For a while now I've been thinking about doing a blog on how seeing is not believing. For Christians, this is a pretty obvious statement as we rely on faith. For some though, the phrase "seeing is believing" is common logic. I think even Christians to some extent are looking for proof in some form or another. For those without faith, believing without seeing impossible. But faith can be acquired and it can be strengthened. There are loads of examples throughout the Bible dealing with this topic and I'm going to study up on this and do a blog soon.
I came across an example of "seeing is not believing" during Wednesday night Bible study. While it is fresh in my mind, I'll write it down just to jump start the upcoming blog.
Mark 1:40
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If you are willing, You can make me clean." 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him , and sent him away at once...
Yes, the leper saw the result of being healed, but he needed faith in order to see the result. Had he not first believed that Jesus could heal him, he would have not asked and therefore not been healed. He believed without seeing.
This is one of many examples to touch on in the next blog. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Bring it On!
What a week this has been. When I became an SID, these are the weeks the old-timers warned me about. I haven't been home before 7:15 any night so far and I'm heading out of town tomorrow afternoon and won't be back until around midnight Friday. THEN, we have three home games Saturday.
But you know what, it's made easier because I know spring is here. Or at least really close. I love the spring. Great weather, the grass gets green, I can golf again. I just feel happier in spring. I think almost every does. I am happy, but I can't help but notice that there are many around me that aren't. There are many reasons why they aren't. Sickness, financial troubles, issues at work. No matter what it is, we should not be disheartened or afraid.
Psalm 27
"The Lord is my light and my salvation'; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
"...For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me...I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord."
This might be one of the most uplifting chapters in the Bible. It gives me so much confidence. After reading it I almost feel like shouting, "bring it on!" With God on my side, there is nothing I can't overcome.
I hope those that are having problems in their lives right now take look at this verse and understand what God can truly do.
But you know what, it's made easier because I know spring is here. Or at least really close. I love the spring. Great weather, the grass gets green, I can golf again. I just feel happier in spring. I think almost every does. I am happy, but I can't help but notice that there are many around me that aren't. There are many reasons why they aren't. Sickness, financial troubles, issues at work. No matter what it is, we should not be disheartened or afraid.
Psalm 27
"The Lord is my light and my salvation'; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
"...For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me...I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord."
This might be one of the most uplifting chapters in the Bible. It gives me so much confidence. After reading it I almost feel like shouting, "bring it on!" With God on my side, there is nothing I can't overcome.
I hope those that are having problems in their lives right now take look at this verse and understand what God can truly do.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Take Some Advice
I wasn't entirely sure what to blog about tonight, so I decided to just open the Bible and see what I found. While flipping through, I came upon Ecclesiastes, and I started to read a bit of it. In reading snippets, it seems as the author (probably Solomon) was in a state of depression or maybe just a bitter old man when he wrote the book. But as I read a bit more, that wasn't the case at all.
OK, maybe Solomon was an old man, and likely very cynical at this point in his life, but just like Proverbs, the book of Ecclesiastes offers much wisdom. Solomon is almost unanimously regarded as the wisest man that ever lived, and he received that knowledge directly from God upon request.
All too often we get wrapped up in trying to be the best at everything. We must win the game, get the job, get the girl. What does it profit us? Solomon says nothing, because all is vanity. I can't count how many times people become depressed and vainly look for "the meaning of life," or fill a void with something that as Solomon wrote, is "grasping at the wind." In other words, we are looking and searching for something we think will make us happy but can never attain it.
If we believe Solomon is the wisest man that ever lived, maybe we should take his advice. In 2:26, he wrote "For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight..."
Ecclesiastes is an interesting book. Like I said before, reading a verse here and there doesn't provide the full scope and can give a wrong impression. But read it start to finish and it really is beautiful. Not only does it offer advice, but it explains and depicts the eternal majesty and power of God.
OK, maybe Solomon was an old man, and likely very cynical at this point in his life, but just like Proverbs, the book of Ecclesiastes offers much wisdom. Solomon is almost unanimously regarded as the wisest man that ever lived, and he received that knowledge directly from God upon request.
All too often we get wrapped up in trying to be the best at everything. We must win the game, get the job, get the girl. What does it profit us? Solomon says nothing, because all is vanity. I can't count how many times people become depressed and vainly look for "the meaning of life," or fill a void with something that as Solomon wrote, is "grasping at the wind." In other words, we are looking and searching for something we think will make us happy but can never attain it.
If we believe Solomon is the wisest man that ever lived, maybe we should take his advice. In 2:26, he wrote "For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight..."
Ecclesiastes is an interesting book. Like I said before, reading a verse here and there doesn't provide the full scope and can give a wrong impression. But read it start to finish and it really is beautiful. Not only does it offer advice, but it explains and depicts the eternal majesty and power of God.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Back into Acts
This week was incredibly busy and this is the first moment I've had to sit down and get back into Acts and the forming of my testimony. I left off in Acts 16.
Acts 16: 25-34 - This is the well known account of the Philippian jailer. This is an instance where a major event happened in the jailer's life, leading him to seek out salvation. The interesting thing about this story is that the jailer knew exactly who to speak to. He went right to Paul and Silas and asked "What must I do to be saved?" Remember, Paul and Silas were in prison singing hymns and praying. That's a perfect example of the overwhelming joy and boldness we can find in God. It didn't take a sermon to convince the jailer. His heart was already open. He was simply seeking direction. Paul told him, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." But they didn't leave it at that. Paul and Silas "spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house" (verse 32). They then took them out to be baptized. Paul and Silas did not leave the jailer, knew in his faith, immediately after his conversion. Again, the apostles showed us the importance of helping new Christians through their "infancy."
Acts 17 - Paul stands up in Athens and preaches to the people about the object they worshipped which had an inscription "To the Unknown God." The people of Athens were worshipping many gods and seemingly just to be safe, they created an idol for one they did not know. Paul explained to them that this unknown god was not one of gold or silver or stone, but rather the one that made the heavens and earth and "does not dwell in temples made with hands." Paul starts from the very beginning, explaining that God made everything and concluded at the end, saying that there will come a day when God will judge man through Jesus, who was raised from the dead.
I can think of no better place to start that the beginning. Many people, though, are not easily sold on Creation. But to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you must believe that God created the earth. Christians today face this battle every day in spreading the gospel. Science is continually trying to solve the mysteries of the universe but continually fall short. The answers to everything are found in the Bible--the beginning and the end. Paul made sure to tell the Athenians what has happened and what will happen. And most importantly, that Jesus resurrected to defeat death, that we may be righteous at the final judgement.
Acts 19:1-7 - In the last part of chapter 18 and the first part of chapter 19, Luke tells us about a man named Apollos, who was a man mighty in the scriptures and fervent in spirit. However, there was one problem. He only knew of the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila explained things to him more accurately, and Apollos went on to be a great speaker of the truth. But Apollos had already spread the word of John's baptism, and that's where chapter 19 picks up. Paul runs into some believers that had heard the word from Apollos and knew only of John's baptism. There isn't a word-for-word account of any testimony here, but we see the importance of baptism. The men were believers but had been baptized into John's baptism. If baptism were not important, or an after thought, as so many Christians seem to make it out to be, Paul would have not corrected them and baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus. Baptism is important, and Paul shows that it is necessary.
Acts 26 - Throughout this chapter, Paul is speaking to King Agrippa, appealing his arrest. Starting in verse 12, he tells the king of his own conversion. Paul's conversion was quite miraculous. He heard Jesus speaking to him, was struck blind and later made well. Some Christians have amazing stories of their conversion. Some do not. I am one of the latter. I remember being at one of those weekly revivals when I was very young. For the first time in my life, what I heard being preached, Jesus' death and resurrection, really struck me in my heart. I had grown up in a church all my life and had heard the story countless times. Maybe it was just growing older and being able to understand the magnitude of Jesus' love and sacrifice, but I was convinced. When I went home, I lied in my bed and asked Jesus to be my Savior. Later, I was baptized. Because I came to Jesus so young, I never had to overcome some great trial or temptation. I never had to fight unbelief. Sometimes I wish I had a story like Paul's, but when I think about it, I am grateful that I never had to face those difficult times. And later, when those temptations came, I was ready to face them. I am eternally grateful to God for that.
The lesson to be learned from Paul's testimony in chapter 26 is each Christian's personal conversion is special and amazing regardless of the circumstances surrounding it. There may have been no beam of light or vision that led you to the truth, but the fact that your heart was opened and you were forgiven by God through Jesus' death and resurrection is miraculous in its own right. Each Christian's conversion is different, but it is uniquely special, and there is no doubt in my mind that the God that created the heavens and eart (and each of us) knew the exact message we needed to hear at that exact moment in our lives. Maybe I don't know for sure why my heart was opened on that particular night, but it happened that way for a reason. And God has intended for me to share that story--as unmiraculous as it may seem--to others.
This journey through Acts has been so benefical. I believe that now I have my testimony. Time to start using it.
Acts 16: 25-34 - This is the well known account of the Philippian jailer. This is an instance where a major event happened in the jailer's life, leading him to seek out salvation. The interesting thing about this story is that the jailer knew exactly who to speak to. He went right to Paul and Silas and asked "What must I do to be saved?" Remember, Paul and Silas were in prison singing hymns and praying. That's a perfect example of the overwhelming joy and boldness we can find in God. It didn't take a sermon to convince the jailer. His heart was already open. He was simply seeking direction. Paul told him, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." But they didn't leave it at that. Paul and Silas "spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house" (verse 32). They then took them out to be baptized. Paul and Silas did not leave the jailer, knew in his faith, immediately after his conversion. Again, the apostles showed us the importance of helping new Christians through their "infancy."
Acts 17 - Paul stands up in Athens and preaches to the people about the object they worshipped which had an inscription "To the Unknown God." The people of Athens were worshipping many gods and seemingly just to be safe, they created an idol for one they did not know. Paul explained to them that this unknown god was not one of gold or silver or stone, but rather the one that made the heavens and earth and "does not dwell in temples made with hands." Paul starts from the very beginning, explaining that God made everything and concluded at the end, saying that there will come a day when God will judge man through Jesus, who was raised from the dead.
I can think of no better place to start that the beginning. Many people, though, are not easily sold on Creation. But to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you must believe that God created the earth. Christians today face this battle every day in spreading the gospel. Science is continually trying to solve the mysteries of the universe but continually fall short. The answers to everything are found in the Bible--the beginning and the end. Paul made sure to tell the Athenians what has happened and what will happen. And most importantly, that Jesus resurrected to defeat death, that we may be righteous at the final judgement.
Acts 19:1-7 - In the last part of chapter 18 and the first part of chapter 19, Luke tells us about a man named Apollos, who was a man mighty in the scriptures and fervent in spirit. However, there was one problem. He only knew of the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila explained things to him more accurately, and Apollos went on to be a great speaker of the truth. But Apollos had already spread the word of John's baptism, and that's where chapter 19 picks up. Paul runs into some believers that had heard the word from Apollos and knew only of John's baptism. There isn't a word-for-word account of any testimony here, but we see the importance of baptism. The men were believers but had been baptized into John's baptism. If baptism were not important, or an after thought, as so many Christians seem to make it out to be, Paul would have not corrected them and baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus. Baptism is important, and Paul shows that it is necessary.
Acts 26 - Throughout this chapter, Paul is speaking to King Agrippa, appealing his arrest. Starting in verse 12, he tells the king of his own conversion. Paul's conversion was quite miraculous. He heard Jesus speaking to him, was struck blind and later made well. Some Christians have amazing stories of their conversion. Some do not. I am one of the latter. I remember being at one of those weekly revivals when I was very young. For the first time in my life, what I heard being preached, Jesus' death and resurrection, really struck me in my heart. I had grown up in a church all my life and had heard the story countless times. Maybe it was just growing older and being able to understand the magnitude of Jesus' love and sacrifice, but I was convinced. When I went home, I lied in my bed and asked Jesus to be my Savior. Later, I was baptized. Because I came to Jesus so young, I never had to overcome some great trial or temptation. I never had to fight unbelief. Sometimes I wish I had a story like Paul's, but when I think about it, I am grateful that I never had to face those difficult times. And later, when those temptations came, I was ready to face them. I am eternally grateful to God for that.
The lesson to be learned from Paul's testimony in chapter 26 is each Christian's personal conversion is special and amazing regardless of the circumstances surrounding it. There may have been no beam of light or vision that led you to the truth, but the fact that your heart was opened and you were forgiven by God through Jesus' death and resurrection is miraculous in its own right. Each Christian's conversion is different, but it is uniquely special, and there is no doubt in my mind that the God that created the heavens and eart (and each of us) knew the exact message we needed to hear at that exact moment in our lives. Maybe I don't know for sure why my heart was opened on that particular night, but it happened that way for a reason. And God has intended for me to share that story--as unmiraculous as it may seem--to others.
This journey through Acts has been so benefical. I believe that now I have my testimony. Time to start using it.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Forming a Testimony - Part 3
As you can see from the title, we are plugging through Acts. Let's get right to it.
Acts 10 - This chapter is literally a watershed moment in the history of Christianity. Peter sees a vision about unclean animals and God tells him eat. Prior to this vision, the gospel was being preached only to the Jews. This vision symbolized the tearing down of boundary between Jew and Gentile and that God was going to pour His Holy Spirit out on the Gentiles. Not coincidentally, Cornelius, a Roman centurion (a gentile) was a told in a vision to call for Peter. Upon Peter's arrival, he shares his vision, and his testimony.
He begins by saying "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." That is kind of like what we saw yesterday with the conversion of Saul. Any sinner can be saved.
Peter continues by saying that Jesus was anointed by God and that he was killed and raised on the third day. He said that many witnesses saw Jesus after His resurrection.
In verse 42, for the first time, we see a justification for sharing the gospel in a testimony. "He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead." I think this part is important to remember because a situation may arise where the person you are testifying to will say, "why do you care what happens to me." This gives us an answer.
Peter concluded by saying "To Him all prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." The Holy Spirit was then poured out, the people spoke in tongues and Peter then commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
I am definitely seeing a pattern in the apostles testimony. It is key to point out that they ALWAYS build the testimony on scripture, say who Jesus was and that He died and rose again. And there is always an explanation on HOW to be saved. The apostles never left those listening high and dry and wondering, "what should I do now?"
Something else I've noticed is that many times the apostles would stay a few days in the place that they preached or where people had just been saved. This isn't always the case, but I think there is a reason for this. People who have just been saved certainly have many questions about where to go from there. The apostles may have stayed to answer those questions and help the people in their Christian infancy. Any time someone near us is saved, it is an obligation to keep tabs on them and help them through any temptations and pitfalls.
Acts 16:11-15 - There is no word-for-word account of Paul and Luke's testimony to Lydia, but it does say that she worshiped God prior to her being saved. It also says that the Lord opened her heart o heed the things spoken by Paul. This should give any of us sharing a testimony confidence and reinforcement. We just have to share the word, God does the rest.
Well, there are 12 more chapters in the book of Acts, so I'm thinking three more blogs and I should have my own testimony.
Acts 10 - This chapter is literally a watershed moment in the history of Christianity. Peter sees a vision about unclean animals and God tells him eat. Prior to this vision, the gospel was being preached only to the Jews. This vision symbolized the tearing down of boundary between Jew and Gentile and that God was going to pour His Holy Spirit out on the Gentiles. Not coincidentally, Cornelius, a Roman centurion (a gentile) was a told in a vision to call for Peter. Upon Peter's arrival, he shares his vision, and his testimony.
He begins by saying "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." That is kind of like what we saw yesterday with the conversion of Saul. Any sinner can be saved.
Peter continues by saying that Jesus was anointed by God and that he was killed and raised on the third day. He said that many witnesses saw Jesus after His resurrection.
In verse 42, for the first time, we see a justification for sharing the gospel in a testimony. "He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead." I think this part is important to remember because a situation may arise where the person you are testifying to will say, "why do you care what happens to me." This gives us an answer.
Peter concluded by saying "To Him all prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." The Holy Spirit was then poured out, the people spoke in tongues and Peter then commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
I am definitely seeing a pattern in the apostles testimony. It is key to point out that they ALWAYS build the testimony on scripture, say who Jesus was and that He died and rose again. And there is always an explanation on HOW to be saved. The apostles never left those listening high and dry and wondering, "what should I do now?"
Something else I've noticed is that many times the apostles would stay a few days in the place that they preached or where people had just been saved. This isn't always the case, but I think there is a reason for this. People who have just been saved certainly have many questions about where to go from there. The apostles may have stayed to answer those questions and help the people in their Christian infancy. Any time someone near us is saved, it is an obligation to keep tabs on them and help them through any temptations and pitfalls.
Acts 16:11-15 - There is no word-for-word account of Paul and Luke's testimony to Lydia, but it does say that she worshiped God prior to her being saved. It also says that the Lord opened her heart o heed the things spoken by Paul. This should give any of us sharing a testimony confidence and reinforcement. We just have to share the word, God does the rest.
Well, there are 12 more chapters in the book of Acts, so I'm thinking three more blogs and I should have my own testimony.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Testimony - Part 2
Yesterday I started on my journey through Acts to form my testimony by using the Apostles as examples. I am picking up where I left off, Acts 9. This one is short because I don't have much time tonight.
Acts 9 - This is one of the most pivotal points in the Bible. Saul, who was persecuting the church, was singled out by God on the road to Damascus. Jesus appeared to Him, struck him blind, and he eventually went to a man named Ananias. Ananias laid hands on Saul, baptized him, and Saul immediately started preaching that "He is the Son of God." (verse 20).
In the rest of the chapter, we see the healing of Aeneas and Peter restoring Dorcas to life. Throughout Acts, there are incredible miracles--miracles that we cannot perform today. There aren't any outright examples of "testimonies" in this chapter, but the conversion of Saul is too important to pass. What I can learn from Saul's conversion is that God can save any person. Saul was, as he called himself later, the chief of all sinners. Jesus asked him, "Why are you persecuting me?"
I think there are many people that feel they can never be forgiven of their sins completely. But God showed that not only did he forgive and save Saul, he used him incredible ways. Saul healed, preached, overcame snake bites, shipwrecks, stoning, prison and wrote almost the entire New Testament. All that from the "chief of sinners." Yes, God can, and will save any one. The key is to be like Saul and ask "Lord, what do You want me to do?" And when the answer comes, be just like Saul and obey.
Acts 9 - This is one of the most pivotal points in the Bible. Saul, who was persecuting the church, was singled out by God on the road to Damascus. Jesus appeared to Him, struck him blind, and he eventually went to a man named Ananias. Ananias laid hands on Saul, baptized him, and Saul immediately started preaching that "He is the Son of God." (verse 20).
In the rest of the chapter, we see the healing of Aeneas and Peter restoring Dorcas to life. Throughout Acts, there are incredible miracles--miracles that we cannot perform today. There aren't any outright examples of "testimonies" in this chapter, but the conversion of Saul is too important to pass. What I can learn from Saul's conversion is that God can save any person. Saul was, as he called himself later, the chief of all sinners. Jesus asked him, "Why are you persecuting me?"
I think there are many people that feel they can never be forgiven of their sins completely. But God showed that not only did he forgive and save Saul, he used him incredible ways. Saul healed, preached, overcame snake bites, shipwrecks, stoning, prison and wrote almost the entire New Testament. All that from the "chief of sinners." Yes, God can, and will save any one. The key is to be like Saul and ask "Lord, what do You want me to do?" And when the answer comes, be just like Saul and obey.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Forming a Testimony - Part 1
Yesterday I wrote about having a testimony. Well, I'm going to use this blog to build mine. The best way for me to understand what a testimony should be is to look at examples of others. The best I know of are in Acts as that is when the Apostles began spreading the word throughout the world. So basically, over the next few days, I'm going to start at the beginning of Acts and work my way through, recording each time an apostle shared his faith with someone.
Acts 2 14:39 - These verses are Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit was given. This situation was special because of the incredible miracle and circumstances surrounding it. 3,000 people were saved that day, and Peter didn't really say all that much. He started out by quoting scripture (2:17-21). He explained to the Jews that Jesus was put to death by crucifiction and was raised by God, defeating death. Peter also explained to them what they were seeing (verse 33). Just before that, he quote a Psalm in which David spoke of God making him "full of joy in Your presence." He closed by stating that Jesus is the Son of God.
Conclusion - The Jews that witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit must have had many questions, and Peter explained it to them. But it was a simple message: Jesus is the Son of God. He was crucified and raised from the dead, defeating death. The result is that we, through Jesus, can overcome death as well if we "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." It's important that Peter explained to the Jews HOW they could be saved.
Acts 3 - There is no mention of any one being saved in this chapter, but Peter's testimony is so powerful that he and John were arrested because of it. It all started with him healing a crippled man. Now, I cannot heal the lame, but I can follow Peter's example. The man was asking for money. He could not work and was in need of help. Peter told him he could not give him any money, but appealed to the man's neediness by offering something better. He healed the man, but he explained that it was through faith in Jesus that he was healed. Just like in Acts 2, Peter explained that Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, fulfilling scripture and for the people to "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..."
Conclusion - Peter followed the same basic formula he did in Acts 2. He quoted scripture, explained the miracle, explained that Jesus died and rose from the dead and that you must repent. I think it's very important to note how he should that with faith in Jesus, any illness or infirmity can be overcome.
Acts 8:26-40 - In this passage, Philip helps an Ethiopian eunuch understand scripture. The Ethiopian was already interested and inquisitive but simply did not understand. This is where Philip, using his knowledge, explained Isaiah 53:7. The passage says that Philip "beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him." I take this to mean that Philip told the Ethiopian that Jesus was crucified in order to save. Philip also must have explained to him HOW he could be saved, because when the two saw water, the Ethiopian said to Philip, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized." Philip must have told the man about baptism before this. Philip told him, "If you believe with all your heart, you may."
Conclusion - Once again, the apostles use the foundation of Old Testament prophecy to explain Jesus' death and resurrection. This is an interesting story because it seems that the Ethiopian knew he needed something, but just didn't know quite what it was. Philip explained it to him.
I think that's a good place to stop for today, but a great start so far. This has already been helpful. Looking ahead, tomorrow I will look at the conversion of Saul and the start of his ministry.
Acts 2 14:39 - These verses are Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit was given. This situation was special because of the incredible miracle and circumstances surrounding it. 3,000 people were saved that day, and Peter didn't really say all that much. He started out by quoting scripture (2:17-21). He explained to the Jews that Jesus was put to death by crucifiction and was raised by God, defeating death. Peter also explained to them what they were seeing (verse 33). Just before that, he quote a Psalm in which David spoke of God making him "full of joy in Your presence." He closed by stating that Jesus is the Son of God.
Conclusion - The Jews that witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit must have had many questions, and Peter explained it to them. But it was a simple message: Jesus is the Son of God. He was crucified and raised from the dead, defeating death. The result is that we, through Jesus, can overcome death as well if we "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." It's important that Peter explained to the Jews HOW they could be saved.
Acts 3 - There is no mention of any one being saved in this chapter, but Peter's testimony is so powerful that he and John were arrested because of it. It all started with him healing a crippled man. Now, I cannot heal the lame, but I can follow Peter's example. The man was asking for money. He could not work and was in need of help. Peter told him he could not give him any money, but appealed to the man's neediness by offering something better. He healed the man, but he explained that it was through faith in Jesus that he was healed. Just like in Acts 2, Peter explained that Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, fulfilling scripture and for the people to "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..."
Conclusion - Peter followed the same basic formula he did in Acts 2. He quoted scripture, explained the miracle, explained that Jesus died and rose from the dead and that you must repent. I think it's very important to note how he should that with faith in Jesus, any illness or infirmity can be overcome.
Acts 8:26-40 - In this passage, Philip helps an Ethiopian eunuch understand scripture. The Ethiopian was already interested and inquisitive but simply did not understand. This is where Philip, using his knowledge, explained Isaiah 53:7. The passage says that Philip "beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him." I take this to mean that Philip told the Ethiopian that Jesus was crucified in order to save. Philip also must have explained to him HOW he could be saved, because when the two saw water, the Ethiopian said to Philip, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized." Philip must have told the man about baptism before this. Philip told him, "If you believe with all your heart, you may."
Conclusion - Once again, the apostles use the foundation of Old Testament prophecy to explain Jesus' death and resurrection. This is an interesting story because it seems that the Ethiopian knew he needed something, but just didn't know quite what it was. Philip explained it to him.
I think that's a good place to stop for today, but a great start so far. This has already been helpful. Looking ahead, tomorrow I will look at the conversion of Saul and the start of his ministry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
