Category: Miracles (Page 2 of 2)

Visions?

February 18, 2016 / Allan Babcock

P.Allan He was wide awake. Yet it was dream-like. But real. Three o’clock in the afternoon Cornelius saw an angel. Terror gripped him, but he couldn’t look away. He heard himself stammering: “What is it, Lord?”

The angel announced: “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God! Now send some men down to Joppa to find a man named Simon Peter. He is staying with Simon, a leather worker who lives near the shore. Ask him to come and visit you.”

Then the angel was gone. Cornelius was alone again. He was more used to giving orders than taking them. He commanded 100 Roman soldiers. His unit was part of the Italian Regiment (the Cohores II Miliaria Italica Civium Romanorum). Centurions like him were the backbone of the Roman army, natural leaders, men who would hold their ground when being beaten and hard pressed, ready, if necessary, to die at their posts.

He was also a Gentile worshiper of the God of the Jewish Scriptures. He kept their ethical code, attended synagogue, and observed the Sabbath. However, he wouldn’t become a Jewish proselyte. Therefore, Jews counted him a ritually unclean Gentile.

Despite the strangeness of the angel-experience, Cornelius chose to believe and obey. Calling two personally-close household servants and a faithful soldier, he confided everything that had happened and sent them on the thirty mile trip to Joppa. He wondered what might come of it.

* * * * *

After the raising of Tabitha from the dead, Peter remained in Joppa at Simon the leather maker’s home. The day after Cornelius’ vision, his servants neared the city. Meanwhile, at Simon’s house, Peter tramped up the outside stairway to the flat roof. The Mediterranean breezes and awning would help cool him during noon prayers.

As he prayed he could hear a meal being prepared downstairs. The aroma wafted on the breeze and his stomach growled. A movement in the heavens caught his eye. He was awake. It was real. But like a dream. The heavens opened and a great sheet, like a ship’s sail, was being let down by its corners. He could see inside it now—animals and reptiles and birds of all kinds. A voice came to him: “Peter, get up, kill and eat!”

He refused. He’d never eaten anything the Jewish food laws called common or unclean. But the voice spoke again, more insistent: “What God has made clean, don’t call common!” Three times the scene repeated. Then slowly the sheet-sail ascended to heaven.

Peter rubbed his eyes. What did it mean? He was perplexed. At that moment Cornelius’ messengers stood at the front gate calling for a Peter who might be staying at the house. On the roof, the Spirit spoke: “Peter, three men are looking for you. Get up and go down and go with them right away. I have sent them.”

Peter lumbered down the outside stairway. “I am Peter. Why have you come?” The messengers explained, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout man who fears the God of Israel and is well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to send for you so you can go to his house and give him a message.” Peter invited them in to be his guests.

* * * * *

The next morning they all set out for Cornelius’ home in Caesarea, accompanied by some of the believers from Joppa. When they arrived the following day, they found Cornelius had invited relatives and close friends. Peter entered the house and Cornelius bowed down to worship him. But Peter rebuked him saying, “I am just a man.”

Peter knew he was on unlawful Gentile ground. “But God has shown me, he said, that I should not call any person common or unclean. That’s why I came. Now tell me, why did you send for me?”

Cornelius explained his angel-appearance. “So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now here we are, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” (all the above from Acts 10:1-33)

* * * * *

Happenings like this provoke unbelievers to deny the Bible. Visions? Of an angel to Cornelius? Of an animal smorgasbord to Peter? Surely if God wanted two men to meet, he could have found a more normal means! Maybe so. But my point here is to comment on visions.

Why dismiss them as weird? Since God can create out of nothing, open the Red Sea, speak to humans, and so on, why is it weird for his angels to take God’s message to men? Admittedly, a sail holding a zoo is a little “out there”, but it obviously got Peter’s attention.

If we begrudgingly believe visions might have been real then, what about today?

In his book, “Killing Christians”, Tom Doyle tells eight thrilling stories of Muslims becoming Christians and the sufferings they endured. One tells of a woman on foot with her two children fleeing war in Syria. At one point along the way they are befriended in Amman, Jordan by a Muslim Christian woman who gives them an apartment to temporarily shelter in. It had been a dangerous, frightening journey.

One morning Dori’s daughter Hania says, “Mother, I had a dream that lasted almost all night. A man in a white robe told me that we are safe now, and He would take care of us. He said His name was Jesus.”

Dori asks if the man in the dream said anything else. “It was something very strange.
He told me that He loves me. And, Mother, somehow I know that He does! I could see it
in His eyes. And it wasn’t just a dream.”

A shiver goes up Dori’s back. “Sweetheart, I had the same dream!”

Being Muslims, the family believed that Jesus the prophet had appeared to them.
Through the witness of another Muslim-turned-Christian, the family gradually
came to believe who Jesus really is and gave their lives to him.

Events like these don’t appear in the news, so most of us are completely unaware of what God is doing “beneath the radar”. Consequently, unbelievers dismiss as crazy talk of God intervening by dreams and visions into the world’s darkest, most violent places. If God’s to be anywhere, let’s keep him inside the church building! But God isn’t subject to our small-minded, unbelieving attempts to box him in and shut him up. In fact, these are the very days we are to expect such wonders . . .

“And in the last days,” God declares,
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pout out my Spirit and they shall prophecy.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass
that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved.”
(Acts 2:17-21)

Be encouraged, Christian! God is at work in the world—
in ways that are beneath-the-radar extraordinary!

Is Jesus Back?

February 14, 2016 / Allan Babcock

O Preacher Seemed like Jesus was back in Judea, even though at least five years had passed since his death.

Jesus heals the Paralytic Aeneas (Acts 9:32-35).

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get
up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord (Acts 9:32-35).

We last saw Peter preaching the Gospel in Samaria (9:25). He’s now traveled south to a town called Lydda in Judea. The “saints” he visits are believers in Jesus having been converted either at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41) or from Philip’s preaching in that area (Acts 8:40).

The miracle here is quite similar to author Luke’s account of Jesus healing a paralytic in Capernaum. The paralytic’s friends had lowered him through the roof into a crowded house. When Jesus told him his sins were forgiven, the Pharisees silently condemned him for blaspheming. To prove he had authority to forgive sins, Jesus said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” When he did, “Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today'” (Luke 5:18-26).

Here are similarities. Both the paralytic in Luke 5 and Aeneas in Acts 9 suffered the same ailment. Both immediately got up when spoken to. Both had a mat to pick up. In Luke 5 the people were “amazed and gave praise to God.” In Acts 9 they “turned to the Lord.” And in both cases Jesus did the healing. In Luke 5, Jesus did it in person. In Acts 9 Jesus did it through Peter. Peter said to Aeneas, “Jesus Christ heals you.” Anyone who had known of Jesus’ healing the paralytic in Capernaum would have been reminded of that at Aeneas’ healing in Lydda. Seemed like Jesus was back in Judea.

Jesus Raises the Dead Woman Tabitha (Acts 9:36-43).

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon (Acts 9:36-43).

Joppa lay about 11 miles northwest of Lydda. Close enough to be considered near, yet far enough in time for Tabitha to have truly died. We don’t know what the disciples (a term author Luke typically uses of believers in Jesus) expected Peter to do; but Peter immediately knew what he would do. This is the only account of an apostle raising someone from the dead.

This miracle is much like Mark’s account of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead . . .

When they (Jesus, Peter, James and John) came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat (Mark 5:38-43)..

Note the similarities. In both cases people were crying and wailing at the death. In both cases the crowd was removed from the dead person’s room. In both cases the dead person was directly addressed with virtually the same words: “Tabitha, get up” (Acts 9:40) and “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” (Mark 5:41). In both cases the dead person got up. Not surprisingly, reactions were similar. In the case of Jairus’ daughter, “they were completely astonished” (Mark 5:42). And in Tabitha’s case, “This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord” (Acts 9:43). Anyone present at both miracles might very well have thought Jesus was back in Judea.

Jesus Still Doing (Acts 1:1).

I’ve noted this before, but it bears repeating. Author Luke opened Acts with these words: “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach . . . ”

” . . . all that Jesus began to do and to teach . . . ” Luke declares that his Gospel writing was the record of what Jesus began to do and teach. And by those words Luke implies that his Acts’ writing is the record of what Jesus continued to do and teach. This is Trinitarian theology. The Spirit of the Risen Christ—God the Holy Spirit—was continuing in Acts what Christ had begun in the Gospel.

That leads to this question: Is Jesus still doing today?

In his book Miracles, Eric Metaxas tells story after story of miracles today. One short one is about his own grandmother . . .

I remember my own grandmother telling me how she had prayed for her own leg, which was hurting, and “felt a sizzling” and was instantly healed. This was in the 1970s. My mother was at work and my grandmother was taking care of my brother and me over summer vacation. She told me that she spoke to God, saying, “I can’t take care of these children today unless you heal me,” and as she was talking to God . . . she felt a warmth in her leg and it was healed, just like that.

I’ve also come across a lengthy “Christianity Today” article from 2012. There’s probably at least one thing in this that many people will question or outright dismiss as being “too charismatic.” But, since “Christianity Today” is a middle-of-the-theological-read magazine and since the couple involved seem genuinely sacrificial givers for Christ’s sake, I came away believing the miracles are real. You can read it here . . .

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/may/miracles-in-mozambique.html\
Is Jesus “back”?
If so, we have reason to hope for signs and wonders
that will glorify him and fill us with great joy!

Lightning Strike

February 9, 2016 / Allan Babcock

“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many of the believers in Jerusalem to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them whipped in the synagogues to try to get them to curse Christ. I was so violently opposed to them that I even hounded them in distant cities of foreign lands” (Acts 26:9-11).

That’s Paul’s confession about his opposition to Christian Jews. He was known then as Saul (“Paul” his Roman name). He was perhaps the fiercest zealot in the great persecution that erupted against the church in Jerusalem (Acts 8:2)—“Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). Like a rampaging wild beast, he roamed the city hunting Jews who believed in Jesus as Messiah. How many suffered and died at his hand no one knows. He believed he was defending the sanctity of Israel’s God.

How ironic, then, today’s text!

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord– Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here– has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:1-19).

Saul was born about 5 A.D. in Tarsus (a city in today’s Turkey) to Jewish parents who possessed coveted Roman citizenship. Apparently about 10 A.D. the family moved to Jerusalem where 10 to 15 years later Saul began his Hebrew Scriptures and Law study under the famous Rabbi Gamaliel.

Now, perhaps in his mid-30’s, the zealous rabbi-to-be, is not content to “purify” Judaism in Jerusalem. He seeks authorization from the high priest Caiaphas to arrest any wayward Jews in Damascus synagogues. Midday he and his fellow-travelers (perhaps a few Jewish guards and others making the 140-mile trip from Jerusalem to Damascus, Syria—travelers journeyed together for safety) are nearing the city. Descending Mount Hermon to the plain on which Damascus lay (an area known for lightning storms), a blinding bolt struck. Whether it was God-timed lightning or a phenomenon directly from God matters little.

Saul falls to the ground, hears a voice identifying himself as Jesus, who orders him to enter the city. There he’ll be given his next command. Saul, unseeing, stumbles to his feet. The feared persecutor has to be led by the hand like a child.

In another, calmer vision, the Lord appears to Ananias and sends him to Judas’ house on Straight street to a man called Saul. Ananias is told Saul himself has seen a vision of Ananias praying that he might see again. Saul’s reputation worries Ananias. But the Lord explains: “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Ananias obeys. Subsequently, Saul is healed, filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized.

What can we take away from this spectacular conversion?

First, God has a sense of humor. Whom does he choose to take the Gospel to the Gentiles? Jesus’ raging enemy! And he starts the training process by plunging Saul into physical darkness with the glory of his Son, a physical darkness akin to the spiritual darkness in which Saul lived.

Second, God revealed himself in visions. He primarily reveals himself to us today in his written Word. But have you read missionary reports? One can hardly read any without seeing how the Lord revealed himself to someone in a vision. God’s “hands” aren’t tied by “closed countries” or our failed efforts to reach a people for himself.

There are other take-aways, but I think this is the weightiest: No one is beyond the Lord’s saving mercy. The last person anyone thought would be converted was Saul. That’s why the Christians had trouble trusting him (Acts 9:21). The disciples especially didn’t believe it (Acts 9:26).

I shouldn’t assume that, because you’re reading this, you’re a believer in Jesus. And, if you’re not, maybe you’re sure your past is too messed up for him to welcome you. It’s not. If he could save the murderer Saul, he can give you a new, eternal life. Just admit your sin and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.

Finally, since no one is beyond the Lord’s saving mercy, that person you’re praying for isn’t either. We can be encouraged by the Lord converting Saul, that he can convert the most disinterested, hardened disbeliever.

“The voice of the LORD (still) strikes with flashes of lightning” (Psalm 29:7).

Miracle Atmosphere

February 6, 2016 / Allan Babcock

C.S. Lewis once defined a miracle as “something unique that breaks a pattern so expected and established we hardly consider the possibility that it could be broken” (Miracles, Eric Metaxas).

Open Acts and you step into a miracle atmosphere! Though Acts’ early chapters span at least many months (if not a few years). the extent of miracles is still breathtaking: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (2:1-4) . . . the conversion of 3000 at Peter’s preaching (2:41) . . . the healing of the lame beggar (3:1-10) . . . the prayer-meeting-place shaken as Holy Spirit again fills the believers (4:31) . . . the church’s sacrificial unity selling possessions to give to their poor (4:32-37) . . . the God-judgment deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11) . . . the many signs and wonders done by the apostles’ hands (5:12) . . . the prison rescue (5:17-21) . . . and the signs worked through Philip (8:6,7).

Today we come to Acts 8:26-40 and find the air again breathing with miracles . . .

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road– the desert road– that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea (Acts 8:26-40).

Miracle #1–An Angel Giving Directions

The way author Luke writes, “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road– the desert road–that goes
down from Jerusalem to Gaza'” , you’d think a direction-giving angel was as common as a cop on the corner. The established pattern would be an apostle plotting the spread of the Gospel sending a courier to Philip in Samaria with his next assignment. Instead, a God-sent ministering spirit (Hebrews 1:14) is dispatched from God. By faith, Philip went.

Miracle #2–A Perfectly-Timed Meeting

The road from Jerusalem to Gaza was about 50 miles long. Philip was walking; the Ethiopian was riding. Yet the timing of Philip leaving Samaria, reaching Jerusalem and then apparently coming up behind the Ethiopian in his chariot after he had left Jerusalem was perfect. An observer, not knowing the angel direction-giver, would have called their meeting “chance”. But God who exists outside time, works precisely within it. So much so that Philip appears at the very time when the Ethiopian may have been wishing for an Old Testament teacher on that wilderness road!

Miracle #3–The Ethiopian Prophet-Reader

Why wasn’t the Ethiopian reading Exodus? Or any one of the other 65 chapters of Isaiah? Instead, he was reading the most powerful, descriptive prophecy of the Messiah’s death! When Philip asked if he understood the words and the Ethiopian said, “I need help” and invited him to sit with him, Philip “told him the good news about Jesus.” When the Ethiopian spotted water, he wanted to know why he couldn’t be baptized right then and there! Doesn’t that all sound suspiciously as God-at-work?

Miracle #4–Spirit Transportation Service

Gotta admit this next one is pretty peculiar: When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Twenty to thirty miles north to Azotus. Reasonable walking distance in those days. But maybe the Lord had mercy on Philip’s tired feet. Maybe the Lord wanted Philip in Azotus faster than Philip’s feet could take him. Or maybe the Lord just wanted to give Philip a thrill-ride for the joy of it. Whatever the reason, “the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away” and he “appeared at Azotus.”

Miracle #5–The Gospel to Afric

You have to ask, “Why did the Lord work so miraculously to get that Ethiopian the Gospel?”

First, I think to show that the Gospel is to include “the ends of the earth.” The Ethiopian was (obviously) from far-off Ethiopia in northern Africa (bottom right, green). He was dark-skinned. In Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, black or white! In the end worshipers will come “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Second, I think the Lord wanted the Gospel planted in Africa. And look who he chose to do the planting! This man was powerful, the chief treasurer of a kingdom wealthy from iron smelting, gold mining and trading. “It was a conduit for goods from the rest of the continent” (A Commentary on the Book of Acts, William J. Larkin, Jr.). Can we doubt that this Ethiopian joyfully took the Gospel back home?

Miracle #6–?

Theologians of a particular bent relegate that miracle atmosphere to a unique non-repeatable dispensation. Preachers of a particular mind-set peddle miracles for a profit. Most the rest of us pray for a miracle, but never see one—at least not the kind Acts shows us. So how shall we respond to this “miracle atmosphere” in Act?

One, give in to the deep (and maybe hidden) desire in our hearts for a life more full-of-wonder than we can even imagine. Certainly one more wonderful than just “the normal” and “the natural.” We do that by admitting our sin against this miracle God and trusting our lives to the crucified, risen and reigning Lord Jesus Christ. A simple prayer like that straight from the heart will set us on the way.

Two, keep praying for a miracle. Some of us have given up, because of some God-limiting theology or because years of praying have produced nothing. I have questions about why often God seems silent in the face of great need, but I don’t want to limit him with boxing-God-in theology or my own hopelessness. It’s time for us to go to God like little children who trust that

he is a God of surprising wonders.

Stephen and the Stiff-Necked

January 28, 2016 / Allan Babcock

Stiff-necked people are arrogant and stubborn. They work hard to be good before God. But they refuse to worship God as God, celebrating their achievements instead. Therefore, after much patience, God turns away from them.

We come to the third sermon of “The Acts Eight”, “Stephen and the Stiff-Necked”. It’s long (7:1-53), so to “hear” it we’ll need our Bible. Let’s pull it out and read along. Before we get to Stephen’s sermon, let’s take a brief look at the man and charges made against him.

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)– Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel (Acts 6:8-15).

The Man Stephen.

We met him in Acts 6:5. There he was one of seven chosen to distribute food to church widows and introduced as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” Here author Luke describes him as “a man full of God’s grace and power” who “did great wonders and signs among the people” (6:8). He spread the Gospel primarily among Hellenist Jews, that is, Jews born outside Israel (“Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria and the provinces of Cilicia and Asia”). They reacted with arguments. Unable to succeed, they persuaded some men to make false charges against Stephen. They seized him and dragged him before the Sanhedrin. When members looked at him closely, they saw a face literally shining with God’s glory, as was written of Moses’ face (Exodus 34:29,30).

Charges Against Stephen.

To the Court the men Luke calls “false witnesses” charged Stephen with blasphemy against Moses and against God, specifically (1) speaking against the temple saying Jesus will destroy it and (2) speaking against Moses by changing his traditional customs. Like most lies, they contained enough truth to be deceptively convincing to the already hostile Court.

Stephen’s Sermon.

It wasn’t really a sermon, but a historical defense which Stephen turned into a prosecution of the Court. In it, Stephen over-viewed Jewish history in the Old Testament. Two themes run throughout it. First, God’s steadfast covenant faithfulness to his people. Second, the people’s resistance to God in favor of their own way, resulting eventually in God turning away from them. We’ll look for those themes as we read. And we’ll do it with the prayer that God may keep us from being stiff-necked before his grace.

The High Priest’s Question.

“Are these things (the charges of speaking against the temple and the customs of Moses) so?” (7:1)

God and Abraham (please read 7:2-8).

Stephen tells how God called Abraham to a land he would show him. Abraham went, but only as far as Haran. But God “removed” him from that land to bring him to the land of promise. In other words, Abraham half obeyed, half resisted. Nevertheless, God acted in sovereign grace and drove Abraham from Haran to the Promised Land.

God and Joseph (please read 7:9-16).

Stephen recounts how the patriarchs (the men who would become heads of Israel’s twelve tribes) sold Joseph into Egypt, jealous of his dreams in which he claimed they would have to bow down to him. But God was with Joseph and gave him favor with Pharaoh. Therefore, by God’s sovereign grace, Joseph saved his family (and future generations) from famine. (His brothers did bow down to him.)

God and Moses (please read (7:17-43).

Stephen narrates Moses’ story—how the Hebrews were enslaved under Pharaoh and how the Lord rescued them with signs and wonders. But from the Hebrews rejected Moses again and again, questioning Moses’ credentials as ruler and redeemer, finally making a golden calf “and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.” God then “turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven . . . “

God and the Temple (please read 7:44-50).

Yet a believing remnant survived 40 years in the wilderness. God brought them into the Promised Land, driving out the nations for their sake. Solomon, David’s son, built the temple. “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?’says the Lord. ‘Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?'”

With that quote from the prophet Isaiah (66:1,2), Stephen begins to drive home his charge against them. The temple was the work of their ancestors’ hands. They built it and gloried in it, instead of in the God who doesn’t live in a house made by men. Rather, he is the maker of all things.

Stephen’s Charge.

“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him– you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it” (7:51-53).

Their history reveals their resistance to God. And they have climaxed it by betraying and murdering the Messiah. Yet, there is still opportunity to repent at this “sermon.” We’ll see next time if they do. Meanwhile, here is . . .

A Soft-Necked Prayer.

O God, please soften my neck.
I don’t want to be like those people
who enjoyed your grace but worshiped themselves.
I never want you to turn away from me
because of my arrogance or stubbornness.
Enable me to lower myself and humble myself
to your good and perfect will
(even if I think my way is better).
Teach me that I can’t box you in,
because you’re too big and can’t be contained.
Teach me that my achievements earn nothing,
that all things are from you and through you and to you.
What am I that you are mindful of me?
In the name of your Son who chose your will for my sake.
Amen.

The Living Church

January 24, 2016 / Allan Babcock

In 1973 we planted a church in New Jersey. Named it “The Living Church.” The local Episcopal priest (half?) joked, “I guess that means the rest of us are dead.” Ours was alive, yet nowhere near the “alive-level” of the Jerusalem church in her exhilarating early days. Makes me long for what they had.

In this series of posts, I’m focusing on “The Acts Eight”—eight sermons scattered throughout the book. To see them in context we ‘re following the narrative. It’s taking more time than I anticipated. I hope the Lord uses it for good.

In Acts 5:12-16 author Luke writes a third summary (see 2:42-47 and 4:32-37 for the first two) of church life, as she marched through her early months and years. This summary intoxicates . . .

Alive with the Spirit’s Power

The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

“Seeing” the scene helps—so an explanation. Solomon’s Colonnade was a porch-like walkway running along much of the eastern side of the temple courtyard. They met in homes, but this was the public place believers gathered. Outsiders kept their distance. (Memories of Ananias and Sapphira?) Yet more came to faith; numbers surged. Miraculous healings were regular. Crowds came from outside the city with their sick. Like the days of Jesus.

A clarification. The NIV says, “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders”. An unfortunate translation, because it makes the apostles the actors. More faithful to the original Greek is the ESV translation: “Now many signs and wonders were regularly done . . . by the hands of the apostles.” This makes the apostles the means, not the source.

That church, that was The Living Church. Alive with the Spirit’s power.

But such dynamic success instigated opposition . . .

Advance Despite the Court’s Clout

Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin– the full assembly of the elders of Israel– and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead– whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 5:17-42).

This text, too, beats with the Spirit’s life. First, the miraculous “prison break”, noted almost matter-of-factly. Second, the bold “defense” of the apostles, which Peter attributes to the power of the Spirit. Third, the rejoicing by the bloodied apostles. And finally their unstopping good-news-proclaiming.

Speaking of “the bloodied apostles”, it’s significant to note that the flogging may well have been the traditional 39 lashes with bone-filled straps. That they rejoiced having been “counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”, and that they continued spreading the Gospel knowing the cost, points to the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit in them.

In fact, it’s quite remarkable how unflinchingly they declared Jesus to be the One . . .

raised from the dead by the God of their fathers. Thus they connected Jesus to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
the Court had killed by crucifixion. Thus declaring their unquestioned guilt before God.
God exalted to the place of ultimate authority (“exalted to his own right hand”).
who is now “Prince (Greek arkaygos–leader, prince, pioneer) and Savior”.
whose exaltation is for the purpose of giving repentance and forgiveness of sins. Thus giving the Court opportunity to repent and be forgiven.
whom the apostles saw alive again with their own eyes.

So again, as before (4:1-22), the “optics” for the Court aren’t good. Despite their best efforts, they look powerless and inept, as the bloodied apostles leave rejoicing and persistently spread the word.

Aberrant Today?

Question: Is Acts only a history of the church or a model? If model, then from my (admittedly limited) view, we’re not matching up well. What is happening among us that can be attributed only to the Holy Spirit? When was the last time people came because they heard how the Lord was miraculously changing lives among us? Are we in danger of persecution because our words and works threaten powerful people?

Maybe we should pray desperately for what we’re missing from the model . . .

Interruption Malfunction

January 12, 2016 / Allan Babcock

Want to know why “the One enthroned in heaven laughs” at rulers who gather against him (Psalm 2:4)? Look no further than this “interruption malfunction.”

Sermon Interrupted.

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand (Acts 4:1-4).

The healing of a cripple (https://theoldpreacher.com/god-has-glorified-his-servant-jesus/) had drawn a few thousand astonished spectators. Peter and John are telling how God’s glorified servant Jesus had worked that miracle. A commotion grows as a troop of Jewish authorities come stomping through the crowd.

They’re outraged that “the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” Getting Jesus crucified hadn’t made his name go away! They throw Peter and John in the Jerusalem jail overnight. Even so, about 2,000 men believe. (Hear the Lord laughing?)

Court Crippled.

By the end of this next scene, it’s apparent that the powerful Jewish Court has been crippled by two “unschooled, ordinary” prisoners.

The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:5-12).

Luke’s list of Court members indicates that this is the same body that less than two months ago decided Jesus deserved death. From the start the Court has a big problem on its hands: clearly a miracle had been performed (“By what power or what name did you do this?” ” . . . since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them . . ., “)

How is this common fisherman able to answer so boldly and wisely? Peter was “filled with the Spirit.” (Someone has suggested that The Acts of the Apostles should be called The Acts of the Holy Spirit!)

Peter says, “Are you kidding me? Are you putting us on trial ‘for an act of kindness shown to the cripple”? Here’s how it was done, he says. “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”

Luke begins Acts with these words: “In the first book (the Gospel According to Luke), O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach . . . ” (1:1). Implication: in Acts Jesus continues to do and teach. This is what Peter proclaims. ” . . . Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead [did this]!” . . . ” In other words, “Jesus is alive! And he healed this cripple when we called on his name!”

Peter’s defense turns prosecution. He quotes Psalm 188:22 and declares Jesus is the stone they rejected. Jesus is the cornerstone of the new “temple” God is building. Jesus is the only name by whom salvation can be found. It’s a powerful testimony that leaves the Court with its collective mouth hanging open and silent.

Apostles Win.

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old (Acts 4:13-26).

The Jerusalem jail, even for one night, was no luxury resort. Knowing what this Court did to Jesus must have frightened the two apostles. But above it all the Lord must have been laughing at the persecutors. What can they do? They can’t deny the miracle; everybody’s seen it. But they can’t let this insidious conduct continue. But when they command them to stop preaching in Jesus’ name, the two refuse to obey; they must obey God and tell what they’ve seen and heard. The Court’s clout is reduced to threats.

Meanwhile the people are praising God for the miracle they’ve seen. And the Lord, I’m sure, is laughing.

Laughing Lord,
as the psalmist wrote, You have set your Anointed King on Your holy hill.
Rebellion against You and resistance to You are equally futile.
This “Interruption Malfunction” is only one proof.
As it encouraged the early church, may it encourage
all Your people who are being opposed because they are Yours.
I pray especially for Your people facing abuse and persecution today.
Protect them, fill them with the Holy Spirit,
empower them to uphold Your name against those who hate it.
May they know—may we all know—
that You lough mockingly at Your puny opposition.
And may Your hurting people be convinced
that even if they can’t laugh now
that in the end they—and we—
will all laugh together with You forever.
In the name of the risen Lord of lords. Amen.

God Has Glorified His Servant Jesus

January 11, 2016 / Allan Babcock

I often hoped God would work a miracle. A miracle would attract crowds. And that would be a chance to preach the Gospel to unbelievers. That’s what happened in Acts 4:11, 12a

While the beggar held on to Peter and John,
all the people were astonished and came running to them
in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
And when Peter saw it he addressed the people . . .

Peter’s address is the 2nd sermon in “The Acts Eight”—“God Has Glorified His Servant Jesus”.

Glorified and Guilty.

When Peter saw this (all the people running to him), he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you (3:12-14).

Faith-healers are spiritual superstars. They exude power beyond the ordinary. And they eat it up. However, when Peter saw starry eyes staring at him , he quickly re-aimed their focus to Jesus.

Speaking to Jews, Peter connected Jesus with “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”. Jesus was the servant of the God of their fathers. In Jesus, God has continued (and consummated) his saving work begun with the patriarchs. Jesus-crucified, God glorified. Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand in the seat of the universe’s sovereign power. The healed cripple proves it.

At the same time, Peter calls Jesus the servant of God, echoing Isaiah 52:13—“Behold, my servant (wounded for our transgressions—Isaiah 53:5) shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up and shall be exalted” (Isaiah 52:13).

Despite their ignorance and God’s fulfillment, Peter’s audience is guilty. They rejected Jesus. Cried, “Crucify him!” Preferred a murderer to God’s Holy and Righteous One.

We don’t use this in-your-face language. We’d rather talk about Jesus filling a void or making our lives better. Jesus is like “Gumout”: add him to your gasoline and your engine runs better. Peter will have none of it. Men and women are guilty sinners.

Jesus’ Name.

You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see (3:15,16).

Humans killed “the author (originator, source) of life”. (Would we do differently today?) ” . . . but God raised him from the dead.” Over and over the apostles heralded the news.

“The cripple had been healed because Jesus had been glorified. From His place of exaltation He endowed His disciples with power to act in His name, to perform mighty works such as He had performed in the days of His bodily presence among them” (F.F Bruce, The Book of Acts, p. 88).

Peter must have often passed that cripple at the gate and heard him beg. But on this day he stopped and “directed his gaze at him” (3:4). Perhaps in that moment “the faith that comes through Jesus” came to Peter. And he knew.

“It is Jesus’ name (all that Jesus is) . . . that has given this complete healing to him.” Sadly today’s “faith healers” preen themselves for the spotlight. Peter redirected it on Jesus. The ultimate aim of all miracles is the fame of his great name.

Repent for Remission, Refreshment & Restoration.

“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you– even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets (3:17-21).

Even though the Jews “acted in ignorance” and even though “this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold”, Peter calls them to “repent”. That sounds like a word from great-grandmother’s generation, but it’s as crucial today as it was in Peter’s. It means to change our mind about whom we thought Jesus was to who he really is. (In this case, the glorified servant of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.) And we live that repentance out by living as he taught us to.

With repentance, Peter promises . . .

remission of sins (his audience can be forgiven for preferring a murderer to the Holy and Righteous One!),
refreshment from the Lord (the gift of the Holy Spirit to live in them, Acts 2:38), and
the restoration of all things when Jesus comes again with the new creation.

John Newton echoes this Gospel with his wondering words . . .

Alas! I knew not what I did,
But now my tears are vain;
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I my Lord have slain.

A second look He gave, which said:
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom shed;
I die, that thou mayest live.”

Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue;
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief and mournful joy
My spirit now is filled,
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live through Him I killed.

Ancient Prophecies Fulfilled.

For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’ “Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways” (3:22-26).

Peter assures the Jewish crowd what they must know: that Jesus doesn’t do away with the prophets they’ve trusted all their lives; Jesus fulfills their words. The Gospel of Jesus doesn’t oppose God’s Old Testament revelation; the two are bound in holy unity. What God promised through the prophets, he has fulfilled in Jesus—his now-glorified servant.

God, who raised your servant Jesus from the dead,
I don’t want to repeat the sin of that generation;
I don’t want to reject the Holy and Righteous One
for what will kill me in the end.
I confess my sins to you
and trust your servant to forgive, refresh and restore me.
I give my life to Jesus in whom all your prophecies are fulfilled.
I bow with humble and glad heart to your Servant whom you’ve glorified
and pray my life will give him glory too.
For the sake of the name above all names. Amen.

Many Miracles

January 9, 2016 / Allan Babcock

I’ve often longed for the heady days of the early church–permeated with God’s empowering presence (title of an excellent book by Dr. Gordon Fee–http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Empowering-Presence-Spirit-Letters/dp/0801046211/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452105365&sr=1-1&keywords=god%27s+empowering+presence). In some circles today, however, the church is filled with practiced productions and unremarkable routines, but nothing remotely close to the miraculous. With that in mind, here’s a brief look at the early church’s narrative that leads to Sermon 2 of “The Acts Eight”.

After Peter’s Pentecost sermon (https://theoldpreacher.com/not-drunk-like-you-think/), 3,000 were added to the 120 (2:41). The first mega-church. A sizable chunk of an estimated Jerusalem population of 50,000.

Wide-Angle View of the Early Church.

In Acts 2:42-47 author Luke writes a wide-angle view–a summary–of the 3,000-member church’s life in the days following Pentecost . .

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (2:42-47).

Here’s a closer look at Luke’s summary to give us a better picture of the church . . .

Devotion. The Greek word translated “devoted” (proskartereo) means they “occupied themselves diligently” with four things . . .

The apostle’s teaching. They devotedly learned from the apostles Jesus’ teachings. They learned in order to practice. They were all disciples.

Fellowship. They spent considerable time together. If I catch the sense of text correctly, they didn’t squeeze fellowship into a busy schedule. Rather, their days centered in their shared life together. Daily they met in the temple courts. “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” This stuns me whenever I read it. I imagine a family that loses everything due, let’s say, to illness. Others learn of it. They don’t give an offering of spare cash; they actually sell possessions, collect the cash and give it to the needy family. Apparently this was common practice, not a one-time gift. They devoted themselves to this kind of koinonia (fellowship).

The breaking of bread. Luke explains in verses 46,47a–“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” This bread-breaking included joyfully sharing meals together and almost certainly celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

Prayer. This devotion probably included “praising God” (2:47a) as well as praying for unbelievers and interceding for each other’s needs. Whatever form their prayers took, they must have prayed anticipating answers because they knew they prayed to the living Lord.

Signs and wonders. Not only devotion, but miracles marked the early church. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles (2:43). The miraculous wasn’t commonplace; nevertheless, many wonders and signs were done by the apostles evoking a reverent fear, a sense of awe before the miracle-working power of the Lord.

Close-Up View of the Early Church.

In 3:1-10 Luke gives us a close-up view of the early church–in particular the wonders and miraculous signs they experienced. Here it is in my own words . . .

Peter and John were walking to the temple for 3 p.m. prayer time. (Believers in Jesus Messiah still practiced some of the Jewish worship customs.) At the gate called “Beautiful” a man crippled from birth was being carried and set down to beg from the temple-goers. It was how he survived. Coming toward him he saw his day’s first prospects. He begged for money. Instead of rushing past or dropping him a half-shekel, the two looked him straight in the eye and demanded he lift up his head and do the same to them. He looked, expecting money. Peter said, “I have no money, but I’ll give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk!” Peter grabbed the cripple’s hand and helped him up. Immediately the cripple felt strength in his feet and ankles. Suddenly he jumped. Then he began walking around (like we do in the store when trying out a new pair of shoes). From that moment on, the three became a star attraction. Peter and john walked toward the temple; but at their side the former life-time cripple kept jumping and praising God. People couldn’t help but look. And when they recognized who he was–they pointed at him with mouths hung open in amazement (from 3:1-10).

The Church Today.

Except for few who may be fearful of being called “charismatic”, who wouldn’t want to see miracles in the church today? Of course, we can’t make God make miracles. God distributes them according to his will (Hebrews 2:4). But, humbly and needy, we can pray . . .

Miracle-working God who raised Jesus from the dead,
pour out your Spirit on your people today.
We ask for signs and wonders,
not to entertain us, but to heal our hurts and bind up our wounds.
We beg for your full-of-wonder power,
not to attract spectators but to cause the lost to give ear to your Gospel.
We long to know you, Lord,
not just as a quiet comforter but as a rushing wind of power.
We pray for miracles and gifts of the Spirit, Lord,
not to make a name for ourselves but for the glory of your great name.
We humbly pray in the name of the One
with whom nothing is impossible. Amen.

Squanto: A Thanksgiving Miracle

November 25, 2015 / Allan Babcock

Maybe you’ve heard this story before. Even so, it’s worth reading again (as it was for me). You may even want to read it around the Thanksgiving table. I’m indebted to Eric Metaxas who brought it back to mind on the “Wall Street Journal” Opinion page today (http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-miracle-of-squantos-path-to-plymouth-1448406073).

About 1608 (12 years before the Pilgrims arrived) an English ship arrived at what would become Plymouth, Massachusetts. Friendly Patuxet Indians welcomed them. But the sailors’ intention wasn’t friendly: they brutally captured a number of the braves, took them to Spain, and sold them into slavery.

One became the property of some Catholic friars, who treated him well and set him free. He began dreaming of somehow returning to the New World. He managed to get from Spain to London where he stayed with a man named John Slany who taught him English. In 1618, the he found a ship that would take him to the New World, if he would work as an interpreter.

So it was that after ten years, the Indian returned to his village. But when he arrived, he was shocked to find it deserted. The Patuxets had all died from a disease (smallpox?) brought by ships from Europe. Captivity almost certainly saved his life. But for what? To live alone in the woods?

Two years later, in 1620, Pilgrims, fleeing religious persecution in England, arrived on the Mayflower. Their original destination was Virginia. But, unable to go that far, they chose instead to settle at Plymouth. It was November. Harsh conditions—frigid temperatures, wet ground, little food—brought illness and death to many. How could God have led them to such suffering? They considered returning to Europe.

Then after the dark cold winter, one spring day in 1621, an Indian walked out of the woods. He spoke English. He had lived in London. And he had grown up on the land where they now stood. He knew how to plant corn and squash, how to find fish, and how to survive in the wilderness.

His named was Squanto.

Lucky for those Pilgrims, huh? In Metaxas’ telling of the true story he calls it “an outrageous miracle of God.” The Pilgrims certainly believed so. The Plymouth Colony Governor William Bradford wrote in his journal that Squanto “became a special instrument sent of God.”

We can be sure on that first Thanksgiving the Pilgrims gratefully gave thanks for more than food. In a typically mysterious God-way, he provided for his people’s survival in the New World.

Outrageous miracle indeed!

Oh, we should remember that God—our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ—
still acts “outrageously” today.

reenactment of the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Mass. (AP/Plimoth ...

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20,21)