Click Here – Acts 4:1-22

Today we read the first post-ascension confrontation between the disciples are the religious leaders in Jerusalem.  They were arrested because they were “proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”  This was an issue because there were two “parties” of Jewish religious leaders.  The first were the Pharisees, a more moderate leaning group who believed in the resurrection, but were a group that was very focused on keeping the law of Moses (at least on the outside.)  The others were the Sadducees.  They were the very conservative group, holding only the first five books of the Old Testament to the Word of God.  The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection.   Hence, they were arrested because of a feud between the religious leaders that stemmed from talk concerning the resurrection.

Notice the change in the disciples.  Peter, who denied Jesus three times, is a changed man.  Not only does he not deny Jesus or recant his words, but he boldly proclaims Christ crucified, raised from the dead, and the ONLY way to heaven.  The Jewish leaders couldn’t understand it.  They were uneducated men.  They thought the men could easily be intimidated to stop preaching.  But they were wrong.  Peter and John simply knew they must please God, not man.

The power of the Holy Spirit was evident through the actions of Peter and John.  May God grant us HIS Holy Spirit to be as bold of witnesses of Christ!

Click Here – Acts 3

Often we look at chapter 3 as two separate stories.  The first part is about the lame beggar who was healed, and the second is a powerful sermon that Peter preached to the people.  But they are very connected.  The purpose for the healing passage is two-fold.  First, it is to demonstrate early on that this new religion called “the Way” had a huge emphasis on showing love and mercy to those who were in need.  It was not purely an intellectual religion like Judaism had become, but it was a religion faith that was directly connected to showing mercy.

The second reason for the healing was to gather another crowd for the disciples to share the gospel message.  You see, mercy without the gospel isn’t really mercy, it’s not getting at the greatest need of the person, their need for forgiveness.  Peter’s second sermon in this book once again is strong on the law, accusing the people of killing the Author of life.  Yet it is strong on the gospel as well, reassuring the people of Jerusalem that Jesus was sent to bring forgiveness to THEM!

Over 2000 years later, the message is the same – we, by our sinfulness, killed the Author of life.  Yet the One who died, did so willingly so that WE might be forgiven.  Now that’s what I call mercy!

Click Here – Acts 2:29-47

Yes, I know I am a week late… I will be getting caught up throughout this week).

Peter continues his sermon clearly preaching the law (“…whom you crucified”) and the Gospel (the promise is for you and your children…everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”)  And what an impact this message has on the people – over 3000 people were added to the number of believers on that one day!

And the result of the power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives was evident to all.  Notice what happened after their conversions – they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.  They didn’t simply say, “that was nice, let’s move on now…”  No, they continued to grow in that new-found faith that God had given to them.

May we as the modern church be as devoted as they, to devote ourselves to a diligent study of God’s Word, of worship, fellowship and prayer!  If we do, it will be amazing to what God will do through the church!

Click Here – Acts 2:1-28

A sound like the wind, tongues that look like fire, one person talking but everyone hearing in their own language?  Impossible?  No, God-possible!  God simply fulfilling what He had promised to His followers, and doing so in an unbelievable way!  As always, people mock – accusing the people of being drunk.  But they were filled with a different kind of Spirit – the Holy Spirit.

For proof, simply look at Peter.  This man who a few months earlier had denied Jesus three times, and who continually said the wrong thing, is now standing before a mocking crowd speaking with a power and wisdom that was not his own, quoting the scripture and showing that Jesus was the prophesied Savior.

With God, all things truly are possible.