in doing so strikes the Egyptian and kills him and hides the body in the sand.

Now the story takes a familiar turn as Moses supposes his own people would realize he was sent by God to deliver them- but once again the Israelites did not accept God’s chosen deliverer.

Watch what happens the very next day, ‘ Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting.  Moses tried to reconcile them by saying you men are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’ Another would come as a deliverer and a peacemaker, the Lord Jesus, the very Prophet Moses said would come- whom the nation of Israel would reject also. Jesus said, ‘ if you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace- but now it is hidden from your eyes. You did not recognize the time of Gods’ coming to you.’ ( Luke 19- Palm Sunday)

When Moses attempts to reconcile these two men- they pushed Moses aside and said to him-‘who made you ruler and judge over us?’  The very Jews that Stephen was addressing that day were the same ones who told Pilate that they would not have this Jesus as their king- they had no king but Caesar.

These two men asked Moses was he now going to kill them as he had killed the Egyptian and Moses knew his secret was out and Moses fled for he feared for his life.  So Moses – God’s chosen deliverer is rejected the first time he presents himself as God’s deliverer. Moses fled to the land of the Gentiles, Midian, where he settles a foreigner and had two sons.

Acts 7:30 picks up the story as it is told in Exodus. Forty years have passed and Moses, a shepherd tending his flocks has an encounter with God via the burning bush. When Moses saw this sight, a bush that kept burning he turned aside to see what it was. He heard God’s voice tell him: “ I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.” What is the fire that does not  go out?  It is the Shekinah Glory of God, the glow of God in a bush.  The Lord gives His grace to the humble and here God uses an ordinary bush growing in the desert on the backside of nowhere to make known His Glory.

God is getting ready to move as He announces He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is covenant language and God is getting ready to fulfill his promise to Abraham just as He said He would and just at the time He said He would. Who is he using as a deliverer? Moses,an 80 year-old fugitive shepherd. It is almost as if Stephen could say to the Sanhedrin- are you beginning to get the picture?  Are you beginning to see a pattern here fellows? Rejection of God’s appointed redeemers the first time has occurred time and time again. You have rejected and killed God’s prophets.

The Lord tells Moses ‘ take off your sandals, the place where you are standing is Holy Ground.”The ground was not holy by nature but was made holy by God’s divine presence. Holiness involves being consecrated to the Lord’s service and thus being separated, set apart or sanctified from the commonplace. If God can make the backside of a desert holy and use a bush – can He not use us?  Remember what Jesus said- we are to be Holy as God is Holy.

Then God gets down to business as Stephen continues the story.  “ I have seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free.Now come I will send you back to Egypt.” God is always faithful. When He says He is going to do something- He always does it.  You may not think God is seeing what is going on or listening to your prayers- but it is clear God sees all, hears all and knows all. He sees me when I am weeping- He hears me when I cry out. He knows my sitting down and my rising up, He understands my thoughts afar off. You, God, discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely. You hem me in- behind and before and you have laid Your Hand upon me.

Now Stephen hits them with the cold hard truth:  “ this is the same Moses whom they rejected with the words, ‘who made you ruler and judge?’ ( You do realize this is exactly who Jesus is – don’t you?  He is both ruler and judge.) Stephen continues with the obvious truth that every member in the Sanhedrin knows- that God Himself has sent Moses to be both ruler and judge and the deliverer of the people of Israel out of bondage. Moses would lead them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert.

If this trial was before an impartial jury they would have been convinced by the evidence this man, Stephen, is not only  not guilty of the charges- he has shown the Sanhedrin what should be clear – they have once again missed the One sent by God to deliver them. In their pride and blindness, these powerful men and scholars of the law are convinced they could not possibly miss the Messiah when He came. After all they are the most learned, intelligent teachers and scribes and students of the law in the whole world.  Yet Stephen is showing them this pattern, they always miss God’s appointed ones the first time around. They did it with Joseph, they did it with Moses and now they have done it again with Jesus- the Messiah, God’s Own Son.

It gets even more convincing and convicting for the Sanhedrin as Stephen continues with his scripturally based defense. “ This is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a Prophet like me from your own people, Him shall you hear.’ This is very familiar scripture from Deut. 18:15.This is a Messianic prophecy. This would be one like Moses who they were to listen to- a deliverer, a redeemer, the very Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.

How is Moses a type of  Jesus?  Remember when Jesus fed the five thousand men( probably 15-18,000 total counting women and children) in John 6? He did it with five loaves and two fish and had 12 baskets left over. John 6:14 records the reaction of the people:  “ After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say,”Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” The ‘Prophet’ they referred to was the Prophet Moses spoke of in Deut. 18 as the one like him raised up by the Lord God. They also knew this ‘Prophet’ would be the Messiah, for notice in John 6: 15-‘ Jesus, knowing they intended to make Him King by force withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.” The next day, the crowd looking for Jesus finds him and asks: ‘ what miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe in you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written : He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’(John 6:30,31)

Jesus replied: “ I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. I am the bread of life. ..and Jesus goes on to tell them repeatedly –He has come down from heaven. He has fulfilled the prophecy of Moses and has verified it by the miracles he has performed. Jesus had presented Himself as the Messiah.

How  had Jesus paralleled Moses?  Look at the facts, which is what Stephen is doing here: Moses was   a prince who humbled himself to identify with his own people and become their redeemer. Just as Jesus who was God humbled himself in obedience and became a man to live among his own people- who like Moses was rejected the first time he came to them. Moses led his people out of captivity, so did and does the Lord Jesus. But the leaders – the Sanhedrin were blind to this. They were the blind leading the blind. The movement among the Jewish people is about to come to an end. What had been initially a largely Jewish movement will now be rejected by its leaders and persecuted as blasphemy. The rejection by the Jewish leaders will signal the beginning of a movement among the Gentiles and is continuing to this day until the fullness of the time of the Gentiles.

God will once again during the Great Tribulation  see and hear the cries of His people and will renew His covenant with the Jewish people. And upon their second revelation of their Messiah, the Prophet Moses spoke of- will return and be delivered from their oppression by none other than the Lord Jesus Christ they rejected the first time.

Now Stephen has two other issues he must address:  the accusation he has blasphemed the law of Moses and the Temple. We will deal with the accusation regarding the law today and will cover the others next week.

In verse 38 of Acts 7- we read : Moses was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him in Mount Sinai and with our fathers he received the living oracle/word to pass on to us. Notice Stephen has called the law- living, not dead. He is stating he believes in the law- he is no blasphemer. He believes the law the word of God is alive. He recognizes God as the author, angels as the mediator and Moses as the recipient.  But in verse 39, Stephen mentions another inconvenient truth- ‘ our fathers did not obey the law or Moses and their hearts turned back to Egypt. And Stephen as verification of their actions tells the story of Aaron and the golden calf and their gross sins.

Do you see the picture Stephen has painted before their own eyes with the Word of God?  What a contrast we see as Moses is up on top of the mountain getting the law while the nation of Israel, their forefathers were worshipping false gods at the foot of the very mountain upon  which God was delivering His Sacred Law.

What an indictment!  Stephen says the fathers you revere- were not loyal to the Law of God or Moses. This same God who had delivered them through the Red Sea only to have them turn from God to idols was a pattern  of behavior that marked the nation of Israel and its leaders throughout their history. Stephen injects a quote from Amos that verifies this behavior from the desert to their exile in Babylon.  The Sanhedrin cannot deny what they know is true. They do not like this message- and they cannot change these facts- but they can destroy the messenger.

 

Acts 5: 1-11

In last week’s lesson, I reminded us of a fact we often forget:  things are not what they seem. Referring back to Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, we looked at Paul’s reminder to: ‘ look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things seen are temporal; but the things not seen are eternal.”  So we remember we live in two realms, two spheres- the heavenly, spiritual realm and the earthly realm. We are to be spiritually minded and not earthly or carnally minded.  For Paul tells us in Romans 8 – ‘to be carnally minded is death.’

Before we get into the stories today in this exciting, action-packed account of the Acts of the Apostles let me remind you of some verses relative to today’s lessons.  One as quoted above from Romans 8 reminds us of the danger of being carnally minded. But listen to what Jesus said on the eve of his arrest and crucifixion. “ A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. By this shall all men know you are my disciples, that you love one another  as I have love you.” ( John 13:34,35)   And also listen to what Paul wrote in Galatians 6: “ Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Also we must remember who we are:  “What! Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”( I Cor. 6:19,20.)  Do  you know the only things I can claim as my own?  My sin- my sins. Everything else I have was given to me by God. When I was first born- it was God who gave me physical life. We are all walking, talking visible proof of our Creator, the author of life. When I was born again- it was God who breathed His Spirit into my spiritually dead body and gave me the very life of His Son Jesus.

Together, collectively, the church of born-again believers is referred to as the body of Christ- of which He is the head.  A  human body houses a life- a spirit, a soul. If I were just a spirit being like the angels in the unseen realm- you could not see me or relate to me. So God has given me a physical body which makes my life visible. This is the same principle of the church as the functioning body of Jesus in the world. To make Him visible- to reveal Him to the world. It takes a body to make the Lord Jesus visible to a world. We are that Body – the Church.

So what we are now studying is how the life of this new body (called the ‘church’ for the first time in Acts 5:11) is to live and behave and manifest the Lord. We will also see how we are to live in our new life as Christians. I believe we will also better understand what the Lord Jesus meant when he said of the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2: ‘ You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand.’ Let us look at the height of the first church, the love they exhibited and the first works they performed. For these works were  their very reason for being. When we look back – we will see the height from which we have fallen and the first works we have somehow lost interest in. Sadly in today’s lesson, many of us may find ourselves more like Ananias and Sapphira than Barnabas, and the apostles and others.

So let us look at a Church with a heart for God and what characterizes that church. Let us return to review the first love and the first works. Let us get back to basics.  Let us remember to keep the main things the main things. Here is our pattern for what the church is supposed to be.

1. Prayer. “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. To be filled with the Spirit means we must first be emptied of self. When this happens we will speak the Word of God with boldness and power.
2. Unity. One heart, one mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions were his own. They were of one heart, one mind, one spirit. They were all going the same direction, which is what a unified body does. Remember we to are commanded to love one another as Christ loved us. How did He love us? Sacrificially . Unconditionally. Paul writes: “you know the grace of our Lord Jesus, who though He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich.” (2Cor. 8:9) And also in Philippians 2 we are told: “ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing (of no reputation) taking the very nature of a bond servant..’ This selling of goods and giving to the needy was not redistribution of wealth or a form of communism- it was the attitude of Christ- it was behaving as He would behave giving to meet the needs of others. And let me remind you- give and it will be given to you- good measure, shaken together, pressed down overflowing into your lap.
3. The verse immediately following this unselfish giving makes this truth self-evident. They were given great power in testifying and they were given much grace.

We are then introduced to a man will read more about later as he joins with the Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys. His name is Joseph a Levite from Cyprus. But he is quickly given a nickname- Barnabas which means son of encouragement.  He would be a perfect book end for the Apostle Paul as we will discover later.

So we see the Church at its height – a praying, spirit-filled, loving, giving, unified body. Should we be surprised an attack of the enemy will soon occur?

Chapter 5 of Acts begins in the KJV with that conjunction of contrast- ‘but.  Every church, every person ever born again runs into this contrary conjunction of contrast. We know where there is good- evil is always present. We are about to see the attack the enemy launches upon the church, the Body of Christ.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira wanted to receive some of the praise and perhaps they started out with good intentions, we do not know. What we do know as revealed in these verses is what they ended up doing. The perpetrated a fraud- pretending to give all of the proceeds from the sale of a piece of property but keeping back a portion for themselves. It was the height of hypocrisy. To pretend you are something you are not. Was this not what Jesus despised most about the religious group? Did He not call the Pharisees, you teachers of the law- hypocrites. Where does hypocrisy come from? Pride. What does God hate- pride.   They lied, as we will see not just to the church- but as Peter says to the Holy Spirit. This is the first recorded sin in the new body called the church. Why did God strike them dead? I do not presume to know what exactly was in the mind of God. I can only know that He has the right to do all things and always does what is right in His judgment and in His mercy. Since this was the first sin in the church, perhaps God wanted to make His judgment of this sin as startling as His judgment for the first sin in the Garden of Eden, the first sin in history.  After all most of us probably think – eating fruit from a forbidden tree shouldn’t call for such drastic action- as spiritual death, eventual physical death and banishment  from their home.  But that just shows our views of sin are not the same as God’s view doesn’t it?

We live in two realms- two spheres- the seen  and the unseen. The earthly realm and the heavenly, spiritual realm.  When  believers try to straddle both- live in the world and the spiritual realm also we call them carnal. May I remind you- ‘to be carnally minded is death.’

Let me share with you some insight into a carnal believer’s life from the book, Life on the Highest Plane  by Ruth Paxson. A book I highly recommend.  Mrs. Paxson writes: “ The carnal man is a Christian because he has obtained sonship through faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. But he has entered into neither the possessions nor the privileges of a son and his practices are not those becoming his position in the family of God. The carnal man lives his life partly unto God and partly unto himself. The Lord Jesus is really at the center of his life but ‘the old man’  is usually on the throne. There is divided control over his life. The two natures are side by side in the carnal man, the divine and the fleshly, and he is under the sway of each in turn according as he yields to one or to the other. He attempts to live in the two spheres, the heavenly and the earthly and he fails at both.”

Paul writes of these types of believers in I Corinthians 3. “ And I, brethren, could not speak to you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as babes in Christ.” Paul then goes on to explain the actions and behavior of the carnal as : envying, strife and divisions.  He or she grieves and quenches the Holy Spirit thus restricting the power and dominion over the life of the believer and  thus impacting the body – the church.   And Paul does not mince any words when he writes-‘to be carnally minded is  DEATH. ‘

Notice what Peter says to Ananias: ‘how is it that satan has so filled your heart that you lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself part of the money you received for the land? First observation- how did satan fill his heart if he was a believer? Maybe he’s not a believer. But since this account is dealing with the church, the body of Christ, we believe Ananias and his wife are believers. We are seeing what we know from our own experience can occur- sin in the life of a believer, sin in the camp.  We can assume they are carnal. For we know a believer can deny their old nature in one area- but serve themselves, that is their old nature, in another area. Paul made this abundantly clear in Romans 7.

Well if the devil made him do it, isn’t that a good reason and a defense we can use? No- the devil tempts to sin- puts the thought into our minds to do such a thing, but we must take full responsibility for our sin. As James wrote in James 1: ‘ but each is tempted when, by his own evil desire is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to DEATH.’ Here in these verses and this story we see the three stages- desire(lust), sin, and death. We cannot battle these temptations in our own strength- we are powerless. God knew this and that is why He has given us weapons which are mighty not carnal to the pulling down of strongholds and taking those tempting thoughts captive. (2 Cor.10)

What happened?  Ananias and his wife sold the property and there was the money in their hands. Perhaps they started out to give all the proceeds but now came the temptation- the desire to keep a portion for themselves. It would be easy for them to rationalize those actions wouldn’t it?  We can put ourselves in the same position… and begin to rationalize why not keep a portion back for a rainy day or for another investment?  And even Peter says you could have kept it- the money was at your disposal.  The sin was in pretending to have given it all. To appear to be better than they really were- to be more sacrificial. In other words putting on show in the flesh – hypocrites.

When Peter confronts Ananias with his sin- we are told: ‘When Ananias heard this he fell dead.’ Notice he was speechless. ‘And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.”  No kidding- can you imagine how people must have viewed the foolishness and the danger of sin? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Let me make this perfectly clear…  the punishment of Ananias and his wife is severe- but I am absolutely sure it was just.  Just reading this account- does it not make you a little afraid of what can happened to a sinner in the hands of a Holy God?  Are you not glad you returned home, oh prodigal? Are you not praising Him now for His mercy? The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us for our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who FEAR HIM. (Psalm103)

Aren’t you glad we have these verses to turn to after reading this story?  Is this not reason to praise Him for His mercy, love and compassion!  Oh how great is this love the Father has bestowed on us- lavished on us that we should be called His children.

Sapphira, the wife of Ananias, does not arrive until three hours later, unaware her husband fell dead and is already buried.  She is given an opportunity to tell the truth – but continues in the lie and the deception. She falls dead also. And once again we see great fear upon the body of believers. Great reverence and awe of Almighty Holy God.

You see the minute you and I as believers pretend to be something we are not- death occurs. Not always physical death- but spiritual death. The wages of sin is death. When we come to church dressed up in our Sunday best complete with our mask of hypocrisy- the result is the death in the body. Are we  pretending to be something on Sunday- we are not on Monday. That is how death creeps in and slowly the church the body of Christ. While some churches may not be completely dead yet, they have become lukewarm. Lukewarm is what you get when you take that which is supposed to be hot and remove it from the source that created the heat. It also occurs when cold is mixed with hot.  I believe lukewarm is a condition the carnal believer passes through that if not dealt with will eventually lead to cold- as in dead cold.

One thing we know – a lukewarm condition makes the Lord sick. And when we view that church of Laodicea in Revelation 3, the Lord is outside the church knocking on the door pleading for someone to listen to Him and open the door so He might come in and fellowship once again with His beloved bride.

So let us first deal with the beam in our eyes rather than the sawdust in our brother’s eye, lest we be guilty of hypocrisy. Let us examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Take your own spiritual temperature- are you walking closer to the Lord today than you were a year ago? Does your heart burn within you when you read the scriptures?  When you look in the mirror of God’s word do you see a Baranbas? Or a Ananias or Sapphira?

Have you even looked in the mirror lately?

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Acts 5: 12-42  Part 2- The Right Man on our Side

Following the sudden demise of Ananias and Sapphira, the apostles continue in the work of the ministry. We read in verse 12 of Acts 5 ‘the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. They healed the sick and cast out evil spirits and verse 16 says they healed them all.  How was this done? And are these apostles given special powers that are available only to them? Or are we expected to as the church in the 21st century to have these same powers?   Interesting questions and we see those today who claim to possess healing powers.  Make no mistake about it- God still has the power to heal physically.  So let us look at each of these questions and find our scriptural answers.

Were the apostles given special powers or signs of the apostles?  We are told in scripture- the apostles were to be the foundation of the church, of which Christ was the chief cornerstone.  The signs and wonders the apostles did were as men anointed by the Lord with unusual and striking powers. The Lord enabled them to perform these signs and miracles in the physical realm in order to reveal the spiritual realm. Paul when questioned about the authenticity of his apostleship (2 Cor. 12) replied: ‘Well let me ask you this. Have you not seen the signs of an apostle done among you?’

If we look back at Acts 4:29-30, we see that Peter and John after their first appearance before the Sanhedrin prayed this prayer:  ‘Now, Lord, consider the threats and ENABLE your servants to speak the word with boldness. Stretch out YOUR HAND to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Holy Servant, Jesus.” It always was and still is the power of the Invisible God working in the physical, visible world that created and creates physical healing. These healings were not only signs and miracles that testified these men were anointed by God, but they served as illustrations of the Lord who is able to heal spiritually.  We need to be reminded spiritual healing is the greater work.  Why do we say that? Because everyone who has been healed physically realizes this healing is temporary. You and I will be healed of sickness and disease but eventually we will die. So what is seen is temporary. But what is unseen- the spiritual healing, the being made whole is the greater work and is eternal. Jesus often told people he healed to tell no one- for he did not want the emphasis of his ministry to be on signs and miracles of healing- but to be focused on the spiritual healing.

Dr. Luke goes on to tell us ‘no one else dared to join them, even though they were highly regarded (KJV-magnified) by the people.’ After seeing what happened to Ananias and Sapphira for trying to pretend to be something they were not- no one dared to claim they were equal with the apostles. Notice also Luke tells us they were highly regarded by the people; they were magnified by the people it says in the KJV.  They did not think of themselves more highly than they should, nor did they magnify themselves the people did. These signs and miracles had the desired affect: more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to the number. The signs and miracles did not result in them joining a movement, a cult or a group- it resulted in them believing in the Lord.

However, we must remember the spiritual law Paul speaks of in Romans 7. “So I find this law at work: when I want to do good, evil is right there with me- (always present).” Good and evil travel on parallel paths.  Whenever one sees good being done that can only be accounted for as the work of God, for all good things come from God- we can know that evil is lurking and waiting to attack. Sometimes the attack comes from the outside- sometimes it comes from the inside and we will see both as this timely story unfolds.

Keep in mind this wonderful truth- “And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) What a great sermon we heard last week from Michael Kelley about the good that came out of that horrible , almost unspeakable event that took place between Lot and his two daughter in that cave. Incest  and drunkenness would take place in that dark cave and the result were two sons fathered by Lot via his two daughters. The sons were: Moab- the father of the Moabites; and Ben-Ammi- the father of the Ammonites. Two people groups who would be the enemy of Abraham’s descendants.  Yet we discover how God is able to bring good things out of what appears to be bad, horrible things.  A descendant of Moab, a Moabite woman named Ruth would marry Boaz and their marriage would produce a son called Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David through whom the Messianic line would produce the Lord Jesus.  In fact you can trace the line back to Perez, the illegitimate son of Judah through an act of adultery with his daughter-in-law, Tamara.  God underscores time and time again how He is at work in the spiritual realm accomplishing His Sovereign Will through what appears on the surface in the physical realm to be the most horrible and despicable actions of man. Truly- things are not what they seem.

Notice the two reactions- the two responses to the revealed working of God: those who believe in the Lord and were added to the church and the response of the high priests and his associates – they were filled with jealousy. One group is filled with the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the other group is filled with hatred by the spirit of antichrist. So we are witnessing the reactions in the ‘seen world ‘ based upon actions in the ‘unseen world.’ The battle in the spiritual world spills over into the physical world as God the Father battles the prince of this world, the one who Jesus said to those priest and Pharisee- your father is the father of all lies- the devil.

That we will be attacked for our stand for the Lord is assured. Peter said we should not even consider it strange when we come under fiery trials. The Lord Jesus told us we would be persecuted for His Sake. The attack as we will see in this story of the first church will come from without and within.

First we read of the account of the attack from without. The Sanhedrin takes immediate action. After having told them not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John and the apostles continue to do so and the movement continues to grow. Verse 18 tells us: ‘ they arrested the apostles and put them in jail.’ You do know Christians around the world today are being arrested and put in jail for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, don’t you?  The time is coming and is now upon us that this can be what will happen to us in the United States. We are going to be held to the world’s standards as to  what we can and cannot say in the public arena. We will be more closely monitored for the appearance of ‘hate speech’ or what is politically incorrect.

Evidently they put all 12 apostles in one holding cell. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”   Don’t miss this principle.  Have you ever been set free from that which held you captive by the Lord?  I have- and if you are saved you have been set free also. Free from the captivity of sin. For it is for freedom that Christ set us free. And having been set free- the Lord commands us to go tell the full message of this new life. How can we who have been healed, made spiritually whole, set free and redeemed by the Lord Jesus not also be RULED BY HIM?  Let the redeemed of the Lord go tell the story of the miracle that has occurred- healed, freed from the prison of sin, redeemed, that is all my sins paid for by my Savior. How can we not serve Him? How can we not tell others what He has done.

Do you not see the greater works we can do? Healing comes from the hand of the Lord. Physical healing is temporary. You and I get healed from disease and sickness but eventually we die. But spiritual healing is eternal. We can be held captive by sin- but nothing can stop the hand of God from reaching down and setting us free when by grace through faith we are saved.

So where do we find the disciples at daybreak?  Hiding in their homes, planning how to stay out of harm’s way? Not on your life- they began at daybreak, first light teaching the people.

I find this next scene humorous. And the laugh is at these powerful men’s expense. They gather in full assembly, the Sanhedrin, the most powerful and influential group of men in Israel, or so they thought of themselves. They sent for the captives, the 12 apostles. Can you imagine the shock and disbelief when they unlocked the locked doors of the cell to discover it was empty. Wonder if it reminded anyone of an empty tomb?  The officer had to return to the Sanhedrin to tell them the doors were locked, the guards in place- but the cell was empty! The mighty body of men are shocked, puzzled and in wonder. But no sooner had they heard this remarkable report than another report comes to them even more remarkable. These 12 apostles are in the temple teaching and preaching in the name of Jesus.

Do you see how the spiritual battle between God Almighty and his adversary play out on the physical stage of life. We are witnesses to this each day and must learn to look beyond the seen to the unseen hand of God. Just as on that Friday, the devil and the demons thought they had defeated God by the death of His Son and for three days celebrated their victory, only to find on the third day God had used what they meant for evil for good. Is that not why we call it Good Friday?

Having been checkmated once again by these men they once called ‘unschooled, ordinary men’ the Sanhedrin realize they must move cautiously. They sent soldiers to request the apostle to come appear before the Sanhedrin, but they were not to use force for  fear the people would stone them.

THE APPEARANCE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN.

The twelve freed apostles come before the Sanhedrin to be questioned. Note the word ‘freed’. These apostles have been set free not only from prison, they have been set free from the fear of man. They have been set free to be all that God created and empowered them to be. The first thing the high priest tells them is: ‘ we gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Yet you have filled  Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.’ Did you happen to notice the high priest never utters the name of Jesus? Also remember what they said to Pilate at Jesus’ trial- ‘ let his blood be on us and on our children.’ (Matthew 27) Now they do not like this blood or the accusation of guilt.

Peter and the apostles reply as one- “ We must obey God rather than men.” And the amazingly Peter gives the Gospel message. ‘The God of our Fathers raised Jesus from the dead- whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS TO ISRAEL.  We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” What is their response to the Gospel?  “When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.” This the way of the Gospel. The Gospel invites men, women and children. It attracts mankind, it redeems mankind- but others are enraged by this Gospel.  One man, Christopher Hitchens, wrote a book called “ God Isn’t Great Anymore.” A professed agnostic, who is enraged by the gospel, he calls Billy Graham the most evil man in the world.

Do you not see the spiritual truth- that evil and good travel on a parallel path and wherever there is good – evil is always present. The battle that once took place in heaven between Lucifer and 1/3rd of the angels against God has been continuing ever since. That is why even when comments as outrageous and as hate filled as the comment of Christopher Hitchens and these enraged , arrogant powerful men of the Sanhedrin- we must remember this : ‘ we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness  in heavenly realms.’

These who oppose the Gospel, the Word of God and the Lord Jesus as Savior believe the thoughts arising in their heart and minds which they think originate within themselves. They believe with their learning and intelligence they have come to these conclusions on their own, not realizing they were put there by the invisible forces of wickedness which are at work in the world to oppose the will and purpose of God.

But as we study the scriptures we realize- God cannot be stopped. Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world. God is unstoppable.

God uses one of their own, Gamaliel, a teacher of the law to keep the Sanhedrin from executing the 12 apostles. Gamaliel was considered as the most famous Jewish teacher  of his time. Saul of Tarsus was one of his students. He advises the Sanhedrin after the 12 apostles are put outside not to do anything too drastic- to let these men alone. His reasoning is as follows:  if this is  a work of human effort alone- nothing will come of it. And he cites previous human leaders who had come and gone. However, he cautions, if this work is from God you will not be able to stop it. For God is unstoppable. And Gamaliel says you will find yourselves fighting against God. His speech persuaded them to let these men go. Once again they warn them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they have them flogged, beaten and set them free. Those men who were controlled by evil forces were subject to the sovereign overriding of the Holy Spirit. ( reference to 2 Thess.2:7)

The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing, not because they had been set free- but because they had been flogged and counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus. And this chapter ends with the apostles teaching day after day in the temple courts, and house to house. They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Today the world we live in is no different than what the first church faced. We live in a world run by the prince of the power of the air, the devil. It is a world run by illusions, governed by deception and the victim of lies by the one called the father of all lies. We are called to stand for truth and to speak the gospel boldly. When we do this some will receive the gospel and some will reject it, just as it was in those days. When we stand for truth we can expect to be persecuted and reviled. Peter came to accept this as normal. And told us do not consider it strange when fiery trials come upon you.

OUR NEVER FAILING GOD

“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were it not the Right Man on our side; the Man of God’s own choosing: dost ask who that might be? Christ Jesus it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.

And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear for God hath willed His Truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him, His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure, one little word shall fall him.

That word above all earthly powers , no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth; let goods and kindred go, the mortal life also; the body they may kill; God’s truth abideth  still. His Kingdom is forever.  ( Martin Luther)

Acts 4: A Whole Lot of Shaking Going On!

Today’s lesson is a continuation of what occurred in the temple on the day Peter and John healed the crippled beggar. Acts 4 continues the story as we see what happens at the conclusion of Peter’s sermon to the ‘men of Israel.’

Notice in verse one who is in the group that arrests Peter and John. The priests , the captain of the Temple guard and the Sadducees.  It says this group was grieved (KJV) – greatly disturbed says the NIV. What was it about their preaching and teaching that disturbed the authorities so much?  Peter and John were teaching and preaching in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. First of all- the Sadducees were one of the power groups along with the Pharisees that controlled the Temple. They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.

But more than anything- what disturbed them was this man Jesus whom they had crucified to be rid of was now being proclaimed as the Messiah, the Son of God and resurrected. His followers were now preaching and teaching in His Name the resurrection of the dead. When Jesus had been alive and going about preaching His message – He was viewed as a direct threat to their authority and power base. Listen to what was said after Lazarus was restored to life after four days in the grave. “ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. What are we accomplishing? They asked. Here is this man performing miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” (John 11) The loss of their authority and the vast temple wealth that came from the sale of sacrifices and money changing had made them wealthy. In addition, the authority they had over the Jewish people gave them important status with the Roman government. So this group began to plot to kill Jesus to rid themselves of this problem.

The bottom line is this was about money and power. Peter and John were not preaching and teaching rebellion against the Roman government, nor were they opposing taxes levied against them, or even the unjustness of slavery in the Roman Empire where up to half the population were slaves of some type.  They were preaching repentance, heaven as an end and this Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Arrested late in the day, Peter and John are put in jail overnight. In the meanwhile, the healing of the crippled beggar and Peter’s preaching and teaching had resulted in an additional 5,000 men being saved. When we look at Peter’s preaching- we see conviction and conversion for the lost; and comfort and the establishment of doctrine for those who already believed. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead witnessed by over 500 eyewitnesses was the proof that Jesus was who he said he was and this was God’s sovereign plan which the prophets of old had foretold.

Now let us look at the group assembled at Peter and John’s hearing the next morning and this will indicate how worried they were about these two men and their message. That morning when they were brought into court they were brought before the rulers, the elders and the teachers. The rulers are listed for us by Dr. Luke: Annas, the past high priest who now served as president of the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas , his son-in-law, the current high priests along with his brothers, John and Alexander. These were the ruling family of the temple. The elders were those members of the court, the Sanhedrin which consisted of both Pharisees and Sadducees. The Scribes or teachers were the learned, educated experts in the law. Together they were the ‘movers and shakers’ in Jerusalem and Israel. They all had one common bond- the removal of any threat to their authority and wealth.  The proceeds from sales of sacrifices, the rent collected from those merchants, the fees for money exchange as well as the giving of the people had made them wealthy, powerful men.

As these learned, powerful men look at these two bedraggled men – poor, uneducated, ignorant fishermen standing before them- they figured to probably intimidate them and scare them so- they would give up this ministry and teaching of this Jesus.

In verse 7, we see the opening question of this hearing:  “ By what power or name did you do this?”  ( this referring to the healing of the crippled beggar.)

Before we hear Peter’s answer, let me remind you of what the Lord told his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion in Mark 13- we read:  “  You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say what is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” We are about to hear how the Holy Spirit speaks through Peter.

Verse 8: “ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said to them: Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that is man stands before you healed. He (Jesus) is the’stone you builders rejected which has become the capstone or cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else for there is  NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN TO MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.”

I can imagine the raised eyebrows of these learned and powerful men as they have found themselves caught completely off guard by Peter’s defense which included scripture from Psalms 118 about the cornerstone being rejected by the builders but has become the cornerstone. In addition we see the healed crippled beggar is standing there as Defense Exhibit A.

Now before we look at the response of this powerful group of ‘movers and shakers’ let us think about what Peter has declared.  Peter, filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit, begins his defense with a statement designed to make these men think about what they have done. Peter says –  “if we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to cripple and are asked how he was healed…”  Peter has reminded this group of pompous men they had performed an act of kindness by healing a man crippled since birth that was witnessed by hundreds of people.  How was this going to look to the people if they punish them for doing this?  You will see later how effective this opening statement was as these powerful men retreat in private to discuss what to do- they realize they cannot deny this miracle- so a cover up is out of the question.

Next we see these lawyers have committed a mistake any well trained lawyer knows not to commit. They ask- a question they do not already  know the answer to.  Peter answers this question by telling them it is by the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth they have performed this miracle.    He also reminds them this same Jesus is the one they arrested, framed and put to death and God Almighty has resurrected from the dead.  He quotes from Psalms 118 to tell them this was the cornerstone on which God will build His Kingdom and you have rejected Him- but He has become the cornerstone, nevertheless.

And then Peter makes one of his most famous statements in verse 12:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (KJV)

There is no other who can fulfill the position of being the cornerstone of God’s authority in the world. No other name. No other religious leader or teacher. There is Only One who is qualified- His name is Jesus Christ. He is the only WAY.  This name is given, which means God has appointed this name to be above all names.  “ For unto us a child is born, unto us a SON IS GIVEN:  and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. “ (Isaiah 9)

There have been religious leaders and teachers through the ages. Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, Joseph Smith to name a few. They may have taught some moral truths- but here is the difference: these teachers could tell us what is right and wrong and teach principles and precepts that are right; however, although they could tell people what was right they could not enable anyone to do what is right. Only Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling us can we have the power to overcome sin and temptation. Only Jesus overcame death- no one else solved the problem of death with the promise and proof of resurrection.

Most of us do not need to be told what to do. We know what we should and should not do- and are unable to do it. What we need is One who will change us- give us a new heart, that will give us the desire and the power to do what pleases God. Only Jesus can do that. When we get saved- Jesus is in us and we are in Him. It is a shared life. Life as God intended it to be.

There is no other name- there is no one else – no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved.

Now let us take a look at these surprised rulers, elders and scribes’ reaction. Verse 13 tells us : ‘when they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized these were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.’

The first thing they noticed is the boldness and courage these men exhibited. Instead of this impressive group of powerful, ‘movers and shakers’ shaking these two unschooled, ignorant men the reverse had happened- these movers and shakers were all shook up.  Instead of fear- they had seen boldness and a peace and calm that many remembered Jesus had exhibited when they brought him before their court just weeks before. In fact, Luke tell us-‘they took note these men had been with Jesus.’ Something about their poise and confidence and the skillful use of Scriptures gave these men of power reason to be concerned. Things were not going well.

First of all, Peter and John had performed a good deed of kindness, a miracle of healing upon a man born crippled who stood there before them as Exhibit A. There was a sense of déjà-vu. This Jesus whom they had crucified and now was reported widely as being alive again- resurrected from the dead was not going away. His followers had not been silenced by His death- it had in fact had the opposite effect of making them all the bolder. Listening to them and hearing their eloquence and confidence reminded these rulers these men had been with Jesus. It was the only conclusion they could come to as an explanation of what had occurred.

A sidebar meeting is held with the accused ordered out of the courtroom. Hear now what these leaders say about this development. “ What are we going to do with these men? Everybody in Jerusalem knows they have done this outstanding miracle.” A cover up was out of the question. No guards at the tomb to be bribed- there were too many eyewitnesses. What to do?

Verse 17: “ To stop this thing from spreading any further, we must warn these men to speak no longer to  anyone in this NAME.”

Then they brought the accused back into the courtroom and announced their verdict:  we command you to no longer speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter  and John answered: “ Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help but speak or teach the things we have heard and seen.”  Do you see how Peter and John have once again bested these powerful men?  This statement clarifies the issue and calls on these religious rulers to judge as to what the apostles should do. They asked them- which is right to listen to God and obey Him or listen to you men and obey men rather than God? What are they going to say?  They cannot say to them- obey us rather than obey God.

These men are further flustered in their attempts to silence or intimidate these men. Further threats are made, which we can conclude from later actions involved physical harm, imprisonment and death.

Peter and John come out of the courtroom and report everything to the crowd of believers waiting. There is a great celebration and praising of the Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth and the seas and everything that is in them. This God, their God who had spoken through David when he wrote in Psalms: “ Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.”  The rulers of the world then plotted in vain against God’s sovereign purpose. They did it then- and they continue to do it today. There are many countries where the church meets in secret- where the Bible is banned and believers are imprisoned today. Today we see this battle still rages- the forces of darkness against the forces of light. The prince of power of this world continues to exert his influence among powerful leaders.  He wants the Word of God banned from the public arena. He does not want the name of Jesus Christ to be above all other names. This deceiver attacks and accuses  us of intolerance. But to tolerate means to allow without opposition. Surely we are to oppose lies with the truth in love. The enemy calls on us in the name of compromise- he seeks to shame us with names such as ‘ bigots, narrow-minded fundamentalists’. He does not want this name of Jesus lifted up. Nor does he want us to give the reason for our hope. These rulers who plot against Jesus today have the same motivation and fears as the high priests and the Sanhedrin had then- ‘we will lose our place (of authority and wealth) and our nation.’ Look around the world today and you see this everywhere.

What are we to do?  The same thing Peter and John and these early believers did. “now Lord consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform the miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Holy Child (KJV) Jesus.”  What? No organized effort to overthrow the Roman government? No power play by the people to oust the rulers of the Sanhedrin? No marches? No picket lines or protests? The apostles and these people looked to God Almighty and His  Sovereign Power to work in history. They depended and cast themselves upon Him completely.   His ways are higher than our ways. With complete faith in His Divine Control of events they depended on Him to work His Way through human events .

“After they prayed, the place they where they were meeting was SHAKEN. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly.” (Verse 31) That day- men of power were shaken by men who had obviously been with Jesus. Today men of power will be shaken in the same way.  How ? By faith in the name of Jesus- the name above all names. By speaking His Word boldly. By meeting together and praying for God to do what only God can do. By being obedient to God’s will as revealed in His Word.

These early believers followed the example of Jesus and depended on God’s Sovereign Control. Did it work?  It was said by their enemies-‘ these men have turned the world upside down!”

The recent earthquake in Japan- is reminding us God is in control. Let Him do  the shaking- and when we do we will experience and see – a whole lot of shaking going on!”

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14

Acts 3:11-26: Times of Refreshing

After the healing of the crippled beggar at the temple, the newly healed beggar held onto Peter and John.  The language suggests the beggar was clinging to them- holding tightly to his new, two best friends. The result of this healing attracted a crowd of curious onlookers there in the section of the temple known as Solomon’s Porch. Peter uses this occasion to preach another impromptu sermon.  Having obtained their attention- Peter asked two questions then proceeds to give a Scriptural answer.

Later Peter would write in I Peter 3:15; “ But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”  Peter sees the opportunity this miracle has provided to speak to this gathering crowd. Where once, he had denied he ever knew the Lord now Peter has become a bold and increasingly effective preacher of the Gospel.

Peter now looks at the world differently and looks at every occasion as an opportunity to preach the Gospel. Peter saw the ground was fertile, having been broken by this miracle of a changed life. He then proceeds to sow the seed of the Gospel in this fertile soil. Notice who the audience is:  “Men of Israel.”  This was a Jewish crowd, what one would expect in the Temple at the hour of prayer. And after all, Jesus’ instructions were to be His witnesses in Jerusalem first. Paul would emphasize it was always to the Jews first then others. This was God’s design and plan.

Peter says to these men of Israel-‘why are you surprised at this miracle?’ They knew of the miracles Jesus had performed- there were numerous witnesses to His various miracles including the resurrection of Lazarus after four days in the tomb. Why are you surprised- it is not as if miracles have not been performed before by Jesus and they will reveal this is just another miracle done in His Name.  In addition, these Jews were well versed in the wonder working miracles that God had done in the history of the Jewish people and nation- the parting of the Red Sea, the manna in the desert, the battle of Jericho, etc.

This crowd believes Peter and John have this power to heal and perform miracles. But Peter quickly dispels that belief by telling them this miracle of healing was accomplished by faith in the name of Jesus.

But notice how Peter approaches this impromptu sermon:  first he builds it on Scripture, a foundation of Old Testament referring back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Then Peter lets them know this Jesus, whom Peter will prove based on facts is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God and fulfillment of prophecy was glorified by God and you handed Him over to be killed and disowned, denied Him. Talk about the Word of God being a two edged sword, Peter just delivered a thrust right to the heart of the matter.

Peter states the facts of our faith, for our faith is based on facts. Peter says you handed Jesus over to be killed.  Pilate was convinced of Jesus’ innocence and stated that he found no fault in this man. (Pilate had been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with this man, Jesus.) Pilate actually sought to release Jesus and gave the crowd the opportunity to have Jesus released- but they asked that a murderer, Barabbas, be released.

You killed him, Peter states, the author of life. But God raised Him from the dead and we are witnesses to this.

Peter states the cold hard facts: you turned Jesus over to be killed; you had a chance to free Him but chose instead to free a convicted killer. You denied, disowned the Holy and Righteous One. This term- Holy and Righteous One is a reference to the Messiah.  Peter knew the guilt they felt- for he, too, had experienced that guilt, having denied the Lord three times on the night of His arrest. The guilt created by his actions caused Peter to weep bitterly. Peter would go back to fishing feeling that because of his denial- he would no longer be considered a disciple of Jesus even after His Resurrection.  Perhaps this is why the angel at the empty tomb said ‘go tell His disciples  AND PETER, He is going ahead of you into Galilee and there you will see Him, just as he told you. (Mark 15) The angel had specific instructions to say ‘ the disciples and Peter’, for the Lord knew Peter would think himself no longer a disciple.  So Peter could certainly identify and empathize with their guilt.

Peter does not preach ‘ feel good about yourself’ preaching- he preaches the truth that is designed to convict one of sin, righteousness and judgment. In fact- Peter’s preaching is intended and designed to produce- guilt.

Do you know what always accompanies guilt?  Fear. Fear is produced by guilt. I used to wake up afraid in those last days of the summer of 1977.  This fear will cause one to take one of two courses: one method is to try and escape the fear through alcohol, drugs, or other diversions such as  a lifestyle that seeks pleasure in an attempt to run and hide in order to  blot out the fear and the guilt. But as the saying goes- you can run- but you cannot hide. For others their guilt and fear produce resentment, anger and bitterness which can cause them to lash out at others even in physical violence. Both are destructive and neither solves the problem of guilt. Day after day, sleepless night after sleepless night- people try to get away from their guilt- but it is constantly on their mind.  Disappointment, despair, depression are the constant companions of this person.

Why would Peter deliberately produce such guilt and pain? Because Peter wants to tell them the ‘good news’- the Gospel. He wants to tell them what God has done to solve the problem of guilt and fear for all of the human race. Peter is going to tell them the most wonderful news in the world- of a faith that lays hold of the grace of God.

Here is the solution to your problem Peter tells them: “ By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you all can see.” ( verse 16)  Here is the Gospel- the ‘good news’- God is demonstrating to you how He reacts to human guilt. He reacts in love and grace, on the basis of the name of Jesus, by faith in the name of Jesus, this man believed and the power and authority and the work of that name had made him whole- completely healed.  You see when we place our faith in the name of Jesus, in His Shed Blood- the Lord passes over our sins- because they are blotted out by the blood.

Even though these people had handed over God’s Son to be killed and disowned Him- God’s answer to their rejection and our rejection of the Lord of life is to forgive us, justify us, and adopt us as His own children.  It was God’s own Son, the Lord Jesus who asked the Father from the cross to ‘forgive us – for they know not what they are doing.’ We are ignorant. We are blinded  by the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eyes and the pride of life. We have a veil over eyes placed there by the deceiver. We are blinded to the truth.

This blindness was the problem in the day of Peter and the disciples it is a problem today.  Today people look at Christianity and think what can that do to solve the problems of the world? So in their ignorance and blindness they keep trying to run the world in their own wisdom. The result is the blind leading the blind. Their pride is in how smart and educated they have become- ever learning but never coming to the truth. Until finally, we see what Isaiah saw- those who call good – evil and evil- good.

Do we really think man in his own finite knowledge and intelligence can fix the problems of the world? Do we think  science, medicine, technology, corporations and government can fix the world’s problems? Take a look around- the most technologically nation in the world today is Japan. We only succeed in making them worse and  the longer you wait to fix a problem- the more difficult and the more drastic are the solutions.  Yet God has not changed – He is the same today as yesterday as He will be in the future. God is still willing in His grace, mercy, love and kindness to say to those who ask for Him to forgive them- to graciously forgive us; to blot out our sins- to write it off as ignorance and blindness. In other words – He remembers we are dust, frail and prone to wander. “GOD DOES NOT TREAT US AS OUR SINS DESERVE; OR REPAY US ACCORDING TO OUR INIQUITIES. FOR AS HIGH AS THE HEAVENS ARE ABOVE THE EARTH, SO GREAT IS HIS LOVE FOR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM; AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST SO FAR HAS HE REMOVED OUR TRANSGRESSIONS FROM US. BUT FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING THE LORD’S LOVE IS WITH THOSE WHO FEAR HIM!” (Psalms 103 by David) God blots out our sins- could there be any greater news?

He forgives all our sins. He redeems our life from the pits. What a portrait of a loving father. He is more merciful than we deserve. He knows we need Him.

So  Peter preaches to produce guilt and fear. Fear of judgment is what a guilty person fears. They know they are guilty- their guilt is ever before them.  Living with this fear and guilt is not how God intended for us to live. Peter had awakened this guilt and fear for only one reason- that he might share the good news how this problem can be solved. Let us listen to Peters’ impromptu sermon as he uses this occasion to give reason for  his hope.

“ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets. For Moses said, the Lord Your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything He tells you. Anyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among His people.”

Have you experienced the refreshing that comes from the Lord’s forgiveness of your sins? Have you known the refreshing that comes when all your sins are blotted out- cancelled!  When you know this truth- it sets you free. I believe this refreshing comes not only to an individual who repents and turns to God- I believe it can come to a nation as scripture and history testify to this truth.

Notice this repenting and turning to God leads ultimately to the time in the future when the Lord Jesus will return to earth to restore everything.

Peter quotes from Moses, refers to Samuel and the prophets as if to say- you are Jews you know the prophets, you know what the Scriptures tell us and they all point to Jesus. God has sent Him to you to turn you from your wickedness.

In Jesus, Peter is telling these religious Jews, you have the fulfillment of prophecy and can fully realize your destiny as sons of the covenant. To follow after Jesus would not be a break from covenant but would actually be a realization of the covenant of fellowship that God had always wanted to have with His people. Christianity is not a break from Judaism it actually grew out of its Hebrew roots. By accepting Jesus as Messiah, Lord and Savior- these Jews would be completed Jews.

But the time was coming when fewer and fewer Jews would believe the Gospel as Christianity spread to and through the Gentiles.  But the early days it sprang from converted Jews and the disciples, including Paul would always seek to bring the Gospel message to the Jews in the area first.

Peter tells them: “ When God raised up His Servant(Lord Jesus) He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” (verse 26)

We marvel at Peter’s  boldness to tell it like it is. The truth sometimes hurts- but pain is useful for a physician to diagnose a health problem or issue.

Guilt is described as a feeling of pain or responsibility or remorse for some real or imagined offense. Now there are different types of guilt.

Charles Stanley explains these as follows:

1. Civil guilt. You broke a human law. Speeding, running a red light or not paying your taxes. You must pay a fine or receive whatever punishment this guilt demands.
2. Theological guilt. You broke a divine law of God. The Bible is clear we are all guilty- all have sinned.
3. Psychological guilt is guilt we feel. Can be real or imagined. Example of imagined: my parents divorced because of me…
4. True Guilt is guilt that leads to constructive sorrow.This guilt is healthy- just as physical pain is healthy in that this is our cue that something is wrong.

Two responses are common:  I give up- I can’t help it and I have tried and tried to no avail. The despair of lost hope is dangerous and can lead to suicide or turning to alcohol and drugs to dull the pain. The other response is ‘ I’m not that bad. And no one is perfect. Rationalization of sin.  Also an equally dangerous solution for dealing with guilt.

God produces the pain of guilt and the fear that accompanies it in order to deal with the root problem of sin. A person who is not sick- does not need a physician. So God makes it clear we are hopelessly, helplessly lost. All have sinned- none are righteous, no not one. There is none who understands, there is none who seek after God.  That is why Jesus said He came to seek and save the lost.

We must be able to recognize our wrongs in order to resolve them, and guilt is the avenue through which we can achieve this.  No wonder Peter’s preaching had such results- it produced  guilt- then offered the solution- Gods’ grace made available through the work at Calvary by the Lord Jesus.

Coca-cola had an advertising campaign that ran for years where the tag line was “ the pause that refreshes.” When you are really thirsty- there is nothing that will satisfy your thirst like cold water. Jesus gave the woman at the well reason to pause – then explained how she could have water that refreshes ever springing up- the true source of refreshing- salvation available only in the name of Jesus.

Acts 28: The Sincere Heart

“Simon, son of John (Peter) do you truly love me more than these?” (John 21:15) Jesus will ask Peter this question three times; as if to say to Simon Peter- are you SINCERE when you say you love me?  Sincere means genuine, honest and real.

In the last chapter of the book of Acts, Paul and all on board land safely on the island of Malta. The island was occupied by friendly natives, who received them as Dr. Luke notes with “ unusual kindness.”  Cold and wet, the survivors are probably bordering on being in shock so natives of Malta build a large fire to warm the survivors.  Paul, who impresses us, as a man of action does not sit down and expect to be waited on- he is busy gathering firewood.

In the process of gathering firewood, Paul is bitten by a poisonous snake. Paul shakes the serpent off into the fire as if it is of no consequence. Surely, having been told twice by the Lord he will be his witness in Rome and surviving a horrendous hurricane force storm and a shipwreck, Paul is truly convinced that He who began a good work would certainly be able to finish what He had started.

The effect on the natives was much different. The Lord always gets multiple benefits out of each situation. The natives seeing what has happened to this man believe he must certainly be an evil man, a murderer who escaped the sea, but justice or vengeance will not allow Paul to live. They expect his hand to swell and for him to drop dead in a short time. Do you see that these people- who do not have the law and have not heard the gospel have the law written in their hearts?  They believe in a God who punishes evil. They have come to believe in a God through the light of creation and the law written in their hearts with their conscience bearing witness, as Paul wrote about in Romans 1 & 2.

It is by God’s providence they have landed here on Malta and will wait out the winter months before securing passage to Rome.  Immediately upon landing, the natives witness a miracle as the snake bite which should have been fatal has no effect on Paul at all. They surmise he must be a ‘god’.  Now we must not add to the word of God, but if Dr. Luke knew of their false assumption, we know Paul would have made sure to tell them of the  True and living God.

Next we see the chief official of the island of Malta, a man named Publius, welcome the survivors to his home for three days, where once again Luke notes they are entertained hospitably. We Christians in the 21st century could learn something from these pagans from 2000 years ago about kindness to those in our midst who are strangers or victims of disaster or misery.

At Publius’ home we are told his father was sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went into see him and laid hands on him and prayed for him and he was healed. We are told the rest of the island who were sick came and were cured.  Remember what the resurrected Lord told the disciples in  Mark 16?  This appearance by the Lord is to the Eleven disciples. ‘He rebuked them for their lack of faith and stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.( vs. 14)  He said to them; “ Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will recover.”

Paul would refer to exhibiting the signs of an apostle in 2 Corinthians 12.  Surely, although no account of drinking poison is recorded in Scriptures- here we see Paul ( not on purpose) pick up a snake with his hand and place his hands on sick people and they recover.  I cannot but believe that  Paul would have been obedient to spread the Gospel to these people.

Tradition tells us the church at Malta dates from this time and that Publius was its first pastor. After three months they leave on another Alexandrian ship that Luke even records the figureheads carved on the mast.

In verse 14, Luke tells us rather matter-of-factly : ‘ and so we came to Rome.’

For a moment let us look at how God has blessed Paul and company and we will see how God desires to bless us when we are obedient to do His Will and His Good Pleasure.  To be His witness and make disciples God will bless us in the same way:

God blesses by:

• Making others treat us with kindness
• Meeting our needs
• Encouraging us
• Delivering us from harm and evil
• Blessing our influence on others
• Giving us the desires of our heart. ( It was Paul’s desire to come to Rome to see the Christians there and impart to them some spiritual gift to make them strong. Romans 1)

We can also see a pattern in this first century church that we are to follow, if we are to pass on the faith to the next generation. If we are to finish the race, we must pass on the baton to the next generation. Here is that pattern:

1. Source of power is the Holy Spirit, not human ingenuity and clever marketing programs.
2. The pattern for blessing is to walk in the Spirit in obedience to God’s Word.
3. The church’s message to the lost is the complete Gospel of Jesus Christ. Beginning with Moses.
4. We are to be on guard against the danger of sin within the church.
5. Protect the flock from false teaching creeping into the church, diluting the Word of God, compromising God’s Word to fit  man’s word.
6. Our priorities are to be twofold:  witness to the lost and making disciples of the believers teaching the whole counsel of God’s Word.

So at last Paul and company land and start toward Rome and two groups of Christians come out to meet Paul. What an encouragement to Paul that those who had heard of Paul and read or heard of the contents of his letter to the church at Rome have come to meet him. Some came from the Forum of Appius, a journey of some 40 miles and another group has come some 30 miles from an area called, The Three Taverns. They will walk the rest of the way with Paul and company along the Appian Way.  What a comfort to Paul to be received in such a way and experience the sweet fellowship with those believers to whom he has written and poured out his heart to in the book of Romans.

When Paul arrives in Rome, he is allowed to live by himself in a house where he is under constant guard of a Roman soldier. Paul will be here for two years before he is released. Once again, God prepares others, to be gracious to Paul and  allow him the freedom to receive visitors and send out his epistles which have to this date 2000 years later impacted millions and millions of believers worldwide.

Three days after arriving Paul calls together the leaders of the Jews in the area. When they assembled , Paul began to explain his situation and circumstances. In the course of explaining his arrest, trials and the accusations of the Sanhedrin, Paul tells them his story and how he wanted to see them because of ‘ the hope of Israel.” The ‘hope of Israel’ which was understood by all religious Jews was the kingdom of God, the Messiah and the resurrection.

The Jews tell Paul they have not heard anything about him or received any letters from Judea. So arrangements are made to meet Paul on a certain day and they came in even larger numbers to hear what Paul had to say.

The meeting will turn out to be a day-long seminar, Bible study with Paul as their teacher. We are so accustomed to allowing one to two hours per week for someone to teach us or preach to us – we are annoyed it they go past their allotted time.  Yet in the business world, men and women have been known to sit in meetings for hours and days for training and information to make us better at our jobs and advance our careers.  There are people you and I know who spend more time planning what  or how they are going to spend their time on the weekend or on their vacation than they do planning or investigating where they will spend eternity.

“ From morning to evening, Paul explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others did not believe. They disagreed among themselves.

We see in Paul’s exchange with these Jewish people, the same problem Paul encountered then, we encounter today with this exception.  At least these people were willing to listen, today many will not even give Christians the time of day, much less listen to us explain the ‘ Hope of Israel’, Who is in fact – the Hope of the World, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must look at ourselves and the lives we live and ask ourselves  first, is there nothing about us and our lives and the power in our lives they makes them want to listen to us?

Next we must ask ourselves can we answer their questions and defend the Word of God ? Can we answer the charge of those who question the authority of the Word of God. For it was in the Garden of Eden, the enemy asked the question that changed the course of history. The question was aimed directly at the authorship, and thus authority and accuracy of God’ s word:  Has God really said?

How one comes to answer this question and what they believe about the origins of creation, sin, death and  God- will determine where they will spend their eternal future.

Notice again what are the results that we have seen all through the book of Acts- some believed, were convinced and others would not believe.

As a result, the Holy Spirit brings to mind for Paul what the Holy Spirit said through the prophet Isaiah  in Isaiah 6 when he spoke to the forefathers and said:

“ God said to Isaiah – Go tell the people: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn and I would heal them.” A hard heart is an insincere heart. A heart that is closed, veiled with deceit, bias, prejudice and hidden agendas.

God knows what’s in the heart of man. As did Jesus, who we are told in John 2 “ Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew what was in the heart of man.” There are those who come to hear the Word of God but do not come with a sincere heart, a genuine desire to know the truth. They come with a bias, a prejudice, an agenda and preconceived notion of what they believe to be true. If the Word of God does not conform to their thinking, they believe the Word of God is wrong and they are right. Christians are not immune to this deception either.

We must come with an open mind, an open searching heart that sincerely desires the truth. When I asks the Lord to reveal Himself to me and save me- the Lord knew what was in my heart- a sincere desire to know Him. In fact, a desperate desire to know the truth. Peter described it in much this fashion saying:  “Lay aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like  newborn babies desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow.” Lay aside your pre-conceive ideas and come with a neutral heart and teachable spirit. ( I Peter 2).  Sincere means genuine, real, and honest.  Are you sincere when you come to the Word of God? Are you sincere when you say to the Lord, I love you? ( See John 21)  For surely the Lord is sincere when He says He loves you too.  But unlike any other, the Lord knows your heart and knows the motives and thoughts. His eyes penetrate and judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from His sight.( Hebrews 4)

If you come with a sincere heart desiring to know Him and His will for your life –‘Then if you ask, you will receive, if you seek you will find and if you knock it will be opened to you.  ( Matthew 7) {reference George Mueller’s six steps for knowing will of God.}

Jesus told us- ‘small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and few find it.’(Matthew 7:14) The narrow way is the sincere heart, the neutral heart that desires the Word of God, the pure truth like a baby desires, craves milk. The insincere heart it the heart crowded with agenda, the ways of the world, the false promises of pleasure that sin offers.

The enemy,the devil is the prince of power of the air and this world. Our society and culture  has been and is being conformed  by him and as John writes the whole world lies under the spell of the evil one. His ability to conform our thinking and the thinking of society has been by steadily attacking the reliability of God’s Word.  In this way he has veiled our minds and dulled them to reading of His Word. In other words, many come to His Word with a veil which covers their hearts to this day when Moses is read. ( 2 Corinthians3) A veil that blinds one to the truth and a veil that can only be taken away whenever one turns to the Lord.

C.S. Lewis wrote an interesting book called “Screwtape Letters.” The letters are a clever work where Lewis devotes a book to letters between two demons.  An uncle, named Screwtape is mentoring his nephew, Wormwood in how to keep people from getting saved or once saved how to discourage them from growing and maturing in their faith.  In these letters, Screwtape advises strategies to help keep man’s mind veiled in darkness.

Here is a sample from some of his letters :

Dear Nephew Wormwood,

‘ As always, the first step is to keep knowledge out of his mind. Talk to him about moderation in all things. If you can once get him to the point of thinking ‘religion’ is all right up to a point, you can feel quite happy about his soul. A moderated religion is almost as good for us as no religion at all- and more amusing. Keep him well fed on hazy ideas of Progress and Development and the Historical point of view, I trust, and give him lots of modern biographies to read. The people in them can influence his thinking for us. I was delighted to hear your patient had made some very desirable new acquaintances. These are just the sort of people we want him to know- rich, smart, superficially intellectual, and brightly skeptical about everything in the world. No doubt he must very soon realize that his own faith is in direct opposition to the assumptions on which all the conversations of his new friends is based. We must delay as long as possible the moment he realizes this new pleasure he enjoys is temptation. Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape

It is as old as the Garden of Eden- did God really say?  We  live in a world where science says the Genesis account of creation is a fairy tale, a mythical man-made story. The intellectual tells us this came about because man in olden days before he had the scientific knowledge to understand how creation came to be- made up a fable to explain what they now know to be scientifically incorrect. In other words man created God.

This thinking has placed a veil over people’s mind when the read Moses, who wrote Genesis. Once we come to the Word of God, with the preconceived idea and bias that this is not the Word of God, nor is it inerrant- the die is cast. The mind is molded by those we view as intelligent and learned.  No wonder Screwtape was glad his nephew had brought new friends in to his ‘ patient’s’ life that would influence him and make him feel foolish for believing Moses.

However, me must defend the Word of God and as Paul wrote to ‘ not be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.

Dr. Luke closes the story of ACTS by simply telling us for the next two years, Paul stayed in his rented house awaiting trial under house arrest. He boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul would finish his race and pass the baton to those whom he had invested time in making disciples. The question is – are we going to be faithful to pass on the baton to those who come behind us?

Are you sincere when you say to the Lord I love you? Do you possess a SINCERE HEART?

Acts 27:Stormy Weather: Don’t Know Why There’s No Sun Up in the Sky!

In today’s lesson, Paul and his companions enter into some stormy weather. As believers, we can all identify with storms in life. And sometimes, like the old blues song, “Stormy Weather”  – we are perplexed because we don’t know why there is no sun up in the sky. Let us continue with the story of Paul as our study of Acts nears an end.

Governor Festus had already determined that Paul, who had appealed to Caesar, to Caesar would go.  So Dr. Luke records the voyage, and what a voyage it is! A ship is secured and they head for Rome. We are told of the centurion who is in charge, Julius. His regiment is called the Augustan Cohort, or Imperial Regiment. They are a very select unit, directly responsible to the Emperor, himself.  More than likely they had been dispatched to bring Paul and the other prisoners to Rome to stand trial.  It is possible, Julius had been present to hear Paul’s account before King Agrippa.

Let us remember, what we learned earlier in Acts 23:11- the Lord stood near and told Paul-‘ take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.’ It’s easy sometimes to forget what the Lord has promised us when everything seems to be against us, when the storm strikes suddenly in our lives.  The disciples forgot that Jesus told them ‘ let us go over to the other side,’ when a furious squall came up and waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. They feared for their lives. (Mark 4)

It’s easy to remember God’s promise when the sun is shining and it’s smooth sailing. Not so easy- when darkness falls and the storm only grows more fierce. Fear and doubt enter into our hearts and faith seems to waver. Why does this happen?  If we are doing what we believe is God’s will- why isn’t God making it easy?  This is what we will seek to understand in this amazing story. We must remember what Paul would later write in 2 Corinthians  4:  “ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” God wants others to see His all-surpassing power displayed in our lives as a witness and encouragement to others around us.

Winston Churchill said of America and Americans:  “ you can always depend on America to do the right thing, once it has exhausted all other options.” I am afraid that describes many of us as Christians also, doesn’t it?  First we try to accomplish God’s will in our own strength. ( Think Abraham and Hagar producing Ishmael). We try everything, exhausting all options at our disposal, using our own resources and cleverness to accomplish God’s will. God wants us to come to rely completely on Him.  Paul refers to the treasure we have, the Holy Spirit, in these earthen vessels, our bodies. We must recognize our absolute insufficiency and let God’s total sufficiency be revealed.  May we learn the following lessons as Paul learned : we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness; the Lord’s power is made perfect in weakness; we are in a battle, which requires weapons that are mighty, not carnal; we must fix our eyes NOT on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporal, but what is unseen in eternal.

In recording this journey, Dr. Luke tells us it began after the Fast.( Acts 27:9) The Fast refers to the Day of Atonement which occurs in late September. So this journey is taking place upon the Mediterranean Sea in October- not the time to travel.  Paul warns them this is going to be a disaster if they try to continue on this journey and will result in loss of ship, cargo and lives. Julius who has been kind to Paul, nevertheless, sides with the captain and owner of the ship to continue the voyage.  They set out for Phoenix on the island of Crete in hopes of wintering there.

Verse 13 tells us:  “ When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted..” They were deceived by favorable circumstances. Is this not the way of sin? When first we decide to do what God has said not to do- it seems God was wrong about sin. The promises of sin of smooth sailing, fun, enjoyment and having exactly what you wanted are seemingly being fulfilled. The deception of sin is it is pleasurable for a season. But as Paul would write:  be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatsoever you soweth- that shall you also reap.

Verse 14 : “Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the ‘northeaster’ swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.” I am told that some of the new drugs, meth, ecstasy and other powerful hallucinogens  can do irreparable harm and damage from just using them one time. They drive one along a path- that is not easily turned back from.

As the storm grows more severe, the sailors take measures to preserve the ship and avoid damage. The gird the ship with ropes to add additional strength. They lowered the sea anchor and prepare to ride out the storm. The next day- they grow more desperate and begin to throw off the cargo in hope of lightening the load . On the third day, they take down the masts, the tackle and throw it overboard. The storm has brought such a darkness they can neither see the sun by day or the stars by night. Understand in those days, this is how sailors navigated and determined their course- by the sun during the day and the stars at night. They now do not know where they are going- there’s no sun up in the sky.

Having done all they can and still without remedy to their problem- they have lost all hope. Have you ever lost all hope?  Come to realize you are powerless over that which has swept you away and is driving you along? Powerless, helpless then finally – hopeless. We need hope. It is absolutely necessary to human life. What is your hope built on? What do you base your hope or optimism on?  Have you discovered what the songwriter discovered who wrote these words: “ My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Have you exhausted all the other options?

Now Paul will reveal the excellent treasure that is in this earthly vessel- the very Spirit of God. Paul reminds them, he told them not to sail from Crete. Is Paul saying- ‘ I told you so…?’ Maybe, not sure, but he is reminding them, what I have told you has occurred; so there is now reason for them to listen to Paul as one who has heard from his God.

Paul now brings them encouraging news- good news from God. “ Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘ Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you. So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” ( Acts 27:24-26)

Next we read in Dr. Luke’s account on the fourteenth night the sailors sense they were approaching land. The water continued to get shallow. ‘Fearing they would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.”

A lot of sermons and lessons and have been preached and taught using these four anchors as illustrations for the anchors we drop when we are in a fearful storm.

Here are the anchors I drop: HOPE. FAITH. THE WORD OF GOD. PRAYER.

“We have this HOPE as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become our high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”  ( Hebrews 6:19-20) Hope deferred makes one heart sick. Hope is the first anchor I cast because hope is one of the most necessary intangibles for persevering in times of trouble. Understand that hope is always in the future. When you are in a storm, the enemy wants to rob you of your hope. Realize human hope based on favorable circumstances is not what we are talking about. Human hope can and often leads to disappointment. Disappointment is never associated with the hope we have as Christians in our Heavenly Father and His Promises to us. Contrary to human hope, this hope does not disappoint.( Romans 5) This hope is a confident expectation that God will do what He said He will do. No wonder the enemy of our soul wants us to feel hopeless- for he does not want us to discover the One who is the source of all HOPE.  Our anchor is not in the shifting sands of a troubled sea of circumstances, it is securely anchored in the inner sanctuary of heaven. We are moored in God. Romans 8 tells us nothing can separate us from the love of God and the anchor holds firm and secure against all odds. And God has made it clear to us, His children, two unchangeable things about Him:  His nature does not change (immutable), He is the same today as He has always been and always will be; and it is impossible for God to lie- so His promises to us will always hold. God’s word makes in clear in Ephesians 2 that anyone who is in this world without God is without hope. Hope is the transforming work of God’s Word as God forms a blueprint in our mind as to what He is going to do. God is a  Promise Keeper and we have fled to Him to take hold of this hope, this sure hope which greatly encourages us. Hope is what keeps us afloat in the storm. “ May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.: ( Romans 15:13) My first anchor I cast is the anchor of hope, the hope that comes from being in Christ, a confident expectation.

Hebrews 11: 1 tells me of the next anchor I must cast: “Now FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.(NIV) Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders received a good report.” ( KJV) Hope is always in the future, faith is always in the present. God starts with a blueprint in our mind, it is the foundation. Faith adds substance to that hope. Faith is built on hope. Faith secures the future hope in the present circumstances. This is why Paul could write he had learned to be content in all situations. This is why he writes – I am confident( this is Biblical hope) that He who has begun a good work  will complete it. That is the same hope, confident expectation that John expressed in I John 5, when he wrote, ‘ this is the confidence we have that if we ask anything..’ So it starts with Hope, a blueprint of what God wants to build in my life that He places in my mind. Our minds had been conformed by the world and now we must transform them. Faith is the second anchor I cast to secure in the present what God has promised in the future. He will get me through the fire, the flood and the storm. I will reach the other side. It starts with Hope that is secured by faith. Trust is nothing more than layers of faith, as through the storms of life, the Lord has proved He is faithful, over and over. Remember your faith is in the Lord and in His promises proclaimed in His Word. Your faith is not in your faith. So powerful is the object of our faith which is God and His Word, that faith only the size of a grain of mustard seed can move mountains. Imagine what the possibilities as your faith grows- which brings us to our next anchor.

“ Now faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD OF GOD.” The third anchor is the Word of God.  Paul writes in Romans 15- “ For everything that was written in the past, was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”Do you see the way these anchors hold together.? Hope is necessary for when the enemy of our soul convinces us our situation  is hopeless and nothing will ever change- we will never____________- you fill in the blank that represents the lie the enemy has told you is hopeless. Then we drop the anchor of God’s word that tells us nothing is impossible for God.  Our faith is in the sure hope we have that an Immutable God who cannot lie,who has promised us that although ‘many are the afflictions of the righteous, the Lord delivers him out of all of them.’( Psalms 34:19) Our faith is in Him and in His promises. And this faith can grow as we hear His Word. His Word transforms us. His Word guides us. His Word increases our faith as we obey Him because we trust Him.

“ Lord teach us to PRAY.” “ This is confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will ; He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of Him.” ( I John 5:14,15) This is my fourth anchor and this quartet of anchors will hold through the storm.  My prayers are based on His Word, in which I have faith that gives me hope. For God who cannot lie and is unchanging has said to me and you:  “ Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.”( Jeremiah 33:3) And these anchors produce hope that holds in the storm, for it is anchored in God who holds all things together.

Now let us watch as the drama unfolds- some sailors pretending they were going to lower some anchors are actually planning to jump ship and escape on a life boat.  Paul warns the centurion and the soldiers, “ unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” Ever the tempter, when we determine to wait on God, the tempter comes to tempt us to give up on God’s way and find a quicker, easier way.  Take a shortcut.

Paul reminds us God has appointed a way to be saved. It is the only way they can be saved. He has appointed the means of our salvation and we must stay with the ship and try not to accomplish God’s ends by our own means. I would remind you that the Lord Jesus is our ‘ark” who takes us through the storm(s). God Himself has placed us in Him and closed and sealed the door as He did for Noah and his family in the ark in Genesis.

This chapter ends with the ship being destroyed, but all souls on board are saved.

Now let us consider what is certainly puzzling and sometimes frustrating circumstances in our walk of faith. Paul has been told by the Lord he will be his witness in Rome as he was in Jerusalem. So Paul is evidently in God’s will. The question is- why isn’t it smooth sailing? Why this struggle- this time consuming, energy draining life and death battle?

We expect God to cause barriers to sin- but to doing His will? What’s up with this?  Peter tells us we should not consider it strange when we fiery trials occur. Jesus Himself, told us in this world we would have troubles, but not to despair. Storms come from various causes and have a variety of results.   When we lose hope we can identify with  the lyrics of Stormy Weather that capture our feelings- “ life is bare, gloom and misery everywhere. Stormy Weather. Just can’t get myself together. I ‘m so weary, so weary all the time.”

Obviously we will have opposition from the enemy when we are doing the will of God. This is the conflict that Paul writes of in Ephesians 6. The enemy’s strategy is to get us to lose confidence- to doubt the word of God, and thus God Himself. To get us to lose hope and abort the mission and jump ship.

But we must also remember, God is Sovereign. He has allowed the storm, he has allowed the storm just as he did with Job- for the enemy to take actions against us. Why?  To teach us lessons that can only be learned in the storm. Imagine how Paul’s faith grew in and through this event. Imagine also the lessons that others learned as they observed how Paul was able to weather the storm though his faith in God. God always accomplishes the most good for the most people for the longest time through the best method. Just so happens sometimes the best method is a scary storm. Trust is nothing more than layers of faith. Trust is a learned response, learned through experiencing God’s faithfulness through the storms of life.

Here is what we can observe about storms in life based on Scripture:

We all go through storms.

Storms can be storms of correction that show us where our faith is weak or lacking.

Storms can be storms of preparation to help us grow.

And we must remember: God is in control. He has a plan. He is with you in the storm. He is bigger than the storm. He will get us to the other side. His timing is perfect.

The writer of the old blues song, “Stormy Weather” seems to have come to the same conclusion as to what one must do as he writes in the final stanza:  “ All I can do is pray the Lord above will let me walk in the sun once more!” ( Stormy Weather.)

Why does Paul say to fix our eyes on things above?  For there is where the SON is!  While flying to Houston for further tests during my bout with cancer, Gina was plagued with doubt and fear. It was in many ways a more  scary storm for her than it was for me. Flying out of Memphis in a rain storm only added to her worry and concerns.  Seeking to cast her worries upon the Lord she was praying, as we climbed upward in our flight pattern.

Then all of sudden- we were above the storm, the rain, and the dark clouds and bathed in brilliant sunshine made even more dramatic by the darkness beneath us. Gina realized the Lord was going to bring us through this storm to the other side. The sun was going to shine again!

“ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” ( Revelation 21.)

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14

Acts 25&26: Short Time or Long

Paul would stay imprisoned under Felix for two more years until Felix was recalled to Rome. Felix’s response to the problem with Paul was to do nothing. His successor will be Festus, who proves himself to be not only a just man, but a man of action.

In Acts 25, Festus arrives as the new governor and immediately travels from Caesarea to Jerusalem to meet with the chief priests and Jewish leaders.  Festus would have been fully advised of the importance of this group as well as the problems in dealing with them.

Even though it has been two years since the high priests and council had appeared before Felix accusing Paul of his crimes. There is still a group seeking to assassinate Paul. Dr. Luke tells us of the plot to have Festus transfer Paul from Caesarea to Jerusalem for trial and they would prepare an ambush to assassinate him. We can assume these are the same 40 who two years earlier devised a similar plot.

Festus says- I am returning to Caesarea in a few days- why not come to Caesarea and we will have a hearing concerning Paul there. This is what occurred and Luke gives us in a brief summary what happened.  The Jews could not prove any of their charges and Paul once again denies any wrongdoing against the law of the Jews or the temple.

Festus attempts to placate the Jewish leaders and asks Paul would he be willing to go to Jerusalem to stand trial there before Festus?  Paul replies: “ I am now standing before Caesars’ court, where I ought to be tried. …. I appeal to Caesar”.  Festus meets with his council and the decision is made:  “ You have appealed to Caesar and to Caesar you will go!” Paul will be transferred to Rome where he will be held under house arrest until he can appear before Emperor Nero. This was all within his rights as a Roman citizen.

We must also remember, the Lord Jesus had told Paul in a vision: “ Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” ( Acts 23:11)

As it so happens, a few days later Festus, the new governor, has an important visitor. King Herod Agrippa II comes with his sister, Bernice.  The Herod family was an important family of leaders in Israel.  Herod the Great, was not only the one responsible for the restoration of the temple during the time of Jesus, he is also the one who the wise men visited and told of the birth of the Messiah. At this news, Herod the Great had the male babies 2 years and under slaughtered in Bethlehem.  This Herod Agrippa II was his great grandson.  His father, Herod Agrippa I was the one who had James, the brother of John beheaded and imprisoned Peter and planned to behead him also, except an angel delivered Peter from prison. Herod Agrippa II’s uncle was Herod Antipas who beheaded John the Baptist.

King Agrippa II was known as a man who was very knowledgeable regarding Jewish customs, and affairs.  He was considered one of the foremost experts on Jews and Jewish customs and religion at this time. It should also be noted, that Bernice was his sister and they were involved in an incestuous affair.

Festus as the new governor would have considered this visit a state affair and it would have lasted for days with meetings, feasts and much pomp and ceremony. Festus knew of Agrippa’s expertise- so he seeks his advice regarding this case of Paul, the Apostle and his Jewish accusers.

Festus provides Agrippa with the details of this interesting case in hopes of receiving some guidance or insight from Agrippa. It is interesting in their discussion of Paul’s case- one of the points which Felix, as a Roman unbeliever and an intellect, could not understand or believe as the point of dispute regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus.   Paul claimed this dead man, Jesus was alive and he had seen him and talked to him. To Festus, this was unbelievable.

So it is arranged that Paul will be brought before Festus and King Agrippa and Festus has made it clear to Agrippa he is unsure what to write as specific charges against Paul when sending him to Rome to appear before Nero.

Thus the stage is set for Paul to appear before King Agrippa in Acts 26.

Agrippa gives Paul permission to speak for himself. This is not a trial, but a case that interests Agrippa. Surely he knows the story of Paul, but would hear from Paul, himself a first hand account .

Once again we are reminded that King Agrippa is recognized even by Paul as one well acquainted with Jewish customs and the controversies surrounding Christianity.

Paul is always prepared to present the Gospel and defend his faith. He does it with reason and always shapes the message to fit the audience. Let us observe how Paul presents his case and in doing so see how is able to use the opportunity to witness to King Agrippa and all those present.

PAUL’S POINTS

1. Paul begins by telling of how he was before he was converted. He states he lived and was raised as a Pharisee.  He would later write in Philippians he was a ‘ Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church.’ ( Phil 3)
2. He then makes the point he does not believe anything different now than he did then. Meaning he believed in the prophecies of Moses and the prophets. His hope was the same as other Jews in the coming of the Messiah as promised to their fathers and also as a Pharisee he believed in the hope of the resurrection. ( ‘Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?’)
3. Paul then relates how he sincerely believed the Christians and their belief in this Jesus Christ as Messiah were wrong and zealously persecuted them. Something that his accusers, the high priest and Sanhedrin were well aware of.
4. Paul then tells what happened when he met Jesus Christ, the Resurrected Messiah, on the road to Damascus. He tells the details of his blindness, his coming to faith in Jesus Christ as the Risen Savior and his subsequent 180 degree turn around in his life and beliefs. True conversion always results in repentance and deeds that support our faith.

So  Paul in giving his testimony gives great credibility to his conversion by virtue of the way his life used to be and what it had become as a result of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul is telling them of the wonderful change that has come into his life as a result of accepting Jesus as Lord.

Paul is then given his commission and ministry by the Lord Jesus. He will ‘be sent to the Jews and Gentiles to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to the power of God.’ ( Acts 26:17)

Paul says to King Agrippa, I have only been being obedient to the vision from heaven and following the commandments given to me. And for this reason, the Jews seized me and tried to kill me.

Even though our conversion may not be as dramatic as Paul’s, the results are the same. Our eyes which were blinded to the truth are opened to see the truth of God’s word and turn from darkness to light and from the power of the devil to the power of God.  We become new creatures, just like Paul did and old things pass away and are passing away and all things are becoming new.  We are born again.  And like Paul- true conversion will result in a change of direction and works in keeping with repentance.  We are also to be ambassadors and witnesses to the grace of God –  for it is by grace through faith we are all saved. We have been commissioned by the Lord Jesus as Paul was to take the gospel to the lost, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, making disciples and teaching them to obey everything.

We also encounter the same problems that Paul and the early church did when we take the Gospel, the good news to the world around us.  The problem in Paul’s day is the same problem today. Look again at what Jesus said he was sending Paul to do, and realize this is our mission also:  “ I am sending you to them( Jews and Gentiles) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to the power of God, so they may receive forgiveness of their sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

The world around us today, for the most part, is in darkness, blinded to the truth and under the power of Satan. As Paul is finishing his testimony, Festus interrupts Paul and says- ‘ you are out of your mind, Paul.’ Which is exactly the world believes more and more about the Christian faith . We are out of our minds to believe that someone can rise from the dead, walk on water, be born of a virgin, heal the blind, raise the dead and make the lame to walk. They believe we are out of our minds to believe a literal God created the world and everything in it in six literal days. To believe the Bible is the literal, inerrant, infallible word of God and a source of absolute truth.  Impossible they shout. You are out of your minds!

The reason for mankind’s blindness is they are under the control of power of Satan. A veil is over their minds and they cannot see or understand spiritual truths. Professing themselves to be wise, they become as fools. For the cross is foolishness to them. They suppress the truth in wickedness.  This is what is behind the darkness and the darkness continues to increase for I fear as Christians who are called to be light- we have put our lights under a bushel, a cover. Or else our lamps are so coated with sin- our light is ineffective, our salt has lost its saltiness because we have been conformed by the world which lies under the power of the evil one.

Today we are confronted by those who profess to be wise and learned who tell us we cannot believe the Bible is absolute truth. It is a book written by men, not God and contains some truth and wisdom in it, just as the works of Buddah and the Koran do also.

It comes down to a simple argument. As a Christian, a born-again believer will you accept the Word of God as true and inerrant or will  you accept the word of man?  When the two do not agree- whose side will you be on? Like Joshua said- choose you his day whom you will serve?

Consider what scientists tell us regarding evolution.  If evolution, as they present it is true, then God’s word is false. The creation account stands in contradiction to the theory of evolution. In fact if the creation account is not true- then Jesus is not Lord. Whoa!  How did you jump to that conclusion, you might ask?  Well, very simply, in Matthew 19:4, in a discussion with the Pharisees regarding divorce, Jesus makes this statement: ‘ Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘ made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” Jesus is quoting from Genesis 2:24 as to how he believed God created man and woman in the beginning. If Jesus believes the account in Genesis is true- and it is not true then he cannot be Lord.  The Lord Jesus believed that what Moses wrote was true.  Listen to what Jesus said in John 5: 46-47: “ If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he(Moses) wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe me?”

You understand Jesus believed the creation account as recorded by Moses to be true, because Jesus was in fact present in the beginning and played a role in creation. John tells  us ‘ in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” ( John 1:1-3)  Then John leaves no doubt as to who he is describing as he tells us-‘ the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.’ ( John 1:14)  Furthermore, Hebrews 11:3 tells us-“ By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out what was visible.”   Now you may be one of those people who says, I can’t believe something I cannot see or understand. Oh really?  Do you send emails? Surf the net? Watch television? Use electricity?  For I admit I do not understand how any of those work- but I use them by faith.   “And without faith it is impossible to please God and those who come to Him , must believe that He is and is a Rewarder of those who seek Him.” ( Hebrews 11:6)

It starts with a simple concept- I believe God exists.  The existence of creation-the world, the universe, space, the sun, moon, stars, rivers, oceans, mountains and the human being and animal and plant life tell there is a creator.

There it is- if you do not believe what Moses wrote- you will not believe Jesus. If you do not believe the creation account where sin occurred and death entered and the way to overcome sin was clearly portrayed in the shedding of blood, the blood of the Lamb who would come then you have placed your faith is something that seemingly has holes in it according to the non-believing intellectual. Not wanting to appear foolish or be told we are out of our minds we try to make the Word of God fit the word of man. That is what it has always been about since the Garden of Eden when the devil, the father of lies asked—‘did God really say?’

The question is still the same as it was in the day of Elijah the Prophet, when he stood on Mount Carmel and asked the people:  “ How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; if Baal is god follow him.”   What’s it going to be?  You can’t have it both ways.

Listen to Paul’s reply to Festus’  accusation that Paul is out of his mind.  Paul says I am not insane. What I am saying is true and reasonable. ( After all is it not reasonable to believe when you come upon a cabin built in the midst of the forest to believe there was a builder? “ For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.” Hebrews 3:4)

Paul then addresses King Agrippa: “ The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of his escaped his notice, for it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” ( Acts 26:25-27)

Paul is saying this gospel is based on actual events that took place in Jerusalem probably about 30+ years ago.It was not done in a corner- with few to testify to the happenings. There was much talk and many eyewitnesses to what Jesus had said and done. And of course the Sanhedrin and its leaders had concocted a story that Jesus’ body was stolen and the resurrection was a hoax, yet there were over 500  eye witnesses who had seen the resurrected Lord ascend into heaven. Reliable witnesses, many of whom were still alive at that time .

King Agrippa, like a skillful politician, avoids answering Paul’s question – do you believe the prophets?  For if he admitted he did, then Paul could show how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies about himself.

What is clear is this- one cannot be saved except through Jesus, there is no other name by which men can be saved. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life- no man comes to the Father except by Him.

So we cast the seed, the word of God and leave the work of the Holy Spirit to do what only the Holy Spirit can do- convict men of sin and righteousness and judgment. Only the Spirit can open their  eyes to turn them from darkness to light; only the Spirit can turn them from the power of Satan to the power of God so they may receive the forgiveness of sins and a place among the sanctified by  FAITH IN ME ( LORD JESUS.)   “ For by grace are you saved through faith…”

Agrippa says in jest, did you think in such a short time you could persuade me to be a Christian?

I love Paul’s answer:  “ SHORT TIME OR LONG- I PRAY GOD THAT NOT ONLY YOU BUT EVERYONE  LISTENING TO ME TODAY MAY BECOME WHAT I AM ( SAVED) EXCEPT FOR THESE CHAINS.”

To Paul, everyone was a potential candidate for salvation and whether he had a long time with them or a short time – his desire was to see them saved.   For God is not willing that any should perish but all would come to repentance.

Paul knew if he could be saved- anyone could. If God in His Grace, could forgive him, God could forgive anyone.

So Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel for it was the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. ( Romans 1)

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel- morally, socially or intellectually. And neither should we be.

Our prayer should be as Paul’s prayer regarding the conversion of unbelievers- short time or long- we pray that unbelievers may come into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ as  Lord and Savior.

OUR YEARS ON EARTH ARE A SHORT TIME, LIKE A MORNING MIST THAT DISAPPEARS IN THE SUN- HOWEVER ETERNITY IS A LONG, LONG TIME. LET US MAKE USE OF THE SHORT TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE LONG TIME!

Acts24: Fearful Felix

Paul is in the process of entering the Roman judicial system which will take up the next 5 years of his life. He will be  under house arrest with some liberties but, not free to go and do as he wished. His circumstances will be difficult.

After Paul’s appearance before the Sanhedrin arranged by the Roman commander turns into another riot, the commander takes Paul back to the barracks for safety. The Lord appears to Paul the next night and encourages Paul with these words: “  Take Courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” ( Acts 23: 11)

I want us to look at this lesson today on two levels:  the visible and the invisible.  Paul prayed we would have the ‘ eyes of our heart opened to see..’.  He is referring to spiritual vision. In fact in 2 Corinthians 4, Paul writes:  ‘ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, and what is unseen is eternal.’ When we do, we will see the story within the story. One of the most unique books in the Bible is the Old Testament book of Esther. Its uniqueness comes from the fact that it is the only book in the Bible in which the name of God is not mentioned even once in the entire nine chapters. However, a Christian reading this book would not be aware of that- for they are consciously aware of God working behind the scenes as the Sovereign God of the universe.

Dr. Luke tells us a plot to kill Paul taken on by more than 40 Jewish men who have taken an oath they will not eat anything until they kill Paul. Their plan as revealed to the chief priests, Ananias, and the elders is for the Sanhedrin to petition the commander to bring Paul before them  again on the pretext of asking him some more questions. Then as Paul is being brought to them, they will attack him and kill him. It is almost a suicide mission. Do you see the spiritual war taking place in the earthly realm?  The enemy of God, the devil has so enraged these men with hatred for Paul they are determined to find a way to kill him. Just as before he had so enraged the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus.  But watch how this plot unravels as a Sovereign God is in control of circumstances.

Paul’s nephew hears of the plot. How did he hear of this plot?  Luck. Accidental? No the sovereignty of God is at work in the life of Paul, just as it is in our lives. Let us understand this attribute of God, for it will enable us and empower us to live life as God intended for us to live. A life without fear, a life of contentment and peace. Notice I did not say a life without trouble. To understand the sovereignty of God, let us go directly to the source, to God. This is God speaking as recorded in Isaiah 44:6-8: “ This is what the Lord says, Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come- yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No,there is no other Rock; I know no one.”

Paul writes in Colossians 1: “For by Him, all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Our Sovereign God, Almighty God, our Heavenly Father is before all things- eternally pre-existent before the mountains were born. He created all things; He is above all things; He upholds all things; He knows all things; He accomplishes all things; He rules over all things; and He is in control of all things.  That is why I believe Him and that is why I love Him and that is why I serve Him. He, and He alone is the ultimate source of all power, authority, and everything that exists.

And because of His Sovereignty and His Faithfulness we are assured – He will finish that which He has started; and if we stumble, or fall we will not be cast out for He upholds us with His right hand and we know He is able to work all things together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

So Paul’s nephew over hearing the plot is not a coincidence or luck, it is Gods’ sovereignty at work. Paul has the centurions take his nephew to the commander to warn him of the plot.

Claudius Lysias, the commander who has become Paul’s protector writes a letter to the governor, Felix as he arranges for fast and secret transfer of Paul to Caesarea at night under heavy guard. In his letter, the commander informs Felix of Paul’s Roman citizenship and also that he finds no merit in the charges brought against him by the Sanhedrin.   The commander appears to be ridding himself of a problem and making sure he protects himself of any liabilities. It would appear a clear case of self-interest on his part- but the real story is once again the sovereignty of God at work in what appears to be ordinary events.

Upon being transferred under Governor Felix’s care, Felix asks where Paul is from and learns he is from Cilicia. Again seemingly on the surface, an innocent question asked to ascertain under which jurisdiction Paul is. Remember Paul saying he was from Tarsus, in Cilicia, ‘ a citizen of no ordinary city.’  What was special about Tarsus and Cilicia? They were one of the districts under the direct supervision of the Emperor. Which meant, eventually, this is who Paul will appear before.  Coincidence? No- once again the sovereignty of God. A God so in control of circumstances who allowed a sycamore tree to grow in a certain location so that one day a short man named Zacchaeus, would be able to climb it to see Jesus . For no other tree would have worked for Z as he needed the low limbs of that particular tree to be able to reach it and climb up it.

TRIAL BEFORE FELIX

While we may never appear in court or in a judicial system as a defendant for our faith, we will each be called to defend our faith in the court of public opinion.  And as occurred with Paul, we must be ready to defend our faith.  Remember who our attorney is- the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our advocate.  The High Priest, Ananias and the elders arrive with their lawyer, Tertullus to appear before Felix and make their accusations.  Remember the devil, is our enemy and his very name means he is a slanderer.  So here is the courtroom setting: Felix the governor, Ananias the high priests,the elders( the leaders of the Sanhedrin), and their lawyer, Tertullus.

Tertullus begins his charges with a statement intended to flatter Felix. Flattery is the language of the powerful and those who want to impress the powerful. Insincere praise is the conversation in the culture of politics. It is interesting that the High Priest, himself has come down for this hearing which shows the deep hatred that Ananias has for Paul.

Three charges are made against Paul.

1. He is a revolutionary person who incites riots among the citizens. He is a source of civil disorder.
2. He is a member of a sect, known as the Way of the Nazarene. A group known to have cause trouble in Jerusalem and other parts of the country.
3. He has profaned, desecrated the temple. The Temple was of great interest to the Roman Empire for they collected monies from the temple.

Then Paul is called to testify. He refutes each charge with logic, reason and evidence and reliable witnesess and proof easily provided that refutes the charges.

1. He was not found arguing or stirring up anyone in the temple or synagogue.
2. He was a worshipper of the God of our Fathers as a follower of the Way. He believed the Old Testament, the law and the Prophets and had the same hope these men did in the resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
3. He had not desecrated the temple, he had in fact entered the temple in an act of cleansing and purification.

Felix calls for an adjournment in the proceedings on the pretext of getting more information from Lysias, the Roman commander to make his ruling. However, he has already received what he needs to know in Lysias’ letter.  So there are some other motives involved here that we will soon discover. Paul continues to be held under guard, but is given certain liberties and is in effect, under house arrest.

Several days later Felix along with his Jewish wife,Drusilla send for Paul to listen to him about his faith in Jesus Christ.

A word about this historical figure, Felix,the governor.  His wife, Drusilla, is the daughter of Herod Agrippa, who was the one who beheaded James, the brother of John. She is his third wife. Felix is an immoral man, as he had already had two wives and Drusilla was the wife of another when he persuaded her to come live with him as his wife. He is a political opportunist and motivated by power and money as we will see he seeks to obtain a bribe from Paul. But in spite of this he has a natural curiosity  about faith in Jesus Christ. Thus he invites Paul to come speak to him and his wife.

Acts 24:25 tells us Paul’s discussion with Felix and Drusilla.  Paul reasons with this famous couple on three areas:

1. Righteousness
2. Self-control
3. Judgment to come.

Let us look at these three areas of Paul’s discourse and we will realize why they placed the fear of God in Felix’s heart and mind.

Righteousness is God’s expectation of mankind. Since we are created by God and for God, He can make demands of His creation. His first demand is Righteousness. It is for this purpose we were created, given life and breath. We exist because God willed for us to exist. And we exist for a purpose. The chief end of man is to glorify  God and enjoy Him forever.  ( Westminister Catechism.)  We glorify God when we obey Him. We come short of the glory of God when we sin. And all have sinned. All have come short of the glory of God. Ever since the fall in the Garden, mankind has been born with a sinful nature. And we know when sin entered the world so did death. And mankind born with a sinful nature is powerless when it comes to living a righteous, holy sinless life.  In other words, mankind is incapable of behaving the way God created us to behave.

Ask the man in the street today what is wrong with the world and you will get a list of answers like this:  kids now days have no respect for their parents and elders; parents are not disciplining their children, public schools are lousy, entertainment is godless and perverse, drugs are rampant, pornography is everywhere, government is corrupt, society is by and large self- centered, war, violence and terror rule.  In other words, people are not behaving the way they should. And the Blame Game begins in predictable fashion.  It was true in Paul’s day , in Noah’s day and today. People are selfish by nature and live for themselves.

What is the answer to righteousness- self-control.  If we are to behave as God intended us to behave, we must exercise self-control.  Here in lies the problem- we are powerless to control self. Self Control is a fruit of the Spirit. ( Galatians 5).  This fruit of the Spirit is God’s provision to meet the demands of righteousness.  So God’s plan of salvation involves His Sovereignty as Creator of all things. When we realize through conviction of the Holy Spirit we are sinners and powerless over sin and ask Christ our Redeemer to save us- we renounce, sin, self and Satan. We invite Jesus into our lives and we in turn share in His life. Our Creator makes us a new creation with  a new nature and a new mind and a new morality. But here is the key- the Holy Spirit comes into our life and provides us with what we could not do in our own strength- self control. Self control is a fruit of the Spirit that allows us and empowers us to meet God’s demand of righteousness.  God never demands something of us, He will not empower us to do. He gives us the desire to do His good pleasure and He gives us the power to do His good pleasure through the indwelling Spirit who provides us with the fruit of Self Control.

Paul is simply telling Felix and Drusilla what God demands- righteousness. It is a righteousness that man is powerless to do in his own strength.  God provides the Holy Spirit who provides the fruit of self control whereby one can behave as God intended for mankind to behave. To obtain the Spirit is to renounce sin, self and Satan and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Then Paul tells his audience- there is a future judgment of the righteous and the wicked. It is this that strikes fear in the heart and mind of Felix. Felix is under conviction- the spiritual battle for his very eternal soul hangs in the balance. He wants what many want- to live life the way they want to live it without God telling them what they can and cannot do and yet not face eternal consequences.  Surely , no one wants to fall into the hands of an angry God and face an eternity of punishment and isolation.

Felix wants what a lot of people want- they want their cake and to eat is also. They want a ‘ god’  of their own making, on their own terms. Felix ‘s conscience is convicting him, he knows if Paul is right that he has not behaved as God intended him to behave. He is unrighteous. He is a sinner. His treasure is money and power and sex . And where your treasure is there will your heart be also. He would like to have this God and assurance of heaven- but he wants God on his terms with his treasure intact as he wants it.

He does not want to renounce sin, for he enjoys it; he does not want to renounce self- for self is what he lives for and he does not realize that in not renouncing those two- he is not renouncing the one who is in control of his live, the devil, the father of lies.

Watch what Felix does?  He tells Paul that is enough for now. Felix is afraid of the truth. Does not want to consider the possibilities of what can happen in the future. He procrastinates. “ When I find it CONVENIENT, I will send for you.”  What a dangerous thing is procrastination- it is called the thief of time and in can steal one’s eternity.

What about Paul?  What is Paul learning? For what Paul is learning is a lesson to be learned for all of us.

Paul will be in the Roman judicial system for the next 5 + years.  It is here he will learn a lesson that is modeled for us in the life of Paul.  It is the discipline of delay. It is the secret of contentment. We are seeing the problems created  in our nation and in the world due to the lack of understanding of the discipline of delay and the secret of contentment.  Believing one should have what they want when they want it without having to save for it and instead  borrowing money in order to have it now to feel content is one of the principle causes of financial ruin.  Listen to these famous verses of Paul: “ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ( A disciple is a learner and evidently contentment is learned. Also contentment is the opposite of complaining.) I know what it is to be  in need ( abased-KJV), and I know what is to have plenty, an abundance. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in  plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Paul said this lesson of contentment is learned through being in need, being abased and humbled and it is learned though having plenty. Did you notice which came first- the being in need,the being abased, humbled by your circumstances.  Success and failure are two sides of the same coin of progress in the Pilgrim’s life. We learn from both. We learn there is only one way to be content.

Paul said the secret was he knew he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.

Undergirding this lesson is believing God is Sovereign. Do you believe God saw your last day before  your first day ever began?  So we live our life that is like a tight rope suspended between two poles that hold the tight rope up.  God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Responsibilities are the two poles from which this tight rope called life is suspended.

Though we stumble or fall we will not be utterly cast down, for He upholds us with His right hand.

Do you see what Felix was doing?  He was weighing the promises of sin against the promises of God.

Let me remind you of this, that as a Christian- the One to whom you pray has power over the entire universe. He created it and controls it and upholds it. He has all knowledge and all power.  Yet wonder of wonders- He loves me infinitely and cares about me.

Why not trust Him with all your heart? And if you do- He will direct your paths.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it.” ( I Timothy 6)

Acts 2:37-3:10 What Shall We Do?

“Brothers what shall we do?”   Having been cut to the heart, deeply convicted, made aware of their condition- the people want  to know what can they do. This is what happens when the Spirit of God is at work.  You can hear the despair in their voices as they realized who the Lord Jesus is and what they had done.  Let us look carefully at what Peter tells them in answer  to their plea.

“ Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness (remission) of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord Our God will call.” Today, 2000 years later the answer to the question of the convicted sinner what shall we do- is still the same. Let us look carefully at these instructions given on that day.

Repent is the first action. Repent is a word that means-‘to change one’s mind; to change your thinking.’ When one changes his/her mind about something it will result in a change in their behavior. (When people describe repentance as ‘turning from your sin’ what they are really describing is the effect of repentance [ a change in your thinking] which results in a change in your direction.) In this case- this is the change of mind of unbelievers. Peter was calling for these people to repent, that is ‘change their minds’ about  rejecting  Jesus Christ. Peter is calling for them to change their minds and recognize that this Jesus , whom they crucified is Lord and Christ. These people on that day changed their mind about what they believed about Jesus of Nazareth. They moved from unbelief to belief  that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, Lord and Savior and He had paid the penalty for their sins.

Repentance is not regret only- being sorry for what you have done. Regret only is usually a symptom of self pity, which I believe is what Judas experienced. Regret over past actions that have caused conviction in the present is what this crowd was experiencing and they wanted to know what they could do. Repent- means a change in your thinking, a change of heart which when combined with godly sorrow results in faith by which we receive grace resulting in salvation for by grace are you saved through faith.

Repentance and faith are inseparable.  Repentance focuses on changing one’s mind about God and Christ; while faith in Christ focuses on receiving Him as Savior. “ To those who receive Him, to those who believed  IN HIS NAME, He gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent  nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” ( John 1:12,13) It is impossible to place your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior without first changing your mind about Who He is and what He has done.  Either one has rejected Him willfully- seeing the light but preferring darkness.  Or rejected Him through ignorance or indifference, not caring for their sins the Savior died. But Biblical repentance in relation to salvation is changing your mind from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ.

No one can repent and come to God unless God draws them to Himself. (John 6:44). And God is patient not willing that any should perish, but all would come to repentance.(2Peter 3:9) God, furthermore, has revealed Himself through creation and through one’s conscience.  So that all are without excuse(Romans 1 &2)  Jesus died not only for our sins- but for the sins of the whole world.(I John 2).(John 3:16)  So everything that needs to be done has been done.

Repentance for a believer who has committed sin(s) is necessary not to maintain salvation- but fellowship. Genuine repentance involves- confession. Agreement with God that we have sinned.

Genuine repentance recognizes sin is against God.

Genuine repentance includes taking full responsibility for one’s sin.  True repentance hates the sin and it hates it most because one discovers how it makes God feel(it grieves Him) and in doing so and looking at the cross we discover how much God loves us.

( Just a note to believers:  The longer you put off repentance- the greater God’s discipline. Be wise and repent immediately upon conviction. )

So the first instruction is to REPENT. For the unbeliever and believer it means we are putting the Lord Jesus the Son of God where He belongs in our life-on the throne of our hearts. For the unbeliever- He was not even in our lives; and for the believer who sins- we had dethroned Him putting flesh/self on the throne.

Now since this passage deals with the repentance of the unbeliever what is the next instruction Peter gives- Be Baptized  every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  Baptism has become a controversial subject  due  to denominational differences and our religious heritage- what denomination we grew up in.   Jesus’ instruction referred to as the Great Commission in Matthew 28 state: “ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, BAPTIZING  them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The word- baptism, is not a denominational word it comes from Greek word- baptizo. Baptizo in the Greek language means to ‘plunge, submerge or immerse.’ Thus the word described an action, such as a piece of cloth dipped ( baptized) into dye.  The word was first used in the context of religion in the Jewish culture. The word ‘baptize’ was used with ritual washings. It was also used when a Gentile became Jewish in faith, they went through a number of rituals and ceremonies including circumcision, a covenant meal, and a ritual bath. The bath was an outward sign or symbol of dying to the old Gentile life and starting a new life as a Jew.

Next came John the Baptist, so named because he baptized and preached repentance of sins. And the water baptism he  performed was a symbol of the washing away of one’s sins. So before the day of Pentecost, baptisms of these nature were common. John the Baptists told the crowds, ‘I baptize with water, but there is coming after me, one whose sandals I am not worthy to latch who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Most people did not understand Who the Holy Spirit was .

So let us not confuse this with the baptism of the Holy Spirit which occurs at salvation, when the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer seal them once and for all. This baptism is an act of  spiritual immersion that has occurred- so that I am in Him and He is in me. ( Just like the white cloth dipped (baptized) in the red dye producing  something new that did not exist before.)

Here is the question before us- does Acts 2:38 teach that water baptism is necessary for salvation? NO. The Bible is clear: “ For by grace are you saved by faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God and not of works lest any man should  boast.” (Ephesians 2:8&9)  No works included for salvation- this includes water baptism. Water baptism adds nothing to your repentance- your change of mind. Those who believe in what is called ‘baptismal  regeneration’ believe water baptism is necessary for salvation.

As a Christian and a Baptist, I believe water baptism is an important step of obedience but reject it is necessary for salvation.  I based this on the above scriptures from Ephesians 2 and many other verses tell us salvation is received by faith alone. We are justified by faith and it was these and many other verses that led Luther to proclaim that by faith in the finished work of Jesus we are saved and not by any works that man can do or add to the finished work of Christ.

Here is what I conclude from the study of these verses:

*Baptism from the very beginning represented identification and allegiance. It was outward symbol of an inward decision.

*It is a picture of cleansing from sin and an old way of life.

*It is a picture of death, burial and resurrection.

*It is a public confession and identification of your life with Christ.

Were baptism necessary for salvation – the thief on the cross would have missed out. It is however, clear the thief did not miss out for he was assured by the Lord Jesus – he would be with Him that day in Paradise. He was saved the moment he believed. If baptism was necessary for salvation, I cannot imagine the Apostle Paul writing this statement: “ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel.”( ICor. 1:17)

In addition if we look ahead to Acts 10 and the account of Cornelius and his friends and relatives. Verse 43 as Peter is preaching he states: “ all the prophets testify about Him(Jesus) that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” The following verses tells us to the surprise of those with Peter  the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. Peter then says ‘can anyone keep us from baptizing these with water for they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. They were baptized after they were saved- after they received the Spirit.

So on the Day of Pentecost we see conviction that led to conversion. Conversion leads to confession followed by commitment . Commitment  which results  in corporate worship that includes genuine care for each other. Then the Lord having  begun a good work will complete as we see the church continuing steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, and fellowship and in breaking bread and in prayers.

Here we see in its infancy the way church is supposed to function as the ‘body’ of Christ. This is truly a Purpose Driven Church. Let us observe the traits of a Purpose Driven Church:

1. Growing church that added daily to their numbers.
2. Super natural church where members were filled with awe and many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles.
3. A unified church. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Fellowship was sweet and rich and real
4. A sharing church. The first original ‘Cold Water Fund’ where each gave a portion to help those in need.
5. Worshiping church praising God.
6. A praying church. Devoted to prayer.

If these are the measures of how the church, the Body of Christ is to operate- how are we doing in comparison? If they are not there – I believe the Spirit of God is grieved.  There was obviously a work going on there in the early church that was something more than human power at work. Yet in Revelation, we see the Lord standing  OUTSIDE  the door of the church knocking for entrance.

THE HEALING OF THE CRIPPLED BEGGAR.

In chapter 3, Dr. Luke tells of a healing incident. There is a man crippled from birth who was put every day at the temple gate called Beautiful to beg alms. On this particular day as Peter and John are about to enter- he asked them for money.  Peter looked straight at him and said: ‘Look at us.’

I believe the next verse is important. Verse 5 tells us –“ so the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.” Don’t you see this crippled beggar was expecting to get something? Don’t you imagine he was hopeful, expectant and that his faith had been quickened by Peter’s words? Let me ask you this- are you expecting anything from God?  Do you greet each day with a sense of expectancy based on quickened faith? Do you come to church with a sense that God will do something wonderful that day? Could it be possible nothing is happening- because we do not expect it to happen?  Jesus asked the two blind men (Matthew 9) ‘ do you believe I am able to do this? Yes they replied. According to your faith it will be done.  Yet in His hometown of Nazareth we are told in Matthew 13- ‘He did not many miracles there because of the lack of faith.’

Peter then tells the man- silver and gold I do not have- but what I do have I give to you . In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk. And taking his hand Peter helped him up and instantly the man’s feet and ankles were strengthened and he began to walk and jump and praise the Lord.  And the crowd saw this and were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened.

If Peter and John had been wealthy- they could have given this man money and not only would  he have not walked- no one would be filled with wonder and awe at the power of God. Thank God, Peter and John were not wealthy in the things of this world for if they had been- they would have relied on their wealth to do something in their own strength. But remember- the Lord’s power is made perfect  in weakness.

There is a spiritual picture here for us, which why I believe the Holy Spirit had Dr. Luke record this event. The lame man is a picture of the world around us lying at the door of God, asking for help. All around us is a sick, lame , crippled society unable to live as God intended for man to live.  They look to the church, the door  of God for help. They do not know what to ask for- so usually they look for their physical, material needs to be met, just as this lame man did. He needed stuff- he needed food and clothing and he could not work. And there is nothing wrong with the church and believers  helping those in need by supplying those needs. But the  Red Cross can do that and does it well, as do many other secular, man-made organizations. If we only do that we are no better than they are. What God wants us to give to a spiritually dead and sick society is a new life- not just silver and gold. A new life in the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  It is not a question of the physical life- although physical needs should be met. It is a matter of the spiritual life. The healing hand of Jesus extended by us His Body to help a man, or woman or child rise up from their condition and be made whole.

The name of Jesus has not lost its power to transform lives. It can certainly do it physically, but more important it can do it spiritually.

It is interesting as I look back to that day, that Friday, September 16, 1977, when I got saved.

Sin sick, spiritually dead, a desperate alcoholic  -unable to rise above my circumstances .Do you know where God sent me that morning?  I was sent to a church that morning for my first AA meeting. And there was one man at that church that morning that after  the  meeting came to me and in words and deeds said- Look at me. I gave him my attention. I did not know what to expect- but somehow I expected something. My hope and  faith had been quickened that morning.   In effect  this man said – What I have I will give you in the name of Jesus.  He extended his hand and his time to me- a crippled beggar that God had laid at that church door that fateful day.

A miracle of healing was taking place. Only in looking back can I see how  much a miracle  it was. For when God made the world – He simply spoke it into being- but when He made me whole, when He saved my soul- it took a miracle of His love and grace.

You see the Lord told the disciples and us to be His witnesses. If you look at the stories of people who were healed by the Lord or the apostles they began to tell other people what the Lord had done. That is what witnessing is.  True witnessing always follows this pattern.

First God works – He does something only God can do.

God changes a life. The person who is changed tells others what God did. We tell our story- the way it was- what happened and the way we are now.

Then people hear the story- our testimony. Which is what a witness does- they testify. “ I was blind and now I see.” The lame man began to walk and jump and praise the Lord. I was a drunk and now I am sober! And some people who hear the story will have God work in their life- as a result of hearing how God worked in your life. That is how AA works- it is based on people sharing their testimony and extending a hand to help others.

Witnessing is not talking about your church. (although there is a proper time for this) Witnessing is not giving an explanation about salvation and how it works as in the Four Spiritual Laws. ( I am not saying the Four Spiritual Laws does not have a place in the process.) But witnessing is telling your story. And we have the Greatest Story to ever tell. And you do not have to be a theologian- you only have to tell your story.

Look around and if you will look at others and the world through the eyes of faith- you will see that God is still working miracles. And you can be used just as the apostles were used. Just tell your story. You do have a story, don’t you? In His Name –you can be set free and then tell others your story- go tell it on a mountain!

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14

Acts 23: The Privileges and Responsibilities of Citizenship

As we read in the closing verses of Acts 22, we see Paul led away by the Roman soldiers, their commander orders Paul to be flogged( scourged) and questioned. As they are preparing Paul to be flogged, Paul said to the centurion: “ Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t been found guilty?” (Acts 22;26)

The centurion calls in his commander who questions Paul regarding his claim to be a Roman citizen. The commander admits he had paid a great deal of money for his Roman citizenship to which  Paul replies – he was born a citizen.  With this revelation, the commander releases Paul.

However, his curiosity about this man, Paul, leads the commander to take Paul to the Sanhedrin to find out what exactly were  the charges against Paul by these Jews.

Paul did not hesitate to utilize one of his most valuable possessions- his Roman citizenship. He identifies himself as a Roman citizen and proclaims his rights as a Roman citizen which brings the intended scourging to a stop.

Do you realize that as a believer you are a citizen of heaven?  Perhaps it is this very situation, that prompted Paul to write those words in Philippians 3:20-´For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body…’

Do you fully understand your new identity and the rights and privileges of your citizenship? Or have you allowed the one who is called a thief to steal your identity?  Consider the following rights and privileges you possess as a Christian, a citizen of heaven, and know that with those rights comes responsibilities. Let’s establish the link between our citizenship and the capability of having a good- clear conscience. For the danger of becoming a carnal Christian is to become desensitized to sin having a conscience that is defiled and rationalizes sin.

• Citizen of heaven.
• A chosen generation.
• A royal priesthood.
• God’s own special people.
• We are called the children of God, adopted
• Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
• Blessed with every heavenly blessing

The list could go on- but you get the point- we have a new identity that comes from our relationship with God. With that new identity and position comes not only privileges, but also responsibilities:

*Proclaim the Praises of Him who called you out of darkness

*To not be conformed by the world

*Be transformed by the renewing our your mind .

*Face persecution and hostility.

*To be His Witnesses

* To make disciples.

If one does not take full responsibility for the demands and privilege of our citizenship- we are not true to our cause. In America, we have the freedom to be engaged in the public arena of debate and opinion having freedom of speech; we are also called to be informed citizens who vote their convictions. Are we to do no less as citizens of heaven?

PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

Acts 23 begins with Paul before the Sanhedrin to be questioned. Let’s listen to Paul’s opening statement:  “ My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all GOOD CONSCIENCE  to this day.”

If we are to live up to our identity and our new nature, there is one essential component: a good conscience, a clear conscience. If we are to face difficulty in this world, we must face it with a clear conscience . We must be morally clean and theologically correct. We must, in fact, live by the Word of God. We must, in other words, be good citizens of heaven.

Conscience is that faculty that God placed in man that passes moral judgment. Paul wrote in Romans 2 –‘ indeed when the Gentiles who do not have the law, do by nature, things required by the law, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show the requirements of the law are written in their heart, their consciences also bearing witness and their thoughts now accusing , now even defending them.’

A conscience that is not conformed or informed by the Word of God will not necessarily pass accurate judgments. When one’s mind has been transformed by the Word of God, then one’s conscience has a reference of absolute truth to bear witness.

The Bible describes the following conditions of the conscience: a weak conscience ( I Cor. 8:7); a defiled conscience ( Titus 1:15) ; an evil conscience ( Hebrews 10:22); and a seared conscience ( I Tim. 4:2). A seared conscience is one so scarred by sin that it no longer responds to the proddings of divine truth. This conscience cannot assess things properly. It has been conformed to the world’s thinking. We do not realize how this has gradually taken over the conventional thinking.  It is interesting our own president says and writes:  “ Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation.” ( The Audacity of Hope.) It is sad to say as a Christian, this statement is probably true.

Again, want an example of our country’s seared conscience listen to  President Obama in 2009 said: “ My expectation is that when you look back on these years… you will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and  ADMIRABLE as relationships between a man and a woman.” In Genesis God established marriage as between a man and a woman. Jesus confirmed this in Matthew 19: “ Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female and said , ‘for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’ Homosexual lifestyle is not presented in God’s Word as an alternative lifestyle; or admirable; it is presented as sin, as unnatural and a perversion.  Yet our President, who only reflects the opinion of the majority states exactly the opposite and says it is ‘ admirable.’

Whatever you might think of abortion personally, as a Christian we must consider what God’s Word says –‘His eyes saw my unformed substance and all my days ordained for me were written in your book.’ Do you believe the Word of God? For if you do believe it- God says we were a living being in our mother’s womb even before the body was formed. The Bible says we reap what we sew. Since 1973, there have been over 50 million abortions.  The law of our land, says this is a woman’s right. Want some cold, hard facts:  what would 50 million additional consumers do for our economy? What would these additional taxpayers mean to our governments’ budget?  And what about the additional 20 million children we could reasonably predict would have been born to those aborted between 1973 and 1989.  That would give us over 70 million additional people living, working, spending a paying taxes and guess what- helping to support the 77 million baby-boomers entering retirement.

Do you see how bold the enemy has become? Do you understand what has happened?  Our nation’s collective conscience has become seared. The enemy, the thief and murderer who comes to steal and destroy has stolen the birthright and citizenship of our country.

Ever since the Garden of Eden, the serpent has been on the attack. His attack is launched at the Word of God. Against the Absolute Truth, for he is the father of all lies. He began an attack with this one question: “ Did God really say- You must not eat of every tree of the garden?” ( Genesis 3)  The enemy questions the authority- did God really say it?  He questions the accuracy- is it every tree ?  And he questions the application- you shall not eat. He also questions God’s motives- intimating when they eat of this tree they will be like God. In other words, God is restricting your freedoms. The devil says God is a liar, whose word cannot be trusted.

Here is our problem as a nation and as believers- we have changed our foundation from God’s Word to man’s word. Is this not what happened to the nation of Israel?  Haven’t these men before whom Paul now stands, added to the Word of God- man’s word and held it in as high regard as the Word of God?

On the other hand, the Bible commends a good conscience ( I Tim1:15); a blameless conscience, and a clear conscience.  How do we attain this?  A Christian’s conscience must be informed and shaped by the standards of God’s Word. If we are to strengthen our consciences we must expose them to the truths of Scripture.

Solomon wrote, ‘ there is nothing new under the sun.’ Paul faced a culture shaped by sinful lifestyle, sexual immorality and religious leaders who would not stand on the Word of God as absolute truth and  claiming to be wise, they became fools exchanging the glory of God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. ( idols in other words, symbols.) These men in the Sanhedrin were powerful. They had great influence on the people. Ananias as High Priest was all about control.

What does the world and our culture do when we proclaim the absolute truth of God’s Word as Paul did?  There is the same three responses:  the Truth will divide, it will revive or it will cause a riot. The authorities wanted to shut the mouth of Paul. Ananias, the High Priest, orders those standing close to Paul to strike him where?  In the mouth. Shut his mouth.  Do you remember what these same Sanhedrin members did when listening to Gods’ truth as spoken by Stephen in Acts &?  “ They covered their ears and yelled at the top of their voices…”

Our culture does not want to hear us proclaim the truth. Have you noticed what has happened in the Book of Acts, ever since the Lord Jesus told them before He ascended to heaven: to be My Witnesses. He also instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit who would empower them. Ten days later the Holy Spirit came and on the Day of Pentecost the church of our Lord Jesus began. And so did persecution. The apostles were called in and told not to speak in the name of Jesus anymore or face further punishment.

James was beheaded. Peter was imprisoned. They were flogged. Paul was stoned and left for dead, imprisoned, flogged and  barely escaped death on numerous occasions.

The Sanhedrin was composed of two main bodies- the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Their beliefs were very different- the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, nor in angel or spirits. In other words, the Sadducees did not believe in the supernatural. The Pharisees did believe in the resurrection of the dead and angels and spirits. Interesting we find these two types of philosophy in the world and in our churches today. The liberal who does not believe in literal interpretation of Scripture and those who believe the Word of God is inspired and infallible.   Paul would later write:  If Christ be not risen, our faith is in vain; but He is risen indeed. This  the central truth of Christianity. It is interesting to note of those early Jewish believers who became Christians, i.e. Nicodemus, were Pharisees. We see Pharisees become Christians, but there is no recorded conversion of Sadducees. A Pharisee could become a Christian and remain a Pharisee- a Sadducee could not become a believer and remain a Sadducee. He would have to renounce his former life. Deny self and take up his cross and follow  Jesus. Like the rich man who was told to go sell all his possessions and give them to the poor and come follow Jesus went away sad because he had rather have silver and gold than Jesus.

Once again we see  the truth that divides, revives and causes riots. Paul is whisked away to safety by his unique protector, the Roman Commander. The Lord assures Paul that night “ Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem so you must also testify in Rome.”

Paul will be headed to Rome as he will next transferred to Caesarea as plots to kill him are uncovered. We will continue with the story of Paul as he enters the Roman judicial system.

CLOSING COMMENTS

Today many  of the intelligent agnostics and professed atheists cannot believe because in their pride- they must admit they were wrong- dead wrong. They have believed the word of man, rather than the Word of God. They believe everything must be accounted for by science, natural actions and one cannot take into account that anything can occur supernaturally. In other words, they have a Sadducee philosophy that does not believe in the resurrection of the dead or angels or spirits.

Who made that rule? A rule that says we cannot take into account the role of supernatural intervention.  It is the unbelievers who have made this rule. It is the Sadducees of the world, the ones who do not believe in the supernatural or absolute truth.  They say we are to decide and base our truths on what they ( being more intelligent than us average bumpkins) say happened rather than what God says happened.

It was true in Paul’s day and it is true today.

Ever been told, even by a Christian, that the creation account cannot be taken literally. That science has proved otherwise. The “ Big Bang” theory, evolution, millions and millions of years, dinosaurs and all those ‘ things.’ Let’s think about this: First of all those who do not believe the Word of God as absolute truth believe the word of man.  Remember science does not accept as an explanation or reason anything supernatural occurring.  Isn’t it interesting this is exactly what the Sadducees believed. They did not believe in anything that could not be explained by the natural.

Do you, as a Christian, believe in the supernatural?  Of course you must believe in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus to be saved according to Romans 10:9.  That is a belief in the supernatural.

If we do not believe in the creation account as recorded in God’s word, then how do we account for the fact that Jesus believed in it, as he quoted it as fact in Matthew 19:4 – “ Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female..” ( Interesting to note- Jesus knows what happened- because He was there. John 1.)

The first eleven chapters of Genesis are the chapters that are debated by scholars, theologians and scientists as being not an accurate and scientific account of the beginning – creation. Since science will not take into account the possibility of supernatural intervention, many in the church have attempted to explain how we can adjust the creation account to fit within science. Why? If we believe in the supernatural- why is this even a question?!

Consider the importance of the first eleven chapters of Genesis. They are our foundation. We have creation- how man came to be and the purpose for which he was created; the corruption ( the fall, sin enters the world and death), catastrophe- the flood, and we have confusion in Genesis 11 at the Tower of Babel. If we do not believe the first 11 chapters- which explain sin, death, and the solution to man’s problem designed by God our doctrine is flawed because our foundation is flawed. For if we do not believe the first 11 chapters as truth, then how can we explain the obvious belief of Jesus that the creation account is true? Do you really believe Jesus could be mistaken about creation? For in the New Testament we have Christ, the Cross and the Consummation in Revelation.  If those first four C’s are not true- then neither are the last three C’s.

The unbeliever wants to remove sin- redefine right and wrong and remove guilt. You can then indulge in sin and be comfortable. To do this the unbeliever must conclude there is no God. Creation and the universe are a couple of huge stumbling blocks. How did we get here? How did all of this- earth, space, stars, galaxies,etc. get here?  Evolution is their explanation of creation without God. And slowly the heat is turned up, the lie is repeated   and the conscience is seared.

‘Whatever we once were….remember what we once were?

‘…we are no longer a Christian nation.”  ( Barack Obama, “ Audacity of Hope”)

“ My expectation is that when you look back on these years….. you will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman.” President Obama, 2009

“ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits, and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared with  a hot iron.   ( I Timothy 4: 1,2)

“ If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in truths of the faith and of the good teaching you have followed.: ( I Tim. 4:6)

So I encourage you- to expose yourself to God’s truth. It is your privilege and responsibility as a citizen of heaven.

The Bible is God’s word, the absolute truth. Read it – to be wise. Believe it to be safe. Practice it to be Holy. Let it fill your memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is given you in life, will be opened at judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and  WILL CONDEMN ALL WHO TRIFLE WITH ITS SACRED CONTENTS.

(Gideon Bible Foreword)

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14

Acts 2: 14-   What’s Going On Here?

“How is this that each of us hear in his own native language” What does this mean?  Drawn by the sound of a mighty rushing wind the crowd is utterly amazed to hear these uneducated Galileans speak in their own native language. Notice this is not an ‘unknown tongue’, Paul writes of in I Corinthians 14- but known languages.

They were speaking in different languages but they were saying the same things. They were declaring the wonders of God. They were praising God for how great He is- they were not preaching the gospel yet. Interesting that the Psalms tells us we enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.

First the sound of a mighty rushing wind attracts their attention.  The mighty rushing wind is a symbol of the invisible power of the Holy Spirit. One of the Holy Spirit’s duties is to convict one of sin and righteousness.  Here the Spirit draws a crowd then empowers the 120 as they are baptized with the Spirit and Fire to do the work of the ministry.

Interesting that even today many will be drawn to a music program at a church to hear people praise the Lord for His wondrous works. We read the people that day were not only amazed – but also perplexed, they wondered and were asking:  What does all of this mean? What’s going on here? Wondered means they sought a solution- an answer to their questions.  As always  there are those who scoff at the supernatural works of God- explaining away miracles and wonders as was the case of those who claimed and accused these of being full of new wine- drunk in other words.

These unanswered questions demanded a reasonable answer. These people who wondered what was going on- wanted an answer. They wanted to understand that day what was the purpose of all of this? It set the stage for Peter to stand up and raise his voice to get the attention of this gathering crowd. Peter says ‘let me explain to you what is going on- listen carefully to what I have to say.’

Peter then precedes to tell the crowd- these men are not drunk as you suppose, it’s only nine in the morning. (*I have noticed three things about successful people in the business world and in all areas of life:  [1]they ask good questions that uncover needs;[2] they have good, well-thought out answers to frequent questions; and [3] they are able to get one’s attention.) In fact when you think about it- this is exactly what the Lord often did. From the first question in the Bible –(where are you?) to the Lord Jesus’ question-‘who do men say I am? Who do you say I am? The  Bible tells us to ‘be prepared in season and out of season’ to speak the needed word.  Certainly this is what Peter does in this situation. He is prepared with the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and prayer to ‘ correct, rebuke, and  encourage with great patience and careful instruction.’ ( 2Timothy 4:2)  It is obvious Peter has been with the Lord, has been in His Word and on his knees in prayer and filled with the Spirit. All prerequisites for effective preaching, teaching and witnessing.

Peter tells them: “ No this is what was spoken of by the prophet Joel”. He then quotes the  scriptures from the book of Joel, a prophet who lived centuries before in 600 BC. Further proof to me, Peter has been engrafting  the Word of God in his heart through meditation and memorization. Notice the Spirit is bestowed on men and women, young and old and they all would prophesy. Peter does not refer to the gift of tongues which is being displayed as they are empowered to speak and be understood in different known languages. Instead, Peter’s emphasis is on the greater gift Joel spoke of that is now occurring- the gift of prophecy. Prophecy is the ability, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to declare the Word of God with power.

This new age- the age of Grace, the age of the Church will begin with the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost . It will end, Peter indicates, when the sun turns to darkness and the moon into blood. This will occur in the future as Jesus, Himself spoke of these signs of His return in Matthew 24.  This age where we are now- is the age of faith- the age of belief. The beginning was 2000 years ago at Pentecost in Jerusalem. The end lies after the Great Tribulation.

From that day at Pentecost until the Lord’s return of this we can be sure- ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!’

Now a word about tongues. When one is saved today- will they speak in tongues? Remember what John told us in I John 4 that we are to ‘ test or try the Spirits.

We must remember what this new religion was like- its leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, had come and gone. The church, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ is about to be newly birthed at the day of Pentecost.  It was described as a new covenant which immediately represented a threat to the religious leaders at that time the Pharisees and members of the established Sanhedrin.

This new work which would be called, The Way ,had no Bible ( the New Testament had not been written) had a handful of leaders, and no support from the established Jewish religious community and authorities as well as no support from the government. They will in fact be persecuted by both.

It was also a time of many false religions and with false teaching creeping into even this new work, The Way. How was a person to discern what was the truth- what was from God and what was from man? We are told in Hebrews 2: 3-4: “This salvation which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.”

This is how God confirmed or authenticated His message and messengers through signs, wonders and miracles. On the day of Pentecost these believers spoke in tongues that were known languages. It was a genuine gift  and work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus performed many miracles that John referred to as signs and wonders for they authenticated He was who He claimed to be. This is what was occurring on the day of Pentecost- a sign from God that confirmed this work was from God.

Today, some believe speaking in tongues is an evidence of being filled with the Spirit. But I cannot find a verse in the Bible that tells me this is a sign and evidence of being filled, despite the fact that we are told many times in many ways to be filled with the Spirit.

Some believe the purpose of tongues is to enable them to have a prayer language between that person and God.  I do not dispute this- but Paul clearly states in I Corinthians 14:2- “ For anyone who speaks in a tongue, does not speak to men but to God.” Paul also says in I Corinthians 14:14” For if I pray in a tongue, my Spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” I take this to mean when you pray in tongues, it is produced by the Spirit and not my mind.    Now what the Scripture does tell us is  gifts are given for the common good. They are to edify, build up the church- to evangelize unbelievers and exhort the  church, console the church.  Paul says he who speaks in tongues edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church ( I Cor. 14:4)

Paul then applies some common sense: “ Now brothers if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying.” ( I Cor. 14)

Now having said all of this Paul gives clear instruction to govern the use of tongues in the church:

1. Only two or at the most three people were to speak in tongues.
2. Only one was to speak at a time.
3. Each was to have an interpreter. If no interpreter was present, the person was not to speak.

Paul said in I Corinthians 14:18-19: “ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

A WORD OF CAUTION ABOUT SIGNS

Jesus said to Thomas, the disciple who doubted His Resurrection and wanted to see and put his finger in the scars, ‘ blessed are those who have not seen- yet have believed. ( John 20)  I have not seen the Lord Jesus with my physical eyes- I have seen Him with the eyes of faith.

In Luke 16, a parable(or real occurrence) told by the Lord Jesus, the rich man  in Hades wants Abraham to send Lazarus, resurrected from the dead to warn his brothers of this place so they will repent. Abraham says they have Moses and the prophets let them listen to them. Abraham adds if they will not listen to the word of God they will not be convinced even is someone rises from the dead. Signs and miracles are not to be our evidence of the truth- but the revealed truth in Scripture.

“ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1. In other words faith exists in the area where there is no visible proof. What we have is the Word of God.

The disciples and the early church were in a stage of infancy- childhood. They needed certain signs and wonders to confirm and God provided them. But we have His complete revelation now .  “ In the past God spoke to our forefathers through prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the universe.” ( Hebrews 1)  That is why we do not need additional revelation or additions to the Bible. We are to take nothing away nor add anything – it is finished.

 

PETER’S SERMON: THE STORY OF A SAVIOR WHO CAME FROM GLORY

Now in verse 22 Peter begins to preach having answered the question of how these came to speak in known languages.( Remember we must have well-thought out answers to commonly asked questions.)  Now he is ready to get their attention:  “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing him to the cross.”

Peter is talking to a crowd of people, many whom have been there since the Passover- 50 days ago. They have stayed through the Festival of Weeks. Many saw Jesus come into town that Palm Sunday where he was recognized as the Messiah. They heard or saw of his arrest, trial and death. Then the story of his resurrection and appearances of which we are told in I Cor. 15 there were over 500 witnesses.  There were also among the crowd that day, many who had witnessed signs and miracles Jesus performed- the feeding of the 5000 ( more than likely 15,000) the healings, the restoring to life- Lazarus; the healing of lepers, blind who had sight restored, lame who walked were all authenticated by numerous eyewitnesses, many of which Peter says you yourselves were witnesses to or know  eyewitnesses.

Notice that Peter called Jesus of Nazareth, a  MAN accredited ( approved) by God. And it was these miracles, signs and wonders that proved this. The fact that Jesus was a man while yet also being God in flesh is difficult for us to understand. But by faith we believe the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Furthermore- we know that although He was fully God and fully man- Jesus did what he did not as Diety, for He did what He did as a MAN who relied solely on God. Jesus showed us by His life- what God intended for man to be. Jesus showed us what is possible for the person who relies completely upon God.

Peter then tells the audience- they ( the Jews with the aid of the Roman government) put Jesus to death. This death was not a tragic accident in the life of Jesus, it was the plan and program of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit since the beginning of time. It was essential. It was absolutely necessary and there was no other way to deal with sin, sins and evil except by death. If there had been another way, God the Father would have done it in answer to the request of His Only Son in the garden that night when He asked His Father if this cup- this mission could be accomplished another way. It could not- for without the shedding of blood there is no remittance for sin. There is only one way to deal with evil- death.

Verse 24, the story we are to tell continues. Not only are we to speak of Jesus, God in Flesh, who lived on this earth for 33 years as a man – tempted in every way that we are- but without sin.We are to speak of His Resurrection. This Jesus of Nazareth performed miracles, wonders and signs that testified to who he was- the Messiah. Immanuel, God with us.  When John the Baptist faced execution, he sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus was He the One?  John was having doubts as he faced death- was Jesus the Messiah or should they expect someone else? Often in times of trouble, or sorrow or great testing we question the reality of the Lord Jesus as John the Baptist did. Surely if a man of such great faith can have doubts- we know we will also have doubts at times. But John the Baptist shows us what an honest doubter does- he asks the Lord Jesus. And the Lord Jesus in Luke 7, performs miracles right in front of John’s disciples and then tells them to go and report the signs and wonders he is doing ( blind see, lame walk, lepers cured, deaf hear, dead raised, good news preached). John received his answer- this is the ONE. Peter tells them of the resurrection. For it is in the Resurrection Power, power over death which could not hold Him in the grave that our faith rests.  Paul says if Christ be not risen our faith is in vain.  But Christ is risen indeed- an event many have tried to disprove but have failed to do so. Again Peter quotes from the Scriptures, Psalms 16 that tells us the Lord’s body saw no decay.

Peter clearly presents the facts: it was God’s set purpose and foreknowledge to have the Lord Jesus die. God not only delivered  the Lord Jesus  TO  death, but also delivers Him FROM  death.  Peter also states in verse 32- “God has raised Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God,He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”

Now comes the clear message:  “ THEREFORE LET ALL ISRAEL BE ASSURED THIS: GOD HAS MADE THIS JESUS, WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.” ( Acts 2:36)

Now we have been observing how the pouring out of the Spirit has affected  the preaching of the Gospel, now let us observe how it has influenced the listeners. Verse 37- says ‘when the people heard this- they were cut to the heart.’ They were convicted of their sins.  This conviction brought concern that prompted a question they wanted answered- ‘ what shall we do?’

These people had their eyes opened. They began to realize that life was not what is appeared to be- that behind the rising of the sun and the setting of the same- that every breath they took and every beat of their heart was all accomplished by the power of God. And this God was none other than this Jesus they had nailed to the cross. Surely some in this crowd had been  there that very day and yelled “ Crucify Him!” This is the work of the Holy Spirit who convicts.

I remember after I was saved and we were singing an old hymn that the writer of that hymn had experienced the same feelings I had when  I realized for years –‘I spent in vanity and pride not caring that for my sins the Savior died’. It was an overwhelming sense of sorrow and shame for what I had done and how I had lived.  It is these emotions this crowd is now sensing. The crowd was under conviction.

Peter’s answer is clear and concise. “ Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Peter’s Spirit filled preaching of the Gospel  has impacted the crowd. It will take us next week’s study to fully take in these instructions and see the two things Peter tells them to do and the one thing God and only God can do.

You do not want to miss next week’s study.

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14

Acts 21&22: IF

You have probably all heard a statement similar to this statement in various situations:  A salesman receives salesman of the year award and someone says- IF I had his territory I would have been salesman of the year also. If is often used as an excuse or to play the blame game. It is used in hindsight and second guessing.  If is also used in decision making to consider what might be the outcome. Let us look today at how Paul decides an ‘if’  situation when not only those who oppose Paul are trying to stop him but also those who love him are trying to also. Let us look at Scripture for our answer.

“If” is a conjunction; also a conditional participle.  But this little word is described as one of the biggest words in our language. In the Bible it is used over 1500 times. If is defined as “ in the event that; whether.” First see the use of the word in Genesis 4, God speaking to Cain: “IF you do well, will you not be accepted? And IF you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” “ If you keep my commands ,you shall abide in my love.” ( Jesus in John 15) “ You are my friends, IF you do whatsoever I command you.” About the nation Israel we read: “ If you obey God, He will bless you; if not He will punish you.” “ If Christ be not risen, our faith is in vain…” Greatest if as far as we are concerned: “ Father, IF it be possible , let this cup pass from me.” On that last ‘if’ all of eternity rests.   Jesus shows us in his greatest hour of decision how to decide in the case of an ‘IF’ situation. Let the Father’s will be done- not ours.

Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem about if. In that poem,Kipling presents several scenarios where if, in the event of certain circumstances you can keep on course, Kipling says you will be a man.

Let’s use some of those scenarios to apply to Paul’s continuing to Jerusalem, in spite of many good people warning him not to go, including Dr. Luke. Kipling wrote: “ If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too.” Certainly this would apply to Paul here in this situation.

After leaving the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul put to sea in Acts 21, as Luke describes their travel. In Acts 21:4, we read: “ Finding the disciples there (in Tyre), we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit, they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” The first of several groups and individuals  that warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem.  In fact, Paul had mentioned to the elders in Acts 20- the Holy Spirit warned him of prison and hardships facing him. But what troubles many who study this text is the fact these men ‘ through the Spirit’ urged Paul not to go.   Could Paul trust himself when all men doubt him? Does he make allowance for their doubting?

We must look back to see how Paul makes decisions. In Acts 16, Paul and company are kept from preaching the word in Asia at that time by the Spirit. And again when they tried to enter Bythinia, we read, the ‘ Spirit of Jesus’ would not allow them.  So past experience tells us Paul knew when he was not to go and when he had the freedom to go. Paul had shown himself to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.

Sometimes our adversity comes from those who love us and want the best for us.  Peter is a prime example as he advised the Lord strongly not to go to the cross. ( Matthew 16:23)Having told his disciples of his pending death, Peter rebukes him and says ‘never Lord. This shall never happen to you.’ To which Jesus replies: “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; You do not have your in mind the things of God, but the things of man.” Often our loved ones can be a stumbling block as Peter was in this situation. It was out of love for the Lord – but Jesus says it was because he had his mind on the things of man.

From Tyre they travel to Caesarea where they stay with Phillip, the evangelist. ( Interesting to note it was Phillip who served alongside Stephen and knew that it was this same Paul who had held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen to death.) Again we encounter a warning to Paul from Agabus, a prophet, who dramatically illustrates by using Paul’s sash to show how Paul would be bound hand and foot and tells Paul: “ the Holy Spirit says in this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind Paul and hand him over to the Gentiles.” All of which will turn out to be true.

Now even Luke and those traveling with Paul plead with Paul not to go. Paul is touched by their concern and tells them: “ Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When they saw Paul was not to be dissuaded, Luke and those with him gave up and said- “ The Lord’s will be done.” This is always the prayer to pray in  ‘ if’ decisions. ( The flesh,our old nature can always come up with arguments why you can or cannot do something because remember the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. We must pay it no mind, just as Jesus told Peter you are mindful of the things of man, not the things of God. We are told to walk in the Spirit and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.)

Here are the only conclusions I can make:  either Paul is right and they are wrong; Paul is wrong they are right; they are right about the danger that lies ahead, for this is sure- but they are wrong that Paul is to avoid the danger by not going.  One thing we all agree on- The Lord’s will be done! ( I believe this prayer will be answered- the Lord’s will- will be done.)

These people loved Paul and wanted him not to expose himself to any suffering or harm he could avoid by not going. We can understand this emotion. But Paul was called specifically by the Lord to be: “ this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” ( Acts 9- Jesus speaking) This event will allow Paul to do those very things.

To many people triumph is something to be gained and disaster that which is to be avoided. Kipling wrote: “ If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same.” Kipling had an insight that neither one of these occurrences – either triumph  or disaster were not what they seemed to be. The greatest triumph ever appeared on that Friday 2000 years ago to be the greatest disaster and the darkest day those followers of Christ had ever known. Some of the greatest lessons we learn come from what the world considers tragedy, or disaster or defeat. From prison,  Paul would write he was in chains for the sake of the Gospel.

Remember Luke telling us that Paul wanted to arrive in Jerusalem in time for Pentecost? He wanted to be there not only to celebrate this event in the temple. Paul knew there would be a great crowd of Jews from all over the empire. The fields would be ripe for a harvest of souls.

So Paul arrives in Jerusalem to be greeted warmly by the brothers, the church. Paul makes his report of his activities and what God is doing through his ministry.  After hearing Paul’s report , the elders and disciples tell Paul of a problem among the Jews. First they report many Jews are getting saved, becoming Christians.  Then- they tell him of a problem associated with a distortion of Paul’s teaching. They tell Paul that many Jews are not becoming Christians because they have heard that Paul teaches : ‘to turn away from Moses( the law), and circumcision and the customs.’ Paul had not taught this. He had taught that the laws and customs should not be required of the Gentiles in order to become Christians.

They then agree on a plan, a compromise that will exhibit to the Jews that there is not truth in these reports.  Paul agrees along with four other men to join in purification rites and have their heads shaved. Paul always said that when he was with Jews, he became as a Jew and when he was with Gentiles, he became as a Gentile in order to reach them for Christ. So naturally Paul agreed to do this, for even though he knew it was not necessary, he was willing to do this for the sake of reaching the Jews. This rite would take seven days, at the end of which Paul would come again to the temple and make an offering.

However, the plan does not work as they planned for it to work. When the seven days were nearly over some Jews from Asia saw Paul at the temple and stirred up the crowd by saying Paul teaches all men everywhere against our law and has brought Greeks into the temple area, thus defiling it. A riot ensues – a mob seizes Paul. It has to be a terrifying moment as they come at Paul from all directions, seize him and began to drag him off to kill him.

Kipling writes: “ If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop to build them up with worn-out tools.” Such is the twisting of Paul’s teaching being used as an excuse for killing him. It has caused such an uproar, it brings out the Roman troops. Paul is rescued by them and the commander mistakenly believes  Paul is an Egyptian who started a revolt some time back.

As they are about to enter the barracks Paul asked the commander something in Greek. The commander is somewhat startled by Paul’s cultured accents of Greek language and knows this is not the Egyptian. In fact, the commander asks Paul if he is that Egyptian and Paul replies he is a Jew, from Tarsus. Then Paul, every prepared to present the Gospel, ask permission to address the crowd, which the Roman commander allows.

Thus we begin Acts 22 with Paul’s address to the mob under these unusual circumstances.  “ Brothers and fathers listen now to my defense.” (“ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings-nor lose your common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you…’) Paul gets their attention speaking in Aramaic, the colloquial Hebrew language.

Paul begins: “ I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you today. I persecuted the followers of The Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison and also the high priest and all the council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.”( Acts 22: 1-5)

Do you see what Paul is doing?  He is giving his testimony. For that is what it means to be a witness- to testify. To swear to tell the truth,the whole truth, so help me God.

Paul is a great theologian- perhaps the greatest who ever lived. He is intelligent, well educated, speaks several languages, experienced in debate and logic, well trained and a man who knows scripture backwards and forwards.  So does Paul use all of this in order to impress the crowd? No. He does what each one of us are to do as witnesses. He tells his story. And we each have a story to tell. This is the most powerful form of witness. The simple testimony to what happened to him.

Do you realize you are the world’s greatest authority on one particular subject?  The subject is you. And no one can argue with you about your experience of what happened to you – what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you. The blind man simply said I once was blind but now I see and there were witnesses to this change. And the man said it was Jesus who did this. I can say I once was a drunk, an alcoholic- but now I am sober. And there are witnesses to this change and I can say it was because of Jesus.

Here Paul gives us the three step process of being a witness:

1. Begin with what you were like before you met Jesus.
2. Tell how your life was changed by the Lord Jesus.
3. How your life has changed after you met Jesus.

My suggestion is you write this out. In fact – we might want to compile these on our website an even put them a booklet. Think about it- having  your testimony become a witness to others. When I first got saved as I have told you many times what happened to me, I began to read the Bible and an AA publication ,  known as the Big Book.  This book has stories, testimonies of scores of people who had become sober.  It tells how they were before- what happened and how their lives have been since then.  Story telling is powerful. It connects with people. Paul tells his story. He does not attempt to explain theology – he simply and powerfully tells what happened.

Do you not see what the Bible is?  It is a story of God’s dealing with man- from creation to salvation to eternity. And in those stories we see ourselves, as in a mirror.  The oldest tool of influence in human history is story telling. When Jesus wanted people to remember what he taught, to be able to put the truth in context- he told stories or parables.

Your best and most powerful story is about you and your experiences. Learning to tell your story skillfully is one of the most valuable skills you can develop to influence others. A story simplifies. A story puts facts in context. A story allows people to see  what you have seen. A story helps you organize your thoughts.

We will see Paul tell his story over and over again.

First he has told the crowd how he used to be in Acts 22: 1-5.  The audience could identify with Paul’s background. He lets them know, I was just like you and maybe even when it came to being zealous for God and against this new Way, I was even more zealous in persecuting these people.

Next in verses 6-21: Paul recounts exactly what happened when he met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. We will see Paul tell the story of his conversion and how his life was immediately impacted by the Risen Savior, the Lord Jesus. ( Paul has also not left his testimony without verification. He tells the crowd, the High Priest and Council can testify to his zealousness. And on the road to Damascus, there were others traveling with him who saw the light and heard the noise, but could not understand the voice of the Lord. )

Paul tells how he was blinded by the light and was then led to a man named Ananias who restored his sight. Now Paul is told  what the Lord has called him to do and be: “ The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth. You are to His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.”

Then Paul begins to describe what it has been like since he met Jesus and got saved. In verse 17-20. When he concludes with his defense- he tells them the Lord has sent him to the Gentiles.  And the crowd is once again in an uproar over Paul’s teaching.

Now I do not hold Rudyard Kipling as example of Christianity, nor interpret his poem to be necessarily Christian for in the end, Kipling writes ‘if ‘ you can do these things you will be a man, my son!.  What I would say is ‘if’  we can learn as Paul did we can do all things through Christ who strengthen us- then you will be a man or woman of God.

Remember the  Lord Jesus said , you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses.  The Lord will supply us with the power – IF we will yield to that power and obey Him- our witness will have an impact.

‘ I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY- WILL BE MY THEME IN GLORY.

Have you ever told anyone your story?  Why not?

IF YOU DO WELL- WILL YOU NOT BE ACCEPTED? IF YOU DO NOT- SIN IS LYING AT YOUR DOOR.

IF YOU DO WHAT GOD HAS TOLD YOU –  YOU WILL BE BLESSED.

IF YOU DO NOT- YOU WILL BE PUNISHED.

“ Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that IF we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And IF we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him” ( I John 5: 14, 15 KJV)

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14

Acts 20: IT MAKES ME WANT TO SHOUT!

“ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ( Jesus speaking after washing the feet of the disciples) “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” ( John 13)

And the writer of Hebrews writes: “ The blood of Christ has cleansed our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may SERVE  the living God.”  ( Hebrews 9:14)

Moses wrote: “ It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him, SERVE HIM and hold fast to Him.” ( Deut. 13:4)  How do we serve Him?  “ Serve the Lord with gladness”. ( Psalms 100)  “ But be sure to fear the Lord and SERVE Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.: ( I Samuel 12:24)

The Word of God tells us we are to serve the Lord motivated by obedience and gratitude. Our attitude regarding serving the Lord should be like that of the song writer who wrote:  “ When I think about the Lord, how He saved me, how He raised me, how He filled me with His Holy Ghost; How He healed me to the utter most. When I think about the Lord how He picked me up and turned me around- how He placed my feet on solid ground. It makes me want to shout- Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus! Lord you are worthy of all the glory, and all the Honor and all the Praise!! ( Tozer says: What comes to one’s mind when they think about God is the most important thing about them.)

Have you ever had someone try to get you to serve because they made you feel guilty if you did not ?  The Old Guilt Trip strategy.  We do not serve God out of guilt. We do not serve God to obtain forgiveness; no, we serve Him because we are forgiven.  We serve Him out of gratitude.

Each Christian is called to serve. We have been equipped to serve. There should not be any unemployment among believers in serving the Lord. Paul often referred to himself as a ‘bond servant’ of the Lord.

The Lord Jesus is our example. He came to not only as our Redeemer Kinsman, as the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, He also came to show us how we ought to live, love and serve.  He did not come to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might  be saved.

Paul writes in Philippians 3: “  let this mind ( attitude) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

We are told to be ‘ imitators of God.’( Ephesians 5)

We are told : “ We do not want you to be lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” ( Hebrews 6:12)

Paul even said: “ Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere  in every church.” ( I Cor. 4:16,17)

Now I have said all of this to lay a foundation for today’s lesson:  The heart of leadership is example.  And we can only lead, by learning how to follow.

Paul will give us his view of what a servant should be: toward God, toward the Church, toward the Lost and toward self. As we will see it is the same view that the Lord Jesus lived out for us to show us the way. And He told us we would be blessed if we did it.

Let me call your attention to a verse in Acts 19:32 that describes the riot in Ephesus. “ The assembly was in confusion: some were shouting one thing, some another. Most people did not even know why they were there.” Not to take this out of context- but when the lost, natural man is following the crowd on the broad way, they do not even know why they are there.  They do not know the purpose for which they were created and exist.  They are without form and void and in darkness.  I know- I have been there and so have you.

Maybe you grew up in church and you were like Eutychus, not paying attention- day- dreaming of other things, perhaps finding the preaching dull and lasting too long. Lulled into a sleep as deadly as the sleep of fairy tale  princess. I don’t know what the spiritual implication of this story of this young man’s fall from a 3-story window to his death below means to you- but to me it takes me back to a fall day in September of 1977, when as a young man of 31, I contemplated jumping out of a 10-story window to end a life which seemed to have no purpose. Having slept through life until this point- I was about to wake up.

Paul believes this is the last time he will see these people with whom he spent three years. It is a tearful farewell. But ever the teacher, Paul wants them to understand their role- which is also our role. ( BTW- Paul would see them again.)

VIEW TOWARD GOD- SERVICE.

“ I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by plots of the Jews.”( Acts 20:19)  Here is our first priority – to serve the Lord. To seek first His Kingdom. To not seek to please men- but God.  Serving God is our first priority. Two attitudes mark the servant of the Lord:  Humility and suffering. Certainly the life of Paul was an example- but our supreme example is the Lord Jesus Christ who took upon himself the role of a servant and washed the feet of the disciples as an example of humility. And humbled himself in obedience to death on the cross as a common criminal- despised, spat upon and cursed. In serving God, we must be willing to suffer. Peter wrote: “ Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in His steps.” ( I Peter 2:21)

Tears then are a part of suffering. Paul had tears for the lost, especially his own people, the Jews. His heart was broken for the lost. Second, Paul shed tears for the weak, carnal Christian as the church at Corinth caused him much anguish.

VIEW  TOWARD THE CHURCH- TEACHING.

“You know that I have not hesitated ( kept back nothing) to preach anything that would be profitable ( helpful to you)…” (Vs. 20)  If one tries to please God and man- he will be caught in a trap of compromise and dilute the truth to avoid displeasing man.   2 Timothy 3: 16& 17 defines what is profitable: “ All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Teaching involves communicating the principles and truths of God’s word. Reproof refers to applying Scripture to produce conviction of sin; correction gives repentant sinners the direction to turn from sin and evil and follow Christ; and training in righteousness moves believers to spiritual maturity which is Christlikeness.

VIEW TOWARD THE LOST- EVANGELISM

Listen to carefully as Paul describes two important aspects of salvation: “ I have declared to Jews and Greeks they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” ( Vs 21) Repentance and Faith. Whenever we present the Gospel it must include these two components. Repentance toward God. Repentance means to change one’s mind or purpose, which will then result in a change of behavior. Remorse is not repentance. Judas suffered remorse for the consequences of his sin,his action. A person who repents is sorry he/she sinned.  John the Baptist taught repentance as an act of the will that involved works or actions in keeping with Godly sorrow. He said true repentance would result in fruits in keeping with repentance.  Repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation.

The other component is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Sinners turn from sin to God. It involves the whole person, mind, will and emotion trusting wholly in the Lord Jesus alone for salvation. When Paul answered the Philippian jailer’s question- ‘what must I do to be saved? He told him- ‘believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.’ Believe in Him means: believe He is who he says He is- the Son of God,the Messiah, the Lamb of God  who takes away the sin of the World. And believe He did what he did- died on the cross FOR OUR SINS,  according to the Scriptures and was buried and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Paul is telling us and showing us by example we have a role as servants to the Most High God and we have a role as heralds, announcing the good news of salvation.

VIEW TOWARD HIMSELF- SACRIFICE ASSOSCIATED WITH DISCIPLINE

Again our Lord Jesus shows  us by example the sacrifice He made as God became flesh and dwelt among us.  Paul tells this group of leaders, I am headed to Jerusalem and I do not know if I will live or die,punishment, hardship and prison are likely. “ I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the Gospel of God’s Grace.” ( Verse 24)

Now comes the word we do not like, a word that really has been treated unfairly- the word is : Discipline.  The word carries with it the baggage of – punishment.  And surely discipline can be ministered in a form of punishment. But even the dictionary does not have this definition as its first and foremost definition, instead it states:  discipline is training that corrects, molds and perfects.

Think of the gifted musician who entertains and enthralls you with their particular gift- be it playing a piano or singing with a well trained voice. The ease with which they performed came only after years of disciplined practice.

Do not miss this very important truth about discipline.  Discipline’s reward is FREEDOM.  The enemy’s lie since the Garden of Eden is that God’s way, a way of discipline  limits your life. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Look around you at the people on the broad way- a way that seems right to them but ends in destruction. They have believed the lie of the enemy that God’s way, the narrow way is limiting their freedom. There are several traits I see exhibited by these who do not know why they are here on this earth. They are bored easily, require constant entertainment or doing something; frustrated and restless- all negative qualities of life that God never intended for us to live like that. They have attempted to find the meaning of life in the accumulation of possessions, positions of importance in society or in their field of work. It creates tensions, pressures and envy.

As a result we live in a society and culture which built larger houses but had smaller families. We have more conveniences to save us time- but have less time. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We have taller buildings and shorter tempers. We have wider highways and more narrow, erroneous views. We have more experts and expertise- but we have more problems than ever before, not less. We truly see a world that has more knowledge, ever learning – but never coming to the truth.

And yet there is a solution. There always has been since the beginning of time- the Word of God. It is the Word of Truth that sets you free. When you learn it and operate on it- it will always set you free. Jesus came teaching the Word of God. He taught it as one with authority. From the beginning , Jesus corrected the false, man-made teaching by telling the crowds: “you have heard it said by them of old time…. But I say unto you”

God not only gave us His Word, the truth that sets us free; but He also at the moment of salvation gives us the Holy Spirit. God in the Third Person of the Trinity comes to live in our lives. To conform us- to teach us and to create in us a desire to please God.

How can we please God?  We must be holy as He is holy. We are to pursue holiness. Jesus said take my yoke upon you and learn from me.( Matthew 11)  He also said: “ If anyone would follow me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”( Luke 9)  These two verses tell us to be a disciple of Jesus Christ means to learn from and follow Him.

Here is what we need to understand:  learning and following involve discipline.

The Lord Jesus expects these disciplines of us and He modeled these disciplines for us.  For the heart of leadership is example. Paul simply followed the example the Lord Jesus had given him

To neglect these spiritual disciplines is dangerous. To embrace these disciplines is to experience freedom and meaning and purpose in life as God intended it to be.

The first discipline we must develop is a study of the Word of God. It all starts with a study and daily intake of the Word of God. But we are warned not to be hearers only- but also doers of the Word. If we do not obey the Word of God- we deceive ourselves.

This is no ordinary book- this Word of GOD. It is alive and powerful. It is life giving, life changing and life sustaining. As you get into the Word and the Word gets into you- you will be transformed into the image of the Lord Jesus. Can you imagine knowing this is a result of studying and obeying the Word of God- and then choosing not to do it?

These views that Paul held are the same the Lord Jesus held. For the Lord Jesus came to serve His Father- to do Father God’s will not his. He came to teach the truth that would set men and women free. He came to seek and save the lost. And sacrifice marked his life from the moment He decided in eternity past to take on the sacrificial role of the Lamb of God to when He stepped out of heaven to put on flesh and dwelt among us until the night they came in the garden to arrest him led by the traitor, Judas. What a man of sorrows he was- as he endured the punishment intended for me. They plucked his beard, spat in his face, and beat his naked back with a whip that tore his flesh apart. Then they nailed Him to a cross between two thieves. He labored for every breath, his shoulders dislocated, his pectoral muscles paralyzed by cramps so devastating that breathing could only be accomplished by pushing against that cruel,painful spike in his feet.  And what was the reaction of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God. Do not forget this for it sums it all up and tells us why He did what He did.  “ Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” Before we were saved- we were  so like those people in Ephesus that day- people who did not even know why they were there. We did not know what on earth we were here  for- until we discovered the truth that made everything fall into place.

All of sudden we heard the voice of the Lord:  “ Wake up O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ shall shine  on you.”

So yes… when I think about the Lord, how he saved me, how he woke me up, how he picked me up and turned me around then – “ IT MAKES ME WANT TO SHOUT- HALLELUJAH, THANK YOU JESUS!

Copyright © 2010 Linda Benthal
Last modified: 08/12/14