DISCIPLES OF JESUS MINISTRY

Act 1:1 IN THE former account [which I prepared], O Theophilus, I made [a continuous report] dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and to teach.
Act 1:2 Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.
Act 1:3 To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.
Act 1:4 And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.
Act 1:5 For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit.
Act 1:6 So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?
Act 1:7 He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.
Act 1:8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
Act 1:9 And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them, Act 1:11 Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven. (AMP)
The Acts of the Apostles written by Luke is about the Acts of the Apostles after the Lord's ascension into heaven. The first few verses though are about the words of Jesus prior to his ascension. See, how Luke refers to his former account, here he is referring to the Gospel of Luke.

There is some uncertainty as to just who Theophilus is. Barnes states in his commentary on Luke1:3.The word Theophilus means “a friend of God,” or a pious man; and it has been suggested by some that Luke did not refer to any particular “individual,” but to any man that loved God; but there is no reason for this opinion. Significant names were very common, and there is no good reason to doubt that this was some individual known to Luke. The application of the title “most excellent “proves it further.This could have been a man thought to be worthy or of some official rank.

The treatise here addresses this book to Theophilus and he would remember the ascension from Luke's Gospel So in v.2 we find Luke mentions the Lord being taken up.

In the last verses of Luke’s Gospel, he had told Theophilus that immediately prior to His Ascension, the Lord Jesus had promised His disciples that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:48–53). So in verse 2 Luke takes the reader back to the starting point of the promise of the Holy Spirit

Luk 24:49 And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high. (AMP)

The power from on high was none other than the Holy Spirit himself.
In Acts Luke carries on recording what Jesus did, by recording the things that Jesus continued to do and teach through the Holy Spirit after His Ascension.

V3. Passion: πάσχω, πάθω, πένθω
paschō pathō penthō
pas'-kho, path'-o, pen'-tho
Apparently a primary verb (the third form used only in certain tenses for it); to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful): - feel, passion, suffer, vex. (Strongs)

The Passion is the suffering our Lord endured for us when He died for us.

The confirmation that Jesus is alive could be seen . . . by many convincing demonstrations: The resurrection of Christ is foundational to Christianity. The kingdom of God, the divine rule in human hearts, lives, and situations, was a prominent theme in Jesus’ teaching. Jesus began to do and teach the kingdom through the Spirit’s power (Luke 4:18, 19), and here there is that sense of anticipation for He is about to transfer that power and responsibility to His disciples by baptizing them in the same Spirit that had authorized His ministry. Wow, can you imagine the excitement the disciples must have had as they tarried in Jerusalem. In the last 50 days or so, their Lord had died and risen again from the grave. They had met then with their risen Lord, who had promised them power from the Holy Spirit, then the Lord had ascended but remember He was not leaving them alone for the Spirit was to come.. Imagine too what it must have been like for the disciples at the time of the resurrection when they first set eyes on Jesus. This makes me think of a day when we shall see Him face to face.


The disciples are still seeing the messianic kingdom in terms of political power. The disciples had just asked a question about when Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel (v. 6). As can be seen in the actions of many people in the gospels, most people did not have the concept of a second coming of Jesus to establish the physical kingdom of God on earth. They believed the first advent of the Messiah and the establishment of the kingdom would happen at the same time.
Jesus didn't directly answer their question but rather stated that the time that would take place was in the Father's control. Jesus had said that not even Himself or the angels knew the day and the hour of this event (Mk. 13:32). So here Jesus' answers his disciples, speaking of knowing the time of His second coming as being something only the Father knew.
With the Holy Spirit certain things have been put under the disciples' power and He proceeds to speak of them as being His witnesses. The power to witness of the gospel to others has been given to us, the disciples of Jesus, and is not under God's direct control. We should not plead with God to save someone and sit back doing nothing. God has done His part and now we must do ours. God will not preach the gospel for us. Not even angels are allowed to preach the gospel for us (Acts 10:3-5). The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses. It is not by God's choosing that some have still not heard the gospel. It is because you and I have not been the faithful witnesses we should be.
The Greek word used for "power" is "dunamis" and means miraculous power. This dunamis power speaks of the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit as being the power source in a believer's life.
It was this ‘dunamis’ anointing power of the Holy Spirit that worked miracles in the life of Jesus. This is the same anointing power that comes upon believers and we can expect to see it accomplish the same miraculous works , indeed even greater miracles than Jesus did (Jn. 14:12) if we will only believe. Folks we are called to be witnesses and to reach the people throughout this World for Christ, wherever God places us or sends us, we can’t do that in our strength, it just doesn’t work. We need to come thirsty and constantly drink of the living waters the Holy Spirit provides, and gather strength and power from the Holy Spirit.

Zec 4:6 b : Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.(NKJV)

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1:8 Christ’s Final Charter and Promise, WORLD EVANGELISM. In five NT references, Jesus directly charges His disciples to go and preach the gospel to all the world (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:45-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8). Here His Great Commission is preceded by His promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Empowerment for world evangelism is tied inseparably to this promise. There is obvious need for power if people are to fully perceive the gospel. But prior to that, another issue awaits resolution. The Spirit has come to convince us to go. We need power to serve effectively, to heal the sick, and to deliver those possessed of unclean spirits. But let us first receive the Holy Spirit’s first anointing—power to act—to go. Then, He will give 1) power to find the lost; 2) authority to boldly declare Jesus as the Son of God; and 3) power to establish His church—locally and worldwide. The intended borders of expansion are clear: Jerusalem (local), Judea (national), Samaria (cross-cultural) and “the end of the earth” (international). Jesus’ last earthly command points to His power and His pathways for global evangelism. Spirit Filled Bible.

V9. refers to Jesus being taken up ascending into heaven in the clouds, let's just think again what it must have been like for the disciples who watched the ascension, it would be a spectacular event to watch yet it is described here “He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.”

v10 Look and see in this verse we don’t find an expression of shocked surprise, Luke tells us of appearance of two men ... in white apparel. These were obviously angelic beings who were enabled to appear on earth in the form of men. Some commentators say it is possible they were were the same angels who appeared at the tomb following the resurrection (Luke 24:4)

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1:11 The angels first addressed the disciples as men of Galilee. As far as we know, all the disciples except Judas Iscariot came from the region west of the Sea of Galilee. Then the angels awoke them from their reverie, as they looked into heav en. Why were they gazing up into heaven? Was it sorrow, or worship, or wonder? Doubtless it was a mixture of all three, though primarily sorrow. So a word of comfort was given. The ascended Christ would come again. Here we have a clear promise of the Lord’s Second Advent to set up His kingdom on the earth. It is not the Rapture, but the coming to reign that is in view. 1. He ascended from the Mount of Olives (v. 12). 1. He will return to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4). 2. He ascended personally. 2. He will return personally (Mal. 3:1). 3. He ascended visibly. 3. He will return visibly (Matt. 24:30). 4. He was received up in a cloud (v. 9). 4. He will come on the clouds of heaven (Matt. 24:30). 5. He ascended gloriously. 5. He will return with great power and great glory (Mt. . 24:30). MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer's Bible Commentary

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Act 1:11 - Which also said, ye men of Galilee,.... And which was said by them, not to reproach them with their country, but partly to let them know that they knew them, who they were, and from whence they came; and partly to observe the rich and distinguishing grace of God in choosing such mean and contemptible persons to be the apostles of Christ, and eyewitnesses of his majesty: why stand ye gazing up into heaven? reproving them for their curiosity in looking after Christ with their bodily eyes, who was no more in common to be seen this way, but with an eye of faith; and for their desire after his corporeal presence, which they were not to look for; and as if they expected he would return again immediately, whereas his return will not be till the end of the world: and besides, they were not to remain on that spot, or stand gazing there; they were to go to Jerusalem, and abide there, as Christ had ordered, till they should receive the Holy Spirit in an extraordinary way; and then they were to preach a crucified Christ, and declare that he was risen from the dead, and was gone to heaven, and was ordained to be the Judge of quick and dead, This same Jesus; and not another; the same in person, in body and soul: which is taken up from you into heaven; who was taken up in a cloud out of their sight, and received into heaven, where he will be till the times of the restitution of all things; and which might be matter of grief to them, because of the loss of his bodily presence; though it should have been rather joyful to them, since he was gone to the Father, and as their forerunner, to prepare a place, and make intercession for them: shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven; he shall come in the same flesh, in the same human nature; he shall come in the clouds of heaven, and shall be attended with his mighty angels, as he now was; he shall descend himself in person, as he now ascended in person; and as he went up with a shout, and with the sound of a trumpet, see Psa_47:5 so he shall descend with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God; and, it may be, he shall descend upon the very spot from whence he ascended; see Zec_14:4 and it is a notion of the Jews, that the resurrection of the Israelites will be there: they say that "when the dead shall live, the Mount of Olives shall be cleaved asunder, and all the dead of Israel shall come out from under it; yea, even the righteous which die in captivity shall pass through a subterranean cavern, and come out from under the Mount of Olives. Gill's Commentary

The event mentioned in verse 11 is clearly referring to the second coming rather than the rapture for He would return in like manner as He did at the time of the ascension.

Act 1:18 (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.
Act 1:19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
Act 1:20 "For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms,
" 'May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it, and,
" 'May another take his place of leadership.
Act 1:21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
Act 1:23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
Act 1:24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
Act 1:25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs."
Act 1:26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. NIV.

Those two verses 18 and 19 give us the historical facts concerning Judas.

There isn’t a contradiction between the mode of Judas’ death as given here, and the account found in Matthew 27:3–10. Matthew states that after he had given the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, he went out and hanged himself. The chief priests then took the money and bought a burial ground.
Here in Acts, Luke says that Judas purchased a field with the money, that he fell headlong ... and all his entrails gushed out.
Putting the two accounts together, it would appear that the actual purchase transaction concerning the field was probably arranged by the chief priests. However, Judas bought the field in the sense that it was his money and they merely acted as his agents. He hanged himself on a tree in the cemetery, but the rope probably broke, pitching his body forward and causing it to burst open.

As this incident became known in Jerusalem, the potter’s field came to be called Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood or “bloody field” in Aramaic.

Luke the Physician's explained Judas's death , then we find that Peter's message continues in verse 20 with reference to Psa 69:25 "Let their dwelling be wasted; let none dwell in their tents". Then he comes to the particular prophecy which must now be fulfilled: “Let another take his office” (Ps. 109:8).

bishoprick
ἐπισκοπή
episkopē
ep-is-kop-ay'
From G1980; inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence; specifically the Christian “episcopate”: - the office of a “bishop”, bishoprick, visitation.

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Verses 21 and 22 Whoever was to be chosen had to be able to fulfill two requirements: a) He had to be one who had accompanied the disciples during the three years of Christ’s public ministry from His baptism to His Ascension. b) He had to be able to testify as a reliable witness to the resurrection of the Lord. (Believer's Bible Commentary)

Two men met those requirements. The apostles prayed for direction in appointing the right man.The apostles committed the matter to the Lord, asking for a revelation of His choice. Then they cast lots and Matthias was indicated as the proper successor to Judas,


lot
κλῆρος
klēros
klay'-ros
Probably from G2806 (through the idea of using bits of wood, etc., for the purpose); a die (for drawing chances); by implication a portion (as if so secured); by extension an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively): - heritage, inheritance, lot, part.

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Casting of lots was a common practice in the Old Testament. The priests used lots to chose the scapegoat (Lev. 16:8) and to divide the promised land among the twelve tribes of Israel (Num. 26:55; Josh. 14:2). Solomon wrote in Proverbs that, "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD" (16:33) and, "The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty" (18:18). However, this is the last mention of casting of lots in the scripture. After the coming of the Holy Ghost, direction comes directly from God to the believer through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26; Jas. 1:5). (Andrew Womack’s Commentary)

Notice that the disciples prayed before they cast lots to choose the twelvtth disciple, they didn’t just cast lots, they asked God for help. There are some commentators who believe that the disciples should have waited until the Holy Spirit came because we never hear of Mathias again and Paul should have been numbered among the twelve.

Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. NKJV

Act 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
Act 2:7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
Act 2:8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

This is the biggie; we are going to look at the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Notice that the 120 believers were all together and of one accord, of one mind seeking the outpouring of the Spirit. They had been gathered together in prayerful anticipation that the promised Holy Spirit was to come. It was into this state of expectancy, when the believers were longing after God that the Spirit came on the day of Pentecost. If we want to see a mighty outpouring of the Spirit today we need to see Christians being of one accord and gathering together in prayer. The Holy Spirit gave the disciples new found power and the ability to leave the security of their upper room and head on down into the market place to share the Gospel message of Jesus.

Without the Holy Spirit they dared not move, in fact Jesus told them not to move, they were to be still and wait until the Holy Spirit came. But when the Spirit did come, then they were able to act not in their own strength, but in the power of God. The tasks which were set before them could not be achieved by human beings without empowerment from on High.

Only if God was inside them and around them, supporting them and equipping them, encouraging them and binding them together - as a loving church could they possibly fulfil the command of Jesus to go out and make disciples of all nations.

Acts 2:2-3
Pneuma can mean both wind and spirit; and wind is a symbol of the Spirit's power and also of his invisibility

SO, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME WITH POWER.

The abundance of power of the Holy Spirit as it was seen at Pentecost is available to us today. Why do we not see the power of the Spirit in action today like they did at Pentecost? Are we really living in the power of the Holy Spirit?
If we really were just think what would be happening today, an abundance of souls being saved, an abundance of miracles happening, revival throughout our Churches, our towns, our cities, throughout our lands.

The tongues as of fire was both a visible and audible supernatural manifestation of the Holy Ghost in addition to the gift of speaking in tongues that accompanied this baptism. This must have been a startling and amazing event to witness. Imagine, what it must have been like to participate in this event or even be a witness to it. This event showed the amazing power of the Spirit. People all around had the ability to speak in foreign languages and share the gospel with listeners.
The Holy Spirit lives, indwells all Believers. So what power is available to us?
What does this convey to us?
"a rushing mighty wind" and
"fire".
The wind of the Spirit is a powerfully strong wind. Both images here suggest vitality, power and elements outside complete human control. We can harness wind power; but not a "driving wind." It can move heavy things around or even tear them down. We can build a fire in the hearth; but that control is illusionary. Don't let a spark escape lest it burn the place down! God is control of the ”Wind” and the “Fire”. The Holy Spirit breathes the wind.

Zech. 4:6, "... not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (NKJV)

Jesus is the baptizer with the Holy Spirit and fire.

This filling of the Holy Ghost was subsequent to their born-again experience. Paul later revealed in Rom. 10:9 that a person had to confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that Jesus was raised from the dead before they could be saved. It is possible to be saved and yet not have the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus spoke of.
Joh 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
Joh 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
Joh 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Act 1:4 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;
Act 1:5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."


Since the Holy Spirit is now given and we do not have to tarry for His coming, we can receive salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the same time, but this is not automatic.
Mat 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Luk 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

We must ask and believe for the baptism or to be filled with the Holy Ghost just as we believed for salvation. Speaking in tongues is unique to the Church Age. This is because when a person speaks in tongues, his new born-again spirit is speaking not his mind.

1Co 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Before salvation, our spirit was the part of us that was, "dead in trespasses and sins." Therefore, until we received a new spirit, the Holy Ghost could not give us this supernatural communication with the Father.

2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

This experience was prophesied in Joel.

Joe 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
Joe 2:29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

The tongues here on the Day of Pentecost were an enabling of believers to speak in known languages, but not those which they themselves knew, this here was so the gospel would spread to the 3,000 present. In 1 Corinthians 13:1. They are called "the tongues of men and of angels." The tongues of men are the known languages which the disciples spoke in here at Pentecost and the tongues of angels, or heavenly languages, are the tongues which all Spirit-filled believers can speak in that Paul was speaking about in 1 Corinthians 12-14.

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This is the only example of believers speaking in known languages recorded in the Bible. The other instances of speaking in tongues (Acts 8:18 [implied]; Acts 10:45-46; Acts 19:16), were evidently the heavenly languages unknown to men. his speaking in tongues was not as many have envisioned it. The gift of speaking in tongues is no different than the ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11. A true minister of God is also operating in a supernatural gift when he preaches or teaches. Peter was being used of the Holy Spirit just as much when he preached to this crowd as when he spoke to them in tongues. Yet no one expects him to simply open his mouth and have God supernaturally control it. The Holy Spirit inspires and anoints a preacher, but the minister's will is still intact and the degree to which the Holy Spirit uses the message is largely dependent on how much the individual yields to His control. This is how it is with speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit gives the individual the utterance but the individual must exercise his faith to speak (Mk. 16:17) and believe that the result is inspired by God (Lk. 11:9-13). Failure to understand this one truth has caused many people to ask the Lord for the gift of tongues and then wait for the Lord to supernaturally move their mouth. If nothing happens, they say that the Lord must not want them to speak in tongues or it would have happened. This is no more true than to say that every person the Lord has called to preach is preaching or every person He has given a prophecy has prophesied. We have to step out in faith. (Andrew Womack’s Commentary.)

ABILITY TO WITNESS WITH POWER. They testified to their risen Lord and the activities of those early Gospel days are summarised in Acts chapter 4 verse 33: "with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all." The first Christian martyr, Stephen, was irresistible because he spoke with this power. Whether it was Peter, John, Stephen, Philip, Barnabus, Paul or Silas, the preaching was "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power"

JESUS PROMISED THE DISCIPLES THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DO EVEN GREATER WORKS.
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.


POWER FOR ALL CHRISTIANS.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

POWER TO WORSHIP.
Phi 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

POWER TO LIVE.

2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

POWER TO GROW.

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

POWER TO GROW IN KNOWLEDGE. 1Jo 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

POWER TO HOPE.
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

POWER TO OVERCOME.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We can be overcomers if we do not quench or grieve the Holy Spirit.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

WE AS BELIEVERS HAVE THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT THAT THE FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANS HAD AFTER PENTECOST. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS STILL AS POWERFUL TODAY AS HE WAS THEN.

To realise that power we have to first be right with the Lord, confess any unconfessed sins.and pray and open up to the Holy Spirit. Seek more of Jesus and to serve Him, seek to be filled with the Spirit in all it’s fullness, be prepared to die to self..


PRAY
Spirit of the Living God.
Fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God.
Fall afresh on me,
Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me.
Spirit of the Living God.
Fall afresh on me,

AMEN (NKJV used throughout)

Acts2:12They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. 13 But others in the crowd were mocking. “They’re drunk, that’s all!” they said.

Many in the crowds were amazed, they heard the apostles speaking in their own languages. Here were people from three continents. They spoke in diverse languages and dialects. They each heard these Galileans speak in an understandable dialect. The tongues here were known tongues, but this is not the only type of tongues as I will go into detail later in the Acts studies.
Some though were convinced the disciples were drunk with wine. Why do you think they thought the disciples were intoxicated? Do you think the disciples were full of the joy of the Lord and maybe appeared a little drunk to the onlookers?

Peter Preaches to a Crowd
14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 Some of you are saying these people are drunk. It isn’t true! It’s much too early for that. People don’t get drunk by nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, what you see this morning was predicted centuries ago by the prophet Joel:


Joe 2:28 And it shall be afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.

(This was the beginning of the church age, the beginning of the Holy Spirit being poured out on all flesh, all nations. Now in those last days He is raising up men and women in the Church throughout the World to Herald in His Kingdom, I believe God is going to do new and great things in the age in which we live. God is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh. )

Acts2: 17 ‘In the last days, God said,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.

This scripture clearly states that prophesying, seeing visions, and dreaming God-inspired dreams are associated with the filling of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the doorway into the miraculous realm of God. This baptism of the Holy Spirit came firstly on the day of Pentecost but it was not only for these few individuals. Peter said in verse 39, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." This same power is available to all believers today.

Luk 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Mar 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Acts2:18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
upon all my servants, men and women alike,
and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned into darkness,
and the moon will turn bloodred,
before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
21 And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’*

Now, Peter the disciple who had denied Jesus three times steps forward to preach in front of the crowds. What made the difference? One word EMPOWERMENT. This power could only come from the Holy Spirit. Peter was now baptized with the Holy Spirit. Do you see what a difference it makes when someone is really full of the Holy Spirit? Peter now speaks with authority, God given authority. We see that Peter preaches from the prophesies of Joel. Joel had prophesied the coming of the Holy Spirit. He also prophesied that the Holy Spirit would not be for the Jews alone but for people everywhere, in other words the gentiles.

2:20 The signs in the heavens are to herald in the Day of the Lord

2:21 Peter closes the quotation from Joel with the promise that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. This is the good news for all ages, that salvation is offered to all people on the principle of faith in the Lord.

Rom 5:2 Through Him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice on the hope of the glory of God.

Acts 2:22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing wonderful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But you followed God’s prearranged plan. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to the cross and murdered him. 24 However, God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life again, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about him:
‘I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
26 No wonder my heart is filled with joy,
and my mouth shouts his praises!
My body rests in hope.
27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead*
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
28 You have shown me the way of life,
and you will give me wonderful joy in your presence.’*

Peter is saying that God bore witness to who Jesus was by the miracles which He performed through Him. If Jesus needed the miraculous power of God to bear witness to His words, then how much more do we. Miracles and wonders are important to true evangelism. Now Peter goes on to tell them how the Lord Jesus is the one they nailed to the cross, who died and rose again. Death could not keep it's grip on the Lord.


QUOTE
Here then is the flow of the apostle’s argument: Jesus of Nazareth was demonstrated to be a Man from God by the many miracles He performed in the power of God (v. 22). In His determined purpose and foreknowledge, God delivered Him into the hands of the Jewish people. They, in turn, turned Him over to the Gentiles (men without the law) to be crucified and put to death (v. 23). However, God raised Him up from among the dead, having loosed the pains 6 of death. It was not possible for death to hold Him a prisoner because:
1. The character of God demanded His resurrection. He had died, the Sinless for the sinful. God must raise Him as proof of His complete satisfaction with the redemptive work of Christ.
2. The prophecies of the OT demanded His resurrection. Believer's Bible Commentary


Peter goes on to look at more Old Testament Scriptures he then preaches on Psalm 16.In Psalm 16 David had written prophetically concerning the Lord’s life, death, resurrection, and glorification. Hades could not hold the Lord, He once again after his resurrection would be glorified, He would have joy in the presence of the Father.

The present glorification of the Savior was predicted by David in the words, You will make me full of joy in Your presence, or as Psalm 16:11 puts it, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Acts2:29 “Dear brothers, think about this! David wasn’t referring to himself when he spoke these words I have quoted, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on David’s throne as the Messiah. 31 David was looking into the future and predicting the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that the Messiah would not be left among the dead and that his body would not rot in the grave.
32 “This prophecy was speaking of Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and we all are witnesses of this. 33 Now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit in honor at my right hand
35 until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.’* David knew he was prophesying the coming of the Messiah and His death and resurrection and His glorification. he was not referring to himself. Peter is at pains to assure the crowds that David's tomb was still there.
2:32, 33 Now Peter repeats an announcement that must have shocked his Jewish audience. The Messiah of whom David prophesied was Jesus of Nazareth. God had raised Him from among the dead, as the apostles could all testify because they were eyewitnesses to His resurrection. Following His resurrection, the Lord Jesus was exalted to God's right hand and now the Holy Spirit had been sent as promised by the Father. Here Peter was giving the explanation of what had happened in Jerusalem earlier in the day.

Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David had prophesied that Jesus would sit at God's right hand, notice the word until, indicating a time lapse between the glorification and Jesus return.

Acts2:36 So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37 Peter’s words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles*—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this generation that has gone astray!”
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church—about three thousand in all. 42 They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.

Peter reitterates "This Jesus whom you crucified is both Lord and Messiah."Imagine being among the crowds on that day and many were deeply convicted because of those words. The power of the Holy Spirit was well in evidence on that day About 3, 000 people came to know the Lord on that day.
They believed and were baptized. These people were convicted in their hearts, not just their minds. We cannot argue people into salvation. We can present the arguments but the Holy Spirit has to do a work in their hearts. It is with the heart that man believes

Joh 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation

QUOTE
Rhyme states :This does not mean in order that sins might be remitted, for everywhere in the New Testament sins are forgiven as a result of faith in Christ, not as a result of baptism. It means be baptized because of the remission of sins. The Greek preposition eis, for, has this meaning “because of” not only here but also in such a passage as Matthew 12:41 where the meaning can only be “they repented because of [not in order to] the preaching of Jonah.” Repentance brought the remission of sins for this Pentecostal crowd, and because of the remission of sins they were asked to be baptized.



The Believers Meet Together
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

Acts 2:44, 45 The believers continually assembled together and held all things in common trust. So mightily was the love of God shed abroad in their hearts that they did not look upon their material possessions as their own. Who gives us material possessions. all that we have comes from God.

Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Whenever there was a genuine case of need in the fellowship, they sold personal property and distributed the proceeds. So there was an equality.They worshipped at the Temple daily.They met in homes to partake of the Lord's Supper and to share meals

Act 2:46 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,

Sig

Quote:

ns and wonders were present which resulted in attracting large crowds (Mk. 16:17-20). There was anointed preaching and teaching which produced the conversion of many people (1 Cor. 1:21). Those who believed were obedient to the commands of the Lord (Jn. 14:15). There was great love among the brethren (Jn. 13:35) that manifested in action (Jas. 2:15-17). There was daily communion with the Lord and other believers (1 Jn. 4:20). There was great joy in the hearts of the saints and they had a singleness of heart (Mt. 6:22-24). As mentioned in verse 47, they were praising God which always happens when someone has really been touched by the Lord, and there was continual growth as the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (those who were being saved-NIV). (Andrew Wommack’s Commentary)

Acts 2: 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

These early Christians were so full of the Holy Spirit and joy of the Lord, they praised God constantly and every day new believers were added to their number. This is an example to us. We must though be filled with the Spirit as preparation for witnessing and ministering because we cannot do any in our own strength. I am weak, but he is strong. I for one know that when I try to do things in my own strength they are far more likely to fail. We have a wonderful gift, as believers we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, but are we living in the power of the Holy Spirit? Signs, wonders and miracles should constantly follow those that believe. A week ago come tomorrow one of my friends involved in the Salt and Light ministry came struggling on to the bus, her back was out. We prayed for her, God worked a healing, she was dancing, unbelievers witnessed this and two gave their hearts to the Lord that morning. Signs and wonders should be part of the church today.

All readings in Acts taken from New Living Translation.

Others mainly AV

Act 4:1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

Act 4:2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Act 4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

Act 4:4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

 

     The first persecution of the church was about to start. It arose from the religious leaders. The priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees rose up against the apostles

    The Sadducees resented the fact that the apostles were teaching people; they felt this was their job, and they were annoyed by the proclamation in Jesus of the resurrection from the dead. The resurrection would discredit them, so they wanted to discredit it. Here we see that the religious people didn’t have great problems with the lame man being healed; it was the resurrection of the dead they had problems with. Whereas today even in the church of Christ the reverse is true, there are so many Christians who will not accept that the miraculous is for today. Take note hear one miracle plus preaching of the gospel and 5,000 men were saved and that doesn’t necessarily include the women and children. The gospel and the miraculous are meant to go together. We should have expectancy for the miraculous. God hasn’t changed.

         

 

Addressing the Sanhedrin

 

Act 4:5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,

Act 4:6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

Act 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?"

Act 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

Act 4:9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,

Act 4:10 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.

Act 4:11 This is the "stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'

Act 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

 

     Peter and John has been held captive overnight to appear before the council the next day. Annas and Caiaphas are in the background here; these are the two men who condemned Jesus to die. Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin.

    Peter had denied Jesus in front of a servant girl just a few weeks earlier. Now, he boldly proclaims the Lord Jesus in front of the council and the High Priest. But now Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost which Jesus had said would empower them to witness. (Acts 1:8). Peter and John were supposed to be on trial, but Peter uses this as a  means  to openly talk about how they were guilty of crucifying the Messiah. V12. We cannot save ourselves and neither can anyone else, but Jesus can.

 

The Name of Jesus Forbidden

 

Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Act 4:14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Act 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

Act 4:16 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.

Act 4:17 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."

Act 4:18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Act 4:19 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.

Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Act 4:21 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.

Act 4:22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

 

The Sanhedrin were perplexed, those uneducated men were gathering the crowds. How could Peter and John do this? They assumed it was a rub off effect from the years they had spent in the company of Jesus, that made the apostles bold, but what they did not reckon with is the empowerment that Peter and John had since the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Those men were full of the Holy Spirit and because of this they could go forth boldly with confidence. Boldness in the face of persecution is a testimony to the power of God at work in our lives. Did their threats stop Peter and John? Not a bit of it, they knew that Jesus had given them a commission, they had a work to do, the good news had to go forth, they stated that they were going to boldly proclaim God's word. They must obey God rather than the council here. Imagine being in this situation, here was Peter and John boldly and fearlessly defying the Council and I’m sure the common man was not in the habit of defying them, but those men boldly proclaimed their Lord and because they had the support of the crowds the Sanhedrin could not touch them, for that would have been punishing them for good works, the man who they had healed was present, the grandness of the miracle is emphasised in the mention that the man was over forty years old and had been lame for a long time. The Sanhedrin set free and Peter and John and they went on their way to report the happenings to their friends, probably either the other ten apostles or the one hundred who had met together previously.

Act 4:23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

Act 4:24 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,

NKJV

 

Notice how Peter and John sought out their fellow believers after being set free from the court of the Sanhedrin. It is so good to have fellowship with like minded people and I think here this was a fairly natural reaction after leaving the hostility of the Sanhedrin. They had been threatened by the highest authority of the nation, and commanded not to preach again in the name of Jesus. They had a choice whether they should obey them and be silent, or whether they should leave Jerusalem and preach elsewhere, could not but be an interesting subject of inquiry, and they very properly sought the counsel of their brethren, and looked to God for direction, an example which all should follow who are exposed to persecution, or who are seeking direction as to the path to take.

In verse 24 we see the saints cried to the Lord in prayer. They addressed God with a word meaning “Absolute Master,” a word seldom used in the NT They praised Him first as the Creator of all things and therefore vastly superior to the creatures who were now opposing His truth.

δεσπότης
despotēs
des-pot'-ace
an absolute ruler (“despot”): - Lord, master.

In verses 25-26 we see how the saints adopted the words of Psalm 2.

Act 4:25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?
Act 4:26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'—NKJV

 

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.   KJV

 

Jesus is referred to as the anointed, (Ps. 2:2), says, "against his anointed" while this passage says, "and against his Christ." KJV. So, even without looking at Greek we can  see that "Christ" means "anointed" since these terms were used interchangeably.

                                                                                                                                  Matheson states “The idea is that their effort of opposition to the divine will proved to be a stroke of alliance with it. ... They met together in a council of war against Christ; unconsciously to themselves they signed a treaty for the promotion of Christ’s glory. ... Our God does not beat down the storms that rise against Him; He rides upon them; He works through them”

Psa 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his anointed,

Actually, the Psalmist here  points forward to the coming of  the Kingdom  of God coming to invade earth, and kings and rulers seeking  to thwart that purpose.

 

Act 4:27 "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

Act 4:28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

Act 4:29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

Act 4:30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

Act 4:31 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

              The early Christians realized that things would come against the Kingdom so they applied the words to their own circumstances. The disciples asked the Lord to speak the Word through them. It was through performing miracles. The working of miracles is part of preaching the Word.
 
Now let’s look at verse 31 when the saints prayed, the place was shaken—a physical expression of the Holy Spirit being present. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, showing their obedience to the Lord, their walking in the Spirit, their giving of themselves fully and completely to their Lord. Then they continued to speak the word of God with boldness,  but with an ever increasing boldness for this was an answer to their prayer in verses 29 and 30. We will see in chapter 5 and following how this was the beginning of a new season where it was no longer just the one or two being healed but we see all were healed, it was also a time were the early church totally  surrendered themselves to Jesus Christ. 

Act 4:32 Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all. (Amplified Bible)

 

Act 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

Act 4:34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,

Act 4:35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

Act 4:36 And Joses who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,

Act 4:37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.  NKJV

In verse 32 what do we see? I want you all to look closely here. They are all of one heart and one soul and none claimed to be a superior Christian, none claimed they had more than their brother. Why is it that when today’s Christians experience the power of the Holy Spirit, so often pride gets in? And yes they fall flat, and instead of being on the mountain tops they land deep in the valleys. Pride often gets in the way.

4:32–35 When hearts are aflame with love for Christ, they are also kindled with love for one another. This love manifests itself in giving. Thus the early believers expressed the reality of their common life in Christ by practicing a community of goods. Instead of selfishly holding on to personal possessions, they looked upon their property as belonging to all the fellowship. Whenever there was a need, they would sell lands or houses and bring the proceeds to the apostles for distribution. It is important to see that they distributed whenever a need arose; it was not an arbitrary equal division at one particular time.

When lives that are utterly dedicated to the Lord we witness the power of God at work. In powerful preaching and demonstration of the Kingdom the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. It seems that when God finds people who are willing to turn their possessions over to Him, He gives their testimony a remarkable attractiveness and force.

4:36, 37 These verses are a link with chapter 5. The generosity of Barnabas is mentioned here in striking contrast to the hypocrisy of Ananias in chapter 5. As a Levite, Joses ... named Barnabas by the apostles would not ordinarily have owned land. The Lord was to be the portion of the Levites., We do not know how or why he obtained the land. But we do know that out of love he sold the land and laid the money at the apostles’ feet.

Now let’s ask ourselves some questions. Where is the Church of today in relation to the early church? Where do we as individuals stand in our walk with the Lord? We talk about being full of the Spirit, but really it should be for others to say or to notice, it is not for us to boast. What fruits of the Holy Spirit are in evidence in our lives? Do strangers meet us and know in a very short time we are different? If not, why not? The gifts of the Spirit are given for a reason. Signs and wonders should be in demonstration in our lives.

 

     FOR HIS SERVICE, FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, LET’S USE THOSE THINGS WISELY. MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE POWER OF PENTECOST GIVE US ALL, THAT WAKE UP CALL.

Act 6:8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.
Act 6:9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen,
Act 6:10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
Act 6:11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."
Act 6:12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
Act 6:13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."
Act 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (NIV)

We first encounter Stephen in this chapter and what an introduction we have been given here to the first martyr of the Christian church. Stephen is described as a man full of grace and power who did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. I would love to be described like that wouldn’t you?
So what does it mean to be full of grace and power? The Greek word for full used here is plērēs and it means covered over, complete, so we see from this that Stephen was completely full of grace and power. The word translated grace here has also been translated faith. This surely means that this man who incidentally was not counted among the apostles was so full of the Holy Spirit, had great faith and carried the presence of God with him in such a fashion that he moved in great signs and wonders.
The Synagogue of Freedmen or Libertines according to Andrew Wommack were either Jews who had been slaves but were set free by the Roman government or they were possibly from a town in northern Africa called Libertina. At any rate, they were a group of Jews who because of their common bond had separated themselves from the rest of Judaism by having their own synagogue.
Cyrene was an important city in North Africa located just a few miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea in what is today called Tripoli.. The city of Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. on the north coast of Egypt just west of the Nile Delta During the time of this event in Acts, Alexandria had between 600,000 and 700,000 residents, a large part of which were Jewish.. Cilicia was a southeastern province of Asia Minor of which Tarsus, the home of Saul, was a principal city. Asia here refers to a western province in Asia Minor with Ephesus as its capital..
Stephen did not speak with his own wisdom but rather spoke with great Godly Wisdom as empowered by the Holy Spirit and his accusers the so called wise men, with their worldly wisdom could no stand up against this Godly Wisdom. Yet here we have a whole group of accusers against this one Spirit filled man.
Paul prayed for the Ephesians that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, Ephesians 1:17
Jesus said Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. Luke 21:14 - 15

Stephen spoke the truth to them but it fell on deaf ears, in fact they in their own self- righteousness considered it to be blasphemy against Moses and God. They seized Stephen and took him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified against Stephen saying, "This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” The holy place mentioned here was the temple. The temple ofcourse was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70.

Act 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

What do you think Stephen had about his appearance that he is here described as having the face of an angel?

Surely onlookers saw the beauty of Jesus in him? He reflected his Lord. The glory of the presence of the Lord must have shone like a beacon of light through Stephen at this time. That is my desire to reflect Jesus in such a fashion that people see Jesus shining through me – to have the face of an angel wouldn’t that be tremendous? Even that angelic appearance in this man who was clearly reflecting Jesus within him was not enough to convince the hardened hearts of his accusers and the Sanhedrin. Isn’t that sad?

We need to pray against men and women in high places in our nations hardening their hearts against the Lord and pray for softening of hearts of men and women everywhere, and that we as the people of God might reflect Jesus clearly in all that we do and say, moving in faith, Godly wisdom and Holy Spirit power during his hour of grace.

Act 7:1 The high priest asked Stephen, "Are they telling the truth about you?"

Act 7:2 Stephen answered: Friends, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he had moved to Haran.

Stephen begins to assert his identity as a true Jew by tracing Jewish history as his defense here . He concludes his statements by saying that just as the Jewish nation as a whole had resisted God throughout history, so they were resisting God now by rejecting the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whom God had sent (see verses 52-53)

Act 7:3 God told him, "Leave your country and your relatives and go to a land that I will show you."

Act 7:4 Then Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, Abraham came and settled in this land where you now live.

Act 7:5 God didn't give him any part of it, not even a square foot. But God did promise to give it to him and his family forever, even though Abraham didn't have any children.

Act 7:6 God said that Abraham's descendants would live for a while in a foreign land. There they would be slaves and would be mistreated four hundred years.

And God took His people out of Egypt some 430 years after they arrived there, but they were not slaves all the time At the time when God made this promise to Abraham he was a man of mature years without any children. Yet Abraham believed God's promises, he may like lot's of us today have gone ahead of God and His plan, but He believed God's report.

Act 7:7 But he also said, "I will punish the nation that makes them slaves. Then later they will come and worship me in this place."

Act 7:8 God said to Abraham, "Every son in each family must be circumcised to show that you have kept your agreement with me." So when Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him. Later, Isaac circumcised his son Jacob, and Jacob circumcised his twelve sons.

God did punish Egypt we all know the story of the Red sea, and e see in verse 8 how Abraham and His descendants obeyed God's instructions regarding circumcision.

Act 7:9 These men were our ancestors. Joseph was also one of our famous ancestors. His brothers were jealous of him and sold him as a slave to be taken to Egypt. But God was with him

Act 7:10 and rescued him from all his troubles. God made him so wise that the Egyptian king Pharaoh thought highly of him. The king even made Joseph governor over Egypt and put him in charge of everything he owned.

Act 7:11 Everywhere in Egypt and Canaan the grain crops failed. There was terrible suffering, and our ancestors could not find enough to eat.

Act 7:12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there for the first time.

Act 7:13 It was on their second trip that Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family.

Act 7:14 Joseph sent for his father and his relatives. In all, there were seventy-five of them.

Yet even in Egypt God had mightily used the Jewish people. Once again let us realize that the wisdom which Joseph had was not worldly wisdom but wisdom that came straight from God, from walking in fellowship with God Himself.

In Genesis 46:26, it is stated that there were 66 males that came with Jacob into Egypt. This number is excluding Jacob himself and Joseph and his two sons who were already in Egypt. Therefore, adding these four, Genesis 46:27 brings the total male Israelites who came into Egypt to 70 (Dt. 10:22). That makes Stephen's count five more than the count of Genesis 46:27.

It is probable that Stephen was quoting from the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures) which adds the four sons of Manasseh and Ephraim and one grandson of Manasseh (Num. 26:29, 35) to the list of Genesis 46:20. Therefore, there were 70 male Israelites, excluding Ephraim's sons, and Manasseh's son and grandson, and 75 including them. (ANDREW WOMMACK'S COMMENTARY)

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Act 7:15 His father went to Egypt and died there, just as our ancestors did.

Act 7:16 Later their bodies were taken back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor.

Act 7:17 Finally, the time came for God to do what he had promised Abraham. By then the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.

Act 7:18 Another king was ruling Egypt, and he didn't know anything about Joseph.

Act 7:19 He tricked our ancestors and was cruel to them. He even made them leave their babies outside, so they would die.

Act 7:20 During this time Moses was born. He was a very beautiful child, and for three months his parents took care of him in their home.

Act 7:21 Then when they were forced to leave him outside, the king's daughter found him and raised him as her own son.

Act 7:22 Moses was given the best education in Egypt. He was a strong man and a powerful speaker.

Moses had the best education of the known world of that time, and Stephen here inspired by the Holy Spirit tells is audience and us that Moses was a powerful speaker. For Moses to be, "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians" meant that he was certainly no "dummy," as he claimed to be when trying to dodge God's call so it would seem his claims to be a poor speaker may be part of this too. (Ex. 4:10-16). Josephus, who wrote a history of the Jewish people in the first century, said that Moses was general of the Egyptian army and defeated the invading Ethiopian army. It would seem that Moses simply lied to God in an attempt to excuse himself from service. I don't know about you, but I can see elements of Moses behaviour regarding His call in me, I am very happy to sit here and write this, but put me anywhere near a platform and I am shouting at God, that it's not me, I can't preach. This study has God talking to me on this, I must totally submit my tongue to Him before it is too late. I have been happy to sit and write but have allowed fear to inhibit me greatly regarding public speaking, although I have done so on occasion.

Act 7:23 When Moses was forty years old, he wanted to help the Israelites because they were his own people.

Act 7:24 One day he saw an Egyptian mistreating one of them. So he rescued the man and killed the Egyptian.

Exo 2:12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

I believe this is the only place in the Scriptures where we are informed of the age Moses was when he struck down the Egyptian.

Act 7:25 Moses thought the rest of his people would realize that God was going to use him to set them free. But they didn't understand.

We do not have an explanation as to why Moses supposed the Jews would have readily accepted him as the one who God would use to set them free from their Egyptian slavery, but there is a reason which would seem to be obvious. Moses was supernaturally spared death as an infant and became part of the royal family of the Egyptians. After Moses knew God's will for his life it was logical to think that God would use his position and prestige to accomplish His will.

We should not forget that God often uses nobodies for His Kingdom purpose.

1Co 1:26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

1Co 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

1Co 1:28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

1Co 1:29 so that no human being might boaast in the presence of God

1Co 1:30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

Moses knew something of the call of God on his life when he killed the Egyptian, we can see that from this passage. Killing this Egyptian was not the way God had planned to bring about the Jews' freedom nor was it God's timing. We don�ft just need to know God�fs will for our lives but His timing in our lives. The trouble is we often think we can go ahead of Him but we can�ft. I know speaking for myself I wish I had started to learn that lesson when I was in my teens or twenties, but the Lord has had so many lessons to teach me along the way, some of them have been very hard, for His way and His timing is surely best.

Act 7:26 The next day Moses saw two of his own people fighting, and he tried to make them stop. He said, "Men, you are both Israelites. Why are you so cruel to each other?"

Act 7:27 But the man who had started the fight pushed Moses aside and asked, "Who made you our ruler and judge?

Moses, as a Prince of the Egyptian Royal household was in a position of leadership over any Jew in Egypt. This man was possibly referring to the position that Moses was seeking to occupy as the man whom God had appointed over the Israelites to lead them to independence. This means that Moses' motives for killing the Egyptian the previous day were known and rejected by the Jews. They probably knew him as a Jew by birth but did fully at this time accept him as one of them.

Act 7:28 Are you going to kill me, just as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?"

Act 7:29 When Moses heard this, he ran away to live in the country of Midian. His two sons were born there.

Act 7:30 Forty years later, an angel appeared to Moses from a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.

Ah now we see it is Moses time, the years in Midian were years to allow him to mature and be ready for the task God had for him. This process took forty years.

Act 7:31 Moses was surprised by what he saw. He went closer to get a better look, and the Lord said,

Act 7:32 "I am the God who was worshiped by your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Moses started shaking all over and didn't dare to look at the bush.

Act 7:33 The Lord said to him, "Take off your sandals. The place where you are standing is holy.

Act 7:34 With my own eyes I have seen the suffering of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans and have come down to rescue them. Now I am sending you back to Egypt."

Act 7:35 This was the same Moses that the people rejected by saying, "Who made you our leader and judge?" God's angel had spoken to Moses from the bush. And God had even sent the angel to help Moses rescue the people and be their leader.

It is without doubt one of the reasons Stephen was emphasizing Moses' rejection was to draw a comparison between Moses and Jesus.

Act 7:36 In Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the desert, Moses rescued the people by working miracles and wonders for forty years.

Act 7:37 Moses is the one who told the people of Israel, "God will choose one of your people to be a prophet, just as he chose me."

In verse 37 Stephen quotes Moses from Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses prophesied that the Messiah would be chosen to be a prophet likening Him to himself. The Jews rejected Moses, and yet God exalted him to become their leader, ruler and judge. Likewise, Jesus was rejected by the Jews, but God exalted him to be both Lord and Christ.

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Act 7:38 Moses brought our people together in the desert, and the angel spoke to him on Mount Sinai. There he was given these life-giving words to pass on to us.

Act 7:39 But our ancestors refused to obey Moses. They rejected him and wanted to go back to Egypt.

Act 7:40 The people said to Aaron, "Make some gods to lead us! Moses led us out of Egypt, but we don't know what's happened to him now."

Act 7:41 Then they made an idol in the shape of a calf. They offered sacrifices to the idol and were pleased with what they had done.

Act 7:42 God turned his back on his people and left them. Then they worshiped the stars in the sky, just as it says in the Book of the Prophets, "People of Israel, you didn't offer sacrifices and offerings to me during those forty years in the desert.

Act 7:43 Instead, you carried the tent where the god Molech is worshiped, and you took along the star of your god Rephan. You made those idols and worshiped them. So now I will have you carried off beyond Babylonia."

1Ki 11:7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem.

How foolish could any man to whom God had given great knowledge and wisdom be as to build false gods because they had lost sight of that which should have been their first love, the one and only true God. Both Aaron and Solomon done this but we can see it reflects the condition of the nation, both done those things to please people rather than God. There is more to it than that though.

Jer 32:35 They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

The worship of Moloch was also a part of the worship of Baal. In the worship of Moloch, children were burnt as sacrifices.

The Lord forbade His people to do this (Lev. 18:21; Dt. 18:10) and prescribed the death penalty for anyone who disobeyed this commandment (Lev. 20:2).

Act 7:44 The tent where our ancestors worshiped God was with them in the desert. This was the same tent that God had commanded Moses to make. And it was made like the model that Moses had seen.

Act 7:45 Later it was given to our ancestors, and they took it with them when they went with Joshua. They carried the tent along as they took over the land from those people that God had chased out for them. Our ancestors used this tent until the time of King David.

Those verses are referring to the tent of the tabernacle which God instructed Moses to build and take with them during their wilderness years.

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Act 7:46 He pleased God and asked him if he could build a house of worship for the people of Israel.

Act 7:47 And it was finally King Solomon who built a house for God.

God used Solomon to build His Temple. Amazingly this was the same King who built the Molech god. We as God�fs people must keep our eyes focused on our first love, lest we stumble.

Act 7:48 But the Most High God doesn't live in houses made by humans. It is just as the prophet said, when he spoke for the Lord,

Act 7:49 "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? In what place will I rest?

Act 7:50 I have made everything."

Act 7:51 You stubborn and hardheaded people! You are always fighting against the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did.

Act 7:52 Is there one prophet that your ancestors didn't mistreat? They killed the prophets who told about the coming of the One Who Obeys God. And now you have turned against him and killed him.

Act 7:53 Angels gave you God's Law, but you still don't obey it.

Act 7:54 When the council members heard Stephen's speech, they were angry and furious.

Act 7:55 But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side.

 

Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, KJV

Stephen had demonstrated to them how they were no better than their ancestors, they had rejected the greatest prophet of all, the one who was God and man, their Messiah, although they did not recognize Him. The Greek word used in verse 55 in the for "steadfastly" is "atenizo," which means "to gaze intently, look earnestly, steadfastly, set eyes." Stephen didn�ft just glance up. He purposely focused his full attention on Jesus. He was rewarded with a glimpse of the risen Christ standing at the right hand of God, which enabled him to endure the agony of being stoned to death.

The key to us being able to endure any of the afflictions the devil sends our way is to look beyond the problem unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Act 7:56 Then Stephen said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!"

Stephen saw the heavens open and the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, His Lord at the Father�fs right hand.

Act 7:57 The council members shouted and covered their ears. At once they all attacked Stephen

People are often offended at other people's claims regarding their spiritual experiences. In this case though, these Jews were mostly offended by Stephen's reference to Jesus, who they had condemned as being a blasphemer, being exalted to the right hand of God.

Act 7:58 and dragged him out of the city. Then they started throwing stones at him. The men who had brought charges against him put their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

This same young man Saul, went on to persecute the believers-in-Jesus until the time of his own miraculous conversion.

Act 7:59 As Stephen was being stoned to death, he called out, "Lord Jesus, please welcome me!"

Act 7:60 He knelt down and shouted, "Lord, don't blame them for what they have done." Then he died.

Luk 23:34a Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Can you see the similarity in the attitude Stephen had at the time of his murder as the Lord Jesus Himself had as he hung on that cross. Stephen showed real evidence of how Christ had transformed his life. He knew what it was to have the compassion and mercy upon those who were murdering Him as Jesus did. He wants us to have compassion like He has, and be able to forgive like he forgives. This surely is the Lord�fs desire for all of us, to be able to love like He loves, to show mercy as He shows mercy.

Act 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

 

  This is the same man who later encountered Jesus on the Damascus Road and his life as radically and totally changed forever.

 

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

Act 8:2 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

Act 8:3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

 

               The apostles were not scattered with the other believers. Very possibly Saul was under conviction while performing those actions against believers. God was just about to step in though and reveal Himself in the person of Jesus to Saul. This is surely a reminder to us that God can transform the lives of even the worst of sinners.

 

1Ti 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

1Ti 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

1Ti 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen

 

Philip in Samaria

Act 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

 

  The believers being scattered was necessary for the cause of the gospel. The believers took the gospel of Jesus everywhere and people were saved, healed and delivered.

 

Act 8:5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.

Act 8:6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.

Act 8:7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.

Act 8:8 So there was great joy in that city.

 

             They preached and proclaimed the gospel of Christ. Philip proclaimed Christ in Samaria and signs wonders and miracles happened. The message of who Christ is and what He has done for us is central to the gospel message, it should never be about what we can do for Christ. When we truly move ourselves out of the picture, die to selves then we should start to see those things happening in our cities.   It was not just the message which Philip had to deliver that attracted the people but seeing miracles in the Name of Jesus. They recognised the force behind the man was God Himself, for Philip was a man driven and empowered by the Spirit of God.

               My prayer is to see this type of deliverance and joy throughout this city, throughout this nation, and indeed all the nations of the world. It can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ.