Acts 1

Luke introduces Acts verse 1- 3

The former treatise have I made – O Theophilus

of all that Jesus BEGAN to do and teach

UNTIL the day in which HE was taken up

after that HE through the Holy Ghost

had given commandments

to the apostles whom HE had chosen

to whom also HE showed HIMSELF

alive after HIS passion

by many infallible proofs

being seen of them forty days

and speaking of the things pertaining to

the kingdom of God

Disciples commanded to stay in Jerusalem verse 4- 5

And being assembled together with them

commanded them that they should

not depart from Jerusalem

but wait for the promise of the Father

which – said HE

you have heard of ME

FOR John truly baptized with water

but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost

not many days from now

Ascension of Jesus recorded verse 6- 11

When they therefore were come together

they asked of HIM – saying

Lord – will YOU at this time restore

again the kingdom of Israel?

HE said to them

It is not for you to know the times or the seasons

which the Father has put

in HIS OWN power

BUT you shall receive POWER

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you

and you shall be witnesses unto ME both

in Jerusalem – Judea – Samaria

and the uttermost part of the earth

And when HE had spoken these things – while they beheld

HE was taken up and a cloud received HIM

out of their sight

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven

as HE went up

BEHOLD – two men stood by them in white apparel

which also said

You men of Galilee why stand you gazing up into heaven?

this same Jesus which is taken up

from you into heaven

shall so come in like manner

as you have seen

HIM go into heaven

Disciples return to Jerusalem verse 12- 14

Then returned they to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet

which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey

And when they were come in – they went up into an upper room

where abode both Peter – James – John – Andrew

Philip – Thomas – Bartholomew – Matthew

James the son of Alphaeus – Simon Zelotes

Judas the brother of James

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication

with the women and Mary – the mother of Jesus

and with HIS brethren

Peter proposes vote to replace Judas verse 15- 19

In those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples

and said (the number of names together were

about an hundred and twenty)

Men and brethren – this scripture must needs have been fulfilled

which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spoke

before concerning Judas

which was guide to them that took Jesus

FOR he was numbered with us

and had obtained part of this ministry

now this man purchased a field

with the reward of iniquity

and falling headlong

he burst asunder in the midst

and all his bowels gushed out

And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem

inasmuch as that field is called

in the proper tongue -Aceldama

that is to say – The field of blood

Vote won by Matthias verse 20- 26

FOR it is written in the book of Psalms

Let his habitation be desolate

and let no man dwell therein

and – his bishopric let another take

Wherefore of these men which have companied

with us all the time

that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us

beginning from the baptism of John

to that same day that HE was taken up from us

must one be ordained to be a witness with us of

HIS resurrection

And they appointed two – Joseph called Barsabas

who was surnamed Justus and Matthias

They prayed – and said – YOU – Lord

which knows the hearts of all men

show whether of these two YOU hast chosen

that he may take part of this

ministry and apostleship

from which Judas by transgression fell

that he might go to his own place

And they gave forth their lots – and the lot fell upon Matthias

and he was numbered with the eleven apostles

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 3 To whom also HE showed HIMSELF alive after HIS passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (5039 “infallible proofs” [tekmerion] means that from which something is surely and plainly known, on indubitable evidence, convincing proof, any extremely convincing, factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something, decisive, or token)

DEVOTION: Jesus didn’t ascend into heaven until HE had appeared many times to the disciples and others. HE wanted there to be enough witnesses to HIS resurrection, so that, in time there would be no doubt as to what happened. The Bible gives us a record that many today want to question. It is because they don’t want to be followers of the LORD to the point that it changes their life and thinking.

We live in a generation that doesn’t want any authority telling them what to do. They don’t want anyone to interfere with their fun. They don’t want anyone to set a standard that they are supposed to obey.

There are two kingdoms in our world. The kingdom of God which includes all those who are living a changed life that will honor the LORD through witnessing and showing people what Christianity is really about. The second kingdom is represented by all those whose father is the devil. He wants nothing to do with the standard the LORD set and will do just the opposite and tell his family to do the same. They will start false religions to say that they are really those who love the LORD but in a different way. It is a lie because the devil is the father of lies. The evil angels even believe in Jesus and tremble. Believing doesn’t mean obeying to them.

CHALLENGE: We need to combine believing with obeying!!

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (1411 “power” [dunamis] means mighty work, strength, miracle, ability, capability or force)

DEVOTION: The Greek word used here is our word for dynamite. The power that the disciples received on the day of Pentecost rocked the world. They ran from Jesus when Judas and his group came to get HIM in the garden. They were people who locked themselves in a room for fear of the Jews. They were people who doubted many of the things that Jesus taught them. They were individuals who were questions on their love for the LORD.

Jesus promised this strength. HE promise them if they waited they would receive it. They even prayed for it while they were waiting in Jerusalem. Once they received the capability to serve the LORD without fear they saw three thousand souls come in response to their invitation.

Their assignment was not just for Jerusalem. They had to start somewhere to build a base of believers to work with them as they moved to different parts of the country as witnesses to the event of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

They spread the message of salvation to the point that it reached the uttermost part of the earth. We are to do the same through our local church. We are to reach our world with the strength that the LORD provides through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

God the Holy Spirit has not lost any ability to strengthen every believer that allows HIM to use them to reach the world for Christ. Our problem is that we don’t want to get involved in such an adventure. It is easier to wait for Jesus to sound the trumpet sitting in our homes or churches praying for HIS return. That is the proper use of the strength the LORD gives each of us.

CHALLENGE: Realize the strength that is available to you for the purpose of reaching your world for the LORD. The message is plain: Go!

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: 11 Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen HIM go into heaven. (1689 “gazing up” [emblepo] means behold, looking up, to turn one’s eyes on, look intently at, to look directly at, look straight at, fix the eyes, or look attentively at)

DEVOTION: Angels are watching what is going on in our world. They rejoice when someone becomes a believer. They want to know the truth about what is going to happen in the future.

Remember that the demons or the fallen angels asked Jesus not hurt them before the time. What time was that? It was the time when they were going to spend eternity in the lake of fire. They knew it was coming. They just didn’t know when it was going to happen to them. They wanted to enjoy their time of taking possession of those people who were not followers of the LORD. The LORD even took some of those who were possessed with evil angels to join HIS kingdom in the future.

These two good angels informed the disciples that Jesus was coming back. They knew that much about the future. They didn’t know when either but they knew that if the LORD said it was going to happen it was going to happen.

We need to trust the LORD that HE will never tell a lie. Only the devil and his followers are the liars of the world. Jesus always told the truth. HE said HE was coming again. The disciples believed it and taught in person and in their writings.

It is our turn to believe the truth of the second coming of Christ. We are to be watching for it while we are serving.

CHALLENGE: Remember we don’t want the LORD to return while we are being lazy. HE doesn’t want us to sit, soak and sour before HE returns. HE wants us to SERVE faithfully.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. (1248 “ministry” [diakonia] means service, office, relief, those who execute the commands of others, those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men, office of the apostles, or office of a deacon)

DEVOTION: Jesus had resurrected from the dead. HE had appeared many times to the disciples. Here we have Luke writing a second book to help a convert understand the ministry of Jesus and the beginning of the church.

In this chapter we still have Old Testament saints gathered together for prayer waiting for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had given them the Holy Spirit to help them understand what HE was teaching them. They had to wait for the full power of the Holy Spirit to be the witnesses the LORD wanted them to be to all the world.

As they are gathered in the upper room, Peter is stating that Judas had obtained a part in the office of disciple with them from Jesus. Judas had gone out witnessing with them. Judas was the treasurer of the disciples. Judas was the betrayer of Jesus.

Now he was dead and Peter wanted his office filled. Peter quoted a Scripture reference to office needing to be filled by a new individual who had been with them since the beginning.

The new disciple would have his office. They prayed. They cast lots. They nominated two men Barsabas and Matthias. The vote fell on Matthias. He became the twelfth disciple.

The Scripture stated in the Psalms that there would be a replacement for Judas. Was this the man? Does the majority always get it right in a church? Can we pray and still do something that is wrong in God’s eyes? Remember that Jesus always connected fasting with prayer in times of major decisions. Was this a major decision?

Do we connect fasting and prayer in our major decisions? Should we? From the time that Matthias filled the spot of Judas we hear nothing about him. The one we hear about is Paul.

All disciples are called to ministry. We are all ministers who are to serve the LORD. Part of our ministry is to be witnesses.

CHALLENGE: Are we witnessing to those around us? Don’t leave this to the paid staff of the local church.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Witness verse 8

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Former treatise (Gospel of Luke) verse 1

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Disciples continue in one accord in

prayer and supplication verse 14

Disciples prayed concerning new disciple verse 24, 25

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Sabbath day’s journey verse 12

Continued in one accord verse 14

Supplication

Prayer

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Former Treatise (Gospel of Luke) verse 1 Scripture verse 16

Fulfilled – spoken by David verse 16

Written in the book of Psalms

Father verse 4, 7

Promise from Father verse 4

Times and season in Father’s hands verse 7

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Jesus verse 1, 11, 14, 16, 21

Do and teach verse 1, 3

Resurrection verse 2, 9, 22

Passion verse 3

Infallible proofs verse 3

Seen forty days verse 3

Lord verse 6, 21, 24

Lord Jesus verse 21

Knows hearts of all men verse 24

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Holy Ghost verse 2, 5, 8, 16

Baptized with the Holy Spirit verse 5

Holy Spirit comes upon disciples verse 8

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

God verse 3

Kingdom of God verse 3

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Two men in white apparel verse 10, 11

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Witness in Samaria verse 8

Witness in uttermost part of the earth verse 8

Heaven verse 10

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Guide soldiers to take Jesus verse 16, 17

Iniquity verse 18

Transgression verse 25

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Commandments verse 2, 4

Chosen verse 2, 24

Infallible proofs verse 3

Wait verse 4

Promise verse 4

Baptized with the Holy Spirit verse 5

Power from Holy Ghost verse 8

Witness verse 8, 22

Prayer verse 14, 24

Supplication verse 14

Ministry verse 17, 25

Ordained verse 22

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Jerusalem verse 4, 8, 12,19

John the Baptist verse 5, 22

Kingdom of Israel verse 6

Judaea verse 8

Mount of Olivet verse 12

Judas Iscariot verse 16- 20, 25

Field – Aceldama (field of blood) verse 19

Baptism of John verse 22

Church (New Testament people of God)

Theophilus verse 1

Apostles verse 2, 15

Peter verse 13, 15

James verse 13

John verse 13

Andrew verse 13

Philip verse 13

Thomas verse 13

Bartholomew verse 13

Matthew verse 13

James the son of Alphaeus verse 13

Simon Zelotes verse 13

Judas the brother of James verse 13

Women verse 14

Mary the mother of Jesus verse 14

HIS brethren verse 14

One hundred and twenty gathered verse 15

Brethren verse 16

Bishoprick verse 20

Appointed

Joseph called Barsabas

(surnamed Justus) verse 23

Mattias verse 23, 26

Ministry verse 25

Apostleship verse 25

Cast lots verse 26

Numbered with eleven apostles (Mattias) verse 26

Last Things (Future Events)

Heaven verse 11

Second coming of Jesus verse 11

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QUOTES regarding passage

1:3 In vv. 3 was the period after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He began by providing them with “many –5 Luke delineated some of the instructions to the disciples referred to in v. 2. As there, the setting convincing proofs that he was alive” (3a). The word for “proofs” (tekmēriois) is a technical term from logic, meaning “demonstrative proof, evidence.” Luke had already given vivid examples of these proofs in his Gospel: on the Emmaus road (24:13–32), to Peter (24:34), and to the disciples (24:36–43). The appearances to the apostles are absolutely essential for their primary role in Acts of being witnesses to his resurrection (1:22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39–41; 13:31). (Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 81). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

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3 Having stated the relation of his present book to its predecessor and shown his interest in the four factors named above, which comprise the constitutive elements of the Christian mission, Luke turns back to the time before the Ascension. He will recapitulate and expand upon certain features in Jesus’ ministry crucial to the advance of the gospel as he will present it in Acts. In view of v. 2, this is slightly redundant; but Luke wants to be very explicit. Like Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:5–7, Luke’s emphasis is on the living Christ, who “after his suffering … showed himself … alive” and demonstrated his resurrection by “many convincing proofs.” “Many convincing proofs” doubtless looks back to such things as the events in Luke 24:13ff. “Over a period of forty days” implies that during that time the risen Lord showed himself at intervals, not continuously. When he did so, he “spoke about the kingdom of God.”

The theme of “the kingdom of God” (hē basileia tou theou) is a common one in the OT and NT. Primarily it refers to God’s sovereign rule in human life and the affairs of history, and secondarily to the realm where that rule reigns. God’s sovereignty is universal (cf. Ps 103:19). But it was specially manifested in the life of the nation Israel and among Jesus’ disciples; it is expressed progressively in the church and through the lives of Christians; and it will be fully revealed throughout eternity. In the Gospels the kingdom is presented as having been inaugurated in time and space by Jesus’ presence and ministry (cf. Mark 1:15, passim). (“The kingdom of heaven” is Matthew’s reverential form of the same idea, adapted to Jewish sensibilities.) In Acts the phrase “the kingdom of God” usually appears as a convenient way of summarizing the early Christian proclamation (cf. Acts 8:12; Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23, 31). In this Jesus is explicitly identified as the subject (cf. Acts 8:12; Acts 28:23, 31).

We may infer that Jesus’ teaching during the “forty days” dealt in essence with (1) the validation and nature of his messiahship, (2) the interpretation of the OT from the perspective of his resurrection, and (3) the responsibility of his disciples to bear witness to what had happened among them in fulfillment of Israel’s hope. This is what Luke 24:25–27, 44–49 reveals as the content of Jesus’ post-resurrection teaching, and this is what Acts elaborates in what follows. (3 Having stated the relation of his present book to its predecessor and shown his interest in the four factors named above, which comprise the constitutive elements of the Christian mission, Luke turns back to the time before the Ascension. He will recapitulate and expand upon certain features in Jesus’ ministry crucial to the advance of the gospel as he will present it in Acts. In view of v. 2, this is slightly redundant; but Luke wants to be very explicit. Like Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:5–7, Luke’s emphasis is on the living Christ, who “after his suffering … showed himself … alive” and demonstrated his resurrection by “many convincing proofs.” “Many convincing proofs” doubtless looks back to such things as the events in Luke 24:13ff. “Over a period of forty days” implies that during that time the risen Lord showed himself at intervals, not continuously. When he did so, he “spoke about the kingdom of God.”

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1:3. The Lord’s post-resurrection appearances attested the reality of the Resurrection. Christ gave many convincing proofs of this. The word “proofs” (tekmēriois) occurs only here in the New Testament and looks at demonstrable evidence in contrast with evidence provided by witnesses. In other words, the Resurrection was proven by touch, sight, and feel (cf. Luke 24:39–40; 1 John 1:1).

For 40 days after His resurrection the Lord appeared to the apostles and discussed the kingdom of God with them. What is meant by this term? God has always ruled over the world and especially in Israel (Dan. 2:47; 4:3, 25–26, 32, 34–37; 5:21; 6:25–27; Pss. 5:2; 84:3; 89:6–18; 103; etc.). However, a time is coming, commonly called the Millennium, when God will burst into human history in a spectacular way to establish His rule on earth. This is what is meant by the term “kingdom of God” (cf. comments on Matt. 3:2; 13:10–16). Though this topic was the subject of much of the Lord’s teaching and preaching before the Cross, He saw fit to discuss it further during His 40 days of post-resurrection ministry. (Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 353). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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The reality of His resurrection (v. 3a). Some of the believers may have had their doubts forty days before (Mark 16:9–14), but there could be no question now that Jesus had indeed been raised from the dead. To strengthen their faith, He gave them “many infallible proofs” which Luke did not explain. We know that when Jesus met His disciples, He invited them to touch His body, and He even ate before them (Luke 24:38–43). Whatever proofs He gave, they were convincing.

Faith in His resurrection was important to the church because their own spiritual power depended on it. Also, the message of the Gospel involves the truth of the Resurrection (Rom. 10:9–10; 1 Cor. 15:1–8); and, if Jesus were dead, the church would be speechless. Finally, the official Jewish position was that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body from the tomb (Matt. 28:11–15), and the believers had to be able to refute this as they witnessed to the nation.

These believers were chosen to be special witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, and that was the emphasis in their ministry (Acts 1:22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:30–32). Most of the people in Jerusalem knew that Jesus of Nazareth had been crucified, but they did not know that He had been raised from the dead. By their words, their walk, and their mighty works, the believers told the world that Jesus was alive. This was “the sign of Jonah” that Jesus had promised to the nation (Matt. 12:38–41)—His death, burial, and resurrection.

The coming of His kingdom (v. 3b). This refers to the reign of God over the hearts and lives of those who have trusted Him (see Matt. 6:33; Rom. 14:17; 1 John 3:1–9). When you read the four Gospels, you discover that the Apostles had a strongly political view of the kingdom and were especially concerned about their own positions and privileges. Being loyal Jews, they longed for the defeat of their enemies and the final establishment of the glorious kingdom under the rule of King Messiah. They did not realize that there must first be a spiritual change in the hearts of the people (see Luke 1:67–79).

Jesus did not rebuke them when they “kept asking” about the future Jewish kingdom (Acts 1:7). After all, He had opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:44), so they knew what they were asking. But God has not revealed His timetable to us and it is futile for us to speculate. The important thing is not to be curious about the future but to be busy in the present, sharing the message of God’s spiritual kingdom. This is another emphasis in the Book of Acts (see Acts 8:12; 14:22; 20:25; 28:23, 31). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 403). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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1:2, 3 Taken up refers to Christ’s ascension, the end of His earthly ministry. These verses look back to Luke 24:51 and ahead to vv. 9, 22. the apostles … to whom He also presented Himself alive: The resurrected Jesus presented Himself “not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God” (10:41). In the forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, there are recorded some ten or eleven appearances of Jesus to believers confirming His resurrection from the dead. On the last of these appearances, Jesus gathered His apostles together and commanded them not to leave Jerusalem (v. 4). Many infallible proofs serve as the basis for the believer’s confidence in the resurrection of our Lord. The Greek word translated infallible proofs speaks of “convincing, decisive proof.” Christian belief is not built on speculation or myth but on the sovereign acts and words of God incarnate in the time-space universe. The birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ are solidly rooted in history. The kingdom of God was the central topic of discussion between Christ and His apostles during the forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. The goal of history is not the Cross, but the crown—the time when King Jesus reveals Himself in all His majesty and reigns in glory (Is. 11; Dan. 7:13, 14; 1 Cor. 15:24–28; Rev. 20:4–6). (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 1364). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)

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Ver. 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, &c.] That is, after his sufferings and death; for that he suffered many things, and at last death itself, is certain from the acknowledgment of the Jews themselves, who own, that they put him to death on the passover eve; as well as from the accounts of the evangelists; and from the soldiers not breaking his legs, when the rest that were crucified with him were broken, because he was already dead; and from his pericardium being pierced with a spear, from whence blood and water sprung, after which it was impossible he should be alive; and from the testimony of the centurion who watched him, to whom Pilate sent to know if he was dead, and how long he had been dead; and from his being buried, and lying in the grave so long as he did: and yet after, and notwithstanding this, he shewed himself alive; he raised himself from the dead, and hereby declared himself to be the son of God with power, which cannot be said of others; there were others that were alive after death, but not by their own power; as the widow of Sarepta’s son, the daughter of Jairus, Lazarus, and the widow of Naim’s son; but these did not shew themselves alive, as Christ did, who appeared often to his apostles: for after he had first appeared to Mary Magdalene, he shewed himself to the two disciples going to Emmaus; then to ten of them, Thomas being absent; after that to them all, Thomas being present, when he convinced him of the truth of his resurrection; after that he appeared to seven of the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and then to all the apostles; and to five hundred brethren at once on a mountain in Galilee; and once to James alone, and to them all again when he was parted from them and went up to heaven; and so they must be proper and sufficient witnesses of his resurrection: and this evidence of his being alive, he gave to them, by many infallible proofs; or by many signs and tokens, and which were most sure and unquestionable arguments of his being alive; as his eating and drinking with them, walking and talking with them in a free and familiar manner, shewing them his hands and his feet, and side, that they might see the scars which the nails and spear had made; and which were not only a proof that he was risen again, but risen again in the same body in which he suffered; and that they might feel and handle him, and know that he was not a spirit, a phantom, a mere apparition, but was really risen and alive: being seen of them forty days; not that he was seen by them for forty days together continually, but at certain times, within the space of forty days; for between his first and last appearance, many others intervening, such a length of time run out; so that it was not a single and sudden appearance that surprised them; but there were many of them, and a distance between them, and this for a considerable term of time; hence they had opportunity of reflecting upon these appearances, and of satisfying themselves of the truth of things. This number of forty days is a remarkable one in Scripture. The flood was forty days upon the earth; and so long Moses was in the mount with God; such a number of days the spies were searching the land of Canaan; so many days Goliath presented himself to the armies of Israel; and so long a time Elijah went in the strength of the meat the angel provided for him; and for such a length of time the prophet Ezekiel was to bear the iniquity of the house of Judah; and such a term of time was given out by Jonah for the destruction of Nineveh; and so many days Christ fasted, and was tempted in the wilderness. The Jews pretend, that forty days before Jesus was put to death he was led forth, and a crier went before him, declaring, that whoever would, had liberty to testify to his innocence if they could, but no man appeared for him: but this is false; the truth of the matter is, that for forty days after his resurrection he shewed himself to his disciples, and by proving the truth of his resurrection, he proved his own innocence and uprightness. If the testimony of Rabbenu Hakadosh, as cited by Galatinus, could be depended on, the Jews had a notion of this forty-days’ conversation of the Messiah with his disciples, after his resurrection; who say, “the Messiah, after his resurrection, shall converse with the righteous, and they shall hear his precepts forty days, answerable to those forty days in which he shall be in the wilderness to afflict his soul, before they shall kill him; and these being finished, he shall ascend to heaven, and sit at the right hand of God, as it is said, Psal. 110:1.” But this seems rather to be the pious fraud of some Christian, than the words of a Jew: however, they do say, that “the days of the Messiah are forty days, as it is said, Psal. 95:10 forty years long was I grieved; or, as they interpret it, shall I be grieved with this generation:” intimating, that the generation of the Messiah, and of the wilderness, would be much alike, and equally grieving to God, and reckoning a day for a year, as the Lord did with that generation, Numb. 14:33, 34. These forty days Christ was with his disciples, may be an emblem of the forty years which were to run out from his death, to his coming again to take vengeance on the Jewish nation; for so long time was there from thence to the destruction of Jerusalem. And Christ was not only seen of the disciples at certain seasons during this space of time, but he was also heard by them: for it follows, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God; the kingdom of the Messiah, the Gospel dispensation; concerning the doctrines of the Gospel they were to preach, and the ordinances of it they were to administer; concerning the church of God, the nature, order, and officers of it, and the laws and rules by which it should be governed; concerning the kingdom of grace, what it consists of, and wherein it lies; and of the kingdom of glory, of meetness for it, his own grace, and of the right unto it, his own justifying righteousness: some of these things they might have before but very little knowledge of; and may be these are the things he had to say to them, and which, till now, they could not bear; and being no more to be with them in person, he instructs them in them. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 137–138). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING:

Belief in God is good for you … and not just in the eternal long run. There’s a powerful link between religious devotion and happiness, mental health, and participation in community.

Earlier this year, Pew Research found that actively religious people report being happier, on average, than both atheists and “nones”—i.e. those who claim no religious affiliation. The religiously observant are also less likely to engage in risky behavior like premarital sex, drinking, and smoking, and more likely by far to join non-religious groups like charities, clubs, and civic associations. In other words, there’s a clear and well-documented connection between an active faith and nearly all of the accepted measures of personal well-being.

And, of course, beyond the belonging, beauty, and moral certainty faith in God brings, religious people enjoy hope in the face of struggle, suffering, and even death.

But what if you don’t actually believe in God? What if you don’t think there is life after death? Can you still enjoy these benefits and, for that matter, pass them on to your kids?

It may sound like a silly question, but psychoanalyst Erica Komisar recently offered a serious answer in the Wall Street Journal. She writes: “I am often asked by parents, ‘How do I talk to my child about death if I don’t believe in God or heaven?’”

Her answer? Lie to them.

She explains: “The idea that you simply die and turn to dust may work for some adults, but it doesn’t help children. Belief in heaven helps them grapple with this tremendous and incomprehensible loss,” especially “[i]n an age of broken families, distracted parents, school violence, and nightmarish global-warming predictions.”

Now, most people who listen to BreakPoint don’t have to worry about the dilemma that Komisar is describing. But there are some atheists and skeptics in our audience. I know because I hear from them. And to any of them considering taking this advice, just know: The Bible is filled with warnings not to put God to the test, or to mock Him.

As C. S. Lewis observes in “The Screwtape Letters,” the Creator of the universe will not be used as a convenience: “Men or nations who think they can revive the Faith in order to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of Heaven as a short cut to the nearest [pharmacy].”

No, atheist parents shouldn’t lie to their kids. They should fall on their knees before the living and very real God and teach their children the truth about who He is and how much He loves them.

Still, Komisar’s advice is more interesting, to me, for what it says about unbelief than what it says about belief. Think about it: Komisar admits that a God-less worldview is inadequate for both navigating life’s deepest sorrows and accounting for life’s highest joys. Shouldn’t the fact that faith in something beyond the bare, material world of atheism is necessary to handle the here and now tell us something?

This idea that our thirst for deeper meaning is a clue about the nature of reality and the meaning of the universe is one C.S. Lewis articulated beautifully, and remember, he was writing in the context of the lows of war and the highs of victory. In Mere Christianity, he argued: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

If belief in God, in an afterlife, in Heaven, and in meaning that transcends death is so good for children and adults alike, and if it’s necessary to fully make sense of this world, we might consider the possibility that all these things are actually true.

And we should always point our kids to truth, not just because of its practical benefits. After all, one of the greatest rewards of the Christian faith is that our highest joy and the universe’s highest truth are in full agreement. (Break Point)

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2 Peter 2
Beware of false teachers whose lives deny their faith and who will be judged by God.
INSIGHT

False teachers are viewed gravely in the Scriptures. Perhaps the most scathing rebukes and most unthinkable punishments are articulated against these “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Why are they dealt with so harshly? Because while refusing salvation themselves, they also keep others from it. It is like a drowning man who not only refuses to accept a lifesaver, but also insists on drowning someone else with him. We must take great care to accurately teach the truth and shun those who do not. (Quiet Walk)

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Fear ruled a man’s life for thirty-two years. Afraid of being caught for his crimes, he hid at his sister’s farmhouse, going nowhere and visiting no one, even missing his mother’s funeral. When he was sixty-four, he learned that no charges had ever been filed against him. The man was free to resume a normal life. Yes, the threat of punishment was real, but he allowed the fear of it to control him.

Likewise, fear ruled the Israelites when the Philistines challenged them at the Valley of Elah. The threat was real. Their enemy Goliath was 9 feet 9 inches tall and his body armor alone weighed 125 pounds (1 Samuel 17:4-5). For forty days, every morning and evening, Goliath challenged the Israelite army to fight him. But no one dared come forward. No one until David visited the battle lines. He heard and saw the taunting, and volunteered to fight Goliath.

While everyone in the Israelite army thought Goliath was too big to fight, David the shepherd boy knew he wasn’t too big for God. He said, “the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (v. 47).

When we’re gripped by fear, let’s follow David’s example and fix our eyes on God to gain a right perspective of the problem. The threat may be real, but the One who is with us and for us is bigger than that which is against us. (By Albert Lee (Our Daily Bread

JESUS THE GOD-MAN

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 1 John 5:6-8
John is concerned to establish the reality of the Incarnation, to prove that Jesus Christ is really the Son of God incarnate, in the flesh. I believe that he was anxious to do so in order to correct a heresy that was very prevalent at that time. It taught something like this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man, but when He was baptized by John in the Jordan, the eternal Christ came upon Him and entered into Him, so that from the moment of the baptism the eternal Christ was dwelling in the human Jesus, and He continued to do so until just before the crucifixion took place; then the eternal Christ went back to heaven, and it was only the man Jesus who was crucified.
Now that was a very common heresy in the first centuries, and it is a heresy that has also been prevalent during these past centuries. The whole trouble during the last hundred years or so about the person of Christ has been nothing, in a sense, but a recapitulation of that ancient heresy; it puts a wedge between the man Jesus and the eternal Christ. And here John is concerned to assert the mighty fact that the baby in the manger is the God-Man. “Jesus Christ,” and not Jesus only. The Incarnation is a reality, and the One who died upon the cross was not only the man Jesus—it was the God-Man who died. And I believe that John mentions this testimony and witness of water and the blood in order to establish the unity and the oneness of the person; not two persons, but one person with two natures.
A Thought to Ponder: The baby in the manger is the God-Man. (From Life in God, pp. 74-75, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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Zechariah’s Visions: Under the Myrtle Trees
“I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.” (Zechariah 1:8)
The Lord divulges 10 visions to Zechariah in one night. All of them are among myrtle trees in the “bottom” of a dark, mysterious, and somewhat eerie ravine near Jerusalem. The first vision reveals a man on a red horse responding to questions from the “angel of the LORD” and “the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 1:8-17).
It is likely that the angel of the Lord is a pre-incarnate form of Christ speaking to the First Person of the Godhead. Two other horsemen are cited, which ties these heavenly envoys to the four horsemen of Revelation and to the horsemen driving the four chariots revealed in Zechariah 6.
When Zechariah asks, “What are these?” (8:9), he is told that they are responsible to “walk to and fro” on Earth and inform the Godhead of their findings. On this specific occasion, they report that “the earth is at rest.” Immediately, the “angel of the LORD” asks the Lord of hosts how long He would wait to bring judgment on the nations that have abused Judah now that the 70 years have passed and the punishment of Israel and Judah has been accomplished.
The Lord gives “good and comfortable words,” noting that He was displeased with the nations who had carried out His judgment because they had done more damage than necessary. However, the Lord promises that He will return and build His house, restore Jerusalem to prominence, and “comfort Zion” (Zechariah 1:17).
The following visons outline the inexorable promises of God that will be fulfilled in the years to come. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.

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Pastor’s heart is still full of love for the Lord and his will to serve never weakens. He is dedicated to his devotions and enjoys visitation. He has a heart for shut-ins. We were able to visit our former choir director, from our third church before our trip to visit family. We are grateful for our time together, as she passed away while we were out of town. As she rejoices with Jesus, we reflect on her impact on others, through her music and puppet ministry. We give thanks to the Lord for allowing Pastor to be able to continue to serve.

As we prepped for our fall trip, we give praise to God for still being able to visit friends, family, and board members. God graciously supplies all our needs. We drove to Rick’s in Illinois. We were able to rest before flying from St. Louis to Seattle. While in Seattle, we were able to visit Pastor’s cousin and family. We’ve also been praying for their daughter in Germany that is battling melanoma. We were also able to visit a young military friend who is stationed there. Her family has been on our prayer list as they found new cancer lesions. Please continue to lift her, her parents, her husband, and small children up in prayer.

Speaking of children, of course we enjoyed our visit with our son Brian and his family. Currently, we are back at Rick’s in Illinois. We were able to enjoy Thanksgiving and family activities. We’ve been able to continuously travel to be engaged with all our grandchildren in four different states. We are blessed beyond measure. We praise God our kids all love the Lord, as well as their spouses. Although it’s difficult seeing our grandchildren growing-up, we see them following the Lord and impacting others. Our family still has its dysfunctional moments (we’re not perfect), but we love the Lord and His unconditional love is our saving grace.

In summary, this Thanksgiving as we reflect on our ministry, visitation, devotions, pulpit supply, friends, family, and gatherings; we are reminded of the greatest gift of all. “Only one black Friday offers eternal savings! On the darkest “Black Friday”, death was defeated, the most stunning “door buster” was when the stone was rolled away. The greatest gift the world has ever known was Jesus! He is the reason for the season!”

We ask that you continue to pray for us and others, as we reflect on this joyous Season.

Richard S. Sharpe Jr.

Director, Small Church Ministries

This is what one of the board members wrote for this Newsletter:

“Your Spiritual Heart Check-up”

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:37

In this verse above, the direction is clear … “Love the Lord with all your heart.” In today’s society, it’s even more important for us as Christians to stay true to God’s word as our standard. Our culture today is trying to remove God and His standards from all aspects of our lives. From government, schools, public court rooms, and even religious groups are being asked to tolerate. As Christ honoring Christians, we have a responsibility to love the sinner, hate the sin. Our hearts need to be so full of Christ’s love, that we can exemplify how we are to walk the talk. We need to gently demonstrate how God has these standards for our good. He’s all knowing. He knows how the love of money and self traps us. The only true freedom is in Him. If we dwell on the Lord and remain faithful, “seek ye first the kingdom of God”, Matthew 6:33, He will guide us to greater things than this world has to offer.

Focus on God, don’t let the little good things, distract us from God’s great things!

CHALLENGE: As you pray today, do a spiritual heart check.

What is your heart rate?

Is it true?

Is it honest?

Is it just?

Is it pure?

Is it lovely?

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8