Fear and Comfort, Multiplied

Acts 9:31 
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

After the Spirit coming to the disciples and apostles  and leading Peter to publicly point at the Christ, persecution of those delivered from death to life, Saul's conversion, the church accepting God's call on Saul, and the gospel's spreading - there was a time of peace.  This peace had the fear of God and comfort of the Comforter as its source, and so the church continued to grow.  As promised, God put a new heart in those of stone and His Spirit, Himself, in His people He called out.

Acknowledging God's Work

Acts 9:27-30   
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

Though many believers feared Saul, Barnabas saw God working in him, both in Saul's testimony of how Christ called him and in the good words of life spoken by the former enemy.  So Saul spoke boldly to the Greek speaking Jews from scripture to show Jesus is the Messiah, and the believers began to accept this was God's work.  But as Saul showed the truth of God's word, he made enemies who wanted to kill him - and the believers got him out of town in time.  So we should speak truth at all costs.

Is HE a Disciple?

Acts 9:23-26   
23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.  26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

The religious leaders of the Jews were threatened by this new sect (which was really just the core of the old, fulfilled), and so made plans to kill Saul.  Some followers of Christ helped him escape, but then those in Jerusalem did not even believe he followed Jesus, let alone trust him after killing so many disciples not long ago.  So we may be targeted by those without and within as we follow Him in Spirit and in truth.  We press toward the goal, running the race to see His face.

Preaching the Son of God

Acts 9:20-22 
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Saul was changed by the Son of God, whom he formerly attacked, so he could tell others who He is.  People could not understand how this could be the same destroyer of Christ's followers until that time.  But God grew Saul, giving wisdom and strength to prove Jesus was the Messiah (Christ) from the Old Testament.  God had sovereignly trained Saul as a Pharisee to know the scriptures, then used that deep knowledge with added understanding by His Spirit to stop the mouths of religious leaders.  Not many wise are called, but this was one of them. 

Chosen Vessel to All

Acts 9:15-18 
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

Ananias listened to God, went to Saul, and put his hands on him to receive physical and spiritual sight; Saul received God's Spirit and was immersed into Christ.  He was reborn. God would show Saul the many sufferings to come for the name of Christ, just as those he persecuted before suffered much under his hand.  But Saul would become Paul and rejoice in those sufferings for Christ and the gospel's sake.  He knew the cost and the price paid for him, so His grace would be sufficient for his weakness.

Straight to Sight

Acts 9:11-14 
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

Ananias was told to give sight to the blind Saul, one who had men like him tied up and taken away to torture and death for the sake and name of Jesus Christ.  He knew all the history to date on the many saints who were harmed so far, and it is most likely that he was also afraid to be next.  Yet the call from Jesus was to go so Saul could see - the blind to receive physical as well as spiritual eyes to see.  So we are called to haters and persecutors, atheists and agnostics, misled and violent against Christ in us - all for the gospel.  We bring others to see so God may give them sight. 

Led to Damascus

Acts 9:8-9 
8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

After Saul was blinded by the light of God's glory on the road to Damascus, he got up but was blind.  So he was led into the city as he was told to do by Jesus when he asked Him what he needed to do after persecuting Jesus and His followers.  For the same amount of days the Jesus lay in the grave after being crucified to death Saul sat as if dead, not seeing or eating as in the grave.  He awaited life.

Blinded by the Light

Acts 9:5-7   
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

When Jesus asked why Saul was attacking Him through His followers, Saul seemed to not know who spoke.  Jesus told him, and told him it was useless to resist God. So Saul wisely asked what to do.  Jesus had arranged that already also, and told him where to go to hear the rest of the answer from one of the followers Saul intended indirectly to eventually persecute also.  God has a way of using unlikely people and circumstances in leading and guiding us to Himself and His work.

Persecuting Christ

Acts 9:1-4 
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Saul watched Stephen being stoned and asking forgiveness for those killing him, and now went on to hate and murder anyone identifying with or speaking of Jesus the Christ.  So he had written permission to round them up, tie them up, and send them up to Jerusalem.  But God met him on the way to stop this Way, and shone light on him with the question, "why are you persecuting ME?"  By attacking God's people, Saul was attacking the very God he thought he was so zealous for...

Stop the Chariot!

Acts 8:38-40   
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

The Ethiopian man was baptized and Philip took off again at God's leading by His Spirit.  So the man was extremely happy and went his way as Philip went His.  The Philip continued to spread the words of life all the way to Caesarea.  He was faithful to listen and follow as God led, whether to the middle of nowhere on an almost empty road, or in the cities.  A good example for us all.

Believe With Whole Heart

Acts 8:35-37 
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

The Christ-Messiah who was told about over 700 years before He was born as a man, this is the Jesus Philip explained to the Ethiopian.  The man received faith to believe Jesus was who He said - the Son of God - and did all He did as was told long before.  So he was reborn and was baptized outwardly in water after being immersed inwardly in Christ and His Spirit.  Nothing hindered him from obedience to reflect outwardly what was worked inside by faith.  So we are also told by God through others from His book who He is and what He did for us from long ago. We have only to trust He is the Son with all our heart also.

Do You Understand What You're Reading?

Acts 8:30-33 
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.”

How do people understand the scriptures unless they have guidance to help from one who has the mind of Christ?  So we who know him should be like Philip here, taking the time to explain things when asked, such as when Isaiah spoke of the Messiah suffering to die for is and receiving our justice when He was guiltless.  The lamb of God took away the sin of the world, and this was planned out and revealed long ago - the gospel needs to be explained.  By us.

Divine Appointment

Acts 8:26-29 
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

When God moved Philip to go to a remote road, he did not ask why he should go to where no people lived, nor did he ask if he had enough resources or if if could be dangerous.  He simply went as directed.  There God brought him to an important man, a treasurer of a queen, who happened to be traveling by as he read Isaiah from the scriptures.  God's Spirit then moved Philip to run up to the man as he was moving along.  So he did.

Sincere Repentance?

Acts 8:22-25 
22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

After Simon wanted to buy God's power and the ability to give it to others, he prayed only that nothing bad would happen to him.  He was told his sin and bitterness bound him until that evil was turned away from, but we do not know how sincere or complete Simon's answer was. The apostles then continued to  proclaim God's good words of life to many in Samaria. Whether or not sincerity is returned when the gospel is told, it must go on to reach the hearts of those with ears to hear.

Cannot Buy God's Spirit

Acts 8:18-21 
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

God's Spirit is not to be bought or sold, not to be treated as a power, force, or gift to be traded for personal gain - He is God Himself.  Even now He is offered as a cure for disease, personal failures, and all kinds of difficulties, but God gives His Spirit on His terms to make us His children.  He gives us ability to understand and tell clearly the words of life that are the gospel.  Those like Simon who market God for personal gain lose all the gifts they might have received for His glory. 

Holy Spirit Seals All Believers

Acts 8:14-17 
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

As the apostles and disciples first received God's Spirit at Pentecost, so here the Samaritans (and later gentiles, the world) had their inaugural moment of receiving Christ as immersion into His Spirit.  They heard the word, and the pattern was initially set for these as for those before.  Later the other first time for the gentiles would come.  Ever since, we receive baptism into Christ upon conversion; in Acts salvation was just being proven and demonstrated in these three groups from Jerusalem to Samaria to the world (Acts1:8). So the church was beginning with the Spirit who gives us unity in Christ and ability to know and follow His word we receive.

God's Astonishing Work

Acts 8:12-13   
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Even sorcerers and atheists can be in awe of God's work when they see it firsthand.  Here the people turned from a worker of false miracles to one with Jesus' power in action, and then the sorcerer himself was awed and so believed the words of truth.  Simon then continued with Philip as he did God's work to prove he was bringing the truth.  So those who deny Him may see truth, have their eyes opened, and follow God in His Son.  Be amazed at the truth, not signs and wonders.

False Claim to the Power of God

Acts 8:9-11 
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

How often people are mesmerized by those who draw attention to themselves as someone great and use cunning crafty tricks to make disciples of themselves.  Some even claim or are said to be of God.  But true followers of God are humble and draw attention to Christ their master, not themselves.  They point to the God of great power, denying they are that power.  We do well to not do as Simon says...

Great Joy in God's Working

Acts 8:5-8   
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

When Stephen was killed and the disciples scattered, Philip (another chosen to serve along with Stephen) spread the words of life, the good news, to Samaria.  This is where Jesus talked with the woman at the well and many believed.  So Philip demonstrated he was a Christ follower by also doing unexplainable acts, and joy came with the gospel and its proof. So is it where hearts open to Christ through the preaching of these words bringing life. 

Scattered to End of the Earth

Acts 8:2-4 
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

Those who are of Christ know loss and honor those not loving their lives to the death for the sake of the gospel being heard, even by enemies.  But Saul here, after agreeing with Stephen's stoning, went himself in disregard of the truth heard to try to stop the gospel and those it spread to.  Yet the more the sheep were scattered, the more they followed the Shepherd of their souls, taking the words of life to the ends of the earth.  Though His people may be killed, God's not dead. He is surely alive and living in His people.

Receive My Spirit, Lord

Acts 7:59 - 8:1 
59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Stephen learned from following the Christ to forgive those who unjustly stoned him to death. He bore witness to the truth and pointed to deliverance from the just and earned wrath of God, and those opposed to God let their anger loose. Even Saul agreed - but God must have haunted him with Stephen's words.  Even so, the persecution scattered the disciples to do what Jesus last told them, to make disciples as they went into all the world. But the apostles stayed put to build the church.

Gazing on Jesus

Acts 7:55-58   
55 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, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Stephen was killed after gazing on Jesus in heaven, seeing a glimpse of the God he would soon be with. This was not a near death experience, but a view into God and His dwelling place. When he spoke of it and identified Jesus as the Son of God, they yelled, stuck their fingers in their ears to not hear more, and grabbed him to stone to death.  As they stoned Stephen, they put his clothes by Saul of Tarsus, later to persecute believers to death.  But the words of Stephen about Jesus stuck with him.

Cut to the Heart

Acts 7:51-54 
51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”  54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

After hearing God's work in His people over the years, the listeners then were faced with how they not only failed to take it to heart, but actually killed those continually sent to set them straight.  Then they killed His Son sent to offer reconciliation in place of due justice. They did not keep God's word, and so again got angry at God and His messenger, ready to kill to cover their guilt with indignation and violence aimed at Stephen.  With hardened hearts, they had no ears to hear truth.

Temple of the Heart

Acts 7:44-50 
44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, ... 47 But Solomon built Him a house. 48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? 50 Has My hand not made all these things?’

God met with man in a traveling tabernacle tent for years until Solomon built Him a permanent stone temple.  Yet God only met with man there - He does not live in houses, but in heaven and earth and, most importantly, in hearts.  He only lives and rests in us out of all creation made by His hand.  That understanding should fill us with humility, fearful awe, and boundless thanks. We now then must worship in spirit and truth from gratefulness for His pleasure.

The Angel of God

Acts 7:38-40 
38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’

The Angel of God, Christ Himself, burned in the bush and led His people to deliverance.  He gave His word on tablets of stone and in speaking through Moses, but the people refused and made the works of their hands their gods.  Even now the choice remains - do we have ears to hear and eyes to see from our hearts what God has done in the suffering from death to life of Jesus Christ for us?  Or do we feebly attempt to forge our own gods by effort, intellect, and selfish ambition to give our lives to?

Christ: Ruler and Redeemer

Acts 7:35-37 
35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’

God was Israel's deliverer from Egypt; He just used Moses.  So they argued against God's deliverance, and were told a Prophet to come would later be raised up to listen to, the Messiah Jesus known as the Christ.  All the wonders God did in deliverance from bondage and in the desert were built on by Jesus continuing the work to prove He is that one.  He raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, wholeness to the lame, hearing to ears not hearing, and so much more.  So Stephen reminded them who Jesus is and of their continuing rebellion as a testimony against their rejection of God in Him.  Do not refuse Him.

God's Time and Plan

Acts 7:30-34 
30 “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. 31 When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, 32 saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look. 33 ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” ’

Moses was 40 when he left Egypt, then another 40 years passed till he saw God face to face in a burning bush.  In that holy place, God told him it was time for His people to come out of bondage and he was to go there by God's sending.  God's timing would align to what was promised after 400 years for their freedom, their saving deliverance from bondage (a shadow of release from our bondage to sin).

Deliver God's Way

Acts 7:23-29 
23 “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. 25 For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ 27 But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.

Moses was called to deliver God's people, so he killed an Egyptian mistreating one. At 40 years old, he thought respect for his age and calling as deliverer would be understood and respected, but instead Moses was not.  The one starting a fight between two of God's people asked how Moses had the right to judge and mentioned out loud about the murder.  So Moses ran after trying to deliver his way.  For another 40 years.  We can learn the lesson from this to deliver others God's way, not in our own strength, might, or reasoning.

Mighty Moses

Acts 7:17-22 
17 “But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt 18 till another king arose who did not know Joseph. 19 This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. 20 At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. 21 But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

God's people increased as promised until the new pharaoh came into power and enslaved them.  He tried to kill the male babies (God later takes their firstborn sons), but Moses is spared by God and even raised as Pharaoh's son.  So one of God's learned all the wisdom of the king as a son of a slave.  God knew what He was doing in so raising a deliverer for His people in His time.  The time of the promise to bring the people out of bondage after 400 years of servitude was near. So He saves us from the bondage of sin when the time of His Son comes for each of us in His appointed time.

God's Higher Plan

Acts 7:9-10, 14-15 
9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him 10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. ... 14 Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. 15 So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers.

What men intend for evil, God had a higher and earlier plan for good. Joseph's brothers almost killed him, then sold him as a slave - but God gave him reign over Egypt as second to Pharaoh.  He then called Israel away from famine to thrive in Egypt.  God even told them long before they would spend 400 years exiled there before delivering, saving from slavery and increasing in the process.  He is sovereign over all time. And us.

From Slavery to Service

Acts 7:6-8   
6 But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. 7 ‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’ 8 Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

Before the children of God's promise could possess the land of their inheritance by faith, they had to trust for 400 years while in the sin of the world.  But the sinful world would be judged and His people set free at last, in due time as appointed.  Then they could serve God with the sign of cleansing on their circumcised hearts, ultimately so in Christ by His Spirit many centuries later.  In Him we have redemption from the bondage to sin and its judgment; we are set free in His time when He calls us out of bondage and will serve Him in the promised land of that celestial city to come!

Are These Things So?

Acts 7:1-5 
1 Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. 5 And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him.

To speak of Christ and God's chosen people, you must start with Abram and the call to follow God to a promised country.  He was told that his descendants would have the land, not him, but the promise was enough for Abraham to trust and wait.  So Stephen's answer began with the beginning of the calling out of God's people who were chosen before being born with a promise to have a land that spoke further of a heavenly country. 

Face of an Angel

Acts 6:12-15 
12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

When the leaders excited a commotion among the people, they then bore false witness (and violated the 9th commandment) against Stephen for standing for Christ.  They called good evil as if the truth was blasphemy, and misconstrued Jesus' statement about destroying the temple of His body to rise again in 3 days.  But Stephen just remained at peace and did not return the reviling.  He responded as Jesus would.  So must we when falsely accused for speaking the truth in love.

Irresistible Wisdom

Acts 6:8-11 
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

When God's man spoke and acted in faith he had Christ's power and authority driving against the present darkness around him.  So when those opposed to the gospel could not argue against the Spirit-driven wisdom of Stephen, they brought charges against him instead to stop what they did not want to hear, the truth.  Even now legislation is aimed at shutting the mouths of truth and life; not able to contradict God, they seek to silence the source.  But God is neither helpless nor quiet.  So we speak.

Chosen to Serve

Acts 6:5-7   
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

A deacon who stood out was Stephen, and we hear later of Philip as well.  Stephen was chosen to serve tables because he had much faith in Christ and walked in step with the Spirit of God within Him.  His trust enabled his service.  It also freed up the apostles to spread the words of life far and wide, so many became disciples as the great commission was lived out.  Even the Jewish priests turned to the Messiah.  Both serving tables and serving the gospel were reliant on faith, obedience, and scripture.

Ministry of the Word

Acts 6:2-4   
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 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; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

The disciples were speaking and ministering words of life, and needed to not be distracted by the added work of serving daily physical needs of widows.  So they looked for what we now know as deacons - godly men with a good reputation and God's wisdom in a close walk with Him.  The ministers of the physical allowed the ministers of the word and prayer (elders) to attend to the souls.  So is the model for the church.

Worthy to Suffer Shame

Acts 5:41-42   
41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

When the disciples were threatened for speaking life to others, God protected them (this time) and they looked with great joy at being able to suffer for being Christ's.  It meant that they were doing the right things and so were seen and treated as He was before the self-righteous and ungodly.  What did they then do?  They kept on telling the good news, the words of (eternal) life - not just in the temple, but wherever they went.  So is our example to follow as they followed.

Don't Fight Against God

Acts 5:33-39 
33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. ... 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Reason is sometimes given to the ungodly to deliver His righteous.  Here God used a respected leader to stop a mob killing when accused of murdering the Son of God.  This man was used to let them know God would either bring the apostles' words of life to die, or God would have His way and there was no way to fight against Him in them.  This time they would heed sound advice, and the gospel continued to bring life.  Fighting against God always fails in the end, no matter the apparent outcome.

Obey God Rather Than Men

Acts 5:29-32   
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

When told, ordered, threatened, or legislated to not speak the truth of the good news, the example set here by the disciples is to listen to and obey God over these demands of man.  Men murdered the Son of God, but God raised His Son as our only head and deliverer.  In Him we find forgiveness of our sin by turning from it to Him.  So God's Spirit in we who are His now proves.  His word is like a hammer that breaks the stony hearts to set on fire with unending life.  But even if we say nothing, the rocks of all creation around us will cry out to life.

Gospel Brings Accountability

Acts 5:26-28   
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!”

The leaders feared riots if they used violence against either the disciples or those who would stop them, so they quietly brought the disciples back and reminded them they were told to stop spreading the words of life (gospel).  The authorities acknowledged the teaching was spreading quickly and effectively, and that they were to be blamed for killing Jesus.  They may have felt some guilt for crucifying Him, but more they feared their loss of power, control, influence, and importance. 

Set Free from Prison

Acts 5:21-23   
21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

Going as commanded by God's messenger to speak words of life to a dead world, they taught of Christ first thing in the morning.  The religious leaders sent to have them brought from the jail cell they threw the disciples in, but found it empty - yet shut and guarded still... they opened the wrong door. The door opened to reconciliation with God was in the Christ that they refused to hear of, and that message moved to those with ears to hear outside of the bondage of the Law of works.

Speak Words of Life

Acts 5:17-20   
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

When the apostles demonstrated that they were with Jesus by the deeds and words coming from them, the religious leaders were envious with a punishing zeal against what the apostles stood for. So they threw them in jail.  But God had other plans; He sent an angel to minister to them by letting them out and directing them to the temple to speak words of life - the Gospel!  God is not mocked nor stopped.

Highly Esteemed and Growing

Acts 5:12-14 
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

God did wonders through the apostles to show they were continuing His work of bringing good news with God's authority.  The incident with Ananias and his wife kept many others from committing to Christ, however, as fear kept them at a distance but also in esteem.  Yet still believers were added to the Lord as God drew those who counted the cost and found it too high not to...

Fearful Consequences 2

Acts 5:8-11 
8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

When Ananias and Sapphira lied for profit, they tested God's Spirit of truth.  Their plan to look good to others and hold onto riches for themselves ended in death.  This brewed fear in others to not repeat the same mistake, but to be honest before God and men.  So we are called to be as Christ's.

Fearful Consequences 1

Acts 5:1-4 
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Many in the first church sold what they had to help others in need among them, but these tried only to look good to others doing so - for they kept part of the money and lied about their gift being everything . This was quickly pointed out by God, letting them know that there was nothing wrong in how much they gave, but in how much they deceived God (if possible) and man. Their hearts were not in meeting needs, but in how they appeared to others.  People still do this, deceiving themselves to look charitable to others.  But God is not fooled.

Great Grace on Believers

Acts 4:32-33   
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

When God first brought together the church, they shared what they had to make certain that everyone had what they needed.  This was because of their unity in Christ that they never knew before, transforming their hearts' desires from self to God and others to fulfill the two greatest commandments. Their witness to the resurrection of Jesus driven by God's Spirit now living in them was compelling to others and demonstrated His grace in their new lives. Christ was their unity, not their religion or nationality.

Shaken and Boldly Stirred

Acts 4:29-31   
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

When threatened, the apostles prayed for boldness to speak and do the things Jesus did to prove it was God's working in and through them.  So they prayed and the place was shaken, as was soon the world also as they heard the good news that God provided salvation apart from men earning it by being impossibly perfect in keeping the law.  The law pointed to grace, salvation and reconciliation with God in Christ's work alone.

The Nations Rage

Acts 4:25-28 
25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

God is in absolute control of history.  He allowed plots to kill His Son because He planned it ahead of time.  God did not just know how it would happen and then write it down ahead of time, He determined it to be so and then wrote it down.  So it seemed the world had the upper hand against Christ, but God's mighty hand created all who oppose Him, and His will was done on the cross and up from the grave.  This should quiet us in awe and wonder.

Sovereign Protection to Glorify

Acts 4:21-24 
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,

God protected John and Peter so others could glorify God for making a man whole, one old for that time.  The authorities could do no more or look inhumane and suffer retaliation from the masses, so they let them go.  When the story was told, they others prayed to God and honored the one who did all these things - they acknowledged it was God's work alone, the creator and sustainer of all things. Do we?

Cannot But Speak

Acts 4:17-20 
17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 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. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Threats to keep the gospel in chains always fail. The word of God is not chained. We are told to not to use the name Jesus, we are threatened by the ungodly and godless who fear accountability to God, and we too have the same answer as Peter and John.  We can't help but tell others who and what we have seen in Christ, and know we answer to God - so we listen to His commands and will to make disciples everywhere.  As Jesus said to the religious atheists of His day, if we are bullied into silence, the very rocks around us would call out.

Seen With Jesus

Acts 4:13-16   13 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. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Peter and John were not educated nor trained in God's word, yet they spoke as and did things only someone knowing God and the Scriptures could do.  The studied and learned stood and marveled.  What could they say against the finger of God working through these two?  Though they wanted to refute and explain it all away to look better and keep their authority, God's clearly was displayed over theirs.  So they tried to think of a way to stop them.  So those today with only a form of godliness, the atheists, and the ungodly all try to attack God's word and work in Christ. 

Salvation in No Other

Acts 4:8-12 
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

When the rulers asked John and Peter by what power or name they healed a lame man, they pointed to Jesus as the healer of the whole man.  They pointed out the rejection of the foundation stone all is built on being killed, yet how He rose from death and so is the only way, name, and life for all.  Jesus Christ holds all of God's creation up to be delivered from due wrath to come.  No other person, prophet, or other has God's authority and power to change lives with absolute hope.  Psalms 2:12 "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him."

Disturbed or Believed?

Acts 4:1-4 
1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Opposition to Jesus Christ and the God's word gets people thrown in prison because people are afraid of truth.  But this only allows more to hear and see the cost that proves it's reality, and in Acts here many heard and believed.  You can hate and legislate God's Son, but the good news is still gladly heard through persecution for the truth that it is, cutting into the heart and setting men free from true bondage.

Hear the Prophet!

Acts 3:22-26 
22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. 25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

Again we see Jesus proclaimed long before He walked here, and if we do not listen to Him then we have no hope.  God's covenant with Abraham is to all, beginning with His chosen of Israel and ending with His chosen from all nations of the earth.  He blesses as we turn from sin to Him. There is no other or greater prophet than God in our midst, and nobody else we listen to speaks for God for life and death.  Let us hear Him in all things.

Converted and Forgiven

Acts 3:18-21 
18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was ordained for you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Since God prepared for all Christ did from the beginning of time, telling us in Scripture, and then brought it to happen - we should listen and turn from sin and to Christ to be changed and forgiven.  That is good news!  He refreshes us, making us New as we are before Him with His presence within us.  Ah, and He is coming back bodily again to restore all things as if we will be back to Eden. Sin, pain, crying and death will be no more - His word is absolutely trustworthy, so we have an absolute hope, no mere wish for our future. 

Faith in His Name Alone

Acts 3:12-16   
12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. ... 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Peter and John did not heal a lame man - through faith in the name Jesus, God's Son lifted up, the man was made perfectly whole in soul and body.  Salvation was the goal and the physical healing was the assurance for eyes to see. It was not the spirituality or strength of the disciples to heal, but God's work alone; they were just trusting to do as they were drawn to do and speak, trusting God to work.  Those who claim to heal apart from God's work with the goal of salvation often are self serving instead of God pleasing.

No Silver or Gold

Acts 3:2-6   
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

The Messiah was told to bring healing to a sinful people, demonstrated by physical healing to show the wholeness of soul only God could give to us.  So Jesus did these things to show His true healing, and the apostles followed in His steps.  When a lame man asked for money, Peter gave offered him the wholeness beginning with the ability to walk again.  It was to bring new life for the inner man, salvation from sin and death. Psalms 133:3 - For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.

Lord Added Daily to the Church

Acts 2:40-47 
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

When people first heard the gospel after Pentecost, they gladly heard and became the church together in unity.  They listened to sound teaching, prayed together, shared everything together, and met in the temple building and also in each other's houses.  They were glad and thankful, praising God who kept adding more being saved by their word and testimony.  These are all still critical elements for the church toda

Jesus, Lord and Christ, Calls

Acts 2:36-39 
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Jesus is both the anointed of God and Lord of all, and mankind crucified Him. With that knowledge and knowing we deserve the death for sin that He took in our place, what should we do?  We do not respond to God by joining a church or merely trying to live a moral life, but do as we hear here: turn from our life of sin with a mind knowing Jesus was perfect for us, and be immersed into Christ Himself and find a new birth with God Himself coming to live in us by faith He gives to as many of us as He calls out. When God opens our eyes and gives us the ability to believe, we turn to Him through Christ.  No group we join or works we do can earn such a priceless gift!

Promise of God's Spirit

Acts 2:30-33 
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, [king David] foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

God promised David to have his descendant sit as King, raised up from the dead and not just raised up to be King.  He would not stay dead, but return for many witnesses to see.  So the other promises also were to be seen, as this day when God promised His Spirit to be poured out on His people and all calling out on His name would be saved from judgment.  What God promises certainly comes true every time, no matter how much time passes before it happens.  His time is as perfect as the promises.

God's Purpose and Foreknowledge

Acts 2:22-24 
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Israel saw God in Jesus by all He did and said, then God delivered His Son as He planned in order to suffer and be killed on a cursed tree.  But He also planned for Jesus to defeat death as man and God, making a way for us to be called to faith and life from spiritual death from our sin.  This was God's plan and purpose set from before time and given through Jesus Christ.  The binding chains of sin are loosed and dead men now live for God in Him. 

Spirit Poured Out

Acts 2:17-21 
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’

God poured His Spirit into His people, and they spoke of His glory and things He did and would do - all so those who through Jesus Christ called on His name to be saved from the justice of God's due anger for their cosmic rebellion (sin) against the Most High. God revealed His plan through His Son and the apostles who wrote it down for us to live by.  This was the oneness from John 17 'that was now the Church.

Many Tongues Praising God

Acts 2:5-11 
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? ... —we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

When God first came to live forever in His people, they spoke to many from around the world who came when they heard Jesus' followers talking in all their languages of all the wonderful things God has done. They marveled.  They were amazed and in awe.  The tongues, the world's languages were all spoken to unconfused listeners, bringing together what confusion was given when the Tower of Babel was attempted.  Now unity would come in Christ, made possible by God's Spirit making it possible.  The church had begun as the gospel was heard.

Babel vs. Pentecost

Acts 2:1-4 
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The day finally came that Jesus told the disciples to wait together in Jerusalem for.  God's Spirit filled men, who then began speaking in many different languages in the midst of a large crowd from all over the area.  Jesus told them before to make followers from all the world, so Hod brought the world first to them.  God gave them the words to speak, they did not whip themselves up into a frenzy or force what only God could give - for the purpose of telling the good news to all, reversing Babel's curse.

Chosen Successor

Acts 1:21-25 
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

Apostles were those who were witnesses from the baptism of John through the resurrection and into the clouds.  They were eyewitnesses and shared together Christ's teaching.  So they were led to pick one from two such men to fill the spot of Judas, and God confirmed which would be the one. The pattern is similar for elders and deacons - God shows the need and leads the others to the ones needed that God chooses.

Upper Room Accord

Acts 1:12-14 
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

After the apostles returned from watching Jesus go up into the clouds, they walked all day to go back to the place they were staying - and together they prayed.  Continually.  They prayed as they thought of His words and all that happened, but mostly because He told them to wait for enabling authority and ability to tell the world of Him and all they had seen and heard.  They needed first to be changed by and in-dwelt by God to speak with understanding.  So they waited and prayed.

He Will So Return

Acts 1:9-11 
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Jesus commissioned His followers to give testimony of what they had seen and heard and then saw Jesus go up into heaven.  They were assured by angels that He would come back down the same way when it was time for His return.  We also have this call and hope, certain and clear.  Many will try to explain it all away, but for us who have been reconciled and know His living presence within us, we have a certainty in hope and mercy that cannot be lost or taken away from His almighty hand.

Witnesses to End of the Earth

Acts 1:6-8   
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

God has a plan that is finished, and He chooses to show what and when as He pleases. Our focus is not to be on the times of all things until the end, but is to be enabled by His presence living inside us to bear witness to His work to the world.  This means we tell forth that Christ is the way, truth, and life unending - the good news of reconciling His children He calls out to Himself. The time of His future kingdom on earth will come, but we must be about our Father's business. 

Wait for the Promise

Acts 1:4-5 
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The apostles listened to Jesus when He told them to wait for God's Spirit to immerse them as promised, for then His law would be in their hearts made new and not on stony ones.  The call to repentance had a ceremonial washing of water, but the salvation would be God filling all His children with Himself.  So they waited.  We now who are His have His Spirit, having repented and been reborn; there is no more waiting for more of Him - yielding, we offer more of us to His sovereign reign over us.

Account for Lovers of God

Acts 1:1-3 
1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Luke here picks up from the end of his gospel account where Jesus told the apostles ("lovers of God") to wait in Jerusalem for Him.  He reminds us to think of all Jesus did and said - including His resurrection and last commands to make disciples everywhere.  Jesus proved again His authority for 40 days after He rose from death, telling more of His kingdom to them for us.  Then they waited for Him again.

Not Enough Books

John 21:25
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Jesus Christ was God's very word become a man like us, yet He was the infinite God who could speak everything God knows and chooses to reveal to us.  Though He did not say everything, the amount He did say in three short years could fill the libraries of Congress and Alexandria, and still only be the prologue of an infinite God of unending knowledge.  Add to that all the wonderful actions with those words, and we are left speechless with what is written down.  It is more than sufficient to know in a lifetime here.  But in eternity we will know completely as we are completely known... Awe.

You Follow Me

John 21:21-24   
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” 23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

Jesus may allow some like John to live long until He is done revealing things to them and using them to tell of God and His glory.  Others like Peter may be put to death for faith in Christ or even just be taken home early.  The true testimony is what matters as it aligns with God's sovereign plan. Since He is in absolute control of all, we who are His should embrace our calling and follow to be conformed to His image, that of God in whose image we were created.

Do You Love Me?

John 21:17-19 
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Jesus wanted to make certain that Peter understood that really loving Him meant giving up his life for others, not just Himself.  So Jesus asked three times if Peter loved Him - then got him to admit He knows his heart as part of all things.  So the call to follow allowed Peter to count the cost of suffering and dying in serving.  Do we follow by taking up a cross of imminent death each day in following where Jesus went, or do we just want to follow the first fruit of the resurrection into eternity apart from it?

Come and Eat

John 21:9-12 
9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord.

God provides the fish we catch, yet even in large numbers keeps the net from breaking.  He also provides for our needs with food as needed while we labor as for the disciples here.  So should we eat of all He provides and launch out to fish where He leads us to bring in the harvest ready to be collected.

It is the Lord!

John 21:4-7 
4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.

When Jesus came to some of the disciples fishing in their old trade for food, they did not recognize that He was with them until following His direction on where to fish.  Then they caught so much that the net was too full to bring in the boat. John then realized it was Jesus and Peter swam to shore to meet Him.  We can learn from this lesson to follow God's guidance to fish for men by the commands, principles, and examples of Scripture and His Spirit's lead as we keep in step with Him.  Acknowledging who He is, we plunge in and follow.

That You May Believe

John 20:30-31 
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Not every action or word Jesus said was recorded for us in John's gospel account, nor in the others - but what we require to know in order to have life by faith in Jesus as the Anointed man who is Son of God is written down.  God gave us the exact amount needed so we can know what reconciling work He did to justify and rescue us from the justice of our due wrath.  Much is hidden until that time we see His glory and know as we are perfectly known.  But what we have is complete for our salvation and life on this earth to be conformed to the image of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  We need not seek elsewhere or speculate beyond the absolute.

We Have Seen the Lord

John 20:25-29 
25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas doubted what he could not see with his eyes, even when trustworthy witnesses told him they saw Jesus alive after death.  We should not have to touch and see to believe He is our Lord and God; faith accepts reliable testimonies of the truth, and God is looking for those who will take Him at His word, even through we who are witnesses of Him in ourselves. We bear witness to that truth who lives in us, based on His reliable word handed down from His mouth through the eyewitnesses.

I Send You

John 20:21-23   
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Jesus breathed enough of His Spirit on the apostles until Pentecost for immersion in Him forever, as in the OT where God's Spirit came long enough to do God's work and then went away gain. Here they received to be able to forgive sins in Jesus' name as they waited in Jerusalem for the promise.  The real importance here is that God's work needs His power and authority by His presence in us to be effective.  This is peace to us and to those we minister to. 

Peace Be With You

John 20:19-20 
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Proof of the resurrection stood before the disciples who were to be the foundation as apostles, and they began to know peace with God with certainty of life through death, hope for eternity.  How glad they were to see Him, just beginning to grasp all Jesus said about needing to suffer, die, and rise again!

Ascended to the Father

John 20:17-18 
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

Jesus had to go to the Father bodily and not just in spirit.  He is our Father and God, and we too will go to Him when we die, for Christ as the first fruits made the way.  So we have peace with God.

Why are you Weeping?

John 20:12-16 
12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

Jesus came back to life by His own power - no trick or deception or substitute for the Son of Man and God.  So the disciples left and Mary stayed to see angels sitting where Jesus was laid until Jesus stood behind her outside the tomb looking in.  He asked who she was looking for, and she did not know Him until He called her name.  So we do not see Jesus right in front of us until He calls us by name and shows Himself to us.

Believe He is Risen

John 20:1-9 
1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

When Jesus was not found in the opened tomb, the assumption was that someone stole the body; but the disciples saw the burial cloths empty and the one from His head neatly folded up as if removed and put purposefully in place.  So they believed when seeing Jesus was gone - but not that He rose from death in the grave to life again in the body.  Their understanding was still not able to know this was what the Old Testament and Jesus Himself had told them.  They needed God's Spirit to resurrect their understanding to know what happened, just as we do to have faith to believe.

Identify With Christ

John 19:38-42 
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

Jesus was buried by fearful disciples and who still risked excommunication and shunning to properly prepare Jesus for a religiously proper burial.  They then laid Him in a tomb close by to get ready more quickly for the Sabbath, not wanting to miss the religious day nor upset religious leaders, doing all things orderly and to fulfill the requirements of the law.  They risked much to be identified with Christ, as should we.

Predestined to Die

John 19:33-37 
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

How Jesus did all according to the sovereign Father's will - God told us long before that the soldiers would not be able to break Jesus' bones, and that the crowd before the cross would gaze at the one they pierced by the Roman soldier's spear.  None of this could be humanly orchestrated.  It was God in perfect control of history and circumstances. So should we who are His trust that all things are allowed for good (His glory and what is best for us), no matter how painful or seemingly hopeless in the moment.  Look ahead in absolute trust because of who He is and rest in the promises.

It is Finished!

John 19:28-30 
28 After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Jesus hung long enough on the cross to fulfill scriptures like Psalm 22, then said that His work was done to suffer and die for us.  His thirst satisfied, Jesus gave His Spirit leave of the body and died to pay the price of our sin as the final and complete sacrifice to satisfy God's just anger on our disobedience to Him.  He did all He said since Genesis, and died as a blameless and pure lamb on the final altar of wood as foreshadowed by the one Abraham built for Isaac long ago.  The promises of the Messiah were finished, and soon to be effective by the resurrection.

Behold...

John 19:25-27 
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Jesus ensured His mother would be taken care of by a trusted disciple after He died - even on the cross He fulfilled the Law regarding care of family, and He did it in love by choosing one who was loved and could love.  So we learn in the body of Christ to care for each other by this example, not just going through the motions but with love and thought.

Gambling for Christ

John 19:23-24 
23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them and for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.

Therefore the soldiers did these things - what God wrote centuries ago in Psalm 22 came true in history as Jesus was hung to suffer and die on a cross.  So they stripped Him, divided up and gambled for His clothing.  They wanted the wrong parts of Jesus, missing the forgiveness, reconciliation, wisdom, and unending life with God in Him.  They gambled and lost everything. 

The King of All

John 19:19-22   
19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Jesus was titled as King of the Jews by a Roman authority, which angered the religious leaders because they denied Jesus' claim as their King and Lord.  But their protests fell flat as Pilate used a phrase similar to scripture's authority of "it is written."  He said what he wrote he had written.  So even then God's plan to fulfill scripture was glaringly obvious, as the sign was both given and posted to remind all who the Son of God and Man is, the King of kings.

Crucify the King!

John 19:14-16 
14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” 16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.

Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar they said, and that Jesus should die because He was not their king.  The religious leaders wanted the Son of God dead so they could continue to falsely worship on their own terms with their own laws.  So Jesus was led away to be horribly killed, nailed to a tree in shame.  But God planned this from long ago, and the King of kings would rise again with mercy in His wings to pass over our sin against Him once and for all He calls.

Sovereign Authority to Crucify

John 19:7-11 
7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” 8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” 11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

Jesus was killed for saying He is God's Son, equal to God and more than just a religious man or prophet.  Pilate the was afraid because he was about to anger God - but still thought it was up to his will to bring life or death.  Jesus mad it clear that He, God alone, has power over these and all else in creation.  So we can rest in knowing Jesus Christ is God among us, bringing life according to His free will and not our own powerless will or effort. 

No Fault in Him

John 19:4-6 
4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” 5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” 6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”

The law could not accuse Jesus because He was most innocent.  Yet the soldiers beat and humiliated Him, and the religious authorities demanded Jesus be put to death while blameless - He was so led as a sinless lamb to the slaughter to die in our place.  The one without any fault, the Son of God, willingly died so we, every one sin-filled and deserving the wrath of judgment, might be made faultless in Him.

What is Truth?

John 18:38 - 19:1   
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all. 39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.  1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.

Though Pilate could not grasp the higher truth of who Jesus is, he did see the truth of His innocence.  But the will of the mob put on the robe of righteousness like wolf among sheep, a thief was released instead of the righteous and true one, and Jesus was whipped in preparation for death on a cross.  Truth never changed.

Not of This World

John 18:36-37   
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Our kingdom is in the heavenly places before the presence of Almighty God Himself.  So Jesus did not fight to create politics to gain an earthly throne, and we must follow Him, not fighting and entangling ourselves here.  Jesus was born to bear witness to the truth, and we who are His hear His voice and so bear witness to that same truth as citizens of that kingdom. 

Knowing the King

John 18:33-35   
33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”

Did Pilate know the King stood before him?  He knew the Jews brought Jesus to be judged, so He asked Pilate if that was his belief also.  Pilate said it was the charge brought to him and so asked what Jesus did to have them bring Him up on charges.  So we must answer the question - do we know Jesus is the King of kings, or is it just what others tell us that we echo?  Our answer is eternally significant.

Predestined Death

John 18:29-32   
29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” 31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

Jesus was to be crucified, nailed to a tree and hung for all to see whom they pierced, just as God said would happen long before.  In His sovereignty, God allowed His Son to be tried as a sinner while without sin, judged falsely by the law of God's word whom He was in the flesh, and put to death in our place to pay the price for us and take away God's just wrath from all who find Justification in Jesus Christ.  Looking back, this is why we celebrate Christmas where God brought this plan into the world.

Denial Crowed

John 18:25-27 
25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

Peter was afraid and refused to be identified as Christ's; he outright denied Jesus to avoid being identified with and suffer with Him, even when he was seen with Jesus before.  Then Peter remembered when the rooster woke him up in mourning.  Do we openly identify with Christ, or do we hide until awoken to the great privilege we have as His children?

Speak Openly

John 18:20-23 
20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” 22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

Jesus spoke publicly of many things, yet was questioned what He said and taught by those set against the truth.  He did not say anything evil, yet was hit for his answer of truthfulness.  They did not want truth, but their religious views and control over the people, so they began to find a way to stop God's word from speaking further lest people tun and be set free.  Any system that does not hear His word and attacks those who do is against Christ, the word and Son.

Expedient For One Man to Die

John 18:12-14 
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Jesus was taken to the high priest who was the father in law of the other high priest that spoke without knowing that Jesus would die for His people.  Just as this was for God's chosen people of Israel, so He died for His chosen from every people and nation in the world. And so they began legal proceedings to put Him to death to bring it to pass - thinking they would stop Jesus, they fulfilled His will.

Drink Deeply of the Cup

John 18:8-11 
8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

God already planned that Jesus would die and those given to Him would live in Him.  We do not get lost again.  Nothing could stop what He planned and written of - not fighting, but drinking deeply and fully according to plan.  He is sovereign. 

I AM

John 18:4-7   
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

When the soldiers and religious leaders came to arrest Jesus to try Him for blasphemy, Jesus told them He was the I AM - God.  This truth literally knocked them to the ground in the presence of almighty God.  When we read Jesus' words, we must remember that they are God's and not a mere man's with power and authority.