Pause for thought

Peter and John’s zeal for the Lord was so strong they could not keep quiet even when threatened. But they knew where their power lay. Which is why when they met together with the rest of the believers they prayed for more boldness, the Lord replied by filling them all again with a fresh dose of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “if anyone acknowledges me publicly here on Earth , I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven” Mathew 10:32. Our relationship with Jesus although personal is never meant to be kept a secret.

Notice that the disciples didn’t pray for a change of circumstance or a more favourable atmosphere, but for Holy Spirit boldness and more opportunity to do signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. Sometimes we may feel discomfort when we talk about Jesus but personal discomfort is not necessarily persecution. Some set backs can spur us to be more courageous. Christian boldness is never reckless but requires courage to press on despite our fears 4:29.

As the believers prayed they quoted from psalm two, this prophetic psalm foretold the opposition against Christ from the very beginning of His ministry to His Crucifixion. What His will determines, His power carries out. No Army, government, or council is able to stand in Gods way. N.L.T. Foot note 4:28

God’s Sovereignty does not mean that those who were involved in the crucifixion were unable to exercise free will 4:27-28.

A verse to remember

In fact everything they did occurred according to your eternal will and plan. And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give your servants great boldness in their preaching. Acts 4:28-29 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

The Sadducee’s who did not believe in miracles or in the resurrection were confronted by a man who had been crippled, but now miraculously healed in the name of Jesus whose death they had consented to. This miracle was evidence that Jesus really was alive from the dead and certainly no rumour4:1-2.

The truth of Christs resurrection as proven by the now healed cripple, challenged the views is the Sanhedrin. And when they asked Peter and John “by what power and name have you done this?” Peter did not back down but told it just as it was, This man is whole because God has raised Jesus from the dead and Jesus has healed this man!

Peter and John were bold because they were full of the Holy Spirit, the Sanhedrin recognised that they had been with Jesus. Our testimony maters, do people see a difference in us compared to unbelievers? if not why not? if they do then give God the glory, and keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit like Peter and John 4:13.

All roads do not lead to God, some unbelievers react negatively to this fact “Jesus is the only way to heaven” This is not something the early church decided; it’s what Jesus himself taught, please read John 14:6 there is only one way to be saved from our sins.

A verse to remember

“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 N.K.J.V.

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Pause for thought
“A certain man” 3:2 We are not given the man’s name but we can be sure that he was known by God. No one is unknown to God, what a wonderful thought, we are each known by God, and like this “certain man” we may still be living a beggarly life when God has something much better in store for us. Full Salvation! 3:2

Peter and John were both involved in this healing, notice the man was to look at both Peter and John. As on the day of Pentecost Peter preached but all the apostles stood with Him 2:14. They got the attention of the cripple who was no doubt expecting some money. They spoke a command in the Name of Jesus and a miracle of healing happened Acts 3:6

As they prayed in Jesus name they were exercising the authority that Jesus himself has given them. Peter and John were doing the healing through the Holy Spirit’s power, not their own. Acts 3:6.

The man who had been crippled accompanied the apostles into the Temple, He knew who was responsible for his healing for as he jumped and walked he was praising and giving thanks to God. Thanksgiving is an expression of our faith and often cements in our hearts what God has done , but is not always taught as such.3:8.

When Peter and John met the crippled begged it was not a chance encounter it was a God incident! But it’s unlikely they were expecting what was about to happen. But they were ready! because they were aware of who was in them and on them, the blessed Holy Spirit! But Peter still needed to make a faith statement “ What I have I give unto you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” Yet Not I but through Christ in Me. Acts3:6

A verse to remember

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 N.K.J.V.

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Pause for thought.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever Hebrews 13:8.

Jesus Christ is fully man and fully God. He ascended into heaven in His human glorified body, He was taken up in a cloud (the shekinah glory?) In doing so He fulfilled scripture and completed the work of redemption, and received the seal of His fathers approval to send the Holy Spirit Acts 1:9-11 and John 7:39.

Jesus is our great high priest who ever lives to make intercession for us for He has carried humanity back to heaven he knows our weaknesses Hebrews 4:15.

When will Christ return? We don’t know! But we do know how and where, and that He will be the same Jesus who ascended with great glory Acts 1:11.

Matthias or Joseph? The call for an Apostle to take the place of Judas was according to scripture prophecy, Psalm 69:25, The New apostles credentials were that they had been with Jesus from the start of Christ’s ministry and a witness of the resurrection and ascension, lots were cast in faith and the decision was the Lords. Some have speculated that perhaps Paul should have been the twelfth apostle? But Paul came no where near to meeting the conditions Peter laid out before the disciples gathered in the upper room. Jesus called Paul on the Damascus road and Paul “saw” Jesus in a vision and was subsequently called by Jesus to be an Apostle to the gentiles. However the scriptures testify that Matthias was rightly chosen to replace Judas Acts 1:21-26

A verse to remember.

This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. Acts 1:11 (b) N.K.J.

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Acts was written about A.D. 62. It’s theme the work of the Holy Spirit in the early Church. Believed to be written by Dr Luke an associate of Paul the apostle, for Theophilus a Roman official. Luke wrote his gospel and now writes an account of the acts of the early church making it clear that this is but a continuation of the work of the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit.
                                                    Pause for thought

We read in Luke 4:18-19 that Jesus began to teach about the Kingdom of God through the Holy Spirits power, now he is about to give this power and responsibility to his disciples 1:1.

For many infallible proofs read 1 Corinthians 15:1-9. We have the testimony of the scriptures and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit 1:3

You shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit, every Christian receives the Spirit at conversion, but to be baptised in or with the Spirit is often seen as a work distinct from conversion. the baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to empower the church for ministry 1:8.

The Scriptures speak of three baptisms. each baptism has a candidate, a baptiser and an element.

At the moment of salvation we are Baptised into one body 1 Corinthians 12:13. The candidate is the believer, the baptiser is the Holy Spirit, the element is the church.

As soon as possible we need to get baptised, Believers baptism Acts 8:38 The candidate is the believer, the baptiser is a Pastor, the element is water.

This is the birthright of every believer, get Baptised with the Holy Spirit Acts 1: 5 The candidate is the believer, the baptiser is Jesus Christ, the element is the Holy Spirit.

A verse to remember

The former account I made O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach Acts 1:1. N.K.J.

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