Acts 5 overview (part two)

[40-42]  Suffering for Christ: Once again the council charged the apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus Christ.  They then beat the disciples and sent them away.  The apostles, instead of being discouraged, rejoiced (translated “thrived, rejoiced exceedingly”) at the thought of being counted worthy to suffer dishonor (translated “to render infamous, maltreat, despise, suffer shame”) for the Christ.  They, despite the threats from the council, threats from the council “did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (v.42).

Timeless Principle: The disciples, up to this point, had been ridiculed and mocked and brought before the supreme court of their day.  They were tossed in prison but this could not and would not discourage them.  In this text they face even more persecution being beaten (Greek: translated “thrashed, scourged”) for the sake of Jesus Christ.  The punishment in this case, as implied by history, was a scourging that consisted of a beating which was not allowed to surpass forty lashes.  The beating would have taken place in cycles of three with two shots to the back followed by one to the back of the neck.  This punishment was horrifying, even so much that the Romans passed a law (Porcian law) that made it impossible for any Roman citizen to receive this punishment in any case.  Despite the gruesome nature of the punishment, it is assumed that the disciples bore it before being released.  What was their reaction? It was this, they rejoiced they “were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for” Jesus Christ.  They were brutally beaten and yet they were overjoyed to suffer for the name.  Nothing else mattered to them besides Jesus and it showed.  Perhaps a better question, what was the reaction to this extreme abuse?  Or better still, what would we feel like the reaction would have been by our standards?  It is obvious that we would have been discouraged.  We probably would have rolled around in our pity wondering why we had to endure those things while thinking that we did not deserve it.  This petty reaction was not the one that the apostles had.  Instead, they rejoiced at the thought of being counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.  We face less extreme sufferings now for the most part, but one similarity should still be seen between them and us, this being that we should too count it all joy when enduring trials for the sake of the Gospel (James 1:2-4, 1 Pet. 3:14).  Also, after their suffering, the apostles went on preaching the good news even though they knew more persecution was sure to follow, so should we be so in love with Christ that when we are persecuted for the sake of the name that we are not discouraged but encouraged. 

            *40-42 [ya already know]

Acts 5 overview (part one)

Chap. 5

[1-11]  Ananias and Sapphira: This passage is the story about Ananias and Sapphira, a couple who may or may not have truly belonged to lord (not enough is known to make a valid assumption one way or the other).  After Barnabas had laid down the prophets from his field, this couple decides to also sale their field.  In this case, however, there is a major difference.  This difference is the heart of behind their actions; Barnabas had a pure heart and was not giving for approval or selfish gain while Ananias and Sapphira were in it for selfish reasons.  Peter asked them why was Ananias was withholding some prophet when he was claiming to give it all.  Peter is upset because he did not ask them to sell the land and the prophet was theirs to use for their own disposal to use at their own discretion.  There was no reason to lie about it except to look better in the eyes of the apostles who saw through their selfishness and rebuked them.  Upon the apostles’ rebuke both “breathed [their] last” within three hours of each other and were buried next to one another.

Timeless Principle: Giving for the sake of finding gain in the sight of others is sickening.  We, in giving and any other act, should not seek our own selfish purposes.  We must approach each situation with a humble heart.  In this example, they should have given without “the left-hand knowing what the right-hand is doing” (Matt. 6:3).

[12-16] Second talk outside of the temple: The apostles gathered in Solomon’s portico again outside the temple in Jerusalem.  They began performing many signs and miracles.  People came from all over bringing people who were sick and dying to be healed by the apostles through the Holy Spirit.  Even more believers were added to the kingdom.

Note: In verse 15, Peter Holy Spirit was so powerful inside of Peter that people were being healed by merely coming close to him (“that [Peter’s] shadow might fall on them”).

[17-32]  The apostles imprisoned then  released only to return to the temple to teach: The high priests heard of the commotion started by the apostles and rose up and arrested them.  At night an angel of the Lord freed them and told them to teach in the temple the words of life.  At daybreak they went into the temple and began teaching and proclaiming the Gospel.  That morning, the high priests came to the cell that the apostles were held in to realize that they were gone.  They were perplexed by the occurrence.  Hearing that the apostles were teaching in the temple, the high priest had them seized once again.  The priests reminded them of their charge not to talk in this name, the name of Jesus Christ.  They went on accusing the apostles and warning them not to speak in this name, saying that they were trying to bring Christ’s “blood (Greek: aima “blood shed through violence, murder”) upon [them]” by continuing to teach.  Peter answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”  He proclaimed that the God of their fathers had raised him, Jesus, from the dead and made him leader and savior.  The apostles were witnesses to this by the Holy Spirit, whom God had given to those who obey him.

Note: God’s gifts are conditional.  In verse 32, Peter says that the Holy Spirit, a gift of God, will be given those who have obeyed him. 

Timeless Principle:  God has seated Christ at the right hand of himself making him the leader and savior for all peoples for their forgiveness of sins.  Leader is the key term here.  God is jealous for our attention (Exodus 20 and Deut. 5).  He desires it and will not tolerate not having it.  We see here that Christ is the Leader (Greek: archegos “chief leader, prince, author”) as appointed by the Father.  His leadership is not optional; it is required.  If he doesn’t get it then we cannot even imagine the gruesome reality of his wrath.  Verse 32 says that the Holy Spirit is given to those who what?  Obey him.  Not optional and never has been.  He will receive glory whether we like it or not. He gets glory one of two ways out of a human being.  The first is allowing him to be first in our lives by dying to self and actively allowing him to rule over us as LORD and savior.  The second is the most common and most horrifying, glory comes when he judges those who have not committed to his roles as BOTH savior and chief leader which brings upon those people the devastating, terrifying unfathomable wrath of the Father.  He WILL get glory whether we like it or not.  It should be our joy to kill ourselves daily and actively seek his will in our lives.

[33-39]  The Protest of Gamaliel (would be fulfilled in the rest of Acts): After hearing the statement by Peter about obeying Christ and salvation, the council was enraged.  They made the apostles leave the room so they could deliberate.  They hungered to slaughter the apostles.  In the midst of the heat, a Pharisee named, Gamaliel (who mentored Paul before his conversion [22:3], Gamaliel means “reward of God”) stood up and declared that two men have tried to rise up before but were soon silenced after their leaders perished.  He then implies that if this of man, then it too will perish but if it did not then they might be found opposing God.  In light of this statement, the council decided to take Gamaliel’s advice.

Note: the two men mentioned by Gamaliel were Theudas and Judas of Galilee, both of which rose up and gathered as many as four hundred people to follow them.  After their deaths, the men who followed them soon dispersed.

Timeless Principle: Gamaliel made a valid point in this case by asserting that “if this plan of this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God you will not be able to overthrow them” (38c-39a).  Had the apostles and the other believers of went their separate ways, then it could be said that there was no truth to resurrection and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ our Lord.  However, this was not and is not the case, the believers did not disperse, rather they grew stronger; they prayed for and received more boldness in the heat of persecution therefore proving, by the requirements set by Gamaliel, that what the apostles were saying was truth.  A roman historian named Tacitus, who was not a follower of Christ, said this about the church a short time after these things were said, furthermore showing the drive of the early church through the power of the Holy Spirit:

“The pernicious superstition [referring to Christianity], repressed for a time, broke out again, not only throughout Judea, where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also.”

[Annals, xv. 44]

Not only were the Christians breaking out in Jerusalem and then to Judea but furthermore to Rome causing great confusion.  No one could shut them up because, as Peter alludes to his first go around with the Sanhedrin, they could not stop talking about the things they had seen or heard (4:20).  This would later be clearly seen when Paul and Silas enter into Thessalonica and win over some of the Jews there causing an uproar and anger in the hearts of the people there.  Out of jealousy, they proclaimed, “These men who have turned the world UPSIDE DOWN have come here also” (17:6).   The church was turning the world as the people knew it at that time upside down; they just would not shut up.  In light of these things, perhaps a good question to ask ourselves is, to be put simply, why don’t people in our own time say these things about us?  Is it because people have become callous to movements like this?  Nope, it is hard to become callous to something that does not happen anymore.  If it isn’t callousness, then is it the differences the cultures then and now?  Once again, in saying that we automatically limit God’s sovereignty, therefore limiting his power.  He has always been, is currently and will always be the same God who holds the seas in the hollow of his hand and the God who will never leave us or forsake us (Isaiah 40:12; Joshua 1:5).  What then is the problem?  What happened in the two thousand years since these things were taking place, since Christians were stepping up for their God?  It only makes sense that a problem has come up at some point along the way.  Since there are really only two parties at work here, God and humanity, one of the two must be responsible.  Going of the mere fact that God has not changed at all, we are led to the conclusion that something has happened to us, the church.  The problem, to be put simply is our own timid attitudes and worldly fears concerning the destruction our own “self-images” mixed in with the fact that no body is letting God use them to bridge the gap between him and a lost and dying world.  We are not making the same profound movements anymore.  We are failing at being the salt and light that Jesus mentions in Matthew 5:13-17.  Like those in the early church, we CAN be used to turn the foundations of this desolate place on top of it self, unhinging the grip of the “cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Eph. 6:12).  Its time to pick up the armor that Paul talks about in Ephesians instead of sitting around on the couch playing video games and complaining to God about  the messed-up world we live in.  Get up and get into the war.

*35-39 [God breathed this, therefore it is worthy of several chyeas followed by a bad a dad at]

Acts 4 overview (part two)

[13-22] The high priests are stunned by the boldness of Peter: This bold acclamation of Peter in the previous passage was unexpected by the priests of Israel because they did not expect uneducated men to actively speak out against them.  The thought of this along with the fact that the man that had been healed was in the presence of the court left the priests, namely, speechless.  They “had nothing to say in opposition.”  They knew that a notable sign had been done and they couldn’t speak against it.  The people or Jerusalem were actively praising God for what had happened causing the Jews to fear loss of their own power.  Not knowing what could be done, they decide to attempting stop the spread of the good news by charging Peter and John to not speak of the event in the name in which it had been done, Jesus Christ.  Peter knowing that this was not an option for himself boldly proclaims, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Timeless Principle: Peter, in this passage, is asked to deny the name of Jesus Christ, but he couldn’t.  He knew that Christ was all that manifested and controlled his thoughts, thus being the dominating topic of conversation.  It was his joy to stand in front of the Sanhedrin and reject the command he had been given because of the immeasurable worth of declaring Christ as lord.  Why do we worry about what people think and harp on how people see us.  We, as the church, have largely dropped the ball.  Peter clearly knew that he could not but speak of the Savior.  It dominated his thoughts and controlled his descisions.  His life was built around the Gospel.  We must let the Gospel move us and affect us to the point at which it would be something that would dominate our conversations, being the focus of our thoughts.  My prayer is that the Gospel would so move me that I cannot help but talk about it.

          *19-20 [I know, I know, these verses are balla]

[23-31] The apostles praise God for the persecution and pray for boldness: After being released, Peter and John told the other believer’s about the command issued to them at their trial and the impending persecution.  They lifted their voices and praised God in the midst of this proclaiming the creation that God has made and then quoted a messianic prophecy from David (from Psalm 2:1,2) which stated the fact that God’s Anoited one would be slandered by kings, rulers, gentiles, and even the people who had been chosen by God (Deut.7:6, 1Pet. 2:9).  This is stated to have been fulfilled because Christ was persecuted by Herod (king), Pilot (ruler), gentiles (us), and Israel (v.18).  The church praised God for being a God who had “predestined” these things to take place in his sovreignenty and foreknowledge.  They prayed that God would continue to reveal himself in the mighty acts that he was already doing.  After the prayer the place they were staying in was shaken and more people received the gift of the Spirit.  They continued to pray for boldness to proclaim the truth in the face of persecution.

Note: Another pattern is forming.  Often in Acts, we see that the following pattern: 1)prayer 2)gospel message 3) people turning to Chirst 4)persecution 5)praise 6)repeat.

Note: The word that “Anoited” is translated from in verse 26 is the Greek ‘Christos’ which is also translated “Christ, the Anoited” furthermore indicating a prophecy of David foretelling the coming of the Messiah.

          Timeless Principle: We should remind ourselves in the midst of persecution that God is in control is constantly at work in making all things work for our, people who are in Christ, good (see Rom. 8:28).  We should praise God for being a God who has predestined all of these trials to take place so that they may strengthen our faith.  The people, in this passage, prayed for boldness despite the threats that had been given.  The pattern mentioned in the first note on this passage should be carefully looked at in this context.  The first movement of Acts began with prayer (1:14) and ended with praise after persecution (v.24-29).  We, in this time, say that we believe that God can move, but we don’t truly believe it.  If we believed it then we would act on it like the apostles did in these circumstances.  We say that God is “mighty to save” but we refuse to ask God in prayer to draw the world to himself and when even we do, how often do we truly believe that it will happen.  What has happened to our authenticity and faith.  Jesus said that if we pray and ask in his name that it will be given to us (if it is accords with his will) (Matt. 7:7-9).  We must earnestly seek after God’s will in this dark world and begin actively attacking the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers of this present age, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12).  We must have faith in the promise given by Christ in Matt. 7.  If we do have this faith that is seen in this passage, then God has, can, and will move in miraculous ways, ways that could not be otherwise explained besides the fact of them being an act of God.  And as the church does here, even in the midst of persecution, should praise God simply for who he his instead of complaining about earthly pain that bears no significance to eternal things (v.24, Phil. 2:14, Jam. 1:2-4).  My prayer is that we might seek boldness from God to stand on his truth and stare persecution in face and be willing to take it in the knowledge that God has meant all things for our good.

*31 [be bold]

[32-37]  Fellowship and stewardship of the believers/ Barnabas gives freely: Now the entire community of believers had been filled with the Spirit and were of one heart and soul, they were of one body (Eph. 4).  They were actively giving to one another as any had need and there were no needy among them.  In one such case, a believer named Barnabas sold one of his fields and laid the money at the apostle’s feet such that it might be distributed among the people. 

          Note: Barnabas means “son of encouragement”

Timeless Principle:  We must strive to be one as Jesus was one with his Father (see John 17).  The Greek word for ‘one’ in verse 32 is not a figurative word meaning to be close to the same or simply to have common similarities or traits, but rather it literally means to be “only one.”  To be one in this case is a calling to be of only one mind and spirit.  This is seen in Jesus’s unity with his father and so should it be seen in the relationships between believers.  They were giving to one another and sharing with one another and encouraging (encouraged is defined as instilling courage) one another through the love of Christ.  How often do we really see selfless giving and serving in the church today.  Christ washed feet, likewise we need to get down off of our dysfunctional, imaginary palaces and kneel at the throne of Christ, serving one another with all humility and pureness of heart.

Acts 4 overview (part one)

Chap. 4

[1-4]  Peter’s first imprisonment (plus John): After Peter’s sermon in front of the temple, a group of Jews who denied the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ (called Sadducees) came upon them and arrested Peter and John and held them captive for a night.  But the persecution of Peter and John came to late because the Gospel had already been clearly stated and over five thousand lives were altered by the blood of Jesus (v.4).

Note: Who were the Sadducees? “Sadducees--The origin of this Jewish sect cannot definitely be traced. It was probably the outcome of the influence of Grecian customs and philosophy during the period of Greek domination. The first time they are met with is in connection with John the Baptist's ministry. They came out to him when on the banks of the Jordan, and he said to them, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Mat_3:7.) The next time they are spoken of they are represented as coming to our Lord tempting him. He calls them “hypocrites” and “a wicked and adulterous generation” (Mat_16:1-4; Mat_22:23). The only reference to them in the Gospels of Mark (Mar_12:18-27) and Luke (Luk_20:27-38) is their attempting to ridicule the doctrine of the resurrection, which they denied, as they also denied the existence of angels. They are never mentioned in John's Gospel.

There were many Sadducees among the “elders” of the Sanhedrin. They seem, indeed, to have been as numerous as the Pharisees (Act_23:6). They showed their hatred of Jesus in taking part in his condemnation (Mat_16:21; Mat_26:1-3, Mat_26:59; Mar_8:31; Mar_15:1; Luk_9:22; Luk_22:66). They endeavoured to prohibit the apostles from preaching the resurrection of Christ (Act_2:24, Act_2:31, Act_2:32; Act_4:1, Act_4:2; Act_5:17, Act_5:24-28). They were the deists or skeptics of that age. They do not appear as a separate sect after the destruction of Jerusalem.”

[Easton’s Bible Dictionary]

Note: Who is the Captain of the Temple?  This would have been the second in command directly underneath the Jewish High Priest.

Note: Peter and John would have been kept overnight because the Jewish high court the Sanhedrin was held in the morning and it was “already evening” (v.3)

                   “Sanhedrim

More correctly Sanhedrin (Gr. synedrion), meaning “a sitting together,” or a “council.” This word (rendered “council,” A.V.) is frequently used in the New Testament (Mat_5:22; Mat_26:59; Mar_15:1, etc.) to denote the supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jews, which, it is said, was first instituted by Moses, and was composed of seventy men (Num_11:16, Num_11:17). But that seems to have been only a temporary arrangement which Moses made. This council is with greater probability supposed to have originated among the Jews when they were under the domination of the Syrian kings in the time of the Maccabees. The name is first employed by the Jewish historian Josephus. This “council” is referred to simply as the “chief priests and elders of the people” (Mat_26:3, Mat_26:47, Mat_26:57, Mat_26:59; Mat_27:1, Mat_27:3, Mat_27:12, Mat_27:20, etc.), before whom Christ was tried on the charge of claiming to be the Messiah. Peter and John were also brought before it for promulgating heresy (Acts. 4:1-23; 5:17-41); as was also Stephen on a charge of blasphemy (Act_6:12-15), and Paul for violating a temple by-law (Act_22:30; Act_23:1-10).

The Sanhedrin is said to have consisted of seventy-one members, the high priest being president. They were of three classes

(1.) the chief priests, or heads of the twenty-four priestly courses (1 Chr. 24),

(2.) the scribes, and

(3.) the elders. As the highest court of judicature, “in all causes and over all persons, ecclesiastical and civil, supreme,” its decrees were binding, not only on the Jews in Palestine, but on all Jews wherever scattered abroad. Its jurisdiction was greatly curtailed by Herod, and afterwards by the Romans.

Its usual place of meeting was within the precincts of the temple, in the hall “Gazith,” but it sometimes met also in the house of the high priest (Mat_26:3), who was assisted by two vice-presidents.”

[Easton’s Bible Dictionary]

Note: Five thousand men was now the count not including women and children.  It is very reasonable that over ten thousand had been added to the kingdom by this point in Acts.

Timeless Principle: The picture painted in this passage is quite amazing. It depicts God’s sovereignty rather amazingly.  Peter proclaims the mystery of the Gospel in front of the temple.  This might need to be noted because it could be assumed that they should have been arrested quicker than they did.  But God, showing his foreknowledge, allowed Peter to clearly proclaim the message before being arrested, thus allowing enough time for God to call a multitude to himself. 

[5-12]  Peter and John before the council (first appearance before the Sanhedrin): It is now the day after Peter and John had been in arrested and the Sanhedrin proceedings were preparing to take place for the day.  Paul and John were on the top of the list for trial.  Peter stands among all seventy-one of the priests including thirty high priests and the former high priest, Annas.  They ask him, “what authority did you heal this lame man.”  Peter, devoid of timidity, speaks firmly and answers without shame, “under Jesus Christ of Nazereth, whom you crucified.” Once again, Peter seizes the opportunity by declaring boldly that Jesus, having been rejected, had become the cornerstone and by other name under heaven or on Earth comes salvation except in Christ’s alone.

Note: A trend is forming.   This is the third straight time that Peter accuses the Jews and high priests of the death of Christ and the third straight time that he announces that death didn’t and couldn’t hold him and the third straight time that he calls the Jews to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

          Timeless Principle: Peter, who had denied Christ three times, is now calling out the Jews with boldness through the outpouring of the Spirit in his life.  This is amazing.  The Spirit that has given him this newly found boldness is the same Spirit that has been given to us upon the renewing of our hearts through faith in Jesus Christ.  Why then do we tremble at the thought of sharing our faith or standing on the name of Jesus?  What has happened to the church?  Peter stood before trial, before a council of men who could have put them to death and they didn’t dance around the truth.  They didn’t poke at the truth.  They didn’t deny the truth.  Rather, they boldly proclaimed the Gospel, having no fear of death or persecution.  We should actively, not just talk about, count all trials and persecutions as gifts from God.  In this case, Peter did and left the council dumbfounded.  We often look at these examples and think that it was different back then and that we can’t do those kinds of things.  To some extent that is true. In America, when is the last time you heard of someone under severe persecution to the point of fearing for one’s life on account of Jesus.  You haven’t because it doesn’t happen here.  So to some extent it isn’t the same now because we probably won’t be held at gun point on trial because we believe in Jesus.  If that is true then, it should actually be easier for us to stand on the foundation that is Jesus Christ but the opposite has occurred.  No one is taking up their crosses and pursuing the great commission.  Instead of physical death, we fear the death of our images in the eyes of a mortal person, in doing so we are denying the glory of God and trading it for our own.  Sickening as it may be, it is true.  If we are then in Christ then we have received the same Spirit that was given to Peter that allowed him to speak the name of Jesus even under the fear of death.

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

(2Ti 1:7)

          *11-12 [stone the builders rejected is the cornerstone, chyea, that’s right, the end!]

Acts 3 overview

Chap. 3

[1-10] Peter heals a lame man: Peter and John were going down to the temple in the ninth hour to pray when they come across a lame man (who was over forty years of age--see 4:22who usually lies in front of the temple to ask alms of people going in.  Peter looks at the man and says that he does not have any money but what he does have take in the name of Jesus and the man immediately rose up and walked.  This event is quickly drew attention because of the fact that most people in fact knew that the man that was dancing around had been lame since birth.  The people were filled with amazement.

Note: ninth hour is roughly 3 P.M.

Note: alms is a type of money gift to the poor

[11-16] Peter’s second sermon (1): Peter seizes the opportunity of having the crowds around him in the portico (which is along the Eastern wall of the temple) and began to speak.  He questions why the Jews are in disbelief at the sight of the healing of the lame man and then questioned why they think it was of their power.  Peter then gives all credit to God.  He again reminds the Jews of how they let a murderer go instead of the beloved son of God.  But this murder that they committed, as told by Peter, was to no avail because the “Author of life” was not held by death and to this all of the crowds bore witness to.

Note: In verse 13, the Greek word for ‘glorified’ is the word ‘doxazo’ which literally means “to magnify, praise, clothe with splendor.”  God, the father, has seated Christ at his right hand magnifying him beyond imagination clothing him in splendor with in the heavenly places,

Note: In verse 15, the Greek word for ‘Author’ is ‘archegos’ which literally means “chief leader, prince, author, on that takes the lead in everything.”  Peter, in verse 15, calls Jesus the author of life and the prince over all.  Upon his resurrection, Christ has made himself predecessor and chief, whom we should be overjoyed to follow his lead in establishing a kingdom on this Earth.

[17-26] Peter’s second sermon (2): dOnce again, Peter uses the Law and the Prophets to put up a compelling argument before the Jews.  Peter starts by reminding the Jews of their responsibility for the death of Christ (v.11-16).  Now Peter sympathizes with the Jews, proclaiming that they acted in ignorance (which can be translated “lack of knowledge”).  This ignorance, though under the law lightens punishment, does not by any means excuse responsibility.  Continuing to sympathize, he gives evidence from the prophets that it had been foretold that God’s chosen servant must suffer (see Isaiah 53).  Peter calls the people listening to repent and turn from their wickedness which has caused the slaughter of the lamb. He points to the end when Christ will restore all things making them even better than before the fall of men (Romans 8 20-21).  Peter then exclaims the evidence as given by the prophets beginning with Moses of how each one points to the Holy Prophet (i.e. Jesus).  Through which we have the forgiveness of sins.  God raised up his servant and sent him to the Jews first in order that they might be blessed in the turning from their wickedness (v.26)

Note: In verse 17, the Greek word for ‘ignorance’ is ‘agnoia’ which can literally be translated as “lack of knowledge.”

            Timeless Principle: Paul echoes time and time again about the ignorance that we all once lived or are living in a darkened state of mind becoming foolish in our thinking and deprived in heart (e.g. Ephesians 4:18, Ephesians 2:3, Romans 1:18-23, Titus 1:16, by Peter in 1 Peter 1:14, just a few).  We all are irresponsible and have turned away from the God of the universe and in doing so trading the glory of God for the passions of our flesh and are in no way better than the very hands that drove the metal through the wrists of the Lord’s servant.  We are deprived and incapable of any good work.  Thankfully God being rich in mercy sent his son to Earth in the form of a man to bridge the gap for us to him and in doing so paving the way for us and the Earth to be made new.  Though his blood and in his blood alone are given the right to turn from our previous wickedness and receive this great gift given by the father of life.

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

(Col 2:13-15)

          *19-21 [chyea]

Acts 1 & 2 overview

Acts 1 & 2 (Brief Overview)

Chap. 1:

[1-3] Greeting: The book is addressed to a man named Theophilus.  Luke starts off by giving a very brief summary of the things that he had described in the first volume (his Gospel). 

[4-11] Jesus promises the Holy Spirit: Currently, the disciples are on top of Mount Olivet, a Sabbath day’s trip away, (v. 12) outside of Jerusalem.  Christ tells the disciples to wait until the promise of the Holy Spirit has come to them before leaving Jerusalem.  He then says that after receiving power from the Holy Spirit, the disciples will become his witnesses to the very ends of the Earth.  After reassuring to the disciples the promise of a baptism through the Holy Spirit rides out on a cloud with two men in white robes.

            Note: you may find it interesting that one of the men in a white robe prophesies

            that just as they had seen the son of man ride out on a cloud, so they would see

            him return. (v. 11)

            Timeless Principle: The calling issued by Christ on the top of Mount Olivet, that he would make them, the apostles, his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and to the ends of the Earth remains as a very present challenge on our lives to this day.  Christ, through his Holy Spirit, can and will use us for his instruments to make a profound difference on this Earth.

Sabbath day’s journey: about 0.6 miles which was the maximum distance allowed to be traveled on a Sabbath day.

*v. 7-8

[12-26] The apostles pray while waiting for the Holy Spirit and replace Judas: After the ascension, the apostles come down from the mountain into Jerusalem to wait on the gift of the Spirit.  They, all the saints gathered in Jerusalem numbering about 120 (v.15), prayed with one accord (v.14), probably indicating that in waiting for the Spirit they were constantly in prayer that Christ would send his Spirit soon together.  Peter reasons that a prophecy as given by David must be fulfilled in regards to Judas.  A description is given that alludes to the gruesome suicide of Judas in v.18-19.  He then Quotes two psalms of David in v.20 (Psalm 69:25, Psalm 109:8).  The first of these two references to David indicates the death and fall of Judas; the second, however, portrays what the next step was going to be in saying “that another must take [Judas’s] office”.

Peter then reasons that a man must be chosen who had been around to give credible witness to the events since the baptism of John (see v.21-22).  By casing lots a man named Matthias was chosen to replace Judas.

Timeless Principle: Before the coming of the Holy Spirit, the apostles were devoted to prayer and trusted God.  Throughout history we have seen that any great movement for Christ, as will come in the rest of Acts began with a team of people praying constantly for the movement long before it happens.

Chap. 2

[1-4] Pentecost: The day that Jesus had foretold (1:4-5) had come.  It came to them like a “mighty rushing wind.” The house that the desciples were staying at was probably the upper room refered to earlier in the first chapter; it is also reasonable that all 120 were with them.  When the Spirit had descended, the disciples began speaking in tongues with direction given by the Spirit.

            Note: Pentecost was the second of the harvest festivals which took place about

            fifty days after Passover.

Timeless Principle: The disciples started off their ministry in prayer.  This is key because it showed their dedication and belief that God could use them to reach as far as the ends of Earth.  We try to relate the mystery of the Gospel often times at the spur of the moment and forget to ground in prayer.  Christ has commissioned us to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into his harvest field (Matt. 9:36-38).  This is not to say that we should sit back and watch the fight without physically engaging but rather it is to say that our efforts to attack the gates of Hell must be grounded in prayer and intimacy with Christ.  It is often that Christ uses us to answer our own prayers.  Before any great revival, prayer was the starting point.

[5-13] The apostles begin speaking in tongues: With the disciples were also many devout men from “all nations under Heaven.” The Greek word for “devout” is eulabes which could be translated “God-fearing or God reverencing men,” this means that the men who were from all over were fairly stout religious men who had been around the block who were probably tough cookies to crack and knock off their religious high horses.  But all of these men were “bewildered” by the languages being spoken, wondering how the disciples were speaking in each of their own languages when all of them were from Galili (v.7).  The men were from as far as 1400 miles away from Jerusalem (Rome).  Most of the men were in fact in complete awe at the disciples while still a few were skeptical (accusing the disciples of being drunkards).

            Note: It is awesome that in speaking tongues, they were bearing witness to the

            mighty works of God.

Note: For a better grasp on the distances traveled and variety of nations present at Pentecost see the bottom of page 2083 in the ESV Study Bible.

                        Timeless Principle: Even in the most amazing events, such as the events

of Pentecost, some people will and do persecute/criticize the church.  This is to be expected because no one can see the acts of God unless God removes the scales from their eyes because without God opening their eyes, they are still darkened in their understanding (see Rom. 1:20-23, Acts 9:18).  Do not be discouraged when falling under Persecution because it is not on our time as to who and when God will work in the hearts of men (all of 1 Pet.).

[14-15] Peter’s first sermon (the sermon at Pentecost: Peter stands up and begins the first of the sermons mentioned in Acts.  He begins by addressing the men who doubted the relevancy of the things that were occurring.  He tears down the theory of the disciples being drunk by exclaiming “it is just the third hour.”

            Note: The third hour refers to 9 A.M.

[16-24]  First half of the sermon (Christ loosed the pangs of death): Peter begins the meat of his sermon by quoting the prophet Joel concerning the end times and the savior (Joel 2:28-32).  The pouring out of the spirit as foretold by Joel initiated the end times.  Since Pentecost until now, they were in the in times and we are in the end times (v.17).  Peter was largely pointing out that through Christ the kingdom of God was at hand and the signs that had been foretold were being lived out, helping to tear down the views of the skeptics.  After this evidence, Peter gives an awesome illustration of the Gospel saying that many signs had been done by the Father through Christ.  Christ was held to the cross and was killed by lawless men but in being ressurected he “loosed the pangs of death because it was not possible” for death to hold him.

Note: Peter uses the Old Testament writings as proof to meet the religious men where they were at.  He used what would most impact the people whom he was talking, this is a common theme in Acts (meeting people where they are at).

            Timeless Principle: Jesus, whom was crucified, through his raising loosed the very pangs of death. Pangs in verse 24 is translated from the greek word odin which literally means “intolerable anguish” and often used to describe the extreme pain of child birth.  When Christ died and rose he made a gate for us to bridge the gap of separation that we have created through sin.  He bore the father’s wrath on our behalf so that we would not have to bear the pangs of death.  “All who call on the name of the Lord [Jesus] [and walk in him] shall be saved” (v.21).  Christ perfectly fulfilled the prophesy of Joel almost two thousand years ago and it has echoed through the centuries and shall continue to be the answer for our separation from the Father forevermore.  Repent and call on the name of Jesus.

*22-24 [money]

[25-36] Second part of the sermon (Christ is both Lord and Savior as made by the Father): Peter then references David (Psalm 16:8-11).  The Psalm has David proclaiming that his flesh will not be abandoned to death.  Peter uses this to say that since anyone who was present with them in the upper room could have gone to David’s tomb which was located at the South side of Jerusalem.  Because David was dead, Peter reasons that David is also a prophet who is foretelling that someone in his “flesh” line will not be abandoned to death.  Jesus, coming from the blood line of David (see Luke 3:23-31) overcame death because death could not hold him (v.24), thus fulfilling the prophesy of David.  Peter then rations that God raised Jesus and outpoured his spirit which was evident in the languages that were being spoken by the disciples.  Peter then quotes David once more (Psalm 110:1).  David, in this Psalm, points to the fact that the Messiah will be seated at the right hand of God having his enemies at his footstool.  Peter then uses these references to scripture to say that it can be known beyond any shadow of a doubt that “God has make him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus [they] crucified” (v.36).  This ends Peter’s sermon (v.14-36).

Note: Peter uses a very specific pattern to clearly proclaim the Gospel.  He leads each point directly into the next in a very clear way.  He uses scripture to back up each thing that he says, in doing so he met the “devout” men where they were.

            *36 [yet more money]

[37-41] The Jews were cut to the heart (three thousand were added): When the Jews heard Peter’s testimony of the proofs of Christ “they were cut to the heart” and began to ask “what then shall we do?”  Peter responds saying “repent and be baptized” and the Jews were the Lord added to their numbers that day 3000 souls. 

Note: When Peter says repent and be baptized he does not mean that baptism is necessary for salvation but he is trying to say that it is a logical and needed act of obedience to be a sign of what has happened on the inside, which is the exchanging of our hearts of stone for a new heart of flesh (see Ezekiel 11:19).

            Timeless Principle: The way in which this passage relates to our lives is clearly laid out in verses 38 and 39.

“And Peter said to them, ‘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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’” (v.38-39)

The gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus, our Lord, and the gift of his Holy Spirit is offered to all who have been called by his name for the forgiveness of their sins (for all people who were their at Pentecost and for those who are far off, like us).

*38-39

[42-47] Fellowship of believers (Gk. Koinonia): The church in this time, probably just weeks after Pentecost and a few months after Jesus’s resurrection was on fire.  They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and earnestly sought after God.  They devoted themselves also to fellowship among one another.  The Greek word for fellowship in this instance is ‘koinonia’ which can be translated as ‘active participation, community, joint participation’; this does not mean just hanging out and playing games, but it does mean doing exactly what the believers mentioned in this passage were doing, that is devoting themselves to sound doctrine and giving sacrificially and praying with one another, as well as sharing with one another, both in knowledge and pecuniary value.  They were in joint effort in praising God and they “had favor with all people.”  Through this the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 

Timeless Principle: The whole passage completely relates to our lives in the present age.  We should be devoted to studying God’s word, meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1:1-5),  memorizing it, chewing on it such that we might not sin against God in falling to our flesh (Psalm 119:11).  How can we wage war against ourselves if do not actively engage in the body for godly council and accountability, through learning from one another.  Jesus prays in John 17 that they (the church) may be one as he was one with is father.  We must be actively seeking one another’s advice in true fellowship as described in this passage.  God in himself exists in community, in three, he is community.  Why then do we meander through this present age thinking that we can do it on our own, in doing so saying that we are essentially better than God, which is sick and twisted and there is no room for it in the bride of Christ.  We must also be devoted to the servitude of others.  Christ went through washing the disciples feet, showing intense humility, so then shall we commit to the washing the feet of both of brothers and sisters in Christ as well as those who mock us and ridicule of on the account of our savior, Jesus Christ.  In verse 45, it can be clearly seen that the believers in Jerusalem then were giving all of their belongings away to help the surrounding people.  Above all they treasured Christ, more so than anything they had or could possibly get on this Earth because they knew that it was of no comparison to Christ.  They, like Paul in Phillipians 3, “any gain [they] had they counted as loss for the sake of knowing Christ.  Indeed, [they] counted everything as loss in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus [their/our] Lord.  For his sake [they] suffered in the loss of everything and counted it as rubbish (which is also translated manure), so that the might gain Christ” (Phillipians 3:7-8).  They truly treasured Christ above everything and it showed in their actions.  We wonder today why the church is declining, and we blame it on everything but ourselves.  If the church would truly began to search out what Christ intended for us, then maybe, just as he did in v.47, the Lord would add to our numbers daily those would be saved.  Pick up your cross and carry it.

*42-47 [boom baby, chyea, ba da da dat, money] [means sufficient to know the theme]

How to Read the Posts/ credits/ disclaimers

The posts will follow this pattern:

-chapter number (ex. Chap. 4)
-section verses (ex. [1-3])
-section theme (ex. Peter's first sermon)
-section overview/ summary (in normal font. no hanging spacing)
-notes (ex. Note:...) (provide clarity as well as alt. translations)
-timeless principle (ex. Timeless Principle:...) (refers to applications or journalling on how the section applies                               now)
-verses that should be memorized (ex. *5 -- refers that verse five of this chap. should be committed to memory)

Credits:

All references come from the ESV Study Bible, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Strong's Concordance, E-Sword, and Thayer's Greek dictionary.

Disclaimers:


Feel free to use any material form this blogspot for the sake of advancing the kingdom and your own growth.  All of the thoughts are raw, I have not proofread them so there may be typos in various spots.  All of the thoughts are pretty much free-writing or journalling.