Acts 2:14 says "Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd." He is a changed man. They all are changed men. They have spent the 40 days with the risen Christ as he opened their eyes to the scripture and explained again their mission to spread the kingdom of God. They have spent 10 days in prayer, waiting exactly as commanded, in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. And now the Holy Spirit has come and they are changed men.
The next section of Acts [2-8:3] is going to show us how changed these men, especially Peter, really are. The church explodes in Jerusalem. 3000 saved that first sermon! The summary in 2:47 says "The Lord added to their number DAILY those who were being saved."
Chapter three begins the story of Jesus working through these changed men. It begins like any other day. "One day Peter and John were going up to the Temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon." We already read at the end of chapter 2 that these new believers were meeting regularly in the temple courts, as well as in various homes. This is a day like any other day. But Peter saw a beggar waiting by the gate for a handout and said to him, I don't have money, but I'll give you what I have.... stand up and walk!
What possessed Peter to say that? Clearly it was the leading of the Holy Spirit because the man, indeed, did get up and walk! We don't know if this was the first time Peter had healed someone. We don't even know how much time has passed. We only know Peter healed him. I love watching the movies of the gospels and Acts (the ones that are word for word from the Bible, especially) and in this place the look on John's face is incredulous. Evidently he didn't get the same message! You can see him wondering if Peter's lost his mind!
Just as Jesus used his miracles as a springboard for his message, Peter now does the same thing. He delivers another sermon to the "Men of Israel" again pointing out their part in Christ's death, but focusing on his resurrection. Jesus didn't stay dead. In fact, it's Jesus who healed this man standing before you. Again Peter uses the Old Testament, quoting Moses, and summarizing that "all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days." [3:24]
At this point the captain of the Temple guard and the Sadducees seized Peter and John and put them in jail. In 4:5 we find the same men questioning them as were involved in the arrest, trial and death of Jesus! But we do not find Peter and John cowering and hiding. The are bold and sure of the truth. "It is by the name of Jesus of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."
That's very bold. Not only do they accuse these leaders of the wrongful death of Jesus, but they bring up that controversial subject, resurrection. These men don't even believe there is such a thing as resurrection. It's a point of division between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Death is the end. It's against all they believe.
Peter and John are changed men. No greater testament to the astounding effect of the Spirit is written than the words of 4:13, "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
Jesus told the disciples they were going to do greater things than He did. Look at what they are doing in chapters 3 and 4 and remember: this is only the beginning.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
When the day of Pentecost came....
There are places in the Bible where God's control of the timing are nothing short of astounding. Jesus' death on the day of the celebration of the Passover Lamb is a wonderful picture. The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost is equally amazing.
Bruce's commentary [The Book of Acts, F. F. Bruce] points out some details. Pentekostos, as we should have been able to figure out on our own, is 50. The 50th day after the first Sunday after Passover was the festival of first fruits. The first sheaf of the barley harvest was presented to God. Jewish tradition says the law was given from Mt. Sinai the same day and the Feast of Firstfruits or Feast of Weeks also remembered the giving of the Law.
The tie to the giving of the Law at Sinai is something I've never heard before, but it is surely not coincidentally similar. According to rabbinic tradition, the ten commandments were announced in a single voice, but all the people perceived "the voices" [Ex 2-18].
"As the voice went forth it was divided into seven voices and then went into seventy tongues, and every people received the law in its own language." [Bruce pg 54] Bruce sees that background, the feast as a commemoration of that miraculous gift of tongues at the giving of the law, in the crowd's reaction: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? --we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues! What does this mean?"
Peter chooses a passage from Joel, a prophecy about the last days, to explain what is happening. "Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." [Joel 2:29]. Peter is saying these last days, the days of the fulfillment of God's purpose has arrived. The key is that the Spirit is poured out on everyone, something that had never happened before. In that pouring out is foreshadowed the change to come, and the wonderful promise, "And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Everyone? Yes: Jew, proselyte, Greek, gentile and barbarian. The Spirit is poured out on the world and the World is free to receive Him by faith in Jesus.
What a remarkable change! This is not a reformation of the Mosaic Law but the announcement of a new law, the Law of Grace. Each one can hear in his own language the Spirit of God speaking into his own heart. And each one can respond out of their own heart, calling on the one who has removed all barriers between man and God.
Bruce's commentary [The Book of Acts, F. F. Bruce] points out some details. Pentekostos, as we should have been able to figure out on our own, is 50. The 50th day after the first Sunday after Passover was the festival of first fruits. The first sheaf of the barley harvest was presented to God. Jewish tradition says the law was given from Mt. Sinai the same day and the Feast of Firstfruits or Feast of Weeks also remembered the giving of the Law.
The tie to the giving of the Law at Sinai is something I've never heard before, but it is surely not coincidentally similar. According to rabbinic tradition, the ten commandments were announced in a single voice, but all the people perceived "the voices" [Ex 2-18].
"As the voice went forth it was divided into seven voices and then went into seventy tongues, and every people received the law in its own language." [Bruce pg 54] Bruce sees that background, the feast as a commemoration of that miraculous gift of tongues at the giving of the law, in the crowd's reaction: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? --we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues! What does this mean?"
Peter chooses a passage from Joel, a prophecy about the last days, to explain what is happening. "Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." [Joel 2:29]. Peter is saying these last days, the days of the fulfillment of God's purpose has arrived. The key is that the Spirit is poured out on everyone, something that had never happened before. In that pouring out is foreshadowed the change to come, and the wonderful promise, "And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Everyone? Yes: Jew, proselyte, Greek, gentile and barbarian. The Spirit is poured out on the world and the World is free to receive Him by faith in Jesus.
What a remarkable change! This is not a reformation of the Mosaic Law but the announcement of a new law, the Law of Grace. Each one can hear in his own language the Spirit of God speaking into his own heart. And each one can respond out of their own heart, calling on the one who has removed all barriers between man and God.
Monday, February 15, 2016
What did the Book of Luke say?
We reviewed Luke last week both because of the long break we had and because looking more at the background in preparation for Acts has really clarified the book of Luke in my mind. Probably should have done it sooner! LOL.
But... we found we could fairly easily think our way through Luke. The narrative books are nice that way.
Luke 1-3 starts at the beginning....way at the beginning with the announcements of both the births of John and of Jesus. We noticed again how carefully Luke detailed times and places in his desire to provide an accurate historical background for all that would happen next.
Luke 4-7 is all we have of Jesus early ministry and significantly it centers around the call of three disciples, Peter, James and John. They are the "main" Apostles early in the book of Acts, so their calling is dutifully recorded. Also Jesus' announcement of the 12 Apostles is almost formal here: Luke's recording it for history.
Of course there are miracles; they were a significant testimony to who Christ was, both in the fact no one could do them that wasn't God, and that they were prophesied to reveal Christ when he came.
At the beginning of Luke 8 they, [Jesus, his disciples and the women] were "traveling about proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God." This section is all Luke records about most of the time Jesus was ministering on earth. Again we have documentation of miracles. Luke also records the large crowds following him in 8:4, 8:40, 9:14, and 9:37. This was not accomplished in secret. Jesus' life and preaching were a major historic event.
There's a transition in 9:44. Jesus admonishes the disciples to listen carefully and then tells them he's going to die. All the crowds and the excitement are making them think the kingdom is about to be established and he says to them.... I'm going to die. They don't understand it. They don't believe it.
They continue to argue about who will be the greatest.... probably thinking about the cushiest job in the kingdom...secretary of state or vice president....something big.
The next 10 chapters record Jesus last 6 months of life. In 19:28 the text says Jesus is headed to Jerusalem to die. I think that's why this section has such a big focus on discipleship and counting the cost and making the conscious choice to follow him. Jesus is getting his followers ready for their mission. Luke is getting his readers ready for Acts.
In chapter 19, verse 28 Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. He's proclaimed King! But the Jewish leaders repeatedly ask, by whose authority are you doing these things. It's all coming to a head.
Jesus trials are recorded in most of chapter 23. Look carefully at verses 4, 11, 13, 15, 22, and 25. Six times Jesus is found innocent. Luke wants everyone to be clear on this point: Jesus was not executed as a law breaker or because of rebellion and sedition. He was executed because of the disbelief of the leaders of Judaism, and more importantly, because of the will of God. He said he was going to die, and he did.
Luke's record of Jesus death, burial and resurrection, like the record of his birth, is full of names and places. We know exactly who the Jewish leaders were, who was the governor and king, who helped Jesus carry the cross and who rescued and buried the body. Historical detail. You don't believe Jesus was really dead? Ask Joseph of Aramethea... he handled the body. Would he have sealed him in a tomb if there was a chance he was still alive? The readers of Luke could have probably found Joseph's son or at least grandson and asked him about it. Historical detail.
We found we could think our way through a very simple outline of Luke:
Jesus birth,
the beginnings of his ministry and foundation for future ministry by establishing the Apostles,
the vast crowds during the middle years of his ministry,
the preparation of the disciples for that future ministry in Jesus' last 6 months,
his arrest, death and resurrection in Jerusalem.
But... we found we could fairly easily think our way through Luke. The narrative books are nice that way.
Luke 1-3 starts at the beginning....way at the beginning with the announcements of both the births of John and of Jesus. We noticed again how carefully Luke detailed times and places in his desire to provide an accurate historical background for all that would happen next.
Luke 4-7 is all we have of Jesus early ministry and significantly it centers around the call of three disciples, Peter, James and John. They are the "main" Apostles early in the book of Acts, so their calling is dutifully recorded. Also Jesus' announcement of the 12 Apostles is almost formal here: Luke's recording it for history.
Of course there are miracles; they were a significant testimony to who Christ was, both in the fact no one could do them that wasn't God, and that they were prophesied to reveal Christ when he came.
At the beginning of Luke 8 they, [Jesus, his disciples and the women] were "traveling about proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God." This section is all Luke records about most of the time Jesus was ministering on earth. Again we have documentation of miracles. Luke also records the large crowds following him in 8:4, 8:40, 9:14, and 9:37. This was not accomplished in secret. Jesus' life and preaching were a major historic event.
There's a transition in 9:44. Jesus admonishes the disciples to listen carefully and then tells them he's going to die. All the crowds and the excitement are making them think the kingdom is about to be established and he says to them.... I'm going to die. They don't understand it. They don't believe it.
They continue to argue about who will be the greatest.... probably thinking about the cushiest job in the kingdom...secretary of state or vice president....something big.
The next 10 chapters record Jesus last 6 months of life. In 19:28 the text says Jesus is headed to Jerusalem to die. I think that's why this section has such a big focus on discipleship and counting the cost and making the conscious choice to follow him. Jesus is getting his followers ready for their mission. Luke is getting his readers ready for Acts.
In chapter 19, verse 28 Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. He's proclaimed King! But the Jewish leaders repeatedly ask, by whose authority are you doing these things. It's all coming to a head.
Jesus trials are recorded in most of chapter 23. Look carefully at verses 4, 11, 13, 15, 22, and 25. Six times Jesus is found innocent. Luke wants everyone to be clear on this point: Jesus was not executed as a law breaker or because of rebellion and sedition. He was executed because of the disbelief of the leaders of Judaism, and more importantly, because of the will of God. He said he was going to die, and he did.
Luke's record of Jesus death, burial and resurrection, like the record of his birth, is full of names and places. We know exactly who the Jewish leaders were, who was the governor and king, who helped Jesus carry the cross and who rescued and buried the body. Historical detail. You don't believe Jesus was really dead? Ask Joseph of Aramethea... he handled the body. Would he have sealed him in a tomb if there was a chance he was still alive? The readers of Luke could have probably found Joseph's son or at least grandson and asked him about it. Historical detail.
We found we could think our way through a very simple outline of Luke:
Jesus birth,
the beginnings of his ministry and foundation for future ministry by establishing the Apostles,
the vast crowds during the middle years of his ministry,
the preparation of the disciples for that future ministry in Jesus' last 6 months,
his arrest, death and resurrection in Jerusalem.
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