Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
Perhaps it is better to share some more scriptures than to speak on a topic of which I have no meaningful experience.
John 15:20-21 [Jesus said,] Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. NIV
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. NIV
2 Thessalonians 1:4-7 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. NIV
1 Thessalonians 3:2-4 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. NIV
Hebrews 11:35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. NIV
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. NIV
1 Peter 1:5-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. NIV
Friday, August 26, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Message of Life (Acts 5:20)
Acts 5:20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
The apostles were in jail and an angel of the Lord busted them out and gave them this directive. The officials had told them to stop teaching in His name (v. 28), but the angel told them to do it anyway. You could break down the angel’s message like this:
1) Go
2) Go to a certain place
3) Tell the people
Ring any bells?
Matthew 28:19 [Jesus said,] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. NIV
1) Go
2) Go to the nations
3) Make disciples
Their response to God’s direction in their life was:
1) They went
2) They went where they were told to go
3) They taught the people
Sometimes our response seems less straightforward.
I also thought that the message that they were given was interesting: “tell the people all about this new life.”
This is what we are bringing people, is it not? Life! It’s not just a better life, but it is life the opposite of death. We are bringing the message of life!
The apostles were in jail and an angel of the Lord busted them out and gave them this directive. The officials had told them to stop teaching in His name (v. 28), but the angel told them to do it anyway. You could break down the angel’s message like this:
1) Go
2) Go to a certain place
3) Tell the people
Ring any bells?
Matthew 28:19 [Jesus said,] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. NIV
1) Go
2) Go to the nations
3) Make disciples
Their response to God’s direction in their life was:
1) They went
2) They went where they were told to go
3) They taught the people
Sometimes our response seems less straightforward.
I also thought that the message that they were given was interesting: “tell the people all about this new life.”
This is what we are bringing people, is it not? Life! It’s not just a better life, but it is life the opposite of death. We are bringing the message of life!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Testifying to the Resurrection (Acts 4:33)
Acts 4:33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
The resurrection was the quintessential proof that Jesus (and His message) was from God.
John 2:18-21 Then the Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. NIV
(Also: Matthew 26:61; 27:40; 27:63, Mark 14:58; 15:29)
Matthew 12:39-40 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” NIV (Also: Matthew 16:4 and Luke 11:16,29-32)
Mark 8:31-32 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this… NIV
Mark 9:31 …He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” NIV
Although we may think of the message of forgiveness as the most important thing to communicate to others, it is only as important as it is true. The resurrection is what gives proof that the message of forgiveness is true. They testified, or gave witness, to what they had seen and experienced, and they did this with great power.
We must also be convinced of the truth of what we share. It is not enough that we like the message, find it comforting, or hope it is true. We must know its truth, and we should be able to communicate why we know it to be true.
The resurrection was the quintessential proof that Jesus (and His message) was from God.
John 2:18-21 Then the Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. NIV
(Also: Matthew 26:61; 27:40; 27:63, Mark 14:58; 15:29)
Matthew 12:39-40 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” NIV (Also: Matthew 16:4 and Luke 11:16,29-32)
Mark 8:31-32 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this… NIV
Mark 9:31 …He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” NIV
Although we may think of the message of forgiveness as the most important thing to communicate to others, it is only as important as it is true. The resurrection is what gives proof that the message of forgiveness is true. They testified, or gave witness, to what they had seen and experienced, and they did this with great power.
We must also be convinced of the truth of what we share. It is not enough that we like the message, find it comforting, or hope it is true. We must know its truth, and we should be able to communicate why we know it to be true.
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Spirit of Unity (Acts 4:32)
Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
Imagine a home with four children. One was a girl from the wife’s first marriage, and another was a boy from the husband’s first marriage. One boy was from the couple’s marriage, and another girl was adopted from another country.
Now come Christmas time, the mother’s mother piled all kinds of gifts on the little girl from the first marriage. She had twice as much as anyone else. The adopted girl was given a lot of hand-me-down clothes and toys from friends at the adoption group. The boy from the couple’s marriage tended to get a lot of stuff because he was the baby of the family. The dad’s first son was rough and tumble and tended to break a lot of his things. So the kids got a lot of stuff, but it was unequally, or perhaps unfairly, distributed.
However, in this family all the kids shared. They played together all the time, and no one complained about who had more or less. The one boy tended to break lots of toys, but no one complained. The girl with twice as many toys shared with the others because she knew how she would want to be treated if they switched places. The adopted girl shared her used things with the other kids and they shared their new things with her.
Okay, now, back to the real world. It doesn’t work like that does it? We are possessive. We are consumed with fairness. We feel like people should be in dire straits before we should give them anything, and we judge who we feel is worthy of help and who isn’t. We think that we are being generous when our giving isn’t even enough to impact our lifestyle. We think sharing is letting someone use something of ours as long as they return it quickly and in the same condition. We spend more on eating out than we give to the work of God or the needy. And we hardly think twice about any of it.
Here’s a good verse on this, with a couple of minor modernizations added.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who [live in the United States and have a standard of living well above 90% of all the people who have ever lived] not to be arrogant nor to [put a bunch of hope into how nice their cars and houses are, how full their savings accounts are, and just how comfortable they will be in their old age], which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. NIV
If we lived out 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Acts 4:32 would not seem so shockingly strange to us. We don’t act like siblings united in one family under the headship of our Father. We act more like competitors on the Successful Life Reality Show. How sad that must make our Father.
Imagine a home with four children. One was a girl from the wife’s first marriage, and another was a boy from the husband’s first marriage. One boy was from the couple’s marriage, and another girl was adopted from another country.
Now come Christmas time, the mother’s mother piled all kinds of gifts on the little girl from the first marriage. She had twice as much as anyone else. The adopted girl was given a lot of hand-me-down clothes and toys from friends at the adoption group. The boy from the couple’s marriage tended to get a lot of stuff because he was the baby of the family. The dad’s first son was rough and tumble and tended to break a lot of his things. So the kids got a lot of stuff, but it was unequally, or perhaps unfairly, distributed.
However, in this family all the kids shared. They played together all the time, and no one complained about who had more or less. The one boy tended to break lots of toys, but no one complained. The girl with twice as many toys shared with the others because she knew how she would want to be treated if they switched places. The adopted girl shared her used things with the other kids and they shared their new things with her.
Okay, now, back to the real world. It doesn’t work like that does it? We are possessive. We are consumed with fairness. We feel like people should be in dire straits before we should give them anything, and we judge who we feel is worthy of help and who isn’t. We think that we are being generous when our giving isn’t even enough to impact our lifestyle. We think sharing is letting someone use something of ours as long as they return it quickly and in the same condition. We spend more on eating out than we give to the work of God or the needy. And we hardly think twice about any of it.
Here’s a good verse on this, with a couple of minor modernizations added.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who [live in the United States and have a standard of living well above 90% of all the people who have ever lived] not to be arrogant nor to [put a bunch of hope into how nice their cars and houses are, how full their savings accounts are, and just how comfortable they will be in their old age], which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. NIV
If we lived out 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Acts 4:32 would not seem so shockingly strange to us. We don’t act like siblings united in one family under the headship of our Father. We act more like competitors on the Successful Life Reality Show. How sad that must make our Father.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Believers’ Prayer (Acts 4:30)
Acts 4:30 “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
God did amazing things through the early church. Some people were healed when Peter’s shadow fell on them (Acts 5:15), paralytics and cripples were cured (Acts 8:7), Ananias and Sapphria were struck dead (Acts 5:10), and Tabitha and Eutychus were raised from the dead (Acts 9:40; 20:10)! It doesn’t get much more exciting than that.
In Acts 4:30 the believers prayed for these things. They prayed that God would set aside the laws of nature and do the supernatural in their midst. And God answered them.
“God, bless this food, help me have a good day, be with us, and yada yada yada…” Many of our prayers are this way. If we want to see God do big things, we need to be praying big things.
God did amazing things through the early church. Some people were healed when Peter’s shadow fell on them (Acts 5:15), paralytics and cripples were cured (Acts 8:7), Ananias and Sapphria were struck dead (Acts 5:10), and Tabitha and Eutychus were raised from the dead (Acts 9:40; 20:10)! It doesn’t get much more exciting than that.
In Acts 4:30 the believers prayed for these things. They prayed that God would set aside the laws of nature and do the supernatural in their midst. And God answered them.
“God, bless this food, help me have a good day, be with us, and yada yada yada…” Many of our prayers are this way. If we want to see God do big things, we need to be praying big things.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Being with Jesus (Acts 4:13)
Acts 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.
Unschooled and ordinary. A couple of fishermen. These are the type of people God often choses to be His go-to guys. You should never feel like you don’t have the stuff necessary to be used by God.
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. NIV
What was it that stood out about Peter and John? They had been with Jesus. Like teacher like student; like father like son; like Jesus like disciple.
I want to be a man whose life is marked by being with Jesus!
Unschooled and ordinary. A couple of fishermen. These are the type of people God often choses to be His go-to guys. You should never feel like you don’t have the stuff necessary to be used by God.
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. NIV
What was it that stood out about Peter and John? They had been with Jesus. Like teacher like student; like father like son; like Jesus like disciple.
I want to be a man whose life is marked by being with Jesus!
Monday, August 15, 2011
One Way (Acts 4:12)
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” NIV
Along with John 14:6, Acts 4:12 should be memorized by every believer, since it makes it crystal clear that Jesus is the only ticket to heaven.
When I was a kid growing up in the Bible belt I remember being exposed to some eastern thinking in grade school. The ideas of many roads leading to heaven and reincarnation were as intuitively off as the idea that you could carve your own idol and then bow down and worship it. Yet in the last 40 years many things have changed. Through news and entertainment alike, media has exposed us to a whole new world which is largely made up and controlled by the nonreligious and certainly non-Christian. This new world has some positive elements, but it also has an incredible ability to sell and persuade. Now, 40 years later, it is common for people to hold to the ideas of many roads leading to heaven. Even many Christians believe, and quite strongly so, that Jesus cannot possibly be the only way.
But Jesus makes it quite clear. He is the only way. There is no other.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” NIV
Along with John 14:6, Acts 4:12 should be memorized by every believer, since it makes it crystal clear that Jesus is the only ticket to heaven.
When I was a kid growing up in the Bible belt I remember being exposed to some eastern thinking in grade school. The ideas of many roads leading to heaven and reincarnation were as intuitively off as the idea that you could carve your own idol and then bow down and worship it. Yet in the last 40 years many things have changed. Through news and entertainment alike, media has exposed us to a whole new world which is largely made up and controlled by the nonreligious and certainly non-Christian. This new world has some positive elements, but it also has an incredible ability to sell and persuade. Now, 40 years later, it is common for people to hold to the ideas of many roads leading to heaven. Even many Christians believe, and quite strongly so, that Jesus cannot possibly be the only way.
But Jesus makes it quite clear. He is the only way. There is no other.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Repentance and the Early Ministry of Jesus (Acts 3:26)
Acts 3:26 “When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
This verse is helpful in interpreting Jesus’ early ministry. We know that His mission was to come and die on the cross for our sins. We also know that the miracles He performed gave proof that He was really sent from God. But why was so much of His ministry focused on teaching? Jesus was setting some things straight and showing us how to live.
Some people put undue emphasis on His teachings as ways to get right with God as if they are of equal or even greater significance than His death and resurrection. This is an improper balance and this verse helps us understand the purpose of His teachings. They help define correct living, but do not necessarily point us to the cross and eternal life.
It is also important to see that Jesus did not merely tell us to love each other. That was not his whole message. He also told us to repent or to turn from our ways.
This is consistent with the message of John the Baptist.
Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. NIV
It is clearly recorded as what Jesus taught.
Mark 1:14-15 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” NIV
It is what the Twelve preached when Jesus sent them out.
Mark 6:12 They went out and preached that people should repent. NIV
Jesus also mentioned it as part of what would be preached in one version of the Great Commission.
Luke 24:47 “…and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” NIV
Turing from sins, or repentance, was clearly part of his message from beginning to end.
This verse is helpful in interpreting Jesus’ early ministry. We know that His mission was to come and die on the cross for our sins. We also know that the miracles He performed gave proof that He was really sent from God. But why was so much of His ministry focused on teaching? Jesus was setting some things straight and showing us how to live.
Some people put undue emphasis on His teachings as ways to get right with God as if they are of equal or even greater significance than His death and resurrection. This is an improper balance and this verse helps us understand the purpose of His teachings. They help define correct living, but do not necessarily point us to the cross and eternal life.
It is also important to see that Jesus did not merely tell us to love each other. That was not his whole message. He also told us to repent or to turn from our ways.
This is consistent with the message of John the Baptist.
Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. NIV
It is clearly recorded as what Jesus taught.
Mark 1:14-15 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” NIV
It is what the Twelve preached when Jesus sent them out.
Mark 6:12 They went out and preached that people should repent. NIV
Jesus also mentioned it as part of what would be preached in one version of the Great Commission.
Luke 24:47 “…and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” NIV
Turing from sins, or repentance, was clearly part of his message from beginning to end.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Listen to Jesus (Acts 3:23)
Acts 3:23 ‘Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’
This is a good reminder that listening to (and following) Jesus is not just one of several good options. It’s not like you can follow Muhammad or Buddha or Confucius. Jesus is the only true Savior.
This verse is part of an Old Testament prophecy from Deuteronomy 18. In it God says that he will raise up a prophet like Moses. If anyone does not listen to Him, God Himself promises to call him to account.
We live in a world that mocks Jesus, swears by the name of Jesus, and ignores Jesus. Two words for that: not good.
This is a good reminder that listening to (and following) Jesus is not just one of several good options. It’s not like you can follow Muhammad or Buddha or Confucius. Jesus is the only true Savior.
This verse is part of an Old Testament prophecy from Deuteronomy 18. In it God says that he will raise up a prophet like Moses. If anyone does not listen to Him, God Himself promises to call him to account.
We live in a world that mocks Jesus, swears by the name of Jesus, and ignores Jesus. Two words for that: not good.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Repentance and Forgiveness (Acts 3:19)
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
First off, one must ask, is it repentance that wipes out sin, or faith? The 21st century mind likes to know such things. Such thinking would have been foreign to the early church. People with faith in God repent of their sins and turn to God. People who repent of their sins and turn to God have faith. Sometimes I think we try to separate the wetness from the water in our theological musings.
Not only is it important to understand that faith and repentance go hand-in-hand, but we should also feel the freedom to call someone to repentance, as did Peter in this passage. If someone is sleeping around, drinking heavily, and blaspheming God with his life, there would be nothing wrong with telling him that he needs to repent and turn to God. In fact, it may be somewhat ridiculous to tell him that he needs to believe in Jesus. That would be meaningless to him and would be likely to evoke a response of, “I already believe in Jesus.” We might say something like, “You believe that He exists, but you don’t truly believe.” This makes sense to us in our Christian thinking, but is not likely to get far with the person we are trying to reach. What we are thinking is that by this man’s lifestyle we can clearly see that he does not believe that God is watching him, that he does not like what he sees, and that someday God will judge him for his actions. This man does not have a changed life that results from true belief. In other words, he has not repented. Telling him to “repent and turn to God” seems like a pretty clear way to explain to him his need and the lack of Jesus in his life!
The promise attached to repentance is astonishing: “that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” This “refreshing” is not that life will be easy and that God is going to pour material blessings into your lap. The believers in the early church knew and expected suffering. Such thinking was foreign to them. The refreshing spoken of here is utter and complete forgiveness. Sins would be wiped out, destroyed, demolished, and dealt with forever. True repentance requires an acceptance of the gravity of our sinfulness and when God brings us to this point of brokenness, then, at that point we can grasp the great value of a clean slate with God.
First off, one must ask, is it repentance that wipes out sin, or faith? The 21st century mind likes to know such things. Such thinking would have been foreign to the early church. People with faith in God repent of their sins and turn to God. People who repent of their sins and turn to God have faith. Sometimes I think we try to separate the wetness from the water in our theological musings.
Not only is it important to understand that faith and repentance go hand-in-hand, but we should also feel the freedom to call someone to repentance, as did Peter in this passage. If someone is sleeping around, drinking heavily, and blaspheming God with his life, there would be nothing wrong with telling him that he needs to repent and turn to God. In fact, it may be somewhat ridiculous to tell him that he needs to believe in Jesus. That would be meaningless to him and would be likely to evoke a response of, “I already believe in Jesus.” We might say something like, “You believe that He exists, but you don’t truly believe.” This makes sense to us in our Christian thinking, but is not likely to get far with the person we are trying to reach. What we are thinking is that by this man’s lifestyle we can clearly see that he does not believe that God is watching him, that he does not like what he sees, and that someday God will judge him for his actions. This man does not have a changed life that results from true belief. In other words, he has not repented. Telling him to “repent and turn to God” seems like a pretty clear way to explain to him his need and the lack of Jesus in his life!
The promise attached to repentance is astonishing: “that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” This “refreshing” is not that life will be easy and that God is going to pour material blessings into your lap. The believers in the early church knew and expected suffering. Such thinking was foreign to them. The refreshing spoken of here is utter and complete forgiveness. Sins would be wiped out, destroyed, demolished, and dealt with forever. True repentance requires an acceptance of the gravity of our sinfulness and when God brings us to this point of brokenness, then, at that point we can grasp the great value of a clean slate with God.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
God’s Subculture (Acts 2:46-47)
Acts 2:46-47 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
It is so hard to stand against our world and to live differently. Everything in the world is different: clothing, cars, homes, lifestyles, speech, dress, and etc… As relational beings it is difficult to just go our on way in life. We desperately want to fit in and be accepted. Everything within us wants to be loved and embraced by others.
God does not merely ask us to give up the world, but He also calls us into a new world. We see in the Acts church a subculture. In this subculture people could be different—radically different. When they entered His kingdom, everything in their lives came under His kingship. There is a new sheriff in town, so to speak. In this kingdom there was love and acceptance, an exciting purpose, room to grow (as well as expectation to grow), and an expectation of suffering. As they separated from the world, they drew close to one another and together they desperately sought God in prayer.
In this passage we see that they met every day. Every day is a lot. In fact it is too much. To my American 21st century mind this is overkill. Yet when they came to Christ they gave it all. What was there to protect? Their schedule? Their time? Did they have better things to do? No, this was life. Meeting daily, eating together, and sharing their lives, this was their new culture. It was a new way of life.
It is so hard to stand against our world and to live differently. Everything in the world is different: clothing, cars, homes, lifestyles, speech, dress, and etc… As relational beings it is difficult to just go our on way in life. We desperately want to fit in and be accepted. Everything within us wants to be loved and embraced by others.
God does not merely ask us to give up the world, but He also calls us into a new world. We see in the Acts church a subculture. In this subculture people could be different—radically different. When they entered His kingdom, everything in their lives came under His kingship. There is a new sheriff in town, so to speak. In this kingdom there was love and acceptance, an exciting purpose, room to grow (as well as expectation to grow), and an expectation of suffering. As they separated from the world, they drew close to one another and together they desperately sought God in prayer.
In this passage we see that they met every day. Every day is a lot. In fact it is too much. To my American 21st century mind this is overkill. Yet when they came to Christ they gave it all. What was there to protect? Their schedule? Their time? Did they have better things to do? No, this was life. Meeting daily, eating together, and sharing their lives, this was their new culture. It was a new way of life.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Daily Meeting (Acts 2:46-47)
Acts 2:46-47 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
There are several things that strike me about this verse:
1) “Every day” – That sure seems like a lot of meeting. Sometimes I think that too many church meetings can make it too hard to interact with the world, and sometimes I think that we need to meet constantly just to counteract the negative influence of the world.
2) It is interesting that they met in their homes. That is a great place for small groups of people to get to know each other, to have meaningful relationships, and to live out Christianity in a practical way. That is why we have small groups.
3) They didn’t meet out of obligation, but had “glad and sincere hearts.” It is easy for church meetings to become mundane. The acts church didn’t seem to struggle with drudgery, but they were excited to meet and enjoy fellowship. I want to model that in my life and in our church!
4) Daily growth. That is what our world needs, and that is what we need to pray for.
There are several things that strike me about this verse:
1) “Every day” – That sure seems like a lot of meeting. Sometimes I think that too many church meetings can make it too hard to interact with the world, and sometimes I think that we need to meet constantly just to counteract the negative influence of the world.
2) It is interesting that they met in their homes. That is a great place for small groups of people to get to know each other, to have meaningful relationships, and to live out Christianity in a practical way. That is why we have small groups.
3) They didn’t meet out of obligation, but had “glad and sincere hearts.” It is easy for church meetings to become mundane. The acts church didn’t seem to struggle with drudgery, but they were excited to meet and enjoy fellowship. I want to model that in my life and in our church!
4) Daily growth. That is what our world needs, and that is what we need to pray for.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sharing the Load (Acts 2:44)
Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
A friend from my childhood church became a missionary in Africa and I supported him a small monthly amount for over ten years. I thought of him often, especially when making financial decisions. Although I’ve always tried to be frugal in my spending on myself and generous in giving to others, I was always challenged with this thought: How could I live extravagantly when he lived primitively? I’m not saying I excelled at bringing equality to the situation, I’m just saying I thought about it a lot.
Five percent of Americans tithe. Twenty-four percent of evangelicals tithe. Even we are one of the richest people groups to ever populate this planet, we’re not even doing the minimum.
I’ve often thought about how much energy is spent on the finances of Christian work, and how much work is hamstrung for lack of funding. I imagine church leaders sitting in board meetings trying to decide which staff to cut and missionaries in Uganda on their knees praying that God will send their next meal. Undoubtedly there are medical missionaries who could save lives with more medicine. I’ve even thought about how cool it would be if our church could have a play land like McDonalds or could run commercials during the Super Bowl like Pepsi. What if every home could be given a Bible or if we could provide meals for the hungry.
Meanwhile we live in nice homes, have restaurants on every corner, bequeath money to our pets, buy lotions, make-up, and perfumes, drive nice cars, and have closets stuffed with clothes and shoes covering the floor.
I’m not saying I’m different from anyone else. I’m just saying that Christianity in 2011 is very different from Christianity in Acts. The way we view our money and duty to God and one another is certainly part of the problem.
Barna stats
A friend from my childhood church became a missionary in Africa and I supported him a small monthly amount for over ten years. I thought of him often, especially when making financial decisions. Although I’ve always tried to be frugal in my spending on myself and generous in giving to others, I was always challenged with this thought: How could I live extravagantly when he lived primitively? I’m not saying I excelled at bringing equality to the situation, I’m just saying I thought about it a lot.
Five percent of Americans tithe. Twenty-four percent of evangelicals tithe. Even we are one of the richest people groups to ever populate this planet, we’re not even doing the minimum.
I’ve often thought about how much energy is spent on the finances of Christian work, and how much work is hamstrung for lack of funding. I imagine church leaders sitting in board meetings trying to decide which staff to cut and missionaries in Uganda on their knees praying that God will send their next meal. Undoubtedly there are medical missionaries who could save lives with more medicine. I’ve even thought about how cool it would be if our church could have a play land like McDonalds or could run commercials during the Super Bowl like Pepsi. What if every home could be given a Bible or if we could provide meals for the hungry.
Meanwhile we live in nice homes, have restaurants on every corner, bequeath money to our pets, buy lotions, make-up, and perfumes, drive nice cars, and have closets stuffed with clothes and shoes covering the floor.
I’m not saying I’m different from anyone else. I’m just saying that Christianity in 2011 is very different from Christianity in Acts. The way we view our money and duty to God and one another is certainly part of the problem.
Barna stats
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Devotion (Acts 2:42)
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The followers of Jesus did lots of different activities. They preached, met, sang, prayed, evangelized, did miracles, spoke in tongues, shared the Word, laid hands on people, spoke in tongues, baptized people, and performed signs and wonders. All of those things were important to them but wouldn’t it be nice to know what they thought was really important? That’s exactly what this verse does. It summarizes their activities and highlights four that were particularly devoted to: listening to and following teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.
In the church it is easy to focus on building campaigns, numbers, image, and other issues. Those things need attention, but it is important to maintain balance. What is our heart? What are we devoted to? Is it in line with those four areas? If not, why? Do we have a compelling reason to take a different stance or focus?
The followers of Jesus did lots of different activities. They preached, met, sang, prayed, evangelized, did miracles, spoke in tongues, shared the Word, laid hands on people, spoke in tongues, baptized people, and performed signs and wonders. All of those things were important to them but wouldn’t it be nice to know what they thought was really important? That’s exactly what this verse does. It summarizes their activities and highlights four that were particularly devoted to: listening to and following teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.
In the church it is easy to focus on building campaigns, numbers, image, and other issues. Those things need attention, but it is important to maintain balance. What is our heart? What are we devoted to? Is it in line with those four areas? If not, why? Do we have a compelling reason to take a different stance or focus?
Friday, July 8, 2011
Save Yourselves (Acts 2:40)
Acts 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
In this passage, Peter appeals to every man’s tendency to look out for his own interests, saying, “Save yourselves!” He is not just talking about being saved from sin or being saved from hell, he’s talking about being saved from this world. Peter does not say this as a fiery sermon point. He begs and pleads with them to pull themselves out of the quicksand that is the world.
Peter captures this thought well in another place:
1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
There is a battle being waged for my soul, and my sinful desires can gravitate toward the kingdom of the world instead of the kingdom of God.
John makes the allegiances involved in this colossal struggle quite clear. Our hearts love God or the world, not both.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
This is a hard teaching. We all have things in this world that we love, errrr, I mean “like”. It is hard to read this passage without doing a little self-reflection. I guess the question comes down to, who do I really love? It may be best answered by asking, “Who or what consumes my thoughts, my time, and my resources?” If the answer is the things of this world, then it is time for a heart check.
Although I think some of the Amish and Mennonite communities go overboard in detaching from the world, I do admire the idea. If we don’t engage in the world, if we don’t buy the things the world buys, play the games the world plays, and do the things the world does, perhaps the hold the world has on our hearts would loosen. I don’t see anything legalistic at all about trying to detach the grasp of my heart from its hold on the world.
1 Corinthians 7:29-31 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
I think some of the admonitions in 1 Corinthians 7 were related to the “crisis” mentioned in verse 26 which likely relates to some of the afflictions and persecutions faced by the early church. However, I believe the admonition of verse 31 still applies, that we would not be engrossed in the worldly things we use. Instead, we should attempt to “save ourselves from this corrupt generation.”
In this passage, Peter appeals to every man’s tendency to look out for his own interests, saying, “Save yourselves!” He is not just talking about being saved from sin or being saved from hell, he’s talking about being saved from this world. Peter does not say this as a fiery sermon point. He begs and pleads with them to pull themselves out of the quicksand that is the world.
Peter captures this thought well in another place:
1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
There is a battle being waged for my soul, and my sinful desires can gravitate toward the kingdom of the world instead of the kingdom of God.
John makes the allegiances involved in this colossal struggle quite clear. Our hearts love God or the world, not both.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
This is a hard teaching. We all have things in this world that we love, errrr, I mean “like”. It is hard to read this passage without doing a little self-reflection. I guess the question comes down to, who do I really love? It may be best answered by asking, “Who or what consumes my thoughts, my time, and my resources?” If the answer is the things of this world, then it is time for a heart check.
Although I think some of the Amish and Mennonite communities go overboard in detaching from the world, I do admire the idea. If we don’t engage in the world, if we don’t buy the things the world buys, play the games the world plays, and do the things the world does, perhaps the hold the world has on our hearts would loosen. I don’t see anything legalistic at all about trying to detach the grasp of my heart from its hold on the world.
1 Corinthians 7:29-31 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
I think some of the admonitions in 1 Corinthians 7 were related to the “crisis” mentioned in verse 26 which likely relates to some of the afflictions and persecutions faced by the early church. However, I believe the admonition of verse 31 still applies, that we would not be engrossed in the worldly things we use. Instead, we should attempt to “save ourselves from this corrupt generation.”
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Repentance, Baptism, and an Amazing Promise (Acts 2:38-39)
Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “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. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Repent and be baptized. It seems almost as if that is the gospel message in this passage. It is. You’ll find in the book of Acts that the gospel message is not always presented as merely belief. Does that mean it is not belief that saves us? No, it means that the disciples had various equivalent ways of expressing the message. Belief is at the core of the message, but repentance is certainly part of true belief. And someone who truly believes will get baptized. The disciples used several different terms to express just what true belief looks like, and this may be one of the greatest lessons we can learn as we study Acts.
We all know that baptism is something that occurred immediately after salvation in the book of Acts. Unfortunately, in 21st century Christianity we’ve relegated it to the back shelf. It is something that a believer may not even be presented with for years after his salvation! Perhaps we think that we will let the new believer settle in to their Christianity a little before introducing them to a topic of faith that might seem a little odd or overly religious. Not only is this foreign to New Testament thinking, but in this passage Peter brings up the topic of baptism to people who are hearing the message for the very first time, and he outright commands them to be baptized!
Verse 39 speaks of a promise for all people and generations. This promise is two-fold. If we repent and are baptized we 1) get our sins forgiven and 2) receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is part of Peter’s monolog on the day of Pentecost when the baptism of the Holy Spirit first occurred. So in context, they just saw the disciples filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues, and then Peter said that any of them will (not may) also receive the gift of the Spirit if they repent and get baptized. So, if you are wondering if you have received the Spirit in the same way that others have received the Spirit, you do not need to go on a spiritual quest, you do not need to seek out someone to lay hands on you, and you do not need to go to a revival meeting. All you need to do is make sure that you have repented and been baptized. God will take care of filling you with the Spirit. That is His promise.
Repent and be baptized. It seems almost as if that is the gospel message in this passage. It is. You’ll find in the book of Acts that the gospel message is not always presented as merely belief. Does that mean it is not belief that saves us? No, it means that the disciples had various equivalent ways of expressing the message. Belief is at the core of the message, but repentance is certainly part of true belief. And someone who truly believes will get baptized. The disciples used several different terms to express just what true belief looks like, and this may be one of the greatest lessons we can learn as we study Acts.
We all know that baptism is something that occurred immediately after salvation in the book of Acts. Unfortunately, in 21st century Christianity we’ve relegated it to the back shelf. It is something that a believer may not even be presented with for years after his salvation! Perhaps we think that we will let the new believer settle in to their Christianity a little before introducing them to a topic of faith that might seem a little odd or overly religious. Not only is this foreign to New Testament thinking, but in this passage Peter brings up the topic of baptism to people who are hearing the message for the very first time, and he outright commands them to be baptized!
Verse 39 speaks of a promise for all people and generations. This promise is two-fold. If we repent and are baptized we 1) get our sins forgiven and 2) receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is part of Peter’s monolog on the day of Pentecost when the baptism of the Holy Spirit first occurred. So in context, they just saw the disciples filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues, and then Peter said that any of them will (not may) also receive the gift of the Spirit if they repent and get baptized. So, if you are wondering if you have received the Spirit in the same way that others have received the Spirit, you do not need to go on a spiritual quest, you do not need to seek out someone to lay hands on you, and you do not need to go to a revival meeting. All you need to do is make sure that you have repented and been baptized. God will take care of filling you with the Spirit. That is His promise.
Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36)
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
I tend to use some of the names of Christ interchangeably. Jesus, Christ, Lord, Messiah, Savior, and other names for Jesus. This verse points out a distinction. God made Jesus Lord, and God made Jesus Messiah.
“Lord” is not just another name for Jesus, it means “supreme in authority” or “Master”.
“Messiah” or “Christ” means “the promised savior”.
In our own lives, Jesus fulfills both of these roles. He the Savior who has freed us from sin and separation from Him, and his is our Lord or Master. In the kingdom, He is our loving King, and we live our lives in a way that pleases Him and brings Him honor.
I tend to use some of the names of Christ interchangeably. Jesus, Christ, Lord, Messiah, Savior, and other names for Jesus. This verse points out a distinction. God made Jesus Lord, and God made Jesus Messiah.
“Lord” is not just another name for Jesus, it means “supreme in authority” or “Master”.
“Messiah” or “Christ” means “the promised savior”.
In our own lives, Jesus fulfills both of these roles. He the Savior who has freed us from sin and separation from Him, and his is our Lord or Master. In the kingdom, He is our loving King, and we live our lives in a way that pleases Him and brings Him honor.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Jesus and Death Don’t Mix (Acts 2:24)
Acts 2:24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
It was “impossible” for death to keep its hold on Him. Jesus and death just don’t mix. It is interesting to note that no one ever remained dead in the presence of Jesus. Perhaps it is not even possible for death to take hold in his presence. Whether or not that is the case is hard to say, but we do know that He proved His power over death by raising Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, and the son of the widow from Nain.
Later on, at the moment of Jesus’ death others were raised to life, once again proving His conquering of death.
Matthew 27:51-53 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Jesus ultimate proof of his ministry was His resurrection. When the people asked for a sign, He gave them the sign of Jonah…
Matthew 12:39-40 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Jesus’ resurrection also relates to our own resurrection. We will be made alive because Christ was made alive!
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
It was “impossible” for death to keep its hold on Him. Jesus and death just don’t mix. It is interesting to note that no one ever remained dead in the presence of Jesus. Perhaps it is not even possible for death to take hold in his presence. Whether or not that is the case is hard to say, but we do know that He proved His power over death by raising Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, and the son of the widow from Nain.
Later on, at the moment of Jesus’ death others were raised to life, once again proving His conquering of death.
Matthew 27:51-53 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Jesus ultimate proof of his ministry was His resurrection. When the people asked for a sign, He gave them the sign of Jonah…
Matthew 12:39-40 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Jesus’ resurrection also relates to our own resurrection. We will be made alive because Christ was made alive!
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Calling on the Lord (Acts 2:21)
Acts 2:21 ‘And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
This prophecy is from Joel 2:32 and is also famously quoted in Romans.
Romans 10:9-13 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
What does it take to be saved? A person must call on the Lord. What does it mean to call on the Lord? At face value it would seem to be as simple as crying out, “Jesus, save me!” From Romans 10 it would seem to entail nothing more than believing in your heart and acknowledging it with your mouth. In any case, it is short and sweet.
This prophecy is from Joel 2:32 and is also famously quoted in Romans.
Romans 10:9-13 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
What does it take to be saved? A person must call on the Lord. What does it mean to call on the Lord? At face value it would seem to be as simple as crying out, “Jesus, save me!” From Romans 10 it would seem to entail nothing more than believing in your heart and acknowledging it with your mouth. In any case, it is short and sweet.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Speaking in Tongues (Acts 2:4)
Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
In the book of Acts, speaking in tongues was the ability to speak in foreign languages so that speakers could communicate with people who didn’t speak the same language.
In Acts 2:8 it, at first reading, seems as if the hearers were able to understand languages that they did not know.
Acts 2:8 “Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?”
If one interprets this as saying that each person heard each other person, then the gift would appear to be on the hearers, not the speakers. If one interprets it as saying that each person heard at least one other person speaking in his own language, then the gift is on the speakers, not the listeners.
This latter interpretation would seem correct when considered in the context of the remainder of the passage as illustrated by these two points. First of all, the fact that some people accused them as being drunk indicates that not everyone understood every other person. Some of the speaking must have sounded as gibberish, because it was a foreign language that the listeners did not understand. Secondly, spiritual gifts are given to believers, not unbelievers, so the gift was given to the speakers (Acts 1:4), not the unbelievers. There is no need for anyone to “speak in tongues” if the miracle is on the side of the listener. If that were the case, the believers could just speak naturally and the listeners could do the interpreting. It would be “hearing in tongues” instead of “speaking in tongues”.
In any case, the important thing to understand is that speaking in tongues in the book of Acts was the supernatural ability to speak in a language unknown to the speaker.
In today’s church there is much debate as to the sign gifts and particularly tongues. In Charismatic churches, the use of tongues is not usually a language that is known by any of the listeners as it was in the book of Acts. Instead, it is typically practiced as a private Spirit-led prayer language. Most non-charismatics do not believe that the use of tongues as practiced today is typically truly tongues, or necessarily even Spirit given.
Historically, the use of tongues faded away in the times of the early church, and were not a common practice in Christianity until around 1900.
The passage quoted in Acts 2 from Joel 2:28-32 adds even more intrigue to this issue.
Acts 2:17a “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”
When the whole passage is read, it is obvious that the pouring out of the Spirit in Acts 2 was a partial fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel. Its complete fulfillment will be with the “coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”
So, what we know for sure is that there was an outpouring of the Spirit in Acts that enabled the followers of Jesus to speak in unknown languages and to perform other miracles. There will also be an outpouring of the Spirit before the coming of the Lord. Whether or not the “tongues” that are practiced in today’s churches are part of this inevitable outpouring is open to debate.
In the book of Acts, speaking in tongues was the ability to speak in foreign languages so that speakers could communicate with people who didn’t speak the same language.
In Acts 2:8 it, at first reading, seems as if the hearers were able to understand languages that they did not know.
Acts 2:8 “Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?”
If one interprets this as saying that each person heard each other person, then the gift would appear to be on the hearers, not the speakers. If one interprets it as saying that each person heard at least one other person speaking in his own language, then the gift is on the speakers, not the listeners.
This latter interpretation would seem correct when considered in the context of the remainder of the passage as illustrated by these two points. First of all, the fact that some people accused them as being drunk indicates that not everyone understood every other person. Some of the speaking must have sounded as gibberish, because it was a foreign language that the listeners did not understand. Secondly, spiritual gifts are given to believers, not unbelievers, so the gift was given to the speakers (Acts 1:4), not the unbelievers. There is no need for anyone to “speak in tongues” if the miracle is on the side of the listener. If that were the case, the believers could just speak naturally and the listeners could do the interpreting. It would be “hearing in tongues” instead of “speaking in tongues”.
In any case, the important thing to understand is that speaking in tongues in the book of Acts was the supernatural ability to speak in a language unknown to the speaker.
In today’s church there is much debate as to the sign gifts and particularly tongues. In Charismatic churches, the use of tongues is not usually a language that is known by any of the listeners as it was in the book of Acts. Instead, it is typically practiced as a private Spirit-led prayer language. Most non-charismatics do not believe that the use of tongues as practiced today is typically truly tongues, or necessarily even Spirit given.
Historically, the use of tongues faded away in the times of the early church, and were not a common practice in Christianity until around 1900.
The passage quoted in Acts 2 from Joel 2:28-32 adds even more intrigue to this issue.
Acts 2:17a “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”
When the whole passage is read, it is obvious that the pouring out of the Spirit in Acts 2 was a partial fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel. Its complete fulfillment will be with the “coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”
So, what we know for sure is that there was an outpouring of the Spirit in Acts that enabled the followers of Jesus to speak in unknown languages and to perform other miracles. There will also be an outpouring of the Spirit before the coming of the Lord. Whether or not the “tongues” that are practiced in today’s churches are part of this inevitable outpouring is open to debate.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Prayer and the Blessed Virgin Mary (Acts 1:14)
Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Prayer in today’s churches is often relegated to the few. It is certainly not the main event and often not a significant event at all. In stark contrast, the believers in the early church were constantly in prayer.
It should be noted that our lack of prayer is not simply a fault in our practice, but a symptom of our lack of faith. In the parable of the unrighteous judge Jesus gave a parable about a woman begging a judge for justice and he granted it to her just so she’d leave him alone. It is clearly a parable on prayer, but in the very end, he ties in a lack of prayer to a lack of faith.
Luke 18:1-8 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up… “I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” NIV
A separate topic brought up in this verse is the issue of Jesus’ brothers. In Catholic tradition, it is believed that Mary did not have union with Joseph even after Jesus’ birth. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #499)
This may not seem doctrinally significant, but it does run contrary to Matthew 1:25, and may cast doubt on the legitimacy of normal marital relations.
Matthew 1:25a But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. NIV
James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (not Iscariot) are listed as being Jesus’ brothers in Matthew 13:55. Mark 6:3 also lists them as such and also mentions his sisters.
Mark 6:3 “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
In this context it would be a stretch to interpret the use of brothers and sisters as anything but siblings. In Acts 1:14 it also seems clear that “his brothers” refers to his siblings. His followers were referred to as “they” in the first part of the verse, so “his brothers” could not refer to them. In addition, using “his brothers” immediately after mentioning His mother Mary makes it clear that these are his biological kin.
Prayer in today’s churches is often relegated to the few. It is certainly not the main event and often not a significant event at all. In stark contrast, the believers in the early church were constantly in prayer.
It should be noted that our lack of prayer is not simply a fault in our practice, but a symptom of our lack of faith. In the parable of the unrighteous judge Jesus gave a parable about a woman begging a judge for justice and he granted it to her just so she’d leave him alone. It is clearly a parable on prayer, but in the very end, he ties in a lack of prayer to a lack of faith.
Luke 18:1-8 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up… “I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” NIV
A separate topic brought up in this verse is the issue of Jesus’ brothers. In Catholic tradition, it is believed that Mary did not have union with Joseph even after Jesus’ birth. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #499)
This may not seem doctrinally significant, but it does run contrary to Matthew 1:25, and may cast doubt on the legitimacy of normal marital relations.
Matthew 1:25a But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. NIV
James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (not Iscariot) are listed as being Jesus’ brothers in Matthew 13:55. Mark 6:3 also lists them as such and also mentions his sisters.
Mark 6:3 “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
In this context it would be a stretch to interpret the use of brothers and sisters as anything but siblings. In Acts 1:14 it also seems clear that “his brothers” refers to his siblings. His followers were referred to as “they” in the first part of the verse, so “his brothers” could not refer to them. In addition, using “his brothers” immediately after mentioning His mother Mary makes it clear that these are his biological kin.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Ascension (Acts 1:11)
Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
The ascension must have been a spectacular sight. It would seem that watching Jesus float away into heaven would erase any doubt that any of His followers had and make instant converts of any skeptics. In fact, Jesus used this as proof to validate one of His most difficult teaching, that of eating His flesh and drinking His blood.
John 6:61-62 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
Rather than focusing on the gravity of the event, the angels immediately focused Jesus’ followers’ thoughts to His return. Whether it was from this moment or from the teachings of Jesus, this emphasis was not lost on the disciples. They believed that Jesus’ return was imminent. In light of that, “momentary afflictions” (2 Cor. 4:17) were just that—momentary and passing.
It is also worth noting that His return will be similar to his ascension. Don’t let anyone trick you into thinking that Jesus has appeared in some remote place or has reincarnated as some public figure. When Jesus returns, it will be as obvious and spectacular as when He left.
Luke 17:23-24 [Jesus said,] “Men will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.” NIV
The ascension must have been a spectacular sight. It would seem that watching Jesus float away into heaven would erase any doubt that any of His followers had and make instant converts of any skeptics. In fact, Jesus used this as proof to validate one of His most difficult teaching, that of eating His flesh and drinking His blood.
John 6:61-62 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
Rather than focusing on the gravity of the event, the angels immediately focused Jesus’ followers’ thoughts to His return. Whether it was from this moment or from the teachings of Jesus, this emphasis was not lost on the disciples. They believed that Jesus’ return was imminent. In light of that, “momentary afflictions” (2 Cor. 4:17) were just that—momentary and passing.
It is also worth noting that His return will be similar to his ascension. Don’t let anyone trick you into thinking that Jesus has appeared in some remote place or has reincarnated as some public figure. When Jesus returns, it will be as obvious and spectacular as when He left.
Luke 17:23-24 [Jesus said,] “Men will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.” NIV
Friday, June 24, 2011
Holy Spirit Power (Acts 1:8)
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples. To what end did He do this? Was it so they could build a big church? Was it so they could be prosperous and make a lot of money? Was it so they could have an easy life? Not at all! The Holy Spirit gave them the power to be witnesses: people who told others what they had seen and experienced.
John gives us a great example of what it means to be a witness.
1 John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Peter was an eyewitness:
2 Peter 1:16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Jesus also asked Paul to be a witness.
Acts 26:16 “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.”
As followers of Christ we have also been given the mission being witness to what we have learned and experienced in following Jesus.
The Great Commission is given here in a slightly different form than he gave it after His resurrection or in Galilee. Jerusalem capital of Judea, and was the city they were in when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 2:5), Judea was the southern part of the Israelite nation, and Samaria was the middle part. So it would be somewhat analogous to saying, “You will be my witnesses in Denver, and in all Colorado and Wyoming, and to the ends of the earth.” In other words, they were to start where they were, spread the gospel out from there, and take it to the world.
In a similar way, the gospel should go out from us—starting where we are, going into our spheres of influence, and on into the world as we give our lives to spreading His message. It sounds improbable if not impossible, but that is exactly why the Spirit empowers us!
The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples. To what end did He do this? Was it so they could build a big church? Was it so they could be prosperous and make a lot of money? Was it so they could have an easy life? Not at all! The Holy Spirit gave them the power to be witnesses: people who told others what they had seen and experienced.
John gives us a great example of what it means to be a witness.
1 John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Peter was an eyewitness:
2 Peter 1:16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Jesus also asked Paul to be a witness.
Acts 26:16 “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.”
As followers of Christ we have also been given the mission being witness to what we have learned and experienced in following Jesus.
The Great Commission is given here in a slightly different form than he gave it after His resurrection or in Galilee. Jerusalem capital of Judea, and was the city they were in when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 2:5), Judea was the southern part of the Israelite nation, and Samaria was the middle part. So it would be somewhat analogous to saying, “You will be my witnesses in Denver, and in all Colorado and Wyoming, and to the ends of the earth.” In other words, they were to start where they were, spread the gospel out from there, and take it to the world.
In a similar way, the gospel should go out from us—starting where we are, going into our spheres of influence, and on into the world as we give our lives to spreading His message. It sounds improbable if not impossible, but that is exactly why the Spirit empowers us!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Baptism of the Spirit (Acts 1:5)
Acts 1:5 “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Unfortunately, there is a huge rift between the charismatics and the non-charismatics. There are a number of doctrinal differences, but the primary question is whether or not the “sign gifts” such as tongues, prophecy, and healing are still active today. Charismatics believe they are, and non-charismatics believe that they were primarily signs or proofs given to the early church which are no longer needed or active today.
Hebrews 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. NIV
The question is not whether or not such gifts existed, but whether or not they are still active in the church today.
How bad is this rift? It’s so bad that some charismatics don’t think that non-charismatics are Spirit filled, and some non-charismatics feel a little uncomfortable even saying the words “Holy Spirit.”
Regardless of your position on the sign gifts, you must understand that the Holy Spirit is key to the life of a Christian. Amazing things happen in the book of Acts, and they start here, with the Spirit.
Unfortunately, there is a huge rift between the charismatics and the non-charismatics. There are a number of doctrinal differences, but the primary question is whether or not the “sign gifts” such as tongues, prophecy, and healing are still active today. Charismatics believe they are, and non-charismatics believe that they were primarily signs or proofs given to the early church which are no longer needed or active today.
Hebrews 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. NIV
The question is not whether or not such gifts existed, but whether or not they are still active in the church today.
How bad is this rift? It’s so bad that some charismatics don’t think that non-charismatics are Spirit filled, and some non-charismatics feel a little uncomfortable even saying the words “Holy Spirit.”
Regardless of your position on the sign gifts, you must understand that the Holy Spirit is key to the life of a Christian. Amazing things happen in the book of Acts, and they start here, with the Spirit.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Jesus’ Proofs (Acts 1:3)
Acts 1:3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Jesus’ appearance was not simply wishful thinking on the part of the disciples. On the contrary, Jesus gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. Some of these are recorded in the Bible. He appeared to them on at least ten different occasions (including multiple times right after his resurrection, on the road to Emmaus, in Galilee, and before His ascension). They watched Him eat (which is something that figments of your imagination don’t do) (Luke 24:43), He appeared to over 500 people at one time (one person may hallucinate, but 500 don’t do it simultaneously) (1 Corinthians 15:6), and they even touched His risen body (Matthew 28:9, John 20:27, Luke 24:39, 1 John 1:1). Presumably, He wanted to leave no doubt and gave other proofs as well.
During the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God. This is an expression that has fallen out of use in much of Christianity. Yet it is an expression that appears several times in Acts and was frequently used by Jesus. In fact, expressions related to the kingdom occur over 150 times in the New Testament. So what is the kingdom of God? It is not simply a reference to heaven, or eternal life, but it is any place that God reigns. It relates to eternity, but it also relates to how we, his beloved followers, live for Him and allow him to reign in our lives. If you think about kingdoms in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or in The Lord of the Rings, it may help you get a picture of what the kingdom is. As Christians, we are subjects of the true King. We follow Him, and will someday reign with Him!
2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. NIV
Jesus’ appearance was not simply wishful thinking on the part of the disciples. On the contrary, Jesus gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. Some of these are recorded in the Bible. He appeared to them on at least ten different occasions (including multiple times right after his resurrection, on the road to Emmaus, in Galilee, and before His ascension). They watched Him eat (which is something that figments of your imagination don’t do) (Luke 24:43), He appeared to over 500 people at one time (one person may hallucinate, but 500 don’t do it simultaneously) (1 Corinthians 15:6), and they even touched His risen body (Matthew 28:9, John 20:27, Luke 24:39, 1 John 1:1). Presumably, He wanted to leave no doubt and gave other proofs as well.
During the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God. This is an expression that has fallen out of use in much of Christianity. Yet it is an expression that appears several times in Acts and was frequently used by Jesus. In fact, expressions related to the kingdom occur over 150 times in the New Testament. So what is the kingdom of God? It is not simply a reference to heaven, or eternal life, but it is any place that God reigns. It relates to eternity, but it also relates to how we, his beloved followers, live for Him and allow him to reign in our lives. If you think about kingdoms in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or in The Lord of the Rings, it may help you get a picture of what the kingdom is. As Christians, we are subjects of the true King. We follow Him, and will someday reign with Him!
2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. NIV
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