BIBLE IN TEN

Acts 4:14

Sunday, 16 January 2022
 
And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Acts 4:14
 
The previous verse noted the boldness of Peter and John despite being uneducated and untrained. It also noted that these two had been with Jesus. With that thought in mind, a thought that brought them into union with the One they had supposedly done away with, the thought is surely that they must be punished for speaking about Jesus and the resurrection. However, there was a problem with that. Luke introduces that with the words, “And seeing the man.”
 
As in verse 4:10, it is evident that the man who was healed was right there in front of them all. He would have been known by sight to anyone who regularly passed through the gate where he sat. His deformed and emaciated legs would have been readily apparent to them, and yet he now stood before them healed. And more, the credit has gone solely to the One they had crucified, and whom the apostles avowed had been resurrected. The apostles were proclaiming that it was in the power of His name that the council was seeing the man “who had been healed standing with them.”
 
This was a huge problem for them, because if every one of them had passed by the man time and time again, and if he had remained unhealed with each passing, it then meant that they – the leading men of Israel – were unable to do what these uneducated men were able to do by simply proclaiming healing in the name of Jesus.
 
They had seen the miracles of Jesus during His entire ministry. Again, and again, they had challenged Him and spoken against Him. And now, those who followed Him had performed their own miracle. But they had done it under the authority of His name. This would only be effective if His name truly had power, and His name could only hold such power if He was alive. The conundrum for them was an impossible one. As such, “they could say nothing against it.”
 
The Greek word, antilegó, translated as “say against” signifies “to contradict.” It is a compound word coming from anti, or “opposite to,” and legó, meaning “to say.” They have made a claim that the man was healed through Jesus. He stood there healed, something otherwise completely impossible for them to have done. As such, they could not contradict their claim. If they could not do that, then they could not punish them for any wrongdoing, even if they wished to. And verse 4:21 indicates that this is exactly what they wished to do.
 
Life application: Many have come to Christ over the years. Some simply accept the gospel, but their lives don’t need a lot of change. They simply believe and are grateful for what happened. Some have larger changes where it is evident a new direction has taken place. Friends of family  may see it and be curious, or they may think the person has simply flipped out. They accept the change but aren’t sure of the power behind it. And then, there are those whose lives are so utterly changed that it truly is an inexplicable conversion.
 
Such a person may have been a brawler, a drunkard, a drug addict, a prostitute, or some other lost soul. Nobody would have ever thought he or she would amount to anything again. And yet, there he or she is, cleaned up and completely whole again. When asked what happened and the answer is “Jesus,” it is something that simply cannot be contradicted. What was otherwise ruined and on the way to the garbage dump of human history suddenly becomes a precious gem in the stream of human existence.
 
Such people are living testimonies to the healing power of the name of Jesus. But just because many believers did not have such tremendous conversions, it doesn’t change the fundamental truth that every person who comes to Christ has had such a change. They each went from being 100% lost to 100% saved. Let us remember this. It is an argument that anyone can use while witnessing to others.
 
God does not grade on a bell curve. Rather, there are the redeemed of the Lord, and then there are all others. The problem isn’t the amount of sin in one’s life. The problem is that there is sin in one’s life. Let us each be thankful for the healing that came about through Christ’s cross, and let us be willing to tell others of the gift that they too can share in. It is a gift that everyone needs.
 
Heavenly Father, we are all in need of Jesus. Being saved through His cross is something that no person can do without if they want to be restored to You. Help us to be able to explain this fundamental truth to all who we encounter along life’s path. Everything else will find its place after that, but help us to remember to get this through first. Help us to share the good news that is found in the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life through Jesus. Amen.

Acts 4:13

Saturday, 15 January 2022
 
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. Acts 4:13
 
Only the words of Peter are recorded, but from this verse it appears that both Peter and John had spoken. As Peter is the main focus of the ongoing narrative, it is his words that Luke has focused on. With this understanding, it is probable that John had spoken previously at the temple as well. This is a side issue, but it is at least worth noting.
 
The focus is on Peter specifically to stand as a testimony that he, as the apostle to the circumcision (meaning the Jews), had witnessed and presented the gospel to them. In their national rejection of Jesus, the focus will switch to that of Paul and to the effective evangelism of the Gentiles. For now, and understanding this, Luke continues by saying, “Now when they saw.”
 
The verb is a present participle and should be rendered as such, “Seeing now...,” or “Now seeing...” It is a reference to the council that included the rulers, elders, scribes, high priest, and others of the high priestly family noted in verses 4:5, 6. This gathering is then to be considered the most educated and sophisticated group of people in the nation. What they saw (meaning saw and heard) concerns “the boldness of Peter and John.”
 
The word signifying “boldness” means more than just being outwardly brash or offensive, but rather it reveals a confidence in what they were conveying. There was no ambiguity, equivocation, or peevishness in them. What they said was plainly stated and would have been plainly understood. With this defining them and their words, it notes that those of the council “perceived.”
 
The word translated as “perceived” signifies to lay hold of something, and thus to understand or apprehend. Despite their eloquence and confidence of speech, the council had become fully aware “that they were uneducated.”
 
The word, found only here in Scripture, literally means “unlettered.” This means they had not had any formal rabbinic training. And yet, what they had spoken forth was based upon Scripture and was spoken in the proper context. One would expect Peter’s citing of Scripture to be a “pick and choose” approach that presented a few verses out of context, but this was not the case. This continues to be seen in the next description of them which says, “and untrained men.”
 
It is a new word in Scripture, idiótés. One can see the immediate connection to our modern word “idiot,” of which it still bears a similar meaning to that of the Greek. It signifies a person who lacks education or proper instruction. Because of this, his words would be poorly structured and easily misunderstood.
 
However, despite being unlettered and unlearned Galileans – apparent idiots in comparison to them – the apostles spoke with an eloquence and flavor of speech that amazed the council. As such, “they marveled.”
 
It is the same word used in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, and they began to speak in tongues. At that time, it said –
 
“Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?’” Acts 2:7
 
The fluency of speech in other languages of that passage has turned into a fluency of speech and oration in this passage. In both instances, the reaction is to be awestruck to the point of wondering greatly. One can almost hear the mutters among the council, “How  can they know these things? They are just country bumpkins!” But this process of thought brought them to a new comprehension. As Luke next records, “And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
 
Here, the same word is used as was cited when the crowd recognized the beggar who was healed in Acts 3:10. It was as if a light had switched on. In essence, “The same awareness of the Scriptures that we saw in Jesus is also in them.” And, of course, it should be so. The same Author of Scripture filled them both. This is something Peter carefully records later in his second epistle –
 
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19-21
 
The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of Scripture, and the Holy Spirit filled Jesus and now the apostle with the understanding and ability to rightly communicate this word to those they encountered. This is explicitly stated of Jesus in Luke 4:1, and it was just noted of Peter in Acts 4:8.
 
The fact that these men had been with Jesus should have clued them into the fact that more was going on than would normally be realized. But their minds rejected what they perceived in Jesus, instead finding offense at Him –
 
“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?’ 57 So they were offended at Him.But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.’ 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matthew 13:53-58
 
Life application: It should not be expected that believers today will suddenly be filled with the Spirit and start to rightly quote Scripture when challenged by others. The passage before us is descriptive. It simply describes what occurred in order to establish the basis for the faith, and to demonstrate that even with an active working on the part of the Spirit, the leaders and people of Israel rejected their Messiah.
 
Today, we have the whole counsel of God, and we are expected to know it. And, we are expected to not only know it, but to handle it properly. There are countless professors of theology that do neither in both colleges and seminaries around the world. They are untrained in proper theology because they are first unschooled in the word.
 
Those who grow in the word first will be able to avoid this happening to them. They will know when faulty theology is presented. Even if they do not necessarily know what is correct, they can at least weed out that which is incorrect.
 
Learning proper theology is hard work, but once it is obtained, then right doctrine can be applied to that theology. The most important aspect of this process is to be properly learned in Scripture. Therefore, read the Bible. Keep reading the Bible. And then, read the Bible more. Never stop reading this word. It is a safeguard against the poor theologies that abound in the world today.
 
As a final note, be sure to read the Bible.
 
Lord God, give us the strong hunger to desire Your word at all times. Help us to be wise and to set it before us when we rise. Help us to be discerning and to contemplate it throughout the day. And, Lord, help us to consider it once again before we retire at night. May our days be filled with reading and considering Your precious word. Amen.

Act 4:12

Friday, 14 January 2022
 
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
 
Peter has clearly identified Jesus with the Messianic hope through his citing of Scripture. The council would understand this perfectly. But now, He more precisely identifies Jesus in a particular role that was impossible to come from any other source than God, saying, “Nor is there salvation in any other.”
 
A definite article precedes “salvation” in the Greek – “Nor is there the salvation in any other.” This then refers to the messianic hope of deliverance from sin and restoration with God that was lost at the fall of man. In the Old Testament, the use of an article before “salvation” is found only three times. The first is found in 1 Samuel 14 which is referring to salvation of the nation in battle. The other two times are in the psalms where David obtains “the salvation” from the Lord in battle, and in Isaiah 12 –
 
“And in that day you will say:‘O Lord, I will praise You;Though You were angry with me,Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.2 Behold, God is my salvation,I will trust and not be afraid;‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;He also has become my salvation.’3 Therefore with joy you will draw waterFrom the wells of [the] salvation.” Isaiah 12:1-3
 
The words of Isaiah are messianic in nature, and they reflect a sense of “the salvation” being accessible solely from the Lord God. It is a hope that the Messiah would come to provide this, and Peter confirms that this was to be found in Jesus and in Him alone. As he said, it is not found in any other. He then continues on by saying, “for there is no other name.”
 
The Greek translated here as “other” signifies another, something different, a second, and so on. It is a word of exclusivity. The salvation is found in Christ Jesus, and it is not to be found in any other source. This unmistakably indicates that “the salvation,” of which the leaders of Israel would be perfectly aware of the meaning, was a direct threat to their direct positions within the community. The reason for this is that it then means at least two immediate things, with innumerable new thoughts issuing from them:
 
No person could be saved through obedience to the Law of Moses, of whom they were the stewards. This is because “Moses” is another name.
If “the salvation” is found in Jesus, then the law must now be annulled in Him.
 
One of the thoughts that would be a direct explanation for this is that the Mosaic law included the Levitical system of priestly sacrifices. But they never brought about complete cleansing from sin. If they did, a single sacrifice would have been offered and that would have been the end of it. But the sacrifices were repeated continuously – as needed, daily, monthly, and year after year as directed by the law.
 
But if “the salvation” came through Jesus, then His death was a one-time and for-all-time sacrifice for sin. As it occurred apart from the Mosaic Law, it means that the law must have first been fulfilled in Him and then it was set aside in order to establish the New Covenant.
 
In other words, as the Law of Moses anticipated the coming of Messiah, and as the Messiah had come, then the New Covenant anticipated in the law itself (Jeremiah 31:31) must be found in Him alone, apart from the Law of Moses. All of this is more fully explained in the book of Hebrews, but the truth of what is stated there would have been understood by the leaders in some aspect, even as Peter spoke out his words to them.
 
With this noted, Peter adds in more words of exclusivity concerning the name of Jesus, saying, “under heaven.”
 
The words qualify and further explain “no other name.” There is not any other person born into the stream of human existence by which “the salvation” can be obtained. Peter then adds a synonymous thought to ensure this is more perfectly understood with the words, “given among men.”
 
This excludes anyone born to Adam. Apart from Jesus, no prophet, no priest, no king, no instructor of the law, no other religious leader (such as Buddha or Muhammed) and so on, is to be found in the stream of humanity “by which we must be saved.”
 
The Greek uses the word “in.” It is in the name of Jesus, and in none other, that it is necessary to find salvation. One is either in Christ Jesus and he is saved, or he is not in Christ Jesus, and he will not be saved. Everything about what Peter says is clear, unambiguous, and perfectly exclusive to the name of Jesus.
 
A somewhat paraphrased but marvelous translation of this verse is given in the Weymouth New Testament –
 
“And in no other is the great salvation to be found; for, in fact, there is no second name under Heaven that has been given among men through which we are to be saved.”
 
Life application: This verse teaches us what Jesus has already said in John 14:6. There is one way, and one way alone, to be reconciled to God the Father. Apart from Him, the condemnation that rests upon all men (John 3:18) remains upon them. One must move from Adam to Christ in order to be saved. If you are not grounded in, and willing to proclaim, this fundamental truth, then you need to adjust your thinking. God has spoken, and as Paul says, “let God be true but every man a liar.”
 
We can lie to ourselves and to others, but we cannot lie to God, nor will God ever speak that which is untrue. Ground yourself in Christ and proclaim His name alone for the salvation which has been presented to all men.
 
Lord God, Your word proclaims that Jesus Christ alone can reconcile us to You. It is an unpopular word in today’s world, but it is... Your word. I will stand upon it to the end. Jesus Christ alone! Amen and amen.

Acts 4:11

Thursday, 13 January 2022
 
This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Acts 4:11
 
Peter just referred to Jesus, who was crucified by the leaders. Now, to directly show the fulfillment of Scripture in this, he cites Psalm 118:22, beginning with, “This is.”
 
The Greek word here is a masculine pronoun. It can be rendered “This,” but it may be more appropriately rendered “He” in this case. Some versions paraphrase it and simply say, “Jesus is...” or, “This Jesus is...” No matter what, the words are clear enough to get the sense of Peter’s intent. With this subject given, he then says that He is “the stone.”
 
The Hebrew word, translated as “stone,” is eben. That comes from the same root as the word banah, to build. As such, it is something that is employed in a building process. For example, one builds an altar with stones. Also, one builds a temple with stones. In Genesis 28, Jacob is said to have used a stone for resting his head when he had his dream of a ladder reaching to heaven.
 
One can see the symbolism of Christ in it. A stone was set, and from it a ladder was placed reaching back to heaven. Christ is the stone, Christ is the ladder, Christ is the gate (the door) at the top of the ladder – He is the means of access to restoration with God. In the morning, Jacob set up the stone, building a pillar as a memorial to what occurred.
 
Understanding the symbolism of the stone, Peter continues, saying of it, “which was rejected by you.”
 
The accusation is directed to the council, represented by the priests, the scribes, the elders, and the rulers. In other words, all of the leadership of the nation had together rejected the stone. To make this more poignant, he then says, “builders.”
 
The Greek reads, tōn oikodomōn, “the builders,” and it should be rendered as such. As noted, this is a citation from the 118th Psalm –
 
“The stone which the builders rejectedHas become the chief cornerstone.” Psalm 118:22
 
These people are called “the builders,” because they formed together the civil and religious government, shaping it according to the needs of the nation and (supposedly) in accordance with the law that established them. Through them the nation was built into a nation that was to reflect the name and nature of the Lord as His people.
 
Jesus had already cited the psalm to them during His ministry –
 
“Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.
40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”
41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone which the builders rejectedHas become the chief cornerstone.This was the Lord’s doing,And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.
 
Now, in fulfillment of the psalm, and in fulfillment of Jesus’ words that they would do exactly what the psalm prophesied, Peter repeats the words to this council, calling what He said to their memory. It is a sharp and piercing indictment that what they had done was known to God before it ever took place, and thus their actions were known to God at that very moment. However, despite their rejection of Him, Peter finishes the citation, saying, “which has become the chief cornerstone.”
 
If the word “He” is used as the subject, then “who” should now be used to agree with that. If “This” is used, then “which” should be used –
 
“He is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, who has become the chief cornerstone.’”
 
“This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’”
 
Either way, the leaders would understand. They were responsible for the building of the nation based on the Law of Moses. In their building, they were to select “stones” appropriate to that task in order to bring the Law and the Prophets to their fullness. As these things pointed to Jesus, they were to recognize that and to then use Him as that very foundational stone of their building.
 
However, they rejected Him, thus they rejected the cornerstone of what God would do. This is because, despite their rejection of Him, Christ did become the Chief Cornerstone. However, this would not have happened if they did not reject Him first. The paradox is amazing to consider.
 
Despite their rejection of Him, He was used by God and upon Him the true temple of the Lord would be built. They now had a choice to make in accepting that or rejecting it. Isaiah also prophesied of the event, providing additional confirmation of what God would do in and through Christ Jesus –
 
“Therefore thus says the Lord God:‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;Whoever believes will not act hastily.’” Isaiah 28:16
 
Life application: The words of this psalm, and the corresponding words of Isaiah, will be repeated in the New Testament as it is ascribed to Jesus. They are found in Romans 9:33 (citing Isaiah), Ephesians 2:20 (citing the psalm), and 1 Peter 2:6-8 (citing both Isaiah and the psalm together).
 
Following such things after learning the symbolism of individual words will give a much fuller understanding of how God is developing theology within Scripture. Individual words, concepts, or material things (like rocks, stones, water, the fig tree, and so on), are consistently used to form concepts that then reveal truths about the nature of God, the state of things in the world in relation to God, how things operate in His mind so that we can align our thoughts to His, and so on.
 
Don’t rush through the Bible as you read it, but rather think on the things that are presented, and then file them away in your memory. As you come to another use of that thing (a stone for example) think on how its use aligns or contrasts with the previous use you had filed away.
 
In this, your mind will begin to develop in sound theology. Just don’t make things up on your own. Rather, draw out from what is being revealed. In this, your understanding of God’s intent for how things are presented and how they can be applied to your own spiritual life will be solidified.
 
Lord God, thank You for the marvelous intricacy of Your word. As we read it, new insights seem to spring forth that allow us to say, “Aha! I get it. I see what God is saying.” Thank You for this wonderful, joyful process of looking into and learning about Your mind. Amen.

Acts 4:10

Wednesday, 12 January 2022
 
“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. Acts 4:10
 
Peter’s response to the council that has been assembled concerning the healing of the beggar has already begun. He continues his opening words to them now by naming the Source of the healing miracle that took place, saying, “let it be known to you all.”
 
Commentators give various ideas on Peter’s words, noting the boldness of what he says. Although this is true, it fails to acknowledge Jesus’ words from the gospels –
 
“You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” Matthew 10:18-20
 
Peter was given this promise and he knew that what he was saying was being directed by the Lord. As such, the credit for the boldness may only go to him indirectly. Ultimately his conduct is because of the Lord’s promise and because of the Lord’s hand upon him. As such, he could boldly proclaim the words to this notable gathering of Israel’s highest officials.
 
But Peter’s words extend beyond them. This is because they stand as the representatives of the nation. What they determined would decide the direction and the fate of the nation. Because of this, Peter continues with, “and to all the people of Israel.”
 
Whether the records of such meetings were available to the public or not, the intent of the words is that the proclamation stands, and that it will be one that affects everyone who belongs to the nation. It is as if Peter is calling out a judicial decree. As Jesus promised that it would be “the Spirit of your Father” who is speaking, it is – in fact – just this. The Lord God of Israel was conveying through His chosen apostle the words for Israel to hear and understand His intent.
 
With that in mind, Peter now directly refers to the Source of the healing, saying, “that by the name of Jesus Christ.”
 
Rather than “by the name,” the Greek more appropriately reads, en tō onnomati, “in the name.” The proclamation was made by Peter, and it had its effect –
 
“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.’” Acts 3:6
 
The Name itself is where the healing was derived from because the name reflects the being. As Jesus Christ is the Lord, in Peter’s invoking the name, the healing was realized. But more, the title “Christ” is affixed to the name. As the word “Christ” is the Greek form of “Messiah,” Peter is saying, “in the name of Jesus the Messiah.”
 
What this demonstrates is that the office of Messiah is One that was completely misunderstood by the rulers of the people. This is clearly evident from what is happening. If Jesus is the Messiah, and if it was in His name that the man was healed (and determining the Source of the healing is the purpose of the gathering), then they have misunderstood everything about what was to be expected concerning the Messiah, even that He was “of Nazareth.”
 
They had already dismissed Jesus for exactly this reason –
 
“They answered and said to him, ‘Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.’” John 7:52
 
As Nazareth is in the area of the Galilee, they had misunderstood their own Scriptures which clearly identified that God’s light would shine forth from that area –
 
“Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,As when at first He lightly esteemedThe land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,And afterward more heavily oppressed her,By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,In Galilee of the Gentiles.2 The people who walked in darknessHave seen a great light;Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,Upon them a light has shined.” Isaiah 9:1, 2
 
What may have been veiled was at least understandable in the general sense of the words. Something magnificent would occur in this area, and it would shine a wondrous light upon the people. As Israel’s leaders, it is inexcusable that they would not know this. It was their job, above all else, to know what the Scriptures that established and guided them as a people proclaimed.
 
With this understood, the words of Peter continue, saying, “whom you crucified.” Peter has proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah. As this is so, and as the Scriptures testified to His life and work, it is apparent that their misunderstanding of who the Messiah was to be went even further.
 
It is unthinkable that the Messiah could have been crucified without it being a part of God’s plan. But here was Peter, proclaiming an obviously miraculous healing in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, “whom you crucified.”
 
The first point of this is that the blame rests squarely on those seated before the apostles, and to whom the words are directed. The word “you” means the council and thus all of Israel, who was also addressed. The nation bears the guilt for the crucifixion of their Messiah.
 
However, the second point is that this means the act had to be a part of God’s plan. The words of the Spirit of the Father, through Peter, are manifestly pointing to the fact that they had completely misunderstood everything in Scripture about the coming Messiah. This is true whether they acknowledge it or not.
 
But the Scriptures clearly indicated that Christ would die for the people. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 indicates this. It is acceptable for them to have misunderstood this, but it is no longer acceptable that they should continue in their ignorance. They have the Scriptures, they have the healed man bearing witness to the power of God being displayed, and they now have an explanation of the Scriptures that resulted from the own actions. The facts and the evidence of the events are undeniable.
 
Now that this has been clearly and unambiguously presented to the council, Peter tells the leaders what at least some of them already knew, saying “whom God raised from the dead.”
 
A dead Messiah couldn’t do a thing to heal a man. And in Israel’s history, there had been plenty of “Messiahs” that had come and gone. However, the One now proclaimed by Peter is given full credit for having accomplished the miracle. As this is so, He cannot be dead. Peter’s words testify that He is not, and that it is God who raised Him. Thus, God’s approval must have been upon Him.
 
The amount of theology that is piling up in what is stated is literally incredible. It will continue to be explored for thousands of years. New insights into what occurred will arise and be contemplated based on what Peter is proclaiming to the council.
 
Each person there would be responsible for considering what they heard and applying their knowledge of Scripture to determine if what he was saying was in accord with it or not. From there, they would then be responsible for determining the meaning of it all. Or they could simply dismiss his words and ignore the truth of what was completely obvious that was being presented to them. And that truth is based on the very response to the question that they had asked. Their question was –
 
“By what power or by what name have you done this?” Acts 4:7
 
The summary of the response is, “by Him this man stands here before you whole.” Again, the word says, “in Him.” It is in Jesus Christ because it is in the name of Jesus Christ that the miraculous had been realized. The man who was obviously doomed to life as a cripple stood whole and restored, and with a new direction in both his physical and spiritual life, was healed in the name of Israel’s Messiah. The crucified One had prevailed over death and the power that was realized in His name is evidenced in that fact.
 
Life application: It was noted that Israel had the Scriptures that testify to the coming of the Messiah. They tell what He would do, where He would do those things, and the result of His work. These Scriptures testified against them –
 
“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:37-40
&
“Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” John 5:45-47
 
Those same Scriptures are still available to Israel today. In their continued rejection of Him, the same condemnation remains that came upon the people two thousand years ago. We must never make the mistake in assuming that because Israel is back in the land that they are right with God. They are not. The favor of the Lord that is promised to be upon the people and the land is future to us now.
 
We cannot pick and choose our allegiances. Rather, we must take God’s word as it is given to us. Until they, as a nation and under the approval of their leaders, call out to Jesus, they remain under the wrath of God. His reestablishing them, and the resulting catastrophes to come upon them are also detailed in the prophets.
 
Pray for Israel just as you would pray for any lost people. But thank God for His faithfulness to them, despite their continued rejection of Him. Great are His tender mercies to those He has covenanted with. If you are in Christ, this includes you. So thank God for His favor towards you.
 
Lord God Almighty, thank You for the hope we possess in Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank You for Your faithfulness to us, even when we stray. And Lord, we lift up Israel. Guide them to search out Your word and to find what they have missed for so long. Yes, Lord God, lead them to You through Your precious word. Amen.

Acts 4:9

Tuesday, 11 January 2022
 
If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, Acts 4:9
 
John and Peter stand before the council for interrogation, and Peter opens by addressing the “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel.” He now continues that with, “If we this day are judged.”
 
The words, “If we this day,” are a way of saying something like, “Since it is a fact that we are.” There they stood as if wrongdoers being “judged.” This is a technical word signifying to interrogate, inquire into, or examine. In other words, the council is set forth to determine a matter, not merely to make a judgment concerning an issue that has already been decided. It is a tribunal to determine facts concerning “a good deed.”
 
Here, the word euergesia is used. It signifies an act of beneficence. It is found only here and in 1 Timothy 6:2. After saying this, Peter immediately defines the subject of the act of beneficence without using any verb. The Greek reads –
 
“...a good work man ailing.”
 
His answer is abrupt and direct. It can be inferred that the way Peter responds is an emphatic retort to the question that was derogatorily asked of him in verse 4:7. The way the question was asked of them (indicated by the structure of the Greek) was demeaning. Peter’s response is not argumentative, but emphatic –
 
“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
“...a good work man ailing in what (means) he has been healed.”
 
It is with this empathic statement that Peter will next explain “by what means he has been made well.” In other words, there is no question that the man was healed. It has been accepted from the outset that it actually took place. However, the questioning of them is to determine how it came about. As far as the healing, the word Peter uses is sózó. It carries with it the sense of not only physical healing, but it is frequently connected to spiritual healing, or salvation.
 
It appears that Peter is setting up the rest of his response based on the use of this word. He easily could have just used a general term for healing, such as was used of Jesus’ work many times, therapeuó. But that would only refer to a physical healing, such as –
 
“Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.” Matthew 4:24
 
On the other hand, sózó is used for both the physical and the spiritual at times, such as is hinted at in Matthew 9 –
 
“But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was made well from that hour.” Matthew 9:22
 
The woman’s faith in Jesus brought her to a state of healing. Likewise, Peter’s healing of the beggar afterward appears to have brought a state of wholeness to him that extends beyond the physical act.
 
Life application: It is common in churches today to spread a social gospel where doing good things for others becomes a means to an end. There are soup kitchens, shelters for the night, and the like. However, in many of these types of ministries there is actually no communication of the gospel at all. In some, there is none because the gospel is deemed “offensive.”
 
Therefore, the idea is that the body will be taken care of by the ministry and if the person appreciates the effort, maybe he will want to know about Jesus. If not, that is his choice. This is a perverse abuse of the gospel, because it is no gospel at all. The person may be filled, warm, or feel better, but he is just as much on the path to the Lake of Fire as before he entered the doors of the church. In the end, nothing is really solved with this approach.
 
Unfortunately, this is the only “gospel” proclaimed by the pope in Rome. There is never a mention from the lips of whoever occupies that seat that people need Jesus to be saved. With his example, denominations around the world have followed suit.
 
The church is failing because the word of God is not proclaimed, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is not preached. If you are in such a church, it is time for you to bring up the faulty view of the ministry and work to get it corrected. If there is an unwillingness to do so, it is time for you to pack up and leave.
 
First and foremost, people need to hear the saving message of Jesus. After that, everything else will fall into its proper place.
 
Lord God, may we be willing to put You and Your word first in our lives. Help us to not be a part of that which fails to bring You glory through the sharing of the gospel of our wonderful Lord, Jesus. Amen.

Acts 4:8

Monday, 10 January 2022
 
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: Acts 4:8
 
Standing before the leaders gathered at Jerusalem, Peter and John were just asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Now, in response to that, Luke records, “Then Peter.”
 
As is the norm, Peter is the one who speaks on behalf of both. It was he that was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven as detailed in Matthew 16 –
 
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’” Matthew 16:17-19
 
The idea of the “keys of the kingdom” will be more clearly understood as Acts progresses. For now, it is also of note that it was also Peter who was given the main commission by the Lord to “Feed My sheep.”
 
Peter is given specific authority and the responsibility, and so he is the one who the narrative focuses on. Luke next notes that Peter is “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is something explicitly said to the disciples of Jesus concerning their ministry –
 
“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11, 12
 
In fulfillment of that, Peter is filled with the words and the wisdom of God to respond in the manner determined is best for the situation by Him. As this is so, the exact and perfect words necessary to fulfill His purposes will be realized. Israel had rejected Christ and crucified Him. They bore the national guilt of what occurred.
 
Like in Acts 2 and again in Acts 3, Peter’s testimony now will be sufficient to unmistakably demonstrate that Jesus was and is their Messiah. They will have the freewill to repent of their actions and be healed, or the words Peter will speak will testify against them as a nation. The collective guilt will remain, and Acts will stand as a valid witness against them that their rejection and subsequent punishment by the Lord is justified.
 
This begins to be seen once again in the words of Peter now. As such, Luke continues, noting that Peter “said to them.” The council of rulers, elders, scribes, and priestly class – meaning all of those who should know and recognize Christ from Scripture, and who bear the authority for national decisions – are being addressed by the Lord’s messenger, filled with the Holy Spirit. It is in this state that Peter begins, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel.”
 
There is an underlying ominous tone for the nation with these words. The high priest was the mediator of the sacrificial system of the covenant. It is a minutely detailed system that was set up to anticipate the work of Jesus Christ. But a main point of that system was that various levels of authority within the nation required particular sacrifices for guilt.
 
In other words, when the high priest sinned, the sacrifice and the blood of the sacrifice had to be handled differently than for the common people (see Leviticus 4:1-12). This is true with a ruler of the people (see Leviticus 4:22-26) and of a sin committed by the entire congregation (see Leviticus 4:13-21).
 
However, because Christ had come and fulfilled the typology of all of these sacrifices, and because He had then brought the Mosaic Covenant to its fulfillment and annulment, those in these positions must come through Him to receive atonement – meaning the high priest, the rulers, and indeed the entire congregation. The national guilt exists, and it cannot be cleansed apart from acceptance of the work of their Messiah.
 
A clear note from the Lord’s mouth demonstrates this –
 
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.” Matthew 23:1, 2
 
These rulers sat upon the seat of Moses. They administered the legislative aspect of the covenant. Along with the high priest who administered the sacrificial parts of it, they should have known better. They were responsible for knowing Scripture and understanding the time of their visitation. But they failed in this. The national guilt rested upon them. Peter is, once again, speaking to them in hopes of removing this guilt. If they reject His words, which are now recorded in Acts, they will stand as a witness against them.
 
Life application: Luke 12 is cited above. Again, Jesus said, “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” Luke 12:11, 12.
 
Have you ever heard anyone quote this, claiming that their words are inspired of God because of Jesus’ promise? If so, what is the problem with that? The answer is that Jesus was not speaking to or of them. Rather, he was speaking to His disciples, under the law, and in relation to the events that would relate to that particular context, and into the issuing of the New Covenant.
 
With Scripture complete, we now have the full and complete word of God to guide our speech before the world. It stands as the witness to God’s workings in Christ. We are to know Scripture, and to stand – by faith – upon its words.
 
This does not mean that people will not be filled with the Spirit during the church age. It is quite apparent that they are from Paul’s words. But when Paul says, “Be filled with the Spirit,” it is passive in the Greek – ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι (alla plērousthe en Pneumati).
 
Paul’s words thus mean that we are not actively filled with the Spirit as Peter was. Instead, we receive the full measure of the Spirit the moment that we believe the gospel and are saved. Just as a man who marries a woman will never get more married, we will never get more of the Spirit. But just as a spouse can get more of his or her spouse through yielding to the other, the Spirit can get more of us as we yield our lives to God. In this, we are passively filled with the Spirit.
 
How does this come about? It comes about through study of the word, prayer, talking to God, rejoicing in the wonders of God, fellowshipping with other believers, praising God, etc. In our active pursuit of the things of God, we will be passively filled with the Spirit.
 
When a cup is filled, the cup doesn’t do anything active. It receives the wine because it is in a state ready to receive it. We must be in the proper state to receive the filling of the Spirit, and it isn’t in the manner that Pentecostals and Charismatics insist.
 
Let us honor the Lord with our lives and in our actions. In turn, we will be filled with the Spirit.
 
Lord God, thank You for our sealing with the Holy Spirit upon our faith in Christ. Now, may we be responsible with that event and yield ourselves to You, being filled – even to overflowing – with the joy of the Spirit and the life in Christ that we now possess. To Your glory we pray! Amen.

Acts 4:7

Sunday, 9 January 2022
 
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Acts 4:7
 
All of those leaders necessary to establish the authority of the tribunal have been named in the previous two verses. They were specifically noted as being “together at Jerusalem.” The seat of national power and authority has gathered together. It is an opportunity to repent and turn from their previous actions. The account to be presented will detail this. For now, with these gathered together, Luke next notes, “And when they had set them in the midst.”
 
Charles Ellicott notes, “The Sanhedrin sat in a semi-circle, the president being in the middle of the arc, the accused standing in the centre.” This would be a rather intimidating thing. Being encircled by the leaders, and with guards stationed around them as well, there would be every reason to be timid and to quickly acquiesce by even the strongest of rebellious souls. With this in mind, “they asked.”
 
The verb is imperfect. Rather than, “they asked,” it more appropriately says, “they were asking.” One gets the sense of an interrogation being conducted and various people speaking out the same thing again and again. This doesn’t necessarily mean an unorderly questioning, but a repeated one. This occurred when Christ healed a blind man –
 
“Then they said to him again, ‘What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?’27 He answered them, ‘I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?’” John 9:26, 27
 
This is the same sense now. They asked and they kept on asking, trying to find a hole in the story of the apostles. And their question is, “By what power.” The Greek reads, “In what power.” There is a power that exists, and that power has extended to the apostles. As a man does not possess such power in and of himself, it is understood that the power they wield comes from a source external to them, even if it now comes through them.
 
It is similar to the question put before Christ as he stood before the leaders in the temple –
 
“Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ‘By [literally: “in”] what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?’” Matthew 21:23
 
It is understood that authority bestows power. They understood that Christ Jesus bore the power. Therefore, the question presented to Him asked of the authority that granted the power. Here, in Acts, the leaders are simply first asking what kind of power was possessed by the men. Next, they ask, “or by what name.”
 
Again, the Greek reads, “or in what name.” This is the same as when Jesus was asked, “By [literally: “in”] what authority.” A name is to be taken synonymously with the authority. If a king calls for someone to be arrested or executed, it is in his name that this occurs. His name is the legal authority for the action.
 
The leaders are trying to determine the source of what has occurred, but the question is put in a most derogative manner. This is seen in the final words where the English does not convey the sense of the Greek, “have you done this?”
 
The order of the words in the Greek is, “did this you.” First, the explanation for the word “this” is left off. Instead of saying, “did this miracle,” or “did this sign,” it simply says “this.” There is a note of contempt for those through whom the miracle was accomplished.
 
Secondly, the question ending with “you” is a way of heaping contempt on them. A long and flowery paraphrase may help convey the meaning – “You? You are country hicks from Galilee. And you did this? C’mon, tell us the story! We’re surprised you can even feed yourselves. So how did YOU do this?”
 
Life application: When talking about sharing the gospel, there is often the sense from one of the people in the conversation that they are “just not good at it.” This may mean a multitude of things, but one of them is, “I am just not an effective speaker.” Another may be, “I get intimidated by the people I want to talk to.”
 
Such things should be entirely erased from the mind. The gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). The gospel is not, the power of (insert your name here). It is the power of God. What is there to be intimidated over? What is there that you cannot effectively speak forth?
 
All you need to do is to remember the simple gospel, be able to explain it, and let it be accepted or rejected by the one who hears. A child can do this because even a child can understand what the gospel signifies. Be bold about the power of God that is found in the gospel. Be willing to speak it forth! And then, when you have done your job, find someone else to tell it to.
 
Lord God, may we be bold in the proclamation of that which contains your power to save. May we be willing to simply speak forth the gospel as responsible members of Your church. Give us the desire and strength of character to do so. Amen.
 

Acts 4:6

 Saturday, 8 January 2022
 
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. Acts 4:6
 
The previous verse noted the rulers, elders, and scribes. Now, added to them, Luke says, “as well as Annas the high priest.” Of him, Albert Barnes notes in his commentary from John 18:13 –
 
“He had been himself a long time high priest; he had had five sons who had successively enjoyed the office of high priest, and that office was now filled by his son-in-law. It was of importance, therefore, to obtain his sanction and counsel in their work of evil.”
 
As he is called the high priest now, it adds a note of difficulty to the overall narrative because of the next person’s name, Caiaphas. In John 18, it says –
 
“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.” John 18:12, 13
 
Caiaphas is called the “high priest that year” by John. He was the son-in-law of Annas. Assuming this is shortly after the ascension of Christ, then the narrative gets a bit confusing. However, this could be telling us the events are happening later in the year. Israel had two calendars by which they conducted their affairs.
 
One began in the springtime in the month of Aviv, which is known as Nisan. That calendar is focused on the Lord’s redemptive narrative (see Exodus 12:2). The other began in the fall in the month of Tishri. That is used in the Old Testament for civil matters and is considered the regnant, or royal calendar. It could be that by this time, the office of high priest had returned to Caiaphas. Of the confusing nature of the appointment of the high priests, the Pulpit Commentary says –
 
“The succession of the high priests was so irregular, and their tenure of the office so uncertain, in these later years of the Jewish commonwealth, being dependent upon the caprice of the civil rulers who appointed and deposed them at their pleasure, that it does not surprise us to find Annas and Caiaphas high priests at the commencement of John the Baptist's ministry, then Caiaphas at the time of our Lord's passion, and now Annas again. It is possible, however, that Annas may have continued to be president of the Sanhedrim, and be called high priest, even when not actually so.”
 
No matter what, there is not necessarily any contradiction between John 18 and Luke’s note here. And, indeed, it is certain there is not. Of these two, Charles Ellicott also provides insight –
 
“These are mentioned by themselves as representing the section that had probably convened the meeting, and came in as if to dominate its proceedings. The order of the first two names is the same as in Luke 3:2, and as that implied in John 18:13; John 18:24. Annas, or Ananus, had been made high priest by Quirinus, the Governor of Syria, filled the office A.D. 7-15, and lived to see five of his sons occupy it after him. At this time, Joseph Caiaphas was the actual high priest, ... having been appointed in A.D. 17. He was deposed A.D. 37. He had married the daughter of Annas; and the latter seems to have exercised a dominant influence, perhaps, as the Nasi, the Prince, or President, of the Sanhedrin, during the remainder of his life. If he presided on this occasion, it may explain St. Luke’s calling him “the high priest.”
 
Along with these two, Luke mentions “John, and Alexander.” Of these two, the Pulpit Commentary says –
 
“Of John and Alexander nothing further is known, but Farrar conjectures that John may be "the celebrated Johanan Ben Zakkai, and Alexander perhaps the wealthy brother of Philo.”
 
Regardless to their identity, they were known at the time of Luke’s writing, and thus they add validity to his narrative that would otherwise be lacking. Along with these, it next says, “and as many as were of the family of the high priest.”
 
These would be people of prominence and some measure of status and even possibly of authority. Some speculate that they would be of the party of the Sadducees. Others think they may have become members of the Sanhedrin. Luke finishes the thought, saying that they “were gathered together at Jerusalem.”
 
The words “at Jerusalem” are not unimportant. Rather, Luke – as led by the Holy Spirit – is clearly indicating the seat of power and authority of the nation. As such, their decision will affect the entire nation. The collective guilt of the people exists because of their rejection of Christ. That national guilt will only be atoned for when Jerusalem, the seat of the nation’s power, repents.
 
For now, it is certain that all of these chief officials are noted to show that there was a great resistance to the word of the apostles, and they had gathered in force to intimidate them into silence. Will this come about? Or will the testimony of these two apostles convert the hearts of these leaders?
 
Life application: These are generally the same men who were gathered together to hold trial against Jesus. They had violated the law in many remarkable ways in their interrogation and sentencing of the Lord. As such, they felt they were above the law. But the law issued from Moses and Moses received it from the Lord. One can see that there was no true fear of God for them to have done the things they did. Now, Peter and John have been hauled before them to receive their own interrogation.
 
In the world today, there is a state of increasing wickedness. The thought of “God” is one of intimidation for those who can be intimidated by religious authority, but it is certain there is no fear of God in those same people. As such, there is no care about truth, justice, or pursuing that which is righteous. Judges make arbitrary decisions without any fear of God, nor with any care for the rule of law.
 
Therefore, should you be brought before such people for trial, you can expect that you will not be treated fairly if you are an avowed Christian. As such, you should probably firmly resolve, in advance, that you will uphold your faith in Christ at all costs. If you have a fear of God, and if you are certain that the message of Jesus Christ is true, then you must be willing to live by that. Have faith that He will, in fact, deliver you. It may not be deliverance from prison or execution, but He will deliver you unto Himself – just as He has promised.
 
Have faith, pronounce your faith without fear, and let the chips fall where they may.
 
Lord God Almighty, we know that the message of Jesus is true. We know that we have You on our side because of our faith in Him. Give us the courage and the resolve to stand fast in our proclamation of the truth of the gospel and of the faith that saves men. Help us to always be willing to stand up and proclaim JESUS. Amen.

Acts 4:5

Friday, 7 January 2022
 
And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, Acts 4:5
 
The words of this verse are in response to what has happened in verses 4:1-3. Some of the leaders gathered together against Peter and John because of their preaching, they laid hands on them, and they put them in custody “until the next day” (4:3). Now, that time has arrived. Luke says, “And it came to pass, on the next day.”
 
Peter and John were incarcerated all night. With the coming of the new day, Luke records that there was a gathering of the leaders of Israel. This included “their rulers.” The Greek is archón. It signifies one of first rank or power. This is referring to the Sanhedrin or ruling seventy of Israel. In verse 4:15, the gathering will be called a “council.” As such, it certainly would have included some or all of the Sanhedrin. Saying “their” rules, it indicates that this is a Gentile author writing to a Gentile audience. That is a reasonable inference to be made. Next, he says, “elders.”
 
The Greek words is presbuteros. It refers to a mature person who is considered one of seasoned judgment. What their distinction from the Sanhedrin is cannot be certain, but they surley held some position of importance. Along with them, it then says, “and scribes.”
 
The Greek is grammateus. This would be a person learned in the law and thus a religious teacher. Ezra was a scribe as is noted in Ezra 7:6 and elsewhere. These men would have kept recordings of court cases, probably the registers maintained in synagogues, and so on. They would have also kept genealogical records, provided receipts for sales of land and other such things, issued bills of divorce, and so on. Their functions would be more societal rather than religious in nature.
 
These, and more to be listed in the coming verse, are gathered together to consider the matter of the arrest. It is not at all unlike what had happened in the not too distant past concerning the arrest of another Man –
 
“As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, 67 ‘If You are the Christ, tell us.’” Luke 22:66, 67
 
Life application: To this day, people around the world are gathered together to judge matters concerning those who preach the gospel of Christ. In once-Christian nations, preachers are arrested for simply speaking out the words of Scripture and telling people to turn to (or back to) the Lord.
 
Telling someone that there is only one path to God is deemed offensive. Telling someone that his path to God is false is termed “hate speech.” Because of this people are handcuffed and put in prison. And yet, the fact is that there is only one path to God, and anyone who seeks God apart from Jesus Christ is following a false message.
 
How willing are you to actually speak what the Bible proclaims? Is it worth being ostracized by friends or family? Or is it easier to just keep your mouth shut and to keep the words of life and restoration to yourself? To what extent are you willing to go to share what others simply cannot do without?
 
Lord God, help us to never be ashamed of the gospel. May we be willing to proclaim it at all times and in a manner that does not water down the truth of what is conveys. Help us to be bold in our proclamation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

Acts 4:4

 Thursday, 6 January 2022
 
However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. Acts 4:4
 
The previous verse referred to arresting Peter and John and taking them into custody until the next day. Despite this, their words to the people were not without effect. This is seen as Luke continues, saying, “However, many of those who heard the word.” This is referring to those mentioned in Acts 3:11 –
 
“Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.”
 
No indication of how many were gathered is given, but it would have been no small number. The people were amazed and curious concerning the healing of the beggar, and they would want to know everything they could about the matter. Because of this, they were willing to listen to Peter’s discourse for several hours.
 
Eventually, the leaders got word of what was going on and were furious that Jesus Christ was being portrayed as resurrected. But it was during this time of Peter speaking that the people were convinced and many “believed.”
 
This clearly indicates that they had “repented” as Peter told them to do in Acts 3:19. They were a part of the nation that had crucified the Lord Jesus, and they had changed their minds about what happened. No longer was Jesus rejected by them, but rather they had accepted that He died for their sins and rose again. Thus, those who believed were saved upon their faith in Christ. This is the intent of what is conveyed by Luke. As such, it demonstrates that they were saved by faith alone in the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. With this noted, Luke next records, “and the number of the men.”
 
This is the general way that numbers were reckoned. It is found time and again in Scripture –
 
“You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. 14 And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. 15 Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.
16 “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:13-17
 
All people were to attend each pilgrim feast, without exception. However, the reckoning is based upon the males. Likewise, it says in Matthew –
 
“Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” Matthew 14:18-21
 
In the feeding of the five thousand, only the men were counted. As such, the number was at least double and possibly triple or more of that number, depending on how many family members were present. Based on Luke’s wording, the same is probably true here. The men are counted, standing as representative of those who accompanied them. With this understood, Luke provides the numbers, saying, “came to be about five thousand.”
 
Some older translations like the Geneva and the KJV say the number “was” about five thousand. This gives a false sense of what is being conveyed by Luke. It was not five thousand who had been converted, but the number of believers had grown (in total) to about five thousand men. Before Pentecost, in Acts 1:15, there were recorded one hundred and twenty believers. On Pentecost, it says that “three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 3:41).
 
In that account, it does not specify men, but that may be the case. However, Luke’s specificity now in Acts 4 indicates a body of about five thousand men, meaning a much larger body of believing family would be counted in that number as well. It is a large amount, but it is still only a very small portion of Israel, and it does not include the leaders who must be a part of the faith before a true national turning can be considered for the coming of the promised times of refreshing Peter spoke of in Acts 3:19.
 
Life application: No dating is given concerning the event which has taken place. It could have been days, weeks, or months after Pentecost. The matter is not included by Luke because that is not what was important. The fact that the event happened, and that many believed, is what is important.
 
Further, the number of believers had increased now to about five thousand men. However long that took, it is the result that is focused on. It is a good lesson. If we get caught up on setting numbers in a ministry, the focus is all wrong. We are to enter into the ministry, in whatever particular job we do, without worrying about numbers. We are to continue to minister whether there are five or five hundred.
 
It is very easy to get so caught up in numbers, such as YouTube views, that we forget that what we should be doing is simply the thing we have been called to do. If we are doing our job properly, and in accord with Scripture, then what we are doing is proper. It doesn’t matter if we have seats filled in a stadium of fifty thousand people if what we are doing is not in accord with the word of God. If it is not, the ministry is to be considered a failure.
 
Can you imagine the Lord saying, “What you did was not in accord with My word, but the result was effective, so here is a big reward for you.”? No. The ends never justify the means, if the means are not aligned with God’s word. Be content with what you do for Christ if what you are doing is done in obedience.
 
It is certain that the faithful in heart who quietly sit in church on Sunday and the only thing they have to offer is a small monetary gift or a box of donuts for the ministry are more pleasing to the Lord than a preacher with a hundred thousand followers on YouTube, but who misuses the word of God. The former will receive their reward while the latter will be punished for his disobedience.
 
Heavenly Father, help us to have our priorities right. May we not feel that what we do for You is lacking just because it is not great in the eyes of the world. Even the small things we do, when done with a right heart toward You, are pleasing in Your eyes. Help us to remember that this is so. Amen.

Acts 4:3

Wednesday, 5 January 2022
 
And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. Acts 4:3
 
The authorities had come upon Peter and John who were presenting words concerning the resurrection to the people. In their disturbed state, it next says, “And they laid hands on them.”  The obvious meaning is that being men of authority, they were arresting them. Of these words, the Pulpit Commentary notes –
 
“The harsh persecution of the disciples at Jerusalem at this time when the Sadducees were in power is in exact accordance with Josephus's statement in the passage just referred to, that the Sadducees were more severe and cruel in their administration of justice than any other Jews. Their tenet of no life to come made them look to severe punishments in this life.”
 
As there were more than just Sadducees there, this may be a stretch of the analysis, but the truth of the statement concerning the Sadducees is still relevant to their attitude concerning matters of life. With their arrest, it next says, “and put them in custody.”
 
The word is new to Scripture, térésis. It signifies the state of safely keeping something. It will be seen again in Acts 5:18 concerning a public jail, and then again in 1 Corinthians 7:19 where it refers to the keeping of the commandments.
 
This is less of a punishment than it is a way of simply holding them over for a trial. There is a perceived offense that has been committed. As such, there will be an evaluation of that offense, but it will not occur “until the next day.”
 
Some believe this is based on the words of Jeremiah 21:12, where it says, “Execute judgment in the morning.” If this is correct, then it would show the illegal nature of Christ’s trial which was held, at least partially, at night. That is recorded in Matthew 26. As for Peter and John, they would be held in custody for a trial the next day. Luke records the reason as the verse finishes, saying, “for it was already evening.”
 
Acts 3:1 had said that “Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.” As this verse says it was already evening time, it would now be about 6pm. Therefore, from the time of their entering through the gate and meeting the beggar until their arrest was about three hours. It would have been an afternoon filled with their imploring the people to heed the message concerning Christ Jesus. Eventually word got to the leaders by some offended soul, and their coming to make the arrest came about.
 
Life application: The comment about the Sadducees by the Pulpit Commentary is valid, even if that is not the reason for their arresting Peter and John. Sadducees are specifically noted three times in Scripture. Each time, it also notes that they say there is no resurrection. Once, in Acts 23:8, it also says they believe there are no angels or spirits.
 
Regardless of the last points, the fact that they denied any resurrection sets them off as men without any true hope. Their state is reflected in the words of David –
 
“Arise, O Lord,Confront him, cast him down;Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,14 With Your hand from men, O Lord,From men of the world who have their portion in this life.” Psalm 17:13, 14
 
If man’s portion is only in this life, then his attitude will reflect that. However, if a man truly believes in an after-life, his attitude will then reflect that. And further, if a man not only believes in an after-life, but also has the absolute surety of attaining the promises of eternal restoration with God because of the cleansing power of Christ, his life will reflect that as well.
 
The state of the world in which we live has become one which is turning more and more towards a hope and a portion in this life only. Because of that, the conduct of the people who believe this, especially when they are in power, will reflect this belief.
 
The doctrine of evolution has brought about an entire change in the thinking of humanity. If we are evolved from unthinking slime, and if we will return to nothing but corruption without any further hope, then the natural inclination is to get everything you can, while you can get it. Why not! “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. And when we die, there will be nothing left to gain.”
 
It is a hopeless, tragic, attitude that more and more permeates the world. And with it comes a diminished value of others in the eyes of those who hold it. “If I am a bug’s descendant, and he is too, then I might as well try to squash him before he squashes me.”
 
Thank God for Jesus Christ who gives man a hope that transcends this fallen, broken, and evil existence. For those who possess the surety of eternal life, there is a contentment that transcends the temporary and depressing nature of this current walk. There is a hope of eternal joy in the presence of God in a state that we cannot yet comprehend. This is the wonder of the hope that is found in Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us rejoice in Him no matter what our current state is like. Yes, let us rejoice in our Savior!
 
Lord God, no matter what happens in this life, we possess a hope that transcends the evils we may face. We have this hope because You have sent Jesus. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.