And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. v.45
Read chapter 10
Cornelius and his household are the first non-Jews to receive the Holy Spirit. Cornelius wasn't just any gentile but one who feared God and worked righteousness (v.35). He knew as much as he could know about the God of Israel sent a whole lost as it wasn't just a religion someone could "try out" or be converted to. But with the little he saw and knew he believed and followed that in his actions seeing his whole being a centurion of the Italian Regiment probe had more than just his family living in his household. He had a contagious influence probably on his servants and other workers too.
We today aren't all Jews and there are some promises for Jews that aren't for gentiles and there are some that are blessings for both. But no matter what we should fear God and let that shine on those who dwell among us that tit'll be contagious too.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Acts 9
Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads...Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” vv4-5,10
Read chapter 9
Check out the comparison of these tow calling and response of the Lord. First there's Saul who doesn't believe in Jesus Christ that once he's knocked to the ground and hears a voice he knows it's God somehow talking to him. Nice that the voice is Jesus just as the voice of God we see in other parts of scripture, they're on in the same. Then there's Ananias and he gets a vision of the physical Jesus and uses the same respectful name calling Him Lord. Can you imagine being Ananias and having to love someone everybody hates and be nice to him and give hime something he doesn't deserve? Can you imagine how mean his friends might be not trusting or understanding why he did what he did for Saul? What are ways you've been or haven't been like Ananias in your life?
Friday, May 5, 2017
Acts 8
Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word...Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. vv.4,14-16
Read chapter 8
The great scattering. We just saw Stephen martyred and the result seems to be that every believer was encouraged and spread out preaching the Word of God. Opposite of what Satan and the evil leaders thought would happen. Many became believers because of this for as the word was preached to them and they believed it they became baptized in the Lord Jesus. We notice from this passage that there's a difference in baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not just anyone could baptize a person in the Holy Spirit but the apostles alone. Just as we see here Simon the Sorcerer wanting that power to baptize others in the Holy Spirit so many believers today try to take that authority that isn't' for them. And just as Simon couldn't figure out the "trick" neither does baptism of the Holy Spirit practiced today look anything like what we see baptism of the Holy Spirit in scripture. Oh bring the day through when we will be baptized with signs following (Mark 16).
Read chapter 8
The great scattering. We just saw Stephen martyred and the result seems to be that every believer was encouraged and spread out preaching the Word of God. Opposite of what Satan and the evil leaders thought would happen. Many became believers because of this for as the word was preached to them and they believed it they became baptized in the Lord Jesus. We notice from this passage that there's a difference in baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not just anyone could baptize a person in the Holy Spirit but the apostles alone. Just as we see here Simon the Sorcerer wanting that power to baptize others in the Holy Spirit so many believers today try to take that authority that isn't' for them. And just as Simon couldn't figure out the "trick" neither does baptism of the Holy Spirit practiced today look anything like what we see baptism of the Holy Spirit in scripture. Oh bring the day through when we will be baptized with signs following (Mark 16).
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Acts 7
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. vv.54-55
Read chapter 7
Stephen is one of the seven we saw chosen in chapter six. He speaks before his people (v.2) reminding them of their history of their unfaithfulness and God's faithfulness. He basically calls them out for being worse than their forefathers. Yet instead of repenting, realizing they've been bad/wrong, they martyr Stephen. Just like they did Jesus- killing Him because He caught them in their sin and wrong-doing, but not wanting to admit Christ or Stephen were right. In this verse we see the phrase "gnashed at him with their teeth" this is to say their yelling and screaming at him. So also when we read of a future time of gnashing of teeth it's not them getting their teeth beaten on knocked out but of them in their great regret of not choosing the Lord when they had the chance. Also we see here Stephen seeing Jesus, who is the glory of God (John 1:14, Col. 1:15). god doesn't have a different image. Stephen only sees Jesus here. The word "and" is the Greek word KAI and can be translated "and" or "even" as a transitional word to say the same thing in another way. The phrase "right-hand" isn't like Jesus not at the center. The word "hand" isn't there in the Greek but should just read at God's rights or in God's authority.
So how has truth been revealed to you when it's hard to hear and what's been your response? How do you view Jesus and God as one in the same?
Read chapter 7
Stephen is one of the seven we saw chosen in chapter six. He speaks before his people (v.2) reminding them of their history of their unfaithfulness and God's faithfulness. He basically calls them out for being worse than their forefathers. Yet instead of repenting, realizing they've been bad/wrong, they martyr Stephen. Just like they did Jesus- killing Him because He caught them in their sin and wrong-doing, but not wanting to admit Christ or Stephen were right. In this verse we see the phrase "gnashed at him with their teeth" this is to say their yelling and screaming at him. So also when we read of a future time of gnashing of teeth it's not them getting their teeth beaten on knocked out but of them in their great regret of not choosing the Lord when they had the chance. Also we see here Stephen seeing Jesus, who is the glory of God (John 1:14, Col. 1:15). god doesn't have a different image. Stephen only sees Jesus here. The word "and" is the Greek word KAI and can be translated "and" or "even" as a transitional word to say the same thing in another way. The phrase "right-hand" isn't like Jesus not at the center. The word "hand" isn't there in the Greek but should just read at God's rights or in God's authority.
So how has truth been revealed to you when it's hard to hear and what's been your response? How do you view Jesus and God as one in the same?
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Acts 6
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” vv.3-4
Read chapter 6
Whenever someone says "the 12" when talking about scripture it's easy to think of Jesus' 12 disciples, but what about when you hear of "the 7." Just as we see in the gospels when the twelve were chosen and then follow them over the years of the wisdom, signs and wonders they did, so we see here the beginning of the seven being called and will see throughout the book of Acts the many signs, wonders, wisdom of these men. We see this set up in other places of scripture of leaders making other leaders when the task at hand is too big or burdensome to other parts of ministry. For example, Moses appointed the 100 who were given Divine wisdom to govern the Israelites. So here, it's not just any men but ones filled with the Holy Spirit. My job gest easier when I delegate and sometimes it's hard to delegate and let go, but oh when I do I'm able to really focus on other matters.
Read chapter 6
Whenever someone says "the 12" when talking about scripture it's easy to think of Jesus' 12 disciples, but what about when you hear of "the 7." Just as we see in the gospels when the twelve were chosen and then follow them over the years of the wisdom, signs and wonders they did, so we see here the beginning of the seven being called and will see throughout the book of Acts the many signs, wonders, wisdom of these men. We see this set up in other places of scripture of leaders making other leaders when the task at hand is too big or burdensome to other parts of ministry. For example, Moses appointed the 100 who were given Divine wisdom to govern the Israelites. So here, it's not just any men but ones filled with the Holy Spirit. My job gest easier when I delegate and sometimes it's hard to delegate and let go, but oh when I do I'm able to really focus on other matters.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Acts 5
You have not lied to men but to God...but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” vv.4,39
Read chapter 5
It seems like a little, petty thing that Ananias and Sapphire said a little white lie about the price of the field. It seemed like a small deal to tell the apostles to go somewhere else to preach about Jesus just not in one place- Jerusalem. But the little things aren't always as little as they seem. Big things can happen, both good and bad, from the small things. God knows everything even down to the smallest white lie. We're not just hurting ourselves we're hurting God. When we lie or cheat in an area of life, we're lying and fighting against God. Having this in the backs of our minds might make us think twice about how we choose to respond. Like Gamillel in this chapter there's no use if we're fighting against Him. What areas do you tend to lie or cheat in and how can you stop?
Read chapter 5
It seems like a little, petty thing that Ananias and Sapphire said a little white lie about the price of the field. It seemed like a small deal to tell the apostles to go somewhere else to preach about Jesus just not in one place- Jerusalem. But the little things aren't always as little as they seem. Big things can happen, both good and bad, from the small things. God knows everything even down to the smallest white lie. We're not just hurting ourselves we're hurting God. When we lie or cheat in an area of life, we're lying and fighting against God. Having this in the backs of our minds might make us think twice about how we choose to respond. Like Gamillel in this chapter there's no use if we're fighting against Him. What areas do you tend to lie or cheat in and how can you stop?
Monday, May 1, 2017
Acts 4
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus...But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” vv.13,19-20
Read chapter 4
I love this. I love seeing how Peter and John had boldness and wisdom because they had been with Jesus. It wasn't because they went to seminary school or because they were leaders of the people already but because they were with Jesus! Today it seems like no one speaks up about Jesus because of intimidation around someone that went to seminary, thinking they know more or better about God and scripture. That's so not true! Spending time in scripture on our own we'll get more wisdom of who HE is than hearing through a third party of what He's like. Reading scripture isn't just for the scholarly, but for everyone. God will open your understanding of the scriptures. Don't let Satan's lies tell you "it's not your gift" or "not important." When we then spend time with Jesus we'll be able to say like John and Peter, "we cannot but speak the things which we've seen and hear."
Read chapter 4
I love this. I love seeing how Peter and John had boldness and wisdom because they had been with Jesus. It wasn't because they went to seminary school or because they were leaders of the people already but because they were with Jesus! Today it seems like no one speaks up about Jesus because of intimidation around someone that went to seminary, thinking they know more or better about God and scripture. That's so not true! Spending time in scripture on our own we'll get more wisdom of who HE is than hearing through a third party of what He's like. Reading scripture isn't just for the scholarly, but for everyone. God will open your understanding of the scriptures. Don't let Satan's lies tell you "it's not your gift" or "not important." When we then spend time with Jesus we'll be able to say like John and Peter, "we cannot but speak the things which we've seen and hear."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)