Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Acts of the Apostles could justly be entitled, "The Acts of the Holy Spirit" for the Spirit is mentioned more than 50 times in the book. In His parting words, Jesus reminds the disciples of the promise of the Father - Acts 1:4-8 -ten days later the power of the Spirit descends at Pentecost. Persons from every nation under heaven are enabled by the Holy Spirit to hear the wonderful works of God, and so the Christian Church was born. - Acts 2 -

Pentecost was a reversal of the Tower of Babel where language became confused and nations were separated by misunderstanding. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gathered peoples from every nation into one united fellowship. From Pentecost onward, the Holy Spirit directs the unfolding drama of the growth of the Christian Church.

The Book of the Acts of the Apostles contains portraits of many outstanding Christians of the early Church. Barnabas exemplifies generosity, Stephen forgiveness, Philip and Paul obedience, Cornelius piety, and the witness of the early Church vibrates with boldness; Ordinary people are empowered to perform extraordinary feats. A faltering apostle is empowered to address multitudes or make a defense before rulers. A prayer fellowship is shaken; a deacon defends his faith by martyrdom. The despised Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit as does a Gentile soldier. A staunch persecutor of the gospel is converted and through him the gospel reaches the capital of the world!

Paul reaches Rome in chains. Circumstances, too, may be adverse: persecutions, famines, opposition or violent storms. Through it all, however, the Holy Spirit directs the drama so that "all things work together for good" to further the cause of Christ. - Rom. 8:28 -

Nearly one fifth of the Acts of the Apostles consists of speeches, primarily from Peter, Stephen and Paul. Common to each of the speeches is a basic framework of gospel proclamation. This proclamation can be outlined as follow: (1). The promises of God in the Old Testament are now fulfilled. (2). The Messiah has come in Jesus of Nazareth. (a) He did good and mighty works by the power of God. (b) He was crucified according to the purpose of God. (c) He was raised from the dead by the power of God. (d) He now reigns by the power of God. (e) He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and restore all things for the purpose of God.

All who hear should repent and be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This outlined is our earliest example of the gospel proclaimed by the early Church. It is the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone upon which the Church is built. For each generation is enabled by the Holy Spirit to add its chapters by proclaiming the Life, Passion, Death, Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and the wonderful works of God.

So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints and part of God's household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives in the Spirit. - Eph. 2:19-22 -

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

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