ACTS 9 - THE LORD'S DISCIPLE

The Lord’s Disciple
Acts 9:1-22

Introduction
The church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is made up of people, created after the image of God, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. There are people fishermen, carpenters, lawyers, congressmen, businessmen, laborers, and heads of households or leaders of nations; men and women out of every nation. The people of today are in its truest sense no different than those of the days of the apostles. Sin has darkened the heart and only Christ is the light that pierces this darkness. There is no sin today that has beset the life that the people in the days of Paul had to face.
The Book of Acts is the revelation of the Spirit's work with people, with the souls of those who have transgress, repented, and believed. There are also the souls of those who rebel and forever know the wrath of God. The preaching of the gospel and the growth of the church is as viable today as it was then. And there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, today, as it was when the darkest of hearts came to know Jesus then.
One of these souls was Saul, whose name was changed to Paul. His threats would be changed to witness; his persecution would turn to love of the brethren. And what a love it was. Paul expressed his darkness, saying, "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it" (Gal. 1:13). He declared the light which pierced the darkness as that of the grace of God: "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace" (Gal. 1:15). This divine transformation of the soul resulted in God's glory: "And they glorified God in me" (Gal. 1:24).

Who Art Thou? –Acts 9:1-7
Saul was a Pharisee “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” He went to the high priest requesting letters of introduction to the Damascus synagogues that he may root out those found in the way of Christ, to “bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” After his conversion, Paul testified to the harm he desired against the Christians, especially in Jerusalem: “and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them” (Acts 26:10-11).
As Saul came near the city of Damascus a light shown suddenly from heaven. He heard a voice speak to him, saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” The church of our Lord Jesus Christ is his body. You cannot reject the body without blaspheming the Head. Saul must learn that to persecute Jesus is to reject him as the Messiah sent from the Father. Jesus said, “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him” (John 12:48). Also, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matt. 12:30).
The Sovereign God reaches down from his throne of grace and lays hold upon his chosen servant. He will not only save Saul but use him for His glory. Saul would become Paul with much thanksgiving and rejoicing.
The heart of Saul is being humbled. No longer being able to direct his wrath against Jesus, he quietly asks, “Who art thou, Lord.” Paul is convicted of his sin and then moved to repent: “the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” The word of the Lord will not return to him empty, it will accomplish what he wishes to accomplish. The Lord, the Good Shepherd seeks to save the sheep of his pasture.
Saul confesses his new found faith in Christ as his Savior and Master, saying, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” To which the Lord answers, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” As with every newly born again Christian, Saul must wait to hear what is the nature of his discipleship. For we not only grow in the Word of God but we also serve in that Word. Saul was used with the gifts given him of the Lord, so must we wait on him and see how our gifts and talents will be ours in the service of the King.

The Lord's Disciple –Acts 9:8-12
Saul rose from the earth and as he opened his eyes he was unable to see. He was “led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.” He stayed for three days “without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”
Meanwhile, in the city of Damascus, there was a disciple whose name was Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, “Ananias.” He replied, “Behold, I am here, Lord.” Again, a servant of the Lord Jesus finds peace when called upon in a vision. The heart of the disciple is prepared to hear from the Lord. Ananias hears his Lord, saying, “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.”
Note these things: 1. the heart of the Lord’s disciple knows who is speaking to him. 2. The Lord knows that his disciple will obey him, telling him where he should go to meet Saul. 3. The Lord is, at the same time, working in the heart of Saul, for he is telling Saul about Ananias. 4. Ananias is also told that he is to be an instrument of healing, Saul would receive his sight. The Lord sovereignly acts in the lives of his saints. What a glory these saints beheld as they were bought face to face with their Savior.

New Sight Received –Acts 9:13-20
However, Ananias speaks his heart, for he has heard of the evil this man Saul had accomplished among the saints at Jerusalem, and the authority he carried from the chief priests in order to “bind all that call on thy name.”
The assurance that the Lord gives to Ananias is grounded in this one particular fact, that the Lord has chosen Saul to be an instrument of obedience in his hand. The Lord says to Ananias: “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.”
Paul was to be a chosen vessel or instrument in the hand of the King of kings. Ananias, another chosen disciple of Christ, went to Saul, and putting his hand on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee ... sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Immediately, he received his sight, and was baptized. Saul was united with Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, now made a saint, set apart as the servant of the Lord.
Saul, soon to be called Paul, later defended his commission as an apostle of Christ, telling his hearers that it was through Ananias that he received the command of the Lord: “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For you will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:14-15). It was Jehovah, the Triune God who chose Paul to see Jesus and hear his voice and to testify to all men of what he had seen and heard. And so Paul preached Christ!
We must also see our calling as having a divine source as well as having a divine nature. It is not that we have made the choice to serve, but that our Savior has chosen us to serve him. We are not volunteers, as if we can claim the time and place of our service. Neither are we observers, looking for others to do what ought to be done. The Lord has placed us in his body, the church. We are not all ears or hands, but, with the talents and gifts and time, etc., that the Lord has given us, he places us in his body to do what he wants to be done. We are to exercise our calling with the strength and obedience that he has gracious given us.

Proclaim the Risen Lord! –Acts 9:20-22
Saul now preached Christ “that he is the Son of God.” Persecuting the Christians’ Saul was denying the death and resurrection of Jesus; thus repudiating the truth that he was God’s Messiah. He had now met the risen Lord. He now heralded, proclaimed vociferously that Jesus was the Messiah, the anointed Savior. He also clearly affirmed in his preaching that Christ Jesus was a partaker of the divine nature of God. Saul, who once went to the chief priests for letters of approval to bind the Christians for destruction, now preached Christ. Saul increased in strength, confounding “the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the very Christ.” Trained well in the Scriptures, and by the Spirit of God, Saul brought forth arguments and proofs from God’s prophecies, fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He spoke the “wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 2:7), a revealed mystery of heaven. He summed up his wisdom in these words, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16).
Jesus said that “God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Because of this the Jews “sought the more to kill him.” His answer an affirmation of the truth that he was truly the Son of God, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (5:26). Those who closed their ears to his testimony did so before the very light that they possessed. Jesus called them to “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me” (5:39). We need not look to the sky for some special revelation through a bright light. God has given us the written Word that speaks of Christ. The beloved Apostle wrote: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25). John further informs us of God’s revelation, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (20:31).
When we come to the Scriptures, we are looking to see Jesus Christ, risen and alive. We come to God’s Word looking for Jesus, to be taught by the Spirit that he is alive and with us. Our faith in Christ as the risen Savior is affirmed in our hearts. We rejoice in the words of those who met the risen Christ on their way to Emmaus, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32).

Acts 8 - Except You Guide Me!

Acts 8:4-8, 26-40
Philip asks this question: “Do you understand what you are reading?”
The Ethiopian replied: “How can I, except some man should guide me?”
“Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”

Introduction
Christ Jesus gave this promise to His disciples: “. . . the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” [John 14:26]. Jesus had promised that, though He would leave them, His death would bring them sorrow, however, He would be with them for He would live: “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me; because I live, ye shall live also” [14:19]. He had promised that He would “not leave” them “comfortless” [18]. Christ would not remove or send away their ‘guiding teacher.’
Christ sent us the Holy Spirit as our ‘parakletos’ or ‘Comforter.’ Christ calls the Spirit to ‘walk alongside’ or to be our aid, especially as the One who pleads our case before the Divine Judge, our advocate. He is our Intercessor, our helper, one who gives us divine strength, that we might be able to undergo the trials and temptations that we face as subjects of King Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is our Teacher. Matthew Henry wrote, “To all the saints, the Spirit of grace is given to be a remembrancer, and to him, by faith and prayer, we should commit the keeping of what we hear and know.” This is a good picture of a true disciple of Christ Jesus, one who studies in the expectation that the Holy Spirit of grace will be the divine Instructor, and that He would, at the needed time, bring to remembrance what He has written upon our hearts, the Word which we have studied and retained.
What was intended to be a defeat for the Christians became a call to preach the word of God. Those who were scattered "went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). The preaching of the word by Stephen did not return to God void of a blessing. The Lord appointed another servant, Philip, who went to the city of Samaria, "and preached Christ unto them." The Holy Spirit was active in Philip as the people heard the gospel, witnessing the unclean spirits crying out and leaving the possessed, and the sick healed.
The message of Philip was most clear concerning the kingdom of God. Peter and John were sent to be with Philip, undergirding his ministry. For the sign of the presence of the Spirit would be given them. Philip and the apostles "preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans."
It is the preaching of the word of God, holding high the standard, the gospel banner, that is the vanguard of the Kingdom. It is the word of God whose majestic truth shines brightly to give glory to God in Christ Jesus as the only way to the Father. For there is salvation in no other name except that of the Son whom the Father sent.

Spirit Sends Acts 8:26-29
The angel of the Lord is sent to Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert." The first step in any evangelistic effort is the acknowledgment that it is the work of the Spirit of God. It is the Lord who sends.
Philip goes and finds a man of Ethiopia, a Chancellor "of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all of her treasure." He was also a proselyte who came to worship Jehovah. God had chosen the object of His grace.
This Ethiopian from the Queen's court was returning from Jerusalem. He was sitting in his chariot reading "Isaiah the prophet." The Holy Spirit commanded Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." Philip was God's obedient evangel as he came near to the Ethiopian. Philip is to stick closer than a brother, for the opportunity is not to be lost. The Spirit of God has worked all things together for both the witness and the receiving of the gospel. Too often reliance is made on what we can do to make the situation such as would provoke a response.
The church and individuals seek to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ through the study of God's Word, prayer, expectation of being sent by the Spirit, and obedience to the call.

Scripture Speaks Acts 8:30-35
The second step of any evangelistic effort is a desire to see the soul of another saved, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, whereby the person responds with faith and repentance. The Christian's desire is to see the fruit of the Savior's work on His cross, hearing His words: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish" (Matt.18:11-14).
Philip had a great love for the soul of this Ethiopian. He ran to him, and as he did he heard him reading aloud from Isaiah. Philip asked him, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" Philip understood the need of the Ethiopian, the need to know Christ as the only way, truth, and life. And he knew that the only map, the only word of direction which would lead this man to his heavenly Father, and therefore eternal life, was the word of God. And God had provided the word which was in the hand of the Ethiopian.
The third step of evangelism is complete faith in the word of God to change lives. Surely by the grace of God and the work of the Spirit, and through the word of God, Written.
The Lord had already been working in the heart of the Ethiopian. For he did not question whether or not Philip had the right or not to intervene upon his thoughts, but responded from a heart made ready for the question. For the question spoke to a heart made humble by the Spirit. He asked, "How can I, except some man should guide me?" And then he asked Philip to come and sit with him.
It is recorded that the Ethiopian was reading these words, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth." We need to pray for the hearts of others to be made ready for the gospel. Were not our hearts prepared for the coming of the risen Christ that we may believe and know the forgiveness of sins?
The Ethiopian asked Philip, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet...? There is no other answer than that of Christ Jesus the Son of the living God. For all Scripture points us to Jesus in whom dwells the fullness of the Godhead, in whom is forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Therefore, Philip "preached unto him Jesus." Another important characteristic of Evangelism is the preaching and hearing of the Word of God. We must continue to grow in our knowledge of God's Word if we are to be used of the Spirit in directing others to Jesus.

Saint Secured Acts 8:36-39
Philip was sent to the Ethiopian. The Spirit was, at the same time, preparing the heart of Chancellor, for he had a love for the Word of God. God had already laid His grip on His lost sheep. You can almost see the countenance of each of these men shine with love and grace of their Savior. One who sees the Spirit of God at work in another's life, a soul ready to claim Christ as Savior. The other who sees the grace of God in one who is thirsting to understands Scripture, and with much hunger devours each truth as it is given him.
Therefore, as they travel together, the Ethiopian asks, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" The outward sign and seal is given to one whose heart and voice have expressed saving faith. For Philip voices the heart of this man, saying, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest;" and the confirmation comes, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." The chariot is stopped and the men go down to the water, and Philip baptizes this saint and believer in Christ.
The result is twofold. Coming out of the water Philip is caught away by the "Spirit of the Lord," and the Ethiopian goes on "his way rejoicing." Philip has finished the task for which he was sent. The Ethiopian has the joy of now knowing his salvation in Christ Jesus, yes, more than that, of knowing Christ in a very personal way. And in knowing Christ, knowing the Father who has loved him, and of knowing the regenerating work of the Spirit.
The Chancellor of Ethiopia goes on his way rejoicing. Philip “was found at Azotus; and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”

ACTS 6 - CHOSEN SERVANTS

Lesson: Acts 6:1-15

Introduction
The apostles were faithful in the preaching of the word of God, unashamed to speak in the name of Christ Jesus. They had been beaten by the leaders of the city and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. This only brought to their hearts a rejoicing, “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41). Their stand in the Gospel and in the affliction their bore only moved them to be more zealous in the teaching and preaching Jesus Christ (5:42).

“Lo! these are they from sufferings great
Who came to realms of light;
And in the blood of Christ have washed
Those robes that shine so bright.”
-Isaac Watts

The apostles and the church were in covenant with God. Filled with the Holy Spirit they had a heart's desire to serve both Christ and one another, especially in the teaching of Jesus as Christ and Savior. Peter had once denied his Savior three times, now he stood with the other apostles in the power of the Spirit, acknowledging in temple and home the name of Christ Jesus.
The apostles and disciples, the church of our Lord Jesus, were also learning what it meant be a fellowship which claimed the name of their Savior. The prophet spoke: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). They were new creatures in Christ, having the law of God written upon their hearts (Heb. 8:10).
The church was growing in the grace of God, coming to the understanding of the Covenant of the Lord that they were to be his people and him to be their God. This was to work out in the preaching, hearing, and doing of the Word. God's commandments were to emerge from heart and deed: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ...Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Jesus, Matt. 22:37-39).

Daily Ministry –Acts 6:1-4
Our Savior, King and Lord of the church, promised that he would build his church, even conquering and smashing the gates of hell. These are God's people who are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people;” a people who are to continually praise God because of their being called “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
These people are those who work and eat and sleep in this world. In this they are like every other person. But as a people of God in Christ Jesus, they are unique because of the grace of God. So we see in the early church a daily need within the church, a need not unknown to us today. Because of the gospel and God's adding to his church, the number of disciples multiplied. As the church expanded so did the needs of God's people. In this case the Grecian Jews murmured against the Hebrews because “their widows were neglected in the daily ministrations.”
Whether this need was just overlooked or neglected because of prejudice, the loving and looking after of one another was brought into question.
In response the “twelve called the multitude of disciples” together, for this need must not hinder the apostles from the preaching and teaching of the “word of God.” The first responsibility of the elders of the church is the ministry of the Word of God. This is not to be done at the expense of those in physical need. There is a division of labor within the church; deacons are chosen to serve Christ and his church as ministers of mercy.
These men were not to clean basements or change light-bulbs (members of the church are able to do this without being ordained). Deacons are to be men filled with the Holy Spirit, honest in their dealings with men, full of wisdom, capable of leading the church in their love for one another. They are to develop a ministry whereby the widow, the single parent, the poor and needy, etc., are supplied with the necessities of life. This ministry “was to be a roll-up-your-sleeves, hands-on ministry requiring a reputation for spiritual maturity and an enthusiasm for helping people” (Gordon Keddie, Your Are My Witnesses).
The deacons do a task worth of their Savior Jesus Christ. The apostles (or elders of the church today) are able to give a greater effort and time to “prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” Therefore the deacons truly helped in the spread of the gospel and the building of the Body of Christ.

The Word Increased –Acts 6:5-7
It pleased the disciples and they chose seven men to do this ministry of grace. We only hear about two of them, Stephen who was martyred for his faith, and Philip who became an evangelist. Stephen is said to be “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.” This should be said of others also, as each were brought to the apostles for prayer, after which they “laid their hands on them.”
The care of the widows and poor by these deacons resulted in a blessing for the whole church. For the “the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly.” A great number of the priests also became obedient to the faith.
Both in the faithful preaching of the word of God, and in the care and compassion for one another, there is climate whereby those whom God is saving will find refreshment for their souls. Do we take our ministry of the word and diaconal ministry seriously in our desire to share the gospel and expectation to see the conversion of others? The ministry of grace by the deacons, encouraging the church in this ministry, should promote the faithful preaching of the word.

Full of Faith –Acts 6:8-15
The Holy Spirit recorded for us the Christian character and nature of Stephen as “full of faith and power,” going about doing “great wonders and miracles among the people.” Stephen was God's man who was given an inherent power, a special ability to serve his Lord. He also had a faith, an inward persuasion that Jesus was the Christ, and that he was to serve his Lord without hesitation. In other words, the Spirit of God endowed Stephen with gifts which showed themselves in miracles and wonders.
Stephen, whose name means 'crown,' was chosen as a deacon, but served beyond that office. He saw his appointment as a deacon as an opportunity to go beyond the serving of tables to the teaching of the word of God, the gospel of Christ Jesus. “Among the people” should remind us that we are not mere observers of the work of ministry, but participants in its exercise and blessing.
It should be obvious that what follows such faithfulness and boldness is opposition. Certain men of the synagogue debated with Stephen. However, they were not able to resist the “wisdom and the spirit,” with which he spoke. As with stubborn men who refuse to have light enter into their darkness, they spoke lies about Stephen. They said that they heard him “speak blasphemous words against Moses,” and therefore against God. They then turned their attention to the people, arousing them as a mob so that others may hear these lies.
This resulted in the elders and the scribes to come to Stephen. Catching him, they brought “him to the council.” Wisdom and truth was on his side; while false witnesses were brought in saying that he spoke against the “holy place, and the law.” However, they could not escape the truth of the soul of God's servant. As they sat at council, they looked “steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” They saw what they refused to recognize, that Stephen was a true messenger from Jehovah. His faith was grounded in Christ. His wisdom came from God through his holy Word. His power revealed strength of Christian character that made him look squarely in the face of his accusers. He did not flinch because he was Christ's. And as Christ suffered, so must he.
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).
Robert L. LaMay, Asst. Editor, Christian Observer

ACTS 5 - OBEY GOD

Lesson: Acts 5:27-42

Introduction
The acts of the Holy Spirit in the building of the Church of our Savior and King are summed up in these words, “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people …. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (Acts 5:12-14). The Holy Spirit works through the chosen apostles of Christ to build his Church. We must remind ourselves that the true Church is not the building, nor is it a group of volunteer members who get together to form a club. The Church is built by Christ as he, by the Spirit, adds to it living stones, which becomes a “spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).
Within the Church today we see the Holy Spirit working through chosen elders in the building of the Body of Christ. These elders are to “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind … being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2). These leaders should encourage us, as did the apostles in their faith, whereby they said to the world, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Our witness is not to our religious practices. If it would be this then we are no different from other religions of the world. Our witness is the living and true God. He alone deserves our loyalty in all things.

Their Witness –Act 5:27-32
The Apostles of Christ had been arrested and put in the common prison. An angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them to the temple. There they taught the people. They were brought again to the council. This time without any violence against them, “for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.? The Lord’s desire that his people be taught his word will not be hindered by men.
The high priest asked the apostles, “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us?? Listen carefully to the newscasters, commentators, and some leaders of our nation today; for they would define religion and faith for us, telling us that Christian doctrine or teachings should be separated from the halls of justice and education, and keep the teachings of the humanistic atheists. Whenever one opens his mouth, he or she is being didactic, expressing some moral or ethical world view. Separation there must be. Separation expresses the truth that one cannot serve God and mammon. Two masters cannot be served; “for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24).
The teaching of Christ does bring his justice upon us; either for the redemption of one or the judgment of another. Jesus speaks to this, saying, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Luke 10:16). Shall man, in his attempt to be the ruler of all he surveys, usurp the authority of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Peter and the other apostles quickly testify, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” The question is not whether we have the right to meet together as we see fit, but that we ought to preach the Gospel as Christ so commands. It is the preaching and teaching of the Word of God that disturbs the world, even it’s so called religious leaders. Therefore the apostles outline clearly the Gospel which they preach: One, obedience belongs to God alone. Two, Christ was truly raised from the dead by the living God of Abraham. Three, Christ is the Savior who did die upon Calvary for the sins of his people. Four, Jesus is the Messiah-King who reigns at the right hand of God the Father, the ?Prince of Peace.? Five, repentance is given for the forgiveness of sins. Six, the Holy Spirit has been given to the Church, to those who obey Him.

If it be of God –Acts 5:33-39
The council were “cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay” the apostles for the doctrines they espoused. There was, so to speak, a gnashing of teeth, as they decided to put these men to death. However, a “Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law … said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.” Paul was one of Gamaliel?s students, “taught according to the perfect manner of the law” (Acts 22:3). Gamaliel was honored by the people, acclaimed as a teacher of God’s law. It was the High Priest who began the questioning. He and the Sadducees would voice their opposition to the idea of the resurrection, as well as the thought that Jesus could be the Messiah. Gamaliel would take the occasion to both speak against the Sadducees and claim more of a middle ground.
Gamaliel?s argument for moderation sets before the council two examples from their history. There is Theudas who boasted of “himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men … obeyed him.” They soon were scattered and brought to nothing. There was also “Judas of Galilee in the days of taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished.” Those who followed him soon were dispersed. Therefore, reasons Gamaliel, “Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel, or this work be of men, it will come to nought. Wisdom dictates when it is wise to let men alone to destroy their own works.
Gamaliel gives an alternative supposition that “if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” We must understand where our loyalty is. The wicked may throw down their gauntlet, as if we should fear them. But if the gauntlet is thrown down before God, then we are lost before we start. We must acknowledge that we wrestle against “principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph, 6:12). Our armor is of God alone that we may be able to withstand the evil. Therefore, we obey God, enduring hardness as good soldiers of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3).

They continued to Teach –Acts 5:40-42
The council agreed with Gamaliel; though it seems that they did do most hesitantly. They acted like spoiled children, letting the apostles go but giving them a few licks as the departed. They beat them, commanding them “that they should not speak in the name of Jesus.” The scourging was of the severest kind. The apostles left with scars on their bodies, but with determination in their hearts to serve their Lord. For Christ had warned them, “But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.” (Matt. 10:17).
The rejoicing of the apostles was a great balm to the floggings. They felt “worthy to suffer shame for his name.” We suffer for who Christ is, of his divine and human nature, of his death and resurrection, of his reign as King of kings, and of his authority both in heaven and on earth. He is the Word which must be preached, and the Lord who must be honored, before whom every knee must bow. The Spirit gave them additional strength as the met in the temple and in homes, ceasing not “to reach and preach Jesus Christ.” The pulpit must always be faithful to Christ and his Word. The witness of his Body, the Church, must always be proclaiming the wonderful Gospel of their Savior and King. Only Christ can give salvation’s healing to body and soul. We do not preach faithfully unless Christ is taught in all his fullness as Prophet, Priest, and King.

Robert L. LaMay
The Christian Observer

ACTS 3 - THROUGH FAITH IN HIS NAME

Acts 3:1-16

Introduction
To love the name of Jesus is to love Jesus.
We are told that the coming of the Holy Spirit brought fear upon every soul. Many wonders and signs were done by the apostle (Acts 2:43). One of these wonders and signs is the healing of the lame man. These wonders confirm the resurrection of Christ and the authority of the Holy Spirit. It authenticates the truth of the wonderful Gospel of our Savior who came to give his life for the salvation of our souls.
You would think that this would bring much joy to those who witnessed the healing of the lame man. However, the coming of the Holy Spirit and the evidence that Christ is the resurrected Lord brought about much opposition. So it is today. Mention Christ in a public place and you may receive anything from cursing to a lawsuit. Peter and John faced persecution for what they did. For it was not the miracle that turned many against them, it was the preaching of the “Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead.” There are those who are glad that the church operates a ‘soup kitchen,’ but complain when they seek to feed them the Word of God. It is Christ who is honored and preached in the healing of the lame man. He is also proclaimed in the healings and comforts that the Christians see in their own lives.

The Gate Called Beautiful –Acts 3:1-3
Peter and John go together to the temple “at the hour of prayer.” At the gate called Beautiful there was a man “lame from his mother’s womb.” Each day his family or friends would lay him at the gate “to ask alms of them that entered the temple.” He was lame for forty years when he saw Peter and John. From early morning to three in afternoon he had begged for some offering of money. He hoped to receive something from these apostles.
The people of God are to open their hands wide to those in need around them. His brethren should have helped this beggar so that he would not have to beg at the gate. God has commanded his people, saying, “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother” (Deut. 15:7).
Did begging become so part of their economy that they rationalized their giving to such a one in need for being obedient to God? How many times have we prayed to our Father in heaven for the needs of another, keeping our hands in our pocket? Answers to the prayers of the saints are many times answered through the saints. Neither the Word nor the Works of Charity are to be neglected. Nor should we believe that since we have given a tithe that we have done our duty. Christ spoke to the Pharisees, saying, “hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matt. 23:23).
The beggar hoped only for enough to get through the day. There was no hope in his heart that he would do anything else but beg at the gate Beautiful. ‘Beautiful’ is a word meaning that which is fair or timely. Was the beggar receiving that which was proper or fair? The same word is used by Paul, in reference to those who proclaim the Gospel: “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Rom. 10:15). He would soon know how beautiful is the message of the coming of Christ.

Rise up and Walk –Acts 3:4-7
Peter fastened his eyes upon the beggar, telling him, “Look on us!” Walking along the streets of the city one places a few coins in the hand of a beggar, not giving him too much attention. This beggar probably knew the feet of the passerby’s more than their faces. Many walked past him quickly throwing a coin his way. Stop a while, you are helping someone and you will see a greater need of the soul, and a greater joy because you stopped. This beggar paid close attention to the words of Peter. Would they give him more than expected?
Peter said to the lame man, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Our Lord provides for us that which we truly need, not what we think we require for an abundant life. Not only did this lame man need healing, but also he needs a fellowship of the brethren. His was a lonely existence, coming in contact with passing feet hoping to see a hand place some coins in his. Our Lord expects us to give as we have been given; such as Peter gave. Simon Peter was moved by the Spirit of God to give what the Spirit only could give. The Spirit would move the beggar’s heart to know the joy of faith in Christ his Savior.
Peter spoke to the lame man about the one who would bring the necessary blessing; “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The ‘name’ of Jesus refers to all whom he is, his divine and human nature, his work of saving grace upon Calvary’s cross and resurrection. No money passed from Peter to the lame man. However, what passed to him was the work of the Spirit giving a healing that not only penetrated his body but his soul as well. Saving grace was seen and known in Christ. Therefore we can sing, “my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope” (Ps. 16:9). Be not afraid then to go to the Father asking for healing of the body, and of the soul. The Lord will gather us in his arms as Peter took the beggar by the hand; for it is Christ who laid down his life for his sheep.

Praise God –Acts 3:8-10
It was a miraculous healing. It was a healing which could only come from our Creator and Savior who know our bodies and souls better than anyone on this earth. Peter took the beggar’s hand and lifted him up, and “immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” No therapy was needed. No days upon the treadmill to strengthen the muscles. His thin ankles and legs, having not moved since birth forty years before, were completely healed. It was as if his legs were never weak. Not only that his mind was so coordinated with his legs that he stood, leaped, and walked. He walked and jumped into the temple praising God. In like manner our souls be healed by the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. When the Holy Spirit gives new birth to those he applies the precious blood sacrifice of Christ, the soul leaps to grasp its Savior in repentance and faith. The healing is complete. Christ did it all. By grace we have been saved through faith! We gave nothing to our salvation. It is a wonderful gift of God.
All who saw him walk sang praises to God sharing their joy. For “they knew that it was he who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple.” Our eyes of faith and hearts of love should see what Christ has done, “with wonder and amazement at that which had happened.” Our glory is not self but Christ. Our love for friend and neighbor is manifested in an unselfish attitude and practice. Our hunger and thirst reach out to the food of the Word and fellowship of believers.
Peter spoke to the people, testifying that it was the Prince of life, the resurrected Christ Jesus, who “through faith in his name, hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know; yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” With a sound body and a true faith, the beggar walked and praised God. His ankles were healed. His confession was of God and not of men. His great desire was to worship God. His public witness was of God’s unmerited grace. May our Father in heaven, through our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, make us “perfect in every good work to do his will, working in (us) that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory” (Heb. 13:20-21).

The Prince of Life –Acts 3:11-16
The people of Jerusalem greatly wondered as they gathered at the porch of Solomon. Peter said to them, “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” When we gather to worship and hear the Word of God, when we witness to the Gospel of our Savior, we must testify that others must see Jesus! Peter turns the eyes of his listeners from the lame man to Jesus. Peter does this by showing the darkness of their sin and brightness of the Christ who alone can bring full forgiveness and eternal life.
He does this by contrasting what man has done to what God has done. It was the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the covenant God of their fathers, who has “glorified his Son Jesus.” It was God the Father who raised his Son from the dead. The same God of whom they learned in the temple is the Lord who comes before them now. The Messiah who was promised by the God of Abraham is the Savior who healed the lame man: “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).
Peter brings judgment upon those in the crowd who had treated the Son of God with denial and murder: “whom you delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate ... ye denied the Holy One and the just ... And killed the Prince of life.” Christ is called the “Prince of Life,” the Savior of the Soul! He is the “Resurrection and the Life!”
Peter directs his listeners to the Christ who is the one who “hath made this man strong.” Calvin wrote that Peter used a variety of words, “to the end he might stay us in Christ. As touching the phrase, when as he saith, his name in the faith of his name hath strengthened, he showeth both the cause and the manner; the power of Christ had healed the cripple but by faith. When as he saith, the faith which is by him, by this word he signifieth unto us that our faith cannot arise up unto God unless it be grounded in Christ, and so, consequently, that this our faith doth look unto Christ and stay itself upon him . . .”
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

ACTS 2 - LIKE A MIGHTY RUSHING WIND!

Acts 2:1-39
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” –Acts 2:2

Introduction: The Day of Pentecost –Acts 2:1-13
The Lord has given to himself a people: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Ps. 33:12). The King and Head of this nation is Christ Jesus, who was chosen by the Father. Scripture records this election with these words of God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious; and he that believeth in him shall not be confounded” (1 Pe. 2:6). Peter goes on to speak to God’s elect people, saying, “ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath call you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (2:9). We are therefore called a people who have obtained mercy from God.
The Chief Cornerstone has been placed upon this earth, and upon this Cornerstone the Church of Christ is being built as an elect people of God. We are enabled to testify with Peter that Christ is our Rock, saying, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” to which our Lord answers, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in Heaven. And I say also unto thee, . . . and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:16-18).
God chose a day upon which he would keep his promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon his apostles, and so his Church. The day of Pentecost came. It was a day that the Lord chose for the keeping of his promise. The Holy Spirit came at a time when a great assembly of people crowded Jerusalem. It was the time of the Feast of Weeks, 50 days after the offering of barley sheaf at the feast of Unleavened Bread. In the unity of faith the Disciples of Christ waited, one with another.
Suddenly "there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." Cloven tongues "like as fire" sat upon each one. Being filled with the Holy Spirit they "began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." A great multitude came together, "devout men out of every nation under heaven." They were amazed to hear these apostles speak in their own language, "how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" Men from Asia, Egypt, Rome and Arabia, and others, cry out, "we hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."
Some were amazed and others doubted, while others mockingly said, "These men are full of new wine." To those who were astonished and those who taunted Peter rises to speak. The message is one of fulfillment, the outpouring of the Spirit, the reality of the coming of the Savior, judgment upon all nations, and the deliverance and glorification of God's people. Jesus said that the kingdom of God was at hand, now we see the kingdom of God spreading its branches.

Spirit of God –Acts 2:14-21
Peter stands with the apostles, calling upon his listeners to hear and know. The speaking in the languages of those who came from different nations was not of the apostles' doing. This was not a planned meeting, but a fulfillment of the prophecy of God. Moving from the absurdness of the charge; Peter declares that they were witnessing what the prophet Joel spoke. It is by the coming of Christ, in the last days, that the kingdom is restored. How is this to happen?
a. God says, "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh," the world will know the coming of the Spirit. And they will respond in obedience or rebellion.
b. There shall be prophecy. The apostles join the prophets of the Old Testament in being inspired by the Spirit to write. Yet the kingdom's promise is that the written Word of God will be understood and proclaimed by young and old. Through his Word the Spirit teaches us the wisdom of heaven. (Jeremiah 31:34).
c. This promise of the Spirit is for the servants of the true God. By the Spirit, Christ is drawing a church, a body of people to himself.
d. There will be wonders and signs accompanying the building and expansion of Christ's kingdom.
e. There will be also the signs of darkness and blood that will bring judgment upon Jerusalem (as with Titus).
As all these things will come to pass, the Sovereign Lord will be recognized, and so, "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." let us come to Christ in Faith. He is our Savior, the One who has given His life for the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus of Nazareth –Acts 2:22-28
Peter directs his listeners to the Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Who is it that we are to call upon and be saved? Peter brings those who are thirsty to the Water of Life, those who are hungry to the Bread of Life. He is "Jesus of Nazareth" who was approved of God as seen in his "miracles and wonders and signs" which he did in the midst of those who were Peter's listeners.
Yet Jesus was more than a man of Nazareth. He was of divine heritage. He was delivered to the cross for the sins of his people by the "determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." He was resurrected from the dead by God, "having loosed the pains of death;" for he could not be held by it. Christ took upon himself our guilt and paid its eternal penalty. And was raised from the darkness of hell to be glorified at the right hand of his Father in heaven.
This was the Messiah, the Christ, of whom David did speak, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance" (2:25-28; Psalm 16).

His Resurrection –Acts 2:29-32
Peter spoke of the crucifixion of Christ. Now he speaks further about his resurrection. Was Christ really raised from the dead? Peter goes again to David. It was David who received the glorious promise; God promised this patriarch who died and was buried, "that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne." The Messiah of Jehovah, the second person in the Godhead, would be the King of kings and Lord of lords in the Kingdom of God.
David also witnessed to the resurrection of Christ. Not only to sit upon the throne, but to show his victory over hell. Peter also declares that he and all of the disciples had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. Christ is the seed of David, and the divine Son of God. The outpouring of the Spirit confirms that our Lord and Savior abide with his Church, and is present as both Lord of his Body, and of all nations.

Lord and Christ –Acts 2:33-39
Peter tells us that Christ has finished the task for which he has been sent. He has saved his people from their sins. It is because he has now been exalted and sits, alive, "by the right hand of God ... having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit," that Peter can declare that Christ has "shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." That which was witnessed, the speaking of various tongues, the outpouring of the Spirit, was fulfilled by the resurrected Lord who ascended into heaven.
Again, it is David who testified to this promise in Christ. For he said, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool" (2:34-35; Psalm 110). The majestic King reigns and rules. "For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet" (1 Cor. 15:25).
Peter had called his listeners to hear and know. Now he calls the house of Israel to know with assurance that it is the truth, "that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." They who denied Jesus as the Messiah is called to receive him as such. The one whom they crucified is now presented as the one who was crucified for their sake, for their redemption and eternal life. So with us, for our sins the Lord went to the cross. Now we know that He freely went, being sent by the Father who loved us, taking upon himself our sin, that we might be redeemed and forgiven.
Those who heard Peter were moved by the Spirit, and asked the apostles, "what shall we do?" Peter answered, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Turning to Christ, we, as well as those of the whole household of God in every age, are called to renounce self, repent of our sins. We can turn to Christ and be delivered from darkness to the light of our Father's forgiveness of sins. And therefore be counted in the number as children of God.

Gladness and Singleness of Heart!
Acts 2:38-47

With Gladness and Singleness of Heart! — With supreme joy and simplicity of heart the Christians gathered together in their homes for their meal. ‘House to house’ is seen the King James Version, while the Geneva Bible uses “at home.” ‘Oikos’ is the Greek word translated as an inhabited ‘house’ or ‘home.’ Calvin rightly understands that Luke is referring to taking a meal together in the home. It may be that a church may have a meal together, or that it is that, as Christians meet together as a family, or with Christian brothers and sisters, they do so thriftily or carefully, not as those who put up a front and through a lavish banquet. It is simple in that the joy expressed is from the heart and not just show.
Those who were pierced in their heart because of Peter’s preaching of Christ, asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter’s reply was, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” In other words, if there has been a true confession of sins and repentance thereof, there will be a true and outward response in being baptized. This being the work of the Spirit, there will be a giving of the Holy Spirit to those whose hearts have been redeemed by Christ. This redemptive work of the Triune God is not a chance happening but of a promise fulfilled: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
Peter continues to admonish his audience, exhorting them, “Save yourselves from the untoward (or crooked) generation.” Just as God’s promise of redemption moves from generation to generation, so does the wicked or crooked teach their transgressions from generation to generation. Only our Lord can pierce such darkness, that He may begin a redeemed generation by dragging those for whom Christ died, from darkness to His marvelous light.
The response at this time of the promised pouring out of the Holy Spirit was great. For many “gladly (joyfully) received his words” and were baptized, “and that same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Can you picture the joy that spread through Jerusalem, and then was spread through the lands as they returned to their homes in other nations?

ACTS 1 - THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE

[We begin the year of 2009 with studies from the Book of Acts. May the Holy Spirit of Promise be our Teacher and Comforter]

The Holy Spirit of Promise
Acts 1:1-26

Introduction
The book of Acts is a sequel to the third Gospel. Luke is the author of both these books of the New Testament. They are written to Theophilus (loved by God), a nobleman who was one of the early converts to Christ. We are encouraged to teach the Gospel of Christ, the work of the Spirit, and the love of our heavenly Father. We are to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, learning and then willing to disciple others in fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Our key verse contains the promise of the Holy Spirit from whom we shall receive the power or the authority to be witnesses unto Christ: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost s come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). THE ACTS speaks it all. The Book emphasizes the ministry of Peter and Paul, and so could be called “The Acts of the Apostles; the Book also underscores the Acts of the Holy Spirit, revealing his work through the Apostles and the Church of Christ. John Calvin introduces his commentary on Acts, writing, “These things which Luke sets before us in this place to be learned are not only great, but also of rare profit; for, first, in that he showeth that the Spirit of God was sent unto the apostles, he doth not only prove that Christ was faithful (and true) in keeping his promise made unto his apostles; but also he certifies to us, that he is always mindful of his, and a perpetual governor of his Church, because the Holy Spirit did descend from heaven to this end; whereby we learn that the distance of place doth no whit hinder Christ from being present with those that be his at all times? (Commentaries, Vol. 18, Baker Book House).

The Promise –Acts 1:1-8
The Gospel of Luke closes with the promise of power and the ascension of Christ Jesus. The Risen Lord spoke to his apostles, saying that they were to be witnesses of those things which they saw and heard, with this promise, “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
Luke, the “beloved physician” (Col. 4:14), writes to Theophilus, “of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” After Jesus’ resurrection he, through the Holy Spirit gave “commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.” After his ascension Christ continues to work and teach through the acts of the Holy Spirit. His message continued to be about “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” The apostles are to “wait for the promise of the Father,” which was foreshadowed by the baptism of John, that they “shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” The Christian, because of the atoning work of Christ on the cross, enters into the kingdom of King Jesus here on earth. We live under the rule of the King of kings. Our life is in the hands of the Holy Spirit who is our Comforter and Teacher.
The disciples came to Jesus asking him, “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?” However, it is not David’s monarchy that is ushered in, but the kingship of Christ. The authority of this kingdom rests in the Father who alone sets the boundaries and time. He alone ordains all things, which shall come to pass. The importance of the apostles, and therefore, of the church, is seen in what they will receive from their Majestic Lord. They are to be equipped with an authority or power that the Holy Spirit alone can give. The Spirit of God alone gives strength and witness of the church. This command of Jesus is rooted in the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, “ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
The word for witnesses is ‘martus,’ addressing those who have information to give, who can bring a certain amount of light to subject. In other words, Christian witnesses are those who are knowledgeable of Christ and his Word, and can confirm the truth to what they are saying. Our confirmation is found in Christ. For it is not our witness but Christ’s that we preach: “Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Tim. 1:8; read Acts 10:39-43). ‘Martus’ is also where we get the word ‘martyr,’ reminding us that witnessing for the Gospel of Christ demands self-sacrifice.

The Ascension –Acts 1:9-11
At the end of forty days, the Son of God, Christ Jesus ascended to the Father. Ten days hence the Day of Pentecost would see the fulfillment of the promise of the coming of the Spirit of God. The ascension of Christ to sit at the right hand of God the Father confirms the truth of who he is and what he teaches. It also ushers in the witness of his Church to go and preach his Gospel to all nations. The King of kings now reigns, earth is his footstool, and his Body, the Church, is his witness. The peculiarity of his ascension into heaven is seen as the exceeding greatness of the Father’s authority toward us who believe, whereby he effectually worked (energized) in Christ Jesus, “when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places … and hath put all things under his feet, and gave to him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:18-23).
As a “cloud received him out of their sight.” Two men in white apparel stood next to the disciples, and spoke to them, saying, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven. This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” J.A. Alexander in his Commentary wrote, “The question of the two men was intended therefore to recall them to themselves, and to remind them that, instead of stupidly and idly gazing after one who was no longer visible, they should rather show their love to him by instantly obeying his farewell commands, and trusting his repeated promise to return, which they accordingly repeat, as if to show their own implicit confidence in its fulfillment.”
As to the coming of Christ John Calvin wrote, “the only looking for Christ’s coming must both restrain the importunate desires of our flesh, and support our patience in all our adversities; and, lastly, it must refresh our weariness. But it worketh this only in the faithful, which believe that Christ is their Redeemer.” The ascension of Christ confirms the Gospel of Christ and His coming. Therefore our patient witness must be as zealous as it can be since we do not have to dwell upon His coming.
Christians who look to the sky, to look for new revelations, for new hope, tasters of faith rather than workers of faith, find themselves to be poor witnesses of the Gospel of our King. They forget the commands and promises of Christ, rather than resting upon the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth concerning the presence of their Savior. The Holy Spirit has come upon the Church to give his authority to our existence as the Body of Christ. We must not set our eyes upon the stars but upon the tasks given us as Christians in the home and community, in the education of our children and in the discipling of nations in the Gospel of the Prince of Kings.

Praying Together –Acts 1:12-14
Christ’s apostles return to Jerusalem, traveling “from the mount called Olivet” a two-mile journey to Jerusalem. The eleven apostles met together in an upper room. They were not alone in their waiting. Certain women and Jesus’ mother, Mary, along with his brethren, came to be with them. They all “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” It was during this time of waiting that Peter spoke to the disciples (apostles and other men) about the need of an apostle to fill the place that Judas abandoned. Thus Matthias was “numbered with the eleven apostles.”
To wait upon the Lord is to fervently pray and study his word to the end that his providential will would be done in our lives. The apostles diligently looked for the coming of the Holy Spirit. This did not mean that the Holy Spirit was not with them. For Peter was moved by the Spirit to speak of choosing another apostle. They looked for the special and unique coming of the Spirit. “For this was the cause of their prayer that Christ would send his Spirit, as he had promised. Whereupon we may gather that this is the true faith which stirreth us up to call upon God. For the security of faith doth much differ from sluggishness” (Calvin). Being blessed by the Spirit, we pray for the Spirit. Our prayers must be a part of our lives as a Christian. Being persistent in prayer, we are persistent in our faith and life. We, therefore, “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,” we continue in prayer, distribute to the necessity of the saints, etc. (Rom. 12:10-13).

Needed Leadership –Acts 1:15-26
The fellowship of disciples kept growing after the ascension of the Messiah. On a particular day Peter “stood in the midst of the disciples,” whose number were about a hundred and twenty. He addressed them, saying, “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.” Judas had betrayed Jesus (for 30 pieces of silver), and his reward was commensurate with his deed: “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” One of the offenses found within the Church today is, not only the lack of leadership, but also the discipling of leadership that they may serve well according to the Scriptures by the teaching of the Holy Spirit. “What is often overlooked is that the tragedy of Judas is also the failure of leadership. As such it has the utmost relevance for the plague of moral failure among the leadership of churches in our own day. Judas was a disciple and one of the Twelve. For three years he had ‘shared in this ministry’, says Peter. He was not the kind of person one expects to go over to the opposition. Nevertheless, he apostatized from his calling and ministry and rejected the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘What will it avail us’, asks Matthew Henry, ‘to be added to the number of Christians, if we partake not of the spirit and nature of Christians?’” (Gordon J. Keddie, Your Are My Witnesses).
Men sometimes forget that undertaking the office of Teaching Elder or Ruling Elder or Deacon within the Church of our Savior, who is King and Head of the Church, that to served in such offices is a calling and not a volunteer position. Thus ordination recognizes that it is Christ who calls us into his service. Therefore, we see in the early Church, that it was recognized that “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto the same day that (the Lord Jesus) was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” Therefore two men were appointed to fill the office that Judas abandoned. Their names were Justus and Matthias. The disciples prayed, saying, “Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen. That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship.” They then voted by the use of giving lots, “and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Matthias, it must be remembered, received the office of an apostle, not by men, but by Divine Appointment.
Therefore, in the appointment of church leaders, let us look to Christ Jesus, who himself was appointed of the Father to be the Savior of his people, who was raised from the dead and has ascended to the right hand of God, who “gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers: for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13).