Category: The Word (Page 26 of 34)

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.

Crossing the Border

February 3, 2016 / Allan Babcock

In the U.S., “crossing the border” brings to mind illegal immigrants. Here in Acts 8:4-25, author Luke writes, not about the U.S. border with Mexico or the borders between Europe and the Middle East, but the border between Judea and Samaria. He tells us what happened the first time the Gospel spread beyond Jerusalem and Judea. We’ll see, not only its triumphant advance, but a contemporary concern that confronts us all.

God Uses Persecution-Scattering to Spread the Gospel

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went (Acts 8:4).

Persecution was severe. It started with Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60). It stayed as “Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, [dragging] off men and women and [committing] them to prison” (Acts 8:3). But God used it to “kick” the believers out of Jerusalem and Judea into Samaria, just as Jesus said (Acts 1:8).

I’m reminded what Joseph told his brothers who had sold him to slave-traders. ” . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). And I think of refugees fleeing terrorized countries for Europe. Is God using that suffering to bring people to lands where they can hear the Gospel?

Samaria Rejoices at the Miracle-Working Gospel of Christ

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many; paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city (Acts 8:5-8).

Samaria lay just north of Judea, but was culturally and religiously sharply different. Samaritans were unwanted Jews left behind when Assyria conquered Jerusalem and repopulated it with foreigners in 722 B.C. Thus culturally and religiously Samaritans became a mix of Judaism and pagan idolaters.

Philip, one of the seven chosen to distribute food to the needy Grecian Jewish widows (Acts 6:5), was one of those scattered to Samaria. Based on Deuteronomy 18:18 (I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him”), Samaritans looked forward to one they called “the restorer”. When Philip preached Christ, they rightly believed “the restorer” was Christ. Signs and wonders confirmed the Gospel and the city celebrated with great joy.

Two lessons emerge. One, it may help our witness to use what unbelievers think or want to direct them to Jesus. Example: “I hear you saying you want a better world. Could I tell you how Jesus promised that?”

Two, perhaps we should pray desperately for signs and wonders to gain us a hearing with unbelievers. Maybe we don’t see them because we don’t pray for them or because we’ve replaced his power with our church productions.

Philip and a Man Who Wants the Spirit without Repentance

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages (Acts 8:9-25).

Simon is an interesting character. Justin Martyr, a second century defender of the faith, held that Simon (called Simon Magnus) continued to use his magic to attract followers in Rome as well as Samaria and was a long-time opponent of Peter. Whether true or not, Luke tells us Simon “believed and was baptized” when he heard the good news of God’s kingdom. But when he tries to buy the power to give others the Holy Spirit, Peter rebukes him and claims Simon’s “heart is not right before God” and that he is “full of bitterness and captive to sin”. Was Simon’s initial faith genuine? Or did he only want the power he saw evidenced before him? Perhaps the latter. We’re never told Simon did repent, only that he asked that he might escape God’s wrath.

What’s important for us is the reminder that repentance is required in coming to Christ. The Gospel doesn’t offer us power to add Jesus onto our lives so we can accomplish our agenda. The Gospel offers us power to surrender to and follow Jesus as our King and Lord.

Whether “the Simon legend” is true matters little. What matters is that we not repeat “the Simon sin” and assume we’re okay. By (fallen) nature we believe we should have power to determine our destiny and satisfy our desires. Jesus demands we turn away from that belief and bow to his power in our lives. Repentance is the border we must cross. For his glory and our good.

Lord, keep me from being a 21st century Simon.
Holy Spirit, come and work your saving, sanctifying power in me
for the sake of the Lord Jesus and for the sake of my soul.
Amen.

No One Escapes Suffering

February 2, 2016 / Allan Babcock

Hear that? No one escapes suffering. In my early years I hardly thought about it. I was suffering-free, except for some emotional pains of pastoring. But in my late 6th decade, suffering came. Back trouble hit— from genes and aging. Then came irritating digestive issues. Finally, after several surgeries and multiple tests, doctors decided their diagnosis: primary lateral sclerosis, a chronic and incurable disease that weakens parts of the body, makes walking without assistance impossible and produces other troublesome symptoms

This morning while exercising I listened to a sermon from 1 Peter (a letter all about suffering), which included this text . . .

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade– kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith– of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire– may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:3-7).

I preached this several times. But, this morning it awakened me like a jump in a cold swimming pool. I pulled out my Bible and preached it to myself. (If you want to listen to my self-addressed little sermon, you may continue.)

In 1:3-5, Peter praises God for mercifully giving us new birth into a hope that lives through Christ’s resurrection. And he praises God for the imperishable, unspoiling, never-fading inheritance that is ours through faith. This inheritance, Peter writes, is kept in heaven for us and will come through the consummation of Christ’s salvation.

Then in 1:6 he reminds us that this hope/inheritance is a source of great joy. That convicts me, because too often I allow my disability to dampen my joy and it blinds the eyes of my heart to the great good that’s coming.

In the second half of 1:6 Peter has a despite-the-present-reality moment. You greatly rejoice in what is coming (future), “though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” This is the present reality. This is where I live, because no one escapes suffering—not even Christians.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial
when it comes upon you to test you,
as though something strange were happening to you.
(1 Peter 4:12)

Suffering is normal in this sinful, dying world. Suffering is normal for the Christian, because Jesus suffered.

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings
that you may also rejoice and be glad
when his glory is revealed.
(1 Peter 4:13)

But why do I suffer? We all ask that question, right? Why me? Why now? Why this? Is it fate? Bad karma? I look again at 1:6 and 1:7 . . .

In this (your hope/inheritance) you rejoice,
though now for a little while, if necessary (that means God has designed it),
you have been grieved by various trials
so that the tested genuineness of your faith
—more precious than gold that perishes though refined by fire—
may be found to result in praise and glory and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
(1 Peter 1:6,7)

Why do I suffer with this disability? So that my faith may be tested and proved genuine and result in my being praised and glorified and honored at Jesus Christ’s appearing! This is a faith-test. My faith must be proven genuine. And when it is, it will bring me praise, glory and honor when Jesus comes.

Allan (I’m preaching to myself, remember), don’t be discouraged and depressed. Think of the living hope that is yours through Christ’s resurrection. Think of the glorious inheritance he is keeping in heaven for you. Think of how he is guarding you for it through your faith. Rejoice in that!

Yes, you are enduring a trial now. No one, not even you, escapes suffering. But remember God is testing your faith—not because he doesn’t know its quality, but so through testing it may be strengthened and purified. Whether you agree or not, whether you would choose this process or not, your God has sent this into your life. It’s not senseless suffering. It’s refining fire for your faith. And it has extraordinary consequences. As you limp through the fire, persevering in faith, the result will be this: You will receive praise, glory and honor when Christ is revealed to this world in his glory.

So quit moaning and rejoice! Quit grumbling and praise him! Quit pulling the covers over your head and get up for the fight of faith! Because he is keeping you. And in the end, he will reward you with a crown of glory.

Blood of the Martyr, Seed of the Church

January 29, 2016 / Allan Babcock

Each month 322 Christians are killed for their faith, according to Open Doors (https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/). This is the story of the first one.

Stephen Martyred.

When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at (Stephen). But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:54-60).

The Sanhedrin violently reacted to Stephen’s “sermon”/defense/prosecution (theoldpreacher.com/stephen-and-the-stiff-necked/). They were “furious” (Literal Greek, “cut to the heart”) and so enraged they actually gnashed their teeth at him.

In sharp contrast, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw God’s glory and Jesus, the messianic Son of Man, standing (ready to welcome him?) at the place of authority over all. When Stephen made his confession of who Jesus truly is and acknowledged him as worthy of worship and devotion to the death, the Court members covered their ears and, like a pack of hungry wild animals rushed him yelling for the kill. According to law (“Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him,” Leviticus 24:14) they dragged him outside the city, threw him down a small hill and stoned him.

Stephen, bludgeoned by the bashing, prayed for the Lord Jesus to welcome his spirit. Then, falling to his knees under the relentless rain of rocks, cried out as his Lord had done, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” With those words, he passed from this life to Jesus.

Was his prayer ever answered? It was for at least one. Young Saul, at whose feet the Sanhedrin members laid their clothes to execute Stephen, himself met Jesus not long after and became the apostle to the Gentiles. In fact, Augustine (4th century Christian theologian) said, “The Church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen.”

Great Persecution Breaks Out & Scattered Believers Spread the Word.

And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went (Acts 8:1-4).

With Stephen’s death, the dam burst. The church became the persecutors’ target—perhaps the Hellenist Christians, since Stephen had been leader of that contingent. If so, the Hebraic Jewish Christians remained and the apostles with them. But the persecution scattered all the Hellenist believers from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria. And they ” . . . preached the word wherever they went.” Thus the Lord used persecution to fulfill the next stage of Acts 1:8 (“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”, Jesus.) The blood of the martyrs became the seed of the church.

The Church Suffers Persecution Today.

According to Open Doors, “Beatings, physical torture, confinement, isolation, rape, severe punishment, imprisonment, slavery, discrimination in education and employment, and even death are just a few examples of the persecution (Christians) experience on a daily basis.” The Pew Research Center found that over 75% of the world’s population “lives in areas with severe religious restrictions (and many of these people are Christians).” The U.S. State Department says “Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their governments or surrounding neighbors simply because of their belief in Jesus Christ.” Open Doors’ “Worldwide Watch List” names the top 20 countries where Christian persecution is the worst: North Korea, Iraq, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Nigeria, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Kenya, India, Ethiopia, Turkemistan and Vietnam.

Is it coming here? If Vegas was making odds, I think they’d be good. Ask Christian bakers and florists and at least one county clerk. We won’t go from today’s “tolerance” to ISIS-like beheadings. But the heat is slowly getting hotter. Are we committed to Christ like Stephen was?

Meanwhile we can remember our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. We can be informed from organizations like Open Doors https://www.opendoorsusa.org/home/ and Voice of the Martyrs http://www.persecution.com/. Both sites also have projects we might take part in.

Reigning Lord Jesus, Son of Man, Messiah,
toughen us up in America,
so we’re ready to pay whatever price we must
to faithfully serve you.
Move our hearts now with our brothers’ and sisters’ suffering,
so we will do what we can to stand with them and encourage them.
Protect them, Lord,
convict and convert their accusers,
and keep them faithful even to death.
And have mercy, Lord.
May it not take the blood of our martyrs
to awaken the church in America
to the eternal life/eternal death struggle we’re caught up in.
But whether it’s mockery, or job loss, or harassment, or beatings, even death,
may our suffering result in more seed sown for your church.
For the sake of your great name in all the earth we pray, Jesus.Amen.

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 . . .

Bible Illiterates?

January 22, 2016 / Allan Babcock

I read a familiar, but still disturbing, post today entitled, “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem”. It’s available in its entirety at http://www.albertmohler.com/2016/01/20/the-scandal-of-biblical-illiteracy-its-our-problem-4/.

The content reveals why most of my posts are “devotional commentaries” (or “little sermons” ) on the Scripture. Christian bloggers write posts on everything from theological doctrines to practical “how to’s” to church history to personal stories. Most are worth reading. I am not competing with them or suggesting mine are “better”. I write mostly about “The Word”, because I agree with Dr. Mohler: Christians in American are largely biblically illiterate.

Mohler calls this a “scandalous problem” and declares “it’s up to us to fix it”. Let me say at the outset the only “fix” is to prayerfully read and study Scripture. Neither my blog nor anyone’s writing can substitute. The “fix” is to read God’s Word. That’s why I typically quote (rather than just refer to) Scripture. Even so, at best it’s only part of the “fix”.

Before looking further at the “fix” let’s see how bad our illiteracy is. This information comes from various researchers, people like the Barna Research Group, George Gallup, etc.). According to Mohler’s post, “Fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels. Many Christians cannot identify more than two or three of the disciples. Barna claims “60 percent of Americans can’t name even five of the Ten Commandments. No wonder people break the Ten Commandments all the time. They don’t know what they are.”

Eighty-two percent of Americans say, “God helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible. Eighty-one percent of self-professed born again Christians agree! Some research results are tragically funny. Barna polling shows “that at least 12% of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.” In another survey over 50% of graduating high school seniors “thought Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.” And another poll “indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.”

Why does this illiteracy matter? It matters not so we can win a Bible trivia game at a youth group. Mohler offers a powerful reason that should shake us if we’re among the “illiterates”: “We will not believe more than we know, and we will not live higher than our beliefs.” To put it another way, the quality of our faith is determined by the extent of our biblical knowledge and the way we live is determined by our faith. Now, knowing the names of the twelve disciples won’t bolster our faith and thereby shape our lifestyle. But, as Mohler points out, “An individual who believes that “God helps those who help themselves” will find salvation by grace and justification by faith to be alien concepts.”

How, then, can we improve biblical literacy?

Pastors must preach the Bible—what it says, what it means, how to live it out.
Members must regularly be good students of sermons—listening, jotting notes, taking away knowledge of the truth taught, coupled with an aim to act on it.
Youth groups must include serious Bible study as part of their program.
Parents must read the Bible and pray with their children at home.
Christians individually, or as a married couple, must make time daily to read God’s Word and pray.
Blog-readers should read blogs that focus on God’s Word, read them with Bible open, and read them prayerfully.
Everybody should buy and use a study Bible that gives introductory information to each book. I think the ESV Study Bible is the best.

An encouragement. The Bible is an intimidating, challenging book to read, made harder by the dumbing-down of our society as visual media (Internet, smart phones, etc.) push reading off the stage. But the only way to become Bible-literate is to prayerfully read it. (I try to write my blog in series so we’re walking through a Bible book or section.) I know from experience that reading doesn’t just add knowledge of Scripture; as time goes on reading multiplies it.

Mohler’s concluding words are also mine . . .

I’m not suggesting that reading my blog guarantees biblical literacy.
With my prayers, I just humbly offer it as a help.

Money: Fulfilling or Fatal?

January 21, 2016 / Allan Babcock

At a busy intersection not far from where we once lived a billboard boasted, “WE’RE A CHURCH THAT DOESN’T PREACH MONEY!” Funny. My Bibles says a lot about money.

In fact, Luke’s second summary of early church life (4:32-37) is almost all about money. That’s especially significant because many months (maybe even a year or so) has passed since his last summary (2:42-47).

Church Life Summary (4:32-35)

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

The first sentence is key to this summary. All the believers were one in heart and mind. Commentator William J. Larkin Jr. writes, This phrase masterfully brings together both the Greek ideal of friendship–“a single soul [mia psyche] dwelling in two bodies” (Aristotle in Diogenes Laertius Lives of the Philosophers 5.20)–and the Old Testament ideal of total loyalty (1 Chron 12:39–referring to the devotion of David’s band of men in the wilderness).

I caught glimpses of unity like that over 44 years of pastoring. Sadly, I also saw painful occasions where we suffered the opposite in shameful church splits. Most of the time, though, our church unity registered somewhere in between.

This Acts’ oneness was more than a km-ba-ya moment around a campfire. It was lived out by the whole church. “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had” with the result that there “were no needy persons among them.” This was especially significant, because Jerusalem’s economy was shaky at best, the country as a whole suffered through several famines, members from Galilee and other places were away from their source of income and social and economic persecution added to their poverty (Acts 24:17; Romans 15:26). This sacrificial love enabled the apostles to testify to the Lord Jesus’ resurrection “with great power.”

How, I wonder, did the apostles pull 5000 members into such unity? Fundraising projects? Car-salesman-like persuasion? It wasn’t the apostles at all. It was the gracious work of God the Holy Spirit (“much grace was upon them all”). Author Luke comments: “For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” In other words, they gave freely having been moved by the grace of God the Holy Spirit.

That’s extraordinary. More accurately, that’s miraculous. Who does that? Maybe a multi-billionaire who can write off such gifts as “charitable giving” on his taxes. But these people weren’t rich and enjoyed no tax deductions. Without question, this was the result of Spirit- empowered, grace-produced oneness. In passing, Luke identifies one example . . .

A Living Example (4:36,37).

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Why did the apostles nickname Joseph “Son of Encouragement”? Perhaps in part because his Spirit-inspired gift brought heavy-hearted people hope. But there was two other people whose gift brought a distinctly different result . . .

Fatal Fraud (5:1-11).

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Even though this narrative is pretty straightforward, a few observations . . .

—Apparently these two wanted the praise without the price.
—I think the Holy Spirit revealed Ananias’ deceit to Peter.
—Satan was the “power” behind Ananias’ sin.
—Ananias’ lie was primarily to God the Holy Spirit (who was present in the believers), only secondarily to the apostles.
—Death seems an extreme penalty for what we today call “spin”. But spoken in God’s presence, it’s a capital crime.
—The phobos (Greek) that seized everyone was not “reverence” (Romans 3:18), but “terror”.

Three Warnings & One Reward

First warning: God punishes sin. So, don’t mess with God. He is to be feared, not casually dismissed. The Good News part of this warning is that when Jesus died, he was punished for the sins of all who would believe in him.

Second warning: God sets the rules. We judge Ananias’ sin as small or even shrewd. But life isn’t our “game”, it’s God’s. And in the Bible he instructed us how it’s to be “played”.

Third warning: The Spirit may move us out of our comfort zone. Not to spotlight ourselves, but to point people to Jesus.

One reward: We can bless others with our money and possessions. Not only will that meet their needs and bring glory to the Lord; it will give us great joy that can come no other way.

Fill us with the Holy Spirit, Lord,
so we will be radical givers
as you have been to us.

Image result for photo of giving money

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.