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TODAY’S READING: ROMANS 4 – 8

 

OVERVIEW:  The righteousness of God received by faith (chapter 4); the revelation of the righteousness of God realized in the soul (chapter 5); the righteousness of God revealed in trials (chapters 6-7); the righteousness of God represented as eternal (chapter 8).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we discussed in yesterday’s comments, in terms of doctrine, there is not a more important Book in the entire New Testament than the Book of Romans.  And in terms of doctrine, God is more than just a little adamant about it!  Though the heed and call in “Christian” circles is to “let go” of doctrine for the sake of so-called unity, God’s clear admonition to His church is to “hold fast” (II Tim. 1:13) to sound doctrine, so that we can be genuinely unified with everyone else who wraps their hands firmly around the truth of His Word!  It is not simply our love that unites us, but our love of the truth.  True biblical love always has truth as its basis (See II John 1:1-4 and the usage of the word “truth” five times in these four verses).  It is worth noting that in the epistles Paul wrote to Pastor Timothy and Pastor Titus (i.e. the “pastoral epistles”) he mentions doctrine no less than 13 times!  (See I Tim. 1:3,10; 4:1,6,16;5:17; 6:1, 3: II Tim. 3:10; 4:2; Titus 1:9; 2:1,10.)  Again, doctrine is what the Book of Romans is all about, not the least of which is the doctrine of salvation. There is no other Book of the Bible that provides more complete teaching on this most important subject than the Book of Romans.

 

Something else that is important to note as we make our way through this incredible Book is Paul’s utilization of questions in presenting his case.  Perhaps you picked up on that in yesterday’s reading.  In yesterday’s reading alone (Rom. 1-3), do you realize that Paul asked over 25 questions?!  It’s almost as if he anticipates the objections a person might raise in response to the truth he is presenting, and takes away their argument before they even get there.  It is a masterful teaching technique that the Spirit of God uniquely gifted Paul to employ.  Pay close attention to this technique as we make our way through the remainder of this Book.

 

As we move into chapter 4 today, it is important to note a very significant transition that is being made.  Whereas chapters 1-3 focused on the fact that God’s righteousness is REQUIRED BY SINNERS, chapter 4 focuses on the fact that God’s righteousness is RECEIVED BY FAITH.  Whereas chapters 1-3 focused on the “WHAT,” chapter 4 focuses on the “HOW.”

 

In 4:1-8, Paul introduces us to the REWARD of righteousness by faith, namely that we are “justified.”  To be justified means to be rendered righteous.  It may be trite for some, but a great way to remember the truth encompassed in the word “justified,” is that is means “just-as-if-I’d” never sinned.  As an illustration, Paul reaches back into the Old Testament to the life of Abraham to point to one who was justified by faith (4:1-8).  Then, Paul reveals three truths concerning how it is that justification is actually reckoned to us: 1) It is not by circumcision (4:9-12); 2) It is not by the law (4:13-15); 3) It is only by grace through faith (4:16-22).  The chapter closes with the promise that just as God imputed righteousness to Abraham because of his faith, He, likewise, imputes righteousness to each of us who receive the gospel by faith.

 

Having laid down the reality that the righteousness God demands is not an ACHIEVED RIGHTEOUSNESS, but a RECEIVED RIGHTEOUSNESS (that is, a righteousness that is not of WORKS, but by FAITH), Paul then moves in chapter 5 to lay out the fact that because we didn’t do anything to EARN our salvation (our righteousness), there is also nothing we can do to LOSE it!  The doctrine of the eternal security of the believer (one of the most controversial doctrines in Christianity!) is firmly established in the Book of Romans, particularly in chapter 5.  This chapter can be divided into two sections.  The first section (5:1-10) identifies the BENEFIT of justification by faith:  SECURITY.  The second section (5:11-21) identifies the BASIS for justification by faith: ATONEMENT.

 

As we move into chapter 6, another transition is being made:

 

• Chapters 1-5 teach us about JUSTIFICATION by faith.
• Chapters 6-8 teach us about SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit.
• Chapters 1-5 identify how God saved us from the PENALTY of sin.
• Chapters 6-8 identify how Christ saved us from the POWER of sin.
• Chapters 1-5 show us the GATEWAY to the Christian life.
• Chapters 6-8 show us the PATHWAY of the Christian life.

 

While there is a significant contrast between Romans 1-5 and 6-8, there is an equally significant connection between Romans 6, 7 and 8.  The connection between these three chapters is linked to a little phrase in Romans 5:17: “reign in life.” Notice that Paul does not fully explain (in this verse) HOW those who have been justified by faith in Christ shall “reign in life.”  The full explanation comes in Romans 6, 7 and 8.  Check it out . . .

• Romans 6 explains how the believer can reign in life because SIN no longer REIGNS over us. (6:12)
• Romans 7 explains how the believer can reign in life because the LAW no longer has DOMINION over us. (7:1,4)
• Romans 8 explains how the believer can reign in life because the SPIRIT now gives LIFE andLIBERTYto us. (8:2,4)

TODAY’S READING: ROMANS 1- 3

 

OVERVIEW: 

The righteousness of God required by the heathen (chapter 1); the righteousness of God required by the hypocrite and Hebrew (chapter 2); the righteousness of God required by all of humanity (chapter 3).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

To this point in our reading through the New Testament we have been in the historical section.  In the four Gospels, we were able to see four historical perspectives of Jesus Christ’s person and ministry.  The Book of Acts revealed to us the history of the early church through the “acts of the apostles,” and allowed us to see the transition that occurred from God’s dealing with the Nation of Israel to God’s dealing with the Church.  As we have learned, there are three transitional Books in the New Testament:

1. Matthew, which bridges from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
2. Acts, which bridges from the Nation of Israel back to the Church.
3. Hebrews, which bridges from the Church back to the Nation of Israel.

 

We have just crossed the bridge provided by the Book of Acts, and are now entering the doctrinal teachings of the Church Age.

 

The Book of Romans is the greatest Book in the Bible on Christian doctrine.  It is very different from the other New Testament Books in that Paul is not writing to address doctrinal or practical problems with this church.  What the content of this Book actually becomes is the handbook that gives us God’s viewpoint on what He is doing in and through His church.  That’s why God placed this Book immediately following the Book of Acts.  Right after you come through the historical section of the New Testament, and prior to getting into the other church epistles, God gives us His handbook for understanding the doctrine of the church.  It is interesting that the order of the letters to the churches in the New Testament follow the prescription laid down in II Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for :

 

• DOCTRINE – Romans (the New Testament Book on Christian doctrine)
• REPROOF – I and II Corinthians (Books that reprove sin)
• CORRECTION – Galatians (A Book specifically written to correct false doctrine)
• INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians (Books teaching righteous living based on sound doctrine)

 

The apostle God used to write this epistle (letter) is identified in the first word of the first verse of the first chapter of the Book.  It was written by Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts9:15), as were all of the letters to the churches. Paul was uniquely qualified to be the one God chose to write the Book of Romans in that he was born a Jew (Acts 21:39; 22:3), was completely familiar with Greek culture (Acts 21:37), and was the possessor of Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37; 22:25; 23:37).

 

It is important to note that though God chose to use Paul to write this epistle to the Romans, Paul himself had never actually been toRome.  He had a passion within him to get there to minister to the believers, but somehow in God’s sovereignty, He had not allowed it.  In Paul’s introduction in chapter one, he feels compelled to let the Romans (and us!) know that.  He writes, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.” I don’t know how your mind works, but when you read verses like that, don’t you just have to ask, why wouldn’t God let Paul get toRomesooner?  I mean, if he’s the apostle to the Gentiles, why wouldn’t God allow him to go and minister to his heart’s content?  And don’t you think Paul had that very same question?  But then think about it.  Do you realize that most of the believers to which God would use the Apostle Paul to establish in Christian doctrine (1:11), would be people just like the Romans, who had never and would never see Paul face to face?  God uses his ministry through Paul to accomplish the same purposes in us that He did in the believers inRomein the first century!  It’s a very subtle reminder, that when we have a passion for a good thing that God doesn’t bring to pass, it is most likely because He is serving a much more grand and glorious purpose!  In this case, if Paul would have gotten toRomeon his time schedule, we wouldn’t have the Book of Romans!

 

Following the introduction in 1:1-15, beginning in1:16, Paul identifies two ways God exhibits His power.

 

First, He demonstrates His righteousness to those who receive the gospel by faith (1:16,17).  Second He demonstrates His wrath to those who reject His truth by ungodliness (1:18, 21).  In the remainder of chapter one, Paul catalogs the sins of the Gentiles, beginning with their rejection of His glory (1:21-23), which resulted in their perversion physically (1:24-25), emotionally (1:26-27), and mentally (1:28-32).

 

Having proven the ungodliness of the Gentiles in chapter one, he now turns the spotlight on the sins of the hypocrites (2:1-16) and the Hebrews (2:17-29).  He begins chapter two by showing the hypocrites the inexcusability of their behavior (2:1-4).  Anticipating their objections, Paul informs them of an inescapable appointment with God’s judgment (2:5-16).  Paul concludes the chapter by exposing the unreliable confidence the Jews place in the law (2:17, 24) and in the unprofitable ritual of circumcision (2:25-29).

 

In chapter three, Paul will reach the conclusion to which he has been moving since chapter one, verse 18.  The conclusion is identified in 3:9, “For we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all UNDER SIN.”  Whether you’re a HEATHEN (1:21-32), a HYPOCRITE (2:1-16), or a HEBREW (2:17-29), the scriptures conclude that “there is none righteous, no, not one” (3:10).  You see, Paul realizes that before someone receives the “good news” of the gospel, they must acknowledge the “bad news” of their sinfulness.  So chapter three begins by proving all of humanity’s condemnation before God (3:1-20), and concludes by manifesting the availability of righteousness to all who choose to receive it (3:21-31).  Take note of the fact that God’s righteousness is offered with three conditions:

1. It must be received apart from the law. (3:21) 
2. It is only available through Christ. (3:22-26)
3. It can only be accepted by faith. (3:21-31)

 

Note some key facts and figures about the Book of Romans: Approximate date of writing: 60 A.D. Key Verse: Romans1:16, 17 Key Words: Righteousness; appears 39 times Christ is seen as: our righteousness (Romans3:23, 24); Chapters: 16; Verses: 433; Words: 9,477

 

Here is a simple outline to guide you through the Book:

The Revelation of Righteousness In The Gospel:

The Righteousness Received In Salvation (Chapters 1-8)

The Righteousness Rejected By The Jews (Chapters 9-11)

The Righteousness Reproduced In Sanctification (Chapters 12-16)

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 26-28

 

OVERVIEW: 

Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa (chapter 26); Paul’s journey to and arrival inRome(chapters 27 and 28).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we move into chapter 26 today, we find Paul giving his testimony before king Agrippa, the great grandson of Herod the Great who sought to kill Jesus at his birth (Matthew 2:1-16).  At this point, let’s pause and consider the SINCERE CONCERN of Paul’s message, and the SIMPLE CONTENT of Paul’s message. 

 

First, the SINCERE CONCERN of Paul’s message.  It would have been easy for Paul to despise the corrupt and wicked rulers before whom he had been on trial.  Clearly, none of them were willing to take a stand for the truth and declare Paul innocent (23:27-29; 24:12, 13; 26:31).  The Jews falsely accused Paul and wanted to kill him (21:28, 29;23:12-15). Felix kept Paul in prison in hopes of a bribe (24:26), and to please the wicked Jews (24:27) and likewise, Festus kept Paul bound to keep the Jews happy (25:9).  It seems that “justice” went to the highest bidder or the best liar.  Despite all of this injustice and corruption, Paul, rather than becoming incensed, declares the gospel of Jesus Christ, sincerely longing for the salvation of these wicked men.  Even when king Agrippa, one of the most perverted and corrupt men imaginable, sarcastically commented to Paul, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (26:28), Paul sincerely responded, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds” (26:29).  Paul could see through the wickedness of these men to the cross where Christ died even for their sins.  With all the love in his heart, Paul longed to see the salvation of his persecutors.  How successful are you at obeying Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”?

 

Second, the SIMPLE CONTENT of Paul’s message.  It is important for us to pay attention to the content of Paul’s message each time he stood before a government official.  If it were me, I would be up all night, wracking my brain, trying to fashion the most moving and powerful sermon ever.  But not Paul; each time he stands before a world ruler, he simply gives his testimony and a simple gospel presentation.  Nothing fancy; simply, “I once was lost, but now I’m found.”  In fact, God told Paul that he would “be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard” (Acts22:15).  Paul was only responsible for preaching what he had seen and heard.  As believers in Christ, we don’t have to be intellectual elitists, eloquent preachers, or Bible experts; we simply need to declare boldly what we have seen and heard!  The great evangelist H.A. Ironside was once interrupted by an atheist shouting, “There is no God! Jesus is a myth!” and finally, “I challenge you to a debate!”  Ironside responded, “I accept your challenge, sir! But on one condition: when you come, bring with you ten men and women whose lives have been changed for the better by the message of atheism. Bring former prostitutes and criminals whose lives have been changed, who are now moral and responsible individuals. Bring outcasts who had no hope and have them tell us how becoming atheists has lifted them out of the pit!  And sir,” he concluded, “if you can find ten such men and women, I will be happy to debate you. And when I come, I will gladly bring with me two hundred men and women from this very city whose lives have been transformed in just those ways by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”  You can’t argue with a changed life.  Ask God to open a door today for you to tell someone what you’ve seen and heard.

 

After a difficult journey, Paul finally landed atRome  (28:16) around 60 A.D.,  and was allowed to live in

a rented house where he preached to both Jews and Gentiles and received guests.  For the next two years Paul continued “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (28:31).  It is believed that Paul also wrote his epistles to Philemon, Timothy, Titus, the Ephesians, the Colossians and the Philippians at this time.  According to tradition, Paul was beheaded sometime after 64 A.D. during Nero’s severe persecution of Christians.  During this same persecution, Peter was crucified upside-down because he didn’t consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same fashion as his Lord and Savior.

 

Before we end, let’s consider what may be the most important lesson of the Book of Acts: God takes full responsibility for accomplishing His own mission.  Acts is rather comical when you consider how confused these “great men of God” were for the first 27 years of their ministry.  The believers in Acts 1-7 had no idea whether or not Christ would immediately restore the kingdom to Israel so they sold their houses and all of their possessions and camped out in Jerusalem so they didn’t miss the Second Coming of Christ (Acts 1:6,7; 2:44-47; 4:34,35; Zechariah 14:1-9); the Apostles were dazed and confused when the Samaritans and Gentiles started getting saved (Acts 11:1-3,18); the Jewish believers had an extremely difficult time letting go of circumcision and the law of Moses and trusting solely in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 15:1,2); the Apostles were most certainly shocked when God postponed His dealings with Israel in order to begin working with a ! new institution, the Church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles (Rom.11:25; Eph. 3:1-13).  From a human standpoint, living in the time of the early church would have been frustrating and confusing IF you were trying to analyze and formulize God.  But if you “walked by faith, not by sight,” then every day would have been an adventure.  At exactly the right time and in exactly the right place, exactly the right people were saved, connected and moved on.  Consider God’s ancient arrangement of the Jewish holy feasts so that the Jews would at the right time and in the right place, witness the crucifixion of their Messiah at Passover, and fifty days later at Pentecost, have a chance to repent of their fatal error (Acts 2). Remember how God intervened on behalf of Peter and John, freeing them from prison to continue preaching to the people (Acts5:17-20)? Think of how the persecution that arose after the stoning of Stephen served God’s purposes in motivating the obstinate Jewish believers to get out of Jerusalem and carry out the rest of God’s miss ion to Judea, Samaria and the uttermost (Acts 1:8; 8:1f). Remember how God supernaturally arranged Philip’s meeting with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts8:26-30)? Consider also, the perfectly timed salvation of Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9) and Peter’s visit to Cornelius’ house (Acts 10).  We could go on and on.  The bottom line is God will accomplish His own mission despite our cluelessness.  If we surrender ourselves to Him daily, we have the amazing honor of joining Him where He is working.

 

Have a great adventure with God today!

 

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 22-25

 

OVERVIEW: 

Paul’s testimony before riotous Jews (chapter 22); Paul’s testimony before the Jewish Council (chapter 23); Paul’s testimony before Felix, the governor ofJudea(chapter 24); Paul’s testimony before Festus (chapter 25).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Paul’s arrival inJerusalemmarked the beginning of his end.  In Acts 21, the Jews of Jerusalem had stirred up a riot crying out, “Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place” (21:28).  The Roman chief captain of Jerusalem not wanting this riot to reach Caesar’s ears for his job’s sake, immediately halted the riot, rescuing Paul from certain death (21:31,32).  Chapter 22 is Paul’s testimony before the riotous Jewish crowd, but as soon as he mentions preaching to Gentiles (22:21, 22), the crowd returns to a nearly unmanageable uproar.  The chief captain was about to scourge Paul until he discovered that Paul was a Roman citizen.  With that revelation, Paul inserted himself into the flow of the Roman legal system, thereby guaranteeing him an audience with leading political figures in the Roman government, even Caesar himself.  The following chapters record Paul’s testimony before a few of these figures.  In chapter 23, Paul stands before the Jewish council once again inJerusalem. In chapter 24, Paul is transferred to Caeserea, the Roman provincial seat ofJudea, where he stands before Governor Felix. Felix is replaced by Festus (24:27), and in chapter 25, Paul gives testimony before Festus and the Jewish council.

 

Though there are many truths and applications we could pull out of today’s reading, let’s focus primarily on a few truths related to Paul’s suffering. 

 

1. Suffering was a natural part of Paul’s commission as it is a natural part of our commission.  When God commissioned Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles, he described his ministry in this way: “he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children ofIsrael: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts9:15,16).  God promised that Paul would have the incredible privilege of preaching the gospel to Gentiles, kings and the children ofIsrael, so what Paul was experiencing in Acts 21-25 was God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises.  But God’s faithfulness also included the promise of suffering.  In the depth of the night, God compassionately reassured Paul of His promise: “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me inJerusalem, so must thou bear witness also atRome” (Acts23:11).  Paul accepted suffering as the natural result of following Christ and reckoned that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans8:18).  Paul placed all of his hope in eternity because that is what he had invested in.  God promised those of us who would desire to live like Paul: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Tim.3:12).  If we witness and seek to live holy lives, we will suffer for it, but if we have invested in eternity, a greater hope is yet before us.

 

2. Suffering brings us into a deeper intimacy with Christ, because we experience a taste of His sufferings.  It would be natural for Paul to be angry with God; it’s not hard to imagine Paul saying something like, “God, here I am witnessing for you, seeking to live a holy life, and this is what I get?”!  It’s the complaint we often hear from the lost: “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  In reality, however, this is a very self-righteous and self-centered question.  Self-righteous because we are calling ourselves “good” when Romans3:12states, “there is none that doeth good, no, not one”.  Self-centered because we think life is all about us when Revelation4:11declares, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”.  The real question should be, “Why do good things happen to such bad people?”  And this is Paul’s perspective.  Paul is so thankful for the price that Jesus Christ paid for him that he considers these sufferings a blessing.  In fact, suffering like Christ was one of his goals in life: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil. 3:8-10).  Through suffering, we become more intimately acquainted with Christ.

 

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 18-21

 

OVERVIEW: 

Paul’s ministry atCorinth(chapter 18); Paul’s ministry atEphesus(chapter 19); Paul begins his journey toJerusalem(chapter 20); Paul’s arrival inJerusalem(chapter 21).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

By the time we open our Bibles to Acts 18 in today’s reading, Paul and his missionary team have preached throughout Syria and Cilicia (15:41), the cities of Lystra and Derbe (16:1), throughout Phrygia and Galatia (16:6), the cities of Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea (16:11,12; 17:1,10) of Macedonia and Athens, Greece (17:15).  With the preaching of the word came persecution.  In II Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul described his persistent sufferings in these terms: “in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”  What a resume!  If God’s “whatever, wherever, whenever” for you (and me) included such persecutions, would you still obey Him?  “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24).

 

Acts 18 begins with Paul traveling fromAthenstoCorinth, a city in the RomanprovinceofAchaia(18:12).Corinthwas a wealthy city, a center of intellectualism and famous for its excess, perversion, and vice.  Everyday was Mardi Gras inCorinth.  It was theNew Orleans,AmsterdamorBangkokof biblical times!  To be a Corinthian was to almost automatically be associated with sexual promiscuity.  In fact, “Corinthian woman” was a proverbial phrase for a prostitute, and “to play the Corinthian”, is to play the whore, or indulge whorish inclinations.  Paul was sent there to shine the light of the glorious gospel of Christ in their great darkness.  Prior to Paul’s arrival, God had already arranged a meeting between Paul and a Jewish couple (Aquilaand Priscilla) who were exiled fromRome.  This couple became faithful followers of Christ, using all of their resources to further the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Aquila and Priscilla were sound in doctrine having corrected Apollos’ outdated teaching (18:25,26); Paul called them his “helpers in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 16:3) because they had “for my (Paul’s) life laid down their own necks” (Rom.16:4); all of the Gentile churches also gave thanks forAquilaand Priscilla (Rom.16:4); and when they returned toRome, their home became the meeting place of the church (Rom.16:5). Aquilaand Priscilla knew what marriage was all about: a joint venture in advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

Paul carried out a fruitful ministry inCorinthfor “a year and six months” (18:11).  In that time, some prestigious men came to Christ: Justus, whose house was structurally connected to the Jewish synagogue; Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue; and eventually, another chief ruler of the synagogue and the man who had caused a riot over Paul’s preaching: Sosthenes (18:17; I Cor. 1:1,2).  In due time, Paul and Aquila and Priscilla departed for Ephesus where Aquila and Priscilla were left, and Paul continued on to Caesarea eventually returning home to Antioch of Syria (18:22,23).  While atEphesus,Aquilaand Priscilla met a Jew fromAlexandria,Egyptnamed Apollos, a powerful preacher who needed to be brought up to date doctrinally.  Apollos was still preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven and performing the “baptism of John” – talk about a time warp!  He had no idea that Jesus the Messiah had already come and gone, that God’s plan forIsraelhad been postponed, and that the Church Age was already in effect.  He was probably still wearing his hair in a mullet! (I love the bumper sticker, “Friends don’t let friends wear mullets”.) Aquilaand Priscilla enlightened this evangelist and brought him into the present by explaining the events of the past 22 years (18:26).  Apollos humbly and joyfully receives the new revelation, preaches that Jesus is the Christ and moves on toCorinth(19:1).

 

While Apollos is atCorinth, Paul begins his third missionary journey passing throughPhrygiaandGalatia(18:23) and landing atEphesus(19:1) where he finds some of Apollos’ converts.  As Jesus said, “The disciple is not above his master” (Matt.10:24), so Paul finds some unsaved disciples who, like their discipler Apollos, have been baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist.  They are also unaware that the Messiah has already come and gone.  Therefore, these disciples are most certainly not saved because salvation comes only through Jesus Christ (see John 14:6) and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost is evidence of that salvation (Romans 8:9b “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”). These disciples, however, have never even heard of Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost (19:1-4)!  Paul preaches the gospel of grace to them, they are water baptized in Jesus’ name, and then they receive the Holy Ghost, speaking with tongues and prophesying (19:4-6).  Remember: tongues are a sign to skeptical Jews (I Cor.1:22;14:22).  The events here atEphesusare exactly like the events inSamaria(Acts8:14-16): Paul’s apostolic authority and his message is validated by the sign of tongues.  These Jewish disciples of Apollos now know for certain that Paul’s gospel is the true gospel.

 

Paul had a fruitful few years atEphesus(19:9,10,18-20), and the Word of God had free course throughoutAsia(modern dayAsia Minor).  However, his success was stifled by a massive riot which forced him to begin his journey toJerusalem(19:21; 20:1).  On his way toJerusalem, Paul revisits many of the places wherein he had planted churches and preached the gospel, edifying the disciples.  Paul, knowing that Jerusalem would mark the beginning of his end, is not afraid to die for the name of the Lord Jesus (21:13), because long ago, at his salvation, Paul had already laid his life in the hands of Jesus: “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (II Tim. 1:12).  Paul fearlessly and confidently declares in II Tim. 4:6-8, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”. 

 

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 15-17

 

OVERVIEW: 

TheJerusalemchurch addresses false teaching (chapter 15); Paul’s second missionary journey (chapters 16 and 17).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Acts 15 introduces to us continuing controversy surrounding the salvation of the Gentiles.  When Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch of Syria they are met by some false teachers who are disputing with and convincing the newly saved Gentiles that they must be circumcised to be saved.  Indeed, circumcision was a significant symbolic act under the Old Testament law, but through the blood of Jesus Christ, the law had been satisfied and circumcision was no longer necessary (Galatians 5:6).  Paul, seeing the gospel in jeopardy, begins “no small dissension and disputation” (15:2) with these false teachers.  Finally, it is determined that this question must be addressed by the apostles inJerusalem. 

 

Peter weighs in with the point that whether Jew or Gentile all are saved by grace so “why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (15:10). James settles the dispute: “my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood” (15:19, 20).  If the Gentiles are saved by grace, then why do they have to “abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication” (15:29) when none of those things is related to salvation or sanctification?  James answers the question in verse 21: “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day”.  These stipulations were placed upon the Gentiles in an effort to keep the door of faith open to the Jews.  This is the same principle Paul followed in his ministry and described in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 where he states, “unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law . . . I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  And this I do for the gospel’s sake”.  Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas deliver the letter to the church atAntiochand there is much rejoicing at the decision of the apostles.

 

In approximately 50 AD, Paul and Barnabas determine to revisit the cities where they had preached the gospel and planted churches, but they can’t agree on who should be their companions.  Even the heroes of our faith are carnal at times!  Barnabas takes his nephew, JohnMark, who abandoned them on their first journey, and heads forCyprusfollowing the original route (15:39).  Paul selects Silas (also called Silvanus) and takes a new route throughSyriaandCilicia(15:40, 41).

 

Chapter 16 opens with Paul and Silas arriving in the neighboring cities of Derbe and Lystra.  Paul is impressed by a young disciple named Timotheus (Timothy) who has a remarkable testimony in his hometown, Lystra and another city, Iconium (16:2).  Paul invites Timothy to join him and Silas on this second journey but determines that Timothy must first be circumcised since he is half Jewish (16:1,3).  Timothy was circumcised not as part of his salvation or sanctification, but in preparation for preaching the gospel to the Jews (I Corinthians9:19-23).  After passing throughPhrygiaandGalatia(16:6), Paul’s team is “forbidden of the Holy Ghost” to go anywhere butMacedonia.  Once the team lands at Philippi, a chief city of Macedonia, we discover exactly why God wanted them there: He had arranged divine appointments with lost souls like Lydia and her family (16:14), a young girl possessed by a demon (16:16-18), the Philippian jailer and his family (16:30-34), Jews and Gentiles in Thessalonica and Berea (17:1-4,10-12) and Dionysius, Damaris and others in Athens (17:34).  Proverbs 16:9 declares, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps”.  Paul’s heart was leading him toAsiaandBithynia, but God directed his steps toMacedonia.  Imagine the consequences if Paul had been stiffnecked, insisted upon his own plans and strategy, and forced his way intoAsiaandBithyniaand neglectedMacedonia?  He would have missed God’s supernatural orchestration of events and those listed above may have entered eternity in the flames of hell.  Has God put obstacles, hindrances or roadblocks in the path of your plans?  Don’t be stiffnecked; trust the Lord.  Brethren, let the Lord direct your steps.

 

 

 

 

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 11-14

 

OVERVIEW: 

The transition fromJerusalemtoAntioch(chapters 11 and 12); Paul’s first missionary journey (chapters 13 and 14).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we begin today, let’s take a few moments to review what we have discovered thus far from the Book of Acts.  Acts 1-6 is the record of God offering the Messiah and the kingdom of heaven to the Nation of Israel.  In chapter 7, the question of Acts 1:6 has been answered by the Nation of Israel and God withdraws His offer of the Messiah and kingdom of heaven.  Chapter 8 marks the beginning of the transition from God dealing with the Nation of Israel to God dealing with a racially mixed group of Jews and Gentiles called the Church, the body of Christ.  Chapter 9 continues the transition with the salvation and calling of Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.  In chapter 10, Peter, the apostle to the Jews, confirms that God is indeed offering eternal life to the Gentiles.  From these chapters alone, God has made it abundantly clear that He has postponed His dealings with the Nation of Israel and begun to focus His attention on the Church.  Today in chapters 11 through 14, we will discover the final phases of transition.

 

Chapter 11 reveals a transition fromJerusalemtoAntioch.  When the persecution arose in chapter 8, the majority of believers fled while the apostles remained steadfast inJerusalem(8:1).  Each time a new people group received the Word of God, envoys from Jerusalem were sent to confirm God’s working amidst that group (see Acts 8:14-17, 25; 11:1-3, 19-22).  Paul himself needed affirmation from the apostles inJerusalemto validate his ministry (Gal. 2:1, 9).  From these facts, it is easily seen thatJerusalemwas the base of operations and place of authority for the early church.  This makes perfect sense: 1) If you are a believing Jew waiting for Jesus your Messiah to touch down on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12; Zech. 14:1-9) and establish the capital of His kingdom in Jerusalem at His second coming – why leave Jerusalem and miss all of the action?!  2) If you are seeking to reach only Jews with the message of the kingdom of heaven and 3) If the apostle to the Jews (Peter) resides there.  But withIsrael’s rejection of the King and kingdom in Acts 7, God turns His attention to Gentiles and therefore, establishes a new base of operations inAntioch.  Watch the flow of chapter 11: once the apostles inJerusalemhave confirmed the salvation of the Gentiles (11:18), Barnabas seeks out Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, and brings him toAntioch(11:25, 26) where a multi-ethnicchurchofJewsand Gentiles had been planted (Acts 13:1).  Notice also, that it was inAntiochthat “the disciples were called Christians first” (11:26).  It is significant to note also that for the first ten years of the church, not one believer had ever been called a “Christian”!  Not until God makes the transitions fromIsraelto the Church, andJerusalemtoAntioch, does God see fit to have His followers called “Christians”; another confirmation thatAntiochis the new base of operations.

 

In the next chapter, it is evident that the apostles now understand that God has postponed His plan forIsrael.  The first piece of evidence is that the Apostle James is not replaced after his execution.  Jesus promised the twelve apostles, “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes ofIsrael” (Matthew19:28).  Since the apostles expected Jesus Christ to return immediately, they wanted to be sure.  Obviously then, since Judas Iscariot committed suicide, a replacement is required to fill twelve thrones, which is why the eleven apostles immediately elected Judas’ replacement in Acts 1:15-26.  The fact that the Apostle James is not replaced clearly indicates that the apostles realize that Christ’s return has been postponed and the Church is now God’s primary institution.

 

Another evidence is that Peter leavesJerusalemand doesn’t return (12:19).  The leadership team of Peter, James and John is being dismantled andJerusalem’s central authority is waning.  This is another indication thatAntioch, rather thanJerusalem, is the new center of God’s global outreach.

 

In Acts 13, God introduces His new institution the Church.  God’s new institution is multi-racial (13:1) and missional (13:2-4).  Paul and Barnabas are sent out as missionaries from their local church inAntioch.  Note that Paul and Barnabas were called by God to perform a particular “work” (13:2) and that “work”, as you have seen in reading Acts 13 and 14, is preaching the gospel and planting reproducing local churches.  We may deduce then, that the work of a missionary is preaching the gospel and planting reproducing local churches.  Though many faithful Christians serve in diverse capacities in missions, gospel preaching and church planting are the preeminent components of missions.

 

A comparison of the sermons preached by Peter and those preached by Paul give further evidence that God is no longer offering the kingdom of heaven toIsrael, but instead, is bringing all men into the spiritual, internalkingdomofGod.  Peter’s sermon is simply, “You Jews killed our Messiah and rejected the kingdom.  Repent and be water baptized” (see Acts2:36-38;3:15, 19, 20).  Paul’s message, however, is, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through [Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”  Peter’s message is the gospel of the kingdom, while Paul’s is the gospel of grace (see13:42, 43).

 

Acts 13:4 – 14:26 is the record of Paul’s first missionary journey in approximately 46 AD.  On this first journey the gospel was preached and churches were planted on theIslandofCyprus, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Perga; all cities, exceptCyprus, are inGalatiawhich is modern dayTurkey.  The journey took approximately two years and covered nearly 1,250 miles!

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 8-10

 

OVERVIEW: 

The transition fromIsraelto the Gentiles (chapter 8); the salvation of the missionary to the Gentiles (chapter 9); the transition to the Gentiles confirmed by apostolic authority (chapter 10).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Thus far we have seen that Acts 1-7 is exclusively Jewish because God is still offering the Messiah and the kingdom of heaven to the Nation of Israel.  The all-important question of Acts 1:6: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom toIsrael?” has been answered with a resounding “No”.  This “no” was effectively communicated through the stoning of Stephen and the fact that Jesus went from STANDING in Acts 7:56 to being SEATED in Colossians 3:1.  The Nation of Israel has clearly rejected the offer of both their Messiah and His kingdom: the literal, physical, earthly kingdom of heaven.  God’s plan forIsraelhas been postponed and the “parenthesis” of the Church Age is beginning.  The stoning of Stephen led to a “great persecution” against the believers inJerusalemand many of them fledJerusalemand began preaching the gospel “abroad throughout the regions ofJudaeaandSamaria” (8:1c).  God uses persecution to accomplish His own mission of sending witnesses to “allJudaea, and inSamaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 

 

Acts chapter 8 marks the beginning of the transition from God accomplishing His plan through the Nation of Israel to the accomplishment of His plan through a body of people called the Church, which is composed of both Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-22).  Notice how orderly God makes the transition from Israel to the Church: first, believers witness in “all Judaea” (8:1c); next, Philip, the deacon mentioned in Acts 6:5 and called “the evangelist” in Acts 21:8, preaches the kingdom of God (the spiritual kingdom that resides inside of a believer) to “the Samaritans” who are half-Jew and half-Gentile (8:1c); and finally, “the uttermost” as Philip preaches to a full-blooded Gentile on his way home from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem (8:27,28).  You may have noticed that God withheld the gift of the Holy Ghost from the Samaritans until Peter and John arrived inSamaria(8:14-17).  This was done for two reasons: 1) To prove to the apostles inJerusalemthat the Samaritans had truly received the Word of God and 2) To prove to the Samaritans that the apostles inJerusalemwere God’s ordained authorities.

 

Acts 1-6 have been dominated by the Apostle Peter because he is the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:7, 8).  However, a new character, Paul, enters the picture in chapter 9.  We are first introduced to Paul in Acts 7:58 where he is called by his birth name, Saul (Acts 13:9).  Paul, by his own admission, is the chief persecutor of the church: “[I breathed] out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1) and “imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed” (Acts22:19) and “was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” (I Timothy1:13).  Sounds like a really attractive guy!  Funny thing is, Paul was one of the most religious men on earth: “If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:4-6). 

 

Oddly enough, religion is the most destructive enemy of God.  It was the religious (the Jewish council) who crucified our Lord, it was the religious (the Jewish council) who stoned Stephen and it was a religious leader (Paul) who was the most destructive force against the church.  But consider the rest of Paul’s testimony: “[I] was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (I Timothy1:13-16).  What a radical transformation!  God can save and transform anyone!  Paul goes from being the chief misery of the church to the chief missionary of the church.  Paul was specifically saved to be a missionary to the Gentiles: “[Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children ofIsrael” (9:15).  From this chapter forward, Peter’s role as the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:7, 8) diminishes while Paul’s role as the Apostle to the Gentiles increases.  In fact, Peter’s name is mentioned only one time after Acts 13 while Paul’s is mentioned 129 times.

 

Acts chapter 10 continues the transition fromIsraelto the Church with Peter, the apostle to the Jews, reluctantly preaching to a family of Gentiles.  Notice that the heavens open again (10:11), but rather than Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father (Acts7:56), a vessel of unclean animals descends and Peter is instructed to kill and eat them.  According to Old Testament law (Lev.20:25; Deut. 14:1-29), Jews were to avoid eating certain kinds of animals; these animals were called “unclean”.  So Peter, being a devout Jewish believer in Christ, refuses God’s offer to eat the unclean animals.  Pay particular attention to God’s response to Peter: “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (10:15).  God is trying to let Peter know that He is transitioning fromIsraelto the Church by using unclean animals as a metaphor for Gentiles.  In effect, God is saying, “No longer consider the Gentiles as unworthy of salvation because I am about to grant them eternal life.”  But Peter has a hard time accepting the fact that God will save Gentiles.  You might call him an “unbelieving Jew”.  Soon, Peter finds himself preaching to a family of Gentiles who suddenly begin speaking in tongues.  Remember: Jews require a sign (I Corinthians1:22) and tongues are a sign for unbelieving Jews (I Corinthians14:22).  These Gentiles spoke with tongues as a sign to Peter, who in this context is a Jew who doesn’t believe that God will save Gentiles.  Once the other eleven Apostles inJerusalemcatch wind of this “casting of pearls before swine,” Peter is called to answer for this blatantly disobedient act of preaching to the Gentiles (Acts 11:1-3).  As Peter begins to defend himself, the most convincing evidence he offers to the Jewish Apostles is the sign of tongues (Acts11:15-18).  By the end of the meeting, the Jewish church inJerusalemdeclares: “Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life” (Acts11:18).  The transition fromIsrael!  to the Church is almost complete.

 

Let’s briefly summarize the transitions that we have discovered: Acts 1-6 – God is offering the King and the kingdom of heaven to the Nation of Israel. Acts 7 –Israelrejects the King and the kingdom of heaven for the third time. Acts 8 – God makes an orderly transition from Jews to Samaritans to Gentiles. Acts 9 – The transition from Peter, the apostle to the Jews, to Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Acts 10 – God’s transition to the Gentiles is confirmed by the apostolic authority of Peter.

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 5-7

 

OVERVIEW:

Internal and external opposition (chapters 5, 6); the final offer of the kingdom of heaven rejected by the Nation of Israel (chapter 7).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Acts 3 – 6 reveals for us two forms of Satanic opposition: external and internal.  External opposition occurs in the form of persecution.  There are two cycles of persecution meted out on Peter and John by the Jewish leaders (4:1-22; 5:17-40).  Though Peter and John appear to be the objects of wrath, and though the Jewish religious leaders seem to be the persecutors, the fact is that, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).  The real object of wrath is Jesus (4:17, 18;5:28,40), and the real persecutor is Satan.  Maybe you’ve noticed that you can comfortably talk about Buddhism, Zen, Feng Shui, the Occult, etc. with any group of people in any public place, but as soon as you mention the name Jesus, an uproar is sure to follow.  The devil hates the name of Jesus.  Please notice what angered the Jewish religious leaders (and the devil) the most: the teaching and preaching of the gospel (4:2, 18;5:28).  The obvious application: if the devil hates it, then it must be effective and we should do it all the more!  Teaching and preaching is the primary action of the Great Commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations … Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you . . .” (Matthew 28:19, 20).  Teaching and preaching is the primary function of a pastor (see Acts 2:14,42; 3:12; 4:31; 5:20,42; 6:1-4; Colossians 1:28; II Timothy 4:17; Titus 1:3; I Corinthians 1:21; I Timothy 4:11-16; II Timothy 4:1,2; I Timothy 5:17; Galatians 6:6).  Satan will do anything he can to stop the preaching and teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

 

If he can’t stop the gospel with external opposition, he’ll walk right in the front doors of the church and try internal opposition.  Ananias and Sapphira were held in esteem by the believers because they vowed to sell their property and give ALL of the proceeds to the church.  But in an effort to “have their cake and eat it too,” they both told Peter that they had sold the land for less than what they actually received for it, thereby keeping a little nest egg for themselves.  They must have thought, “What a great plan!  The church will think we’re really spiritual for sacrificing so much, and we’ll still be rich!  No one will ever know.”  You can fool man, but you can’t fool an omniscient God.  Peter defines their offense clearly, “thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4) and they both dropped dead (5:5, 10).  The issue wasn’t that they didn’t give it all; it was that they lied to God.  I wonder if this is the event that the Apostle John had in mind when he wrote I John 5:16, 17.  If you’re like me, you’re thinking, “I bet Sunday attendance dropped after that!”  Yep, you’re right.  And that was God’s plan (5:11-14)!  Notice, however, that souls were still saved. Markit down: no matter how “holy” the church, no matter how “holy” the leaders, God still purges and purifies His people in preparation for new fruit.

 

Another form of internal opposition comes from envy, strife and complaining among believers (Acts 6:1).  Keep in mind that the Grecians’ complaint was legitimate and it certainly needed to be addressed, but consider also that the devil is more than happy to keep us busy with “legitimate needs” and even “good things” as long as it keeps us from the best thing: prayer and the Word of God.  Remember Jesus’ instruction to Martha when she was so busy working to serve Him while Mary sat at His feet, communing with Him?  “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41, 42).  The Apostles’ deemed it necessary to continue in their primary function: prayer and the Word (6:2, 4), so they delegated the “legitimate need” to elected “deacons” (6:3, 5-7).  It is significant to note that God holds even those who carry out the simplest forms of service to a standard of “honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” (6:3).

 

Finally, in chapter 7, we have come to the first key event or turning point in the book of Acts.  Acts 7 is the answer to the question of Acts 1:6 and marks the beginning of five of the seven transitions.  Acts 7 is the third and final offer of the King and His kingdom to the nation of Israel.  Stephen preaches an incredible sermon with three significant points: first, God promised us (Israel) a land (7:2-7); second, God promised us a Prophet like Moses (7:20, 37); third, but you leaders always kill God’s prophets and fail to respond properly to God’s message (7:51-53).  Needless to say, the council was enraged and they stoned Stephen while a young zealous Jew named Saul held the stoners’ coats.  To understand the significance of this event we need to pay close attention to verse 56: “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”  Stephen saw two things: “the heavens opened” and “the Son of man standing”.  Immediately following His ascension in Acts 1:9-11, Jesus SAT down at the right hand of the Father as Hebrews 10:12 tells us: “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God”.  Colossians 3:1 tells us that even today in the Church Age, Jesus is SEATED at the Father’s right hand: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God”.  So the fact that Jesus is STANDING is incredibly significant, then add to that, the fact that the heavens are opened.  The next time we find Jesus standing and the heavens opened is Revelation 4:1-3 and 5:1, 5 where Jesus rises to take the book with seven seals from the Father’s hand which marks the beginning of the Tribulation period.  Jesus is standing because He is awaiting the nation of Israel’s response.  If it’s repentance and water baptism, then Jesus opens the first seal of the Tribulation and Daniel’s seventieth week begins. If it’s rejection, then Jesus sits back down,Israelis “blinded in part” (Romans11:25) and the Church Age begins.  Clearly, the stoning of Stephen is a rejection of God’s offer, and as expected, we find Jesus seated for the duration of the Church Age (Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1).  Consequently, God turns His attention to the gospel of thekingdomofGod(the spiritual internal kingdom) and to all nations under heaven as we will see in Acts 8.

 

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 1-4

 

OVERVIEW:

The messengers of the kingdom prepared (chapter 1); the offer of the kingdom of heaven to the Nation of Israel (chapter 2); a second offer of the kingdom of heaven to the Nation of Israel (chapters 3,4).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Author: Luke, the physician (Col. 4:14) and author of the gospel of Luke (compare Acts 1:1 with Luke 1:1-4).  Luke was a Gentile and traveling companion of Paul as indicated by the word “we” when found in appropriated passages of the Book of Acts (16:10-13, 16; 20:6,13-15, etc.)

Approximate date of writing: 59-65 AD Dates of the recorded events: 33-62 AD

Theme: God’s plan forIsraelpostponed and the revelation of the Church. Christ is seen as: our Great High Priest ministering in the heavens (Hebrews4:14-16) Key verses: Acts 1:6, 7 Key chapters: 7-13

Chapters: 28

Verses: 1,007

Words: 24,250

 

As we discussed in our introduction to the Book of Matthew, there are four Books of the Bible where you can lose your way if you don’t keep your compass pointed at the  “ancient landmark” of the Nation of Israel (Prov. 22:28; 23:10): Matthew, Acts, Hebrews and James.  It’s not difficult to navigate your way through the Book of Acts if you keep the following trail markers in mind.

 

1. This Book is called “The Acts of the Apostles,” NOT “The Doctrine (or Teaching) of the Apostles”.   The Book of “Acts” is the historical record of the ACTIONS of the Apostles; it’s the story of what happened.  It could be illustrated like this: suppose a sports writer observes you sink a hole in one after the ball slices, skims across the water, bounces between a couple of trees, and hits a bird flying directly over the hole and then drops straight in the hole.  Now suppose the writer recounts that event in a chapter of “Golf For Dummies” and entitles it: “Making a Hole in One Step-By-Step”.  That’s ridiculous!  Your hole in one is what happened, but it’s not the rule for every golfer!  Likewise, Acts does not establish the rule of faith, experience, and doctrine for every Christian.  Otherwise, every Christian would have to sell everything and move toJerusalem(2:44-47) and after a short time, most, if not all Christians would be dead for lying to the Holy Spirit (5:1-11).  The most consistent thing about the book of Acts is its inconsistency.

 

2. The key verses of the Book are Acts 1:6 and 7: “. . . [the Apostles] asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom toIsrael?  And [Jesus] said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”  The literal earthly kingdom (the kingdom of heaven) and the King of that kingdom (Jesus Christ the Messiah) are still being offered to the nation ofIsrael.  The Apostles’ minds are focused on one thing and one thing only: the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth.  Jesus’ answer in modern vernacular is: “For now, it’s none of your business.”  Based upon that answer, the Apostles assumed that Christ would return within days.  However, by the time Paul writes his first letter to the Thessalonians in 54 AD it is clear that the question has been answered: compare Acts 1:7 where Jesus says “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,” and I Thess. 5:1, 2 where Paul says, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye . . . know perfectly . . .” Clearly, a transition has been made from not knowing to knowing perfectly.  As you will see, the Apostles’ question is finally answered in Acts 7 after the nation ofIsraelhas rejected the offer of the kingdom for the third time.  This brings us to our third trail marker.

 

3. Acts is a transitional book: a bridge that carries us from one dispensation to a new dispensation, the Church Age.  We are currently living in the Church Age.  Acts is the record of God’s transition from accomplishing His plan through the nation ofIsraelto accomplishing His plan through the Church.  God’s change in plans is made obvious through seven transitions and three key events.

 

Transition #1: from the ministry of Jesus Christ to the ministry of the Holy Spirit – (1:2)

Transition #2: from “disciples” to “apostles” – (1:2)

Key Event #1: the nation ofIsrael’s final rejection of the kingdom of heaven – (Acts 7)

Transition #3: from the nation ofIsraelto the Samaritans (a race of half Jew and half Gentile) – (8:1-5)

Transition #4: from the nation ofIsraelto the Church (a group composed of Jews and Gentiles) – (8:26-11:18)

Transition #5: from the preaching of the kingdom of heaven (the literal earthly kingdom offered to the nation ofIsrael) to the preaching of thekingdomofGod(the unseen spiritual kingdom inside of individual believers) – (8:12)

Key Event #2: the salvation of the Gentile, Cornelius, and the determination by the Apostles that God is no longer dealing exclusively with the Jews, but has now taken salvation to the Gentiles – (11:18)

Key Event #3: the execution of the Apostle James, the decision not to replace him, and Peter’s departure to Caeserea – (12:1, 2, 19)

Transition #6: from Peter, the Apostle to the Jews, to Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles –(9:1-13:1)

Transition #7: fromJerusalemtoAntioch– (11:26-13:1)

 

It is important to understand that the transition from Israel to the Church and the Church Age were “mysteries,” or truths that were hidden from the twelve Apostles (see Rom. 11:25; Eph. 3:1-12; 2:11-22).  The Twelve believed that God dealt exclusively with the Nation of Israel (Matt. 10:5-7), and in their ethnocentric opinions, the Gentiles were pagan heathens unworthy to receive anything from God (Acts 11:1-3).  Like Christopher Columbus who thought he had landed in Asia, but had actually landed in the Caribbean, the Apostles thought they were going to land in the millennial reign of Christ, but actually ended up in the Church Age.  Needless to say, their journey was full of surprises!

 

4. Jews require a sign.  The signs and wonders done by Jesus and the Apostles were designed to prove toIsraelthat the message and the messengers were sent by God.  God makes this explicitly clear in I Cor. 1:22: “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom”.  Miraculous healings and speaking in tongues were signs for the nation ofIsrael.  I Cor.14:22says, “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not”.  Tongues were a sign given to unbelieving Jews and every time tongues occur in the Bible, which is only three times (Acts 2, 10, 19), an unbelieving Jew is present to witness the sign.  The reason that Apostolic healings and speaking in tongues do not occur today is because God has postponed His dealings withIsrael.  Romans11:25makes this very clear: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened toIsrael, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”  God has temporarily blindedIsraeland is currently working exclusively through the Church.

 

With these four trail markers at the forefront of our minds, let’s take a look at some highlights in chapters 1-4.

 

Acts 2.  This chapter is a vortex of doctrinal error in contemporary Christianity.  This is where the modern day Pentecostal and Charismatic churches (speaking in tongues, baptism in the Holy Spirit) and the Church of Christ and the Christian Church (water baptism is essential for salvation) lose the ancient landmark, Israel.  If you keep your eye on the landmark and pay attention to the context, this chapter is easily understood.  Here’s the context in one sentence: Jews from all over the world (2:5-11) came to Jerusalem (the holiest city of the Jews) to celebrate Pentecost (a Jewish holiday, 2:1) where they saw the sign of tongues (Jews require a sign) and heard a Jewish Apostle (Peter) tell them that just fifty days prior, they had killed their Jewish Messiah (2:22-24,36) and that they needed to do exactly what John the Baptist (the last Jewish prophet) and Jesus told them to do in the Gospels (repent and be water baptized for the remission of sins, Matt. 3:1,2; Luke 3:3;!  Matt. 4:17; John 3:22, 23; 4:1,2) to prepare themselves for the soon coming kingdom of heaven.  I think you’ve got the point: this passage deals exclusively with the nation of Israel.  So unless you’re a Jew living in 33 A.D., there’s no need for you to speak with tongues, and water baptism does not save you from your sins.

 

Acts 3.  Again we see from the context that God is dealing exclusively with the nation of Israel.  Note that Peter and John (Jewish Apostles) are on their way to the temple (the Jewish place of worship) at the hour of prayer (Jews prayed three times a day) and Peter performs a miracle (Jews require a sign) and upon seeing the crowd gathering (other Jews at the temple to pray), Peter tells them that they killed the Jewish Messiah (3:13-16), but if they repented, then Jesus would return to establish His literal earthly kingdom (3:19-21).  Peter is offeringIsraela second chance to accept Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah, and prepare themselves for the coming of His literal earthly kingdom.