"I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time, in the world to come, Eternal Life." - Luke 18:28-30 -

'Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?'

"Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He is like a man who when he built his house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built.

But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 -  

The Lord Jesus Christ, promised to us that our mission on this earth is really and utmost important for our own salvation.
                    
Peter and John before the Sanhedrin

While they were still talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees. [ The priestly aristocratic faction opposed the Pharisees who were the pious and popular party, see Matthew 3:7+. The Sadducees are always represented as denying the doctrine of resurrection. Acts 23:6-8; Luke 20:27-38p. More than one the mutual hostility of these two parties produces an alliance of Pharisees with Christians, cf. Acts 5:34; 23:8-9; Luke 20:39.]

They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They arrested them, but as it was already late, they held them till the next day. But many of those who had listened to their message became believers, the total number of whom had now risen to something like five thousand.

The next day the rulers, elders and scribes [ The Great Sanhedrin of Jerusalem, Israel's supreme court.] had a meeting in Jerusalem with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, [ Cf. Luke 22:66+. Var. 'John'.] Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly families. They made the prisoners stand in the middle and began to interrogate them, 'By what power, and by whose name have you men done this?' Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them,

'Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, [ For vv. 10-12, we follow the Western Text.] then I am glad to tell you all, and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in you presence, today. This is the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone. For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.' [ 'Jesus' means God saves', Matthew 1:21.]

They were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. 'What are we going to do with these men?' they asked.

'It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name again.'

So they called them in and gave them a warning [ Apparently a solemn legal warning. In matters of this kind the accused (unless they were rabbis) could not be imprisoned except for a second offence (the case in 5:28).] on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John retorted, 'You must judge whether in God's eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.'

The court repeated the warnings and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened. The man who had been miraculously cured was over forty years old. - Acts 4:1-22 -

The apostles' prayer under persecution

As soon as they were released they went to the community and told them everything the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard it they lifted up their voice to God all together. 'Master,' they prayed 'it is you who made heaven and earth and sea, and everything in them; you it is who said through the Holy Spirit and speaking through our ancestor David, your servant: [ Text corrupt, translation uncertain.]
                                         Why this arrogance among the nations,
                                         these futile plots among the peoples?
                                        Kings on earth setting out to war,
                                        against the Lord and against his Anointed. [ 'Anointed': the Greek word is 'Christ'; it is explained here v.27, according to its etymological sense.]

'This is what has come true: in this very city Herod and Pontius Pilate [ Representing respectively the 'kings' and 'princes.' the Psalms mentions. For 'Herod'. cf. Luke 23:6-16.] made an alliance with the pagan nations and the peoples of Israel, against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, [ The 'anointing' that has constituted him King Messiah, 'the Christ', cf. Matthew 3:16+] but only to bring about the very thing that you in your strength and your wisdom [ Lit. 'your hand and counsel.'] had predetermined should happen.

And now, Lord, take note of their threats and help your servants to proclaim your message with all boldness, by stretching out your hand to heal and to work miracles and marvels through the name of your holy servant Jesus Christ.' As they prayed, the house where they assembled rocked; they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God boldly. [ A miniature Pentecost, cf. the earlier one, 2:1f.] - Acts 4:23-31 -

The early Christian community [ A summary like that of 2:42-47. The prevailling idea is here the pooling of resources; this preludes two examples: Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira. The emphasis on sacrificing possessions is characteristic of Luke's religious outlook.]

"EACH ONE OF US, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN GIVEN HIS OWN SHARE OF GRACE, GIVEN AS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ALLOTTED IT. IT WAS SAID THAT HE WOULD:

             WHEN HE ASCENDED TO THE HEIGHT, HE CAPTURED PRISONERS,
             HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.

WHEN IT SAYS, 'HE ASCENDED,' WHAT CAN IT MEAN IF NOT THAT HE DESCENDED RIGHT DOWN TO THE LOWER REGIONS OF THE EARTH? THE ONE WHO ROSE HIGHER THAN ALL THE HEAVENS TO FILL ALL THINGS IS NONE OTHER THAN THE ONE WHO DESCENDED.

AND TO SOME, HIS GIFT WAS THAT THEY SHOULD BE APOSTLES; TO SOME, PROPHETS; TO SOME, EVANGELISTS; TO SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; SO THAT THE SAINTS TOGETHER MAKE A UNITY IN THE WORK OF SERVICE, BUILDING UP THE BODY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

IN THIS WAY WE ARE ALL TO COME TO UNITY IN OUR FAITH AND IN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTIL WE BECOME THE PERFECT MAN, FULLY MATURE WITH THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST HIMSELF.

THEN WE SHALL NOT BE CHILDREN ANY LONGER, OR TOSSED ONE WAY AND ANOTHER AND CARRIED ALONG BY EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, AT THE MERCY OF ALL THE TRICKS MEN PLAY AND THEY CLEVERNESS IN PRACTISING DECEIT.

IF WE LIVE BY THE TRUTH AND IN LOVE, WE SHALL GROW IN ALL WAYS INTO CHRIST JESUS, WHO IS THE HEAD BY WHOM THE WHOLE BODY IS FITTED AND JOINED TOGETHER, EVERY JOINT ADDING ITS OWN STRENGTH, FOR EACH SEPARATE PART TO WORK ACCORDING TO IT FUNCTION. SO THE BODY GROWS UNTIL IT HAS BUILT ITSELF UP, IN LOVE." - EPHESIANS 4:7-16 -

                                                         Page 39

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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 -

The first conversions

Hearings this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, 'What must we do, brothers?' 'You must repent,' [ Each of the great apostolic discourses closes with a call to repentance (cf. Matthew 3:2+) to obtain forgiveness of sins: Acts 3:19,26; 5: 32; 10:43; 13:38; cf. 17:30; 26:20; Luke 1:77; 3:8; 5:32; 13:3.] Peter answered 'and everyone of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ [ Baptism is administered 'in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ' (cf. 2:21+; 3:16+): 8:16; 10:48;19:5; 22:16; 1 Cor. 1:13,15; 6:11; 10:2; Gal. 3:27; Romans 6:3; cf. James 2:7. Such expressions are not necessarily the actual liturgical formulae of baptism, cf. Matthew 28:19, they may simply indicate its significance, namely, that baptised profess their faith in Christ, and Christ adopts those who thenceforth are dedicated to him.] for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The promise [ The promise is addressed primarily to the Jews, 3:25-26; 13:46; Romans 9:4.] that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away. [ That is, the pagans, alluding to Isaiah 57:19 quoted and explained in Ephesians 2:13-17; cf. also Acts 22;21.] for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.' He spoke to them [ Or 'he bore witness', cf. 8:25; 28:23.] for a long time using many arguments and he urged them, 'Save yourselves from this perverse generation.' They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added their number. [ Luke repeatedly and deliberately notes the Church's numerical growth: v. 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1,7; 9:31+; 11:21-24; 16:5; cf. 12:24; 13:48-49; 19:20.] - Acts 2:37-41 -

The early Christian community [ Cf. this passage with 4:32-35 and 5:12-16. These three composite editorial 'summaries' paint similar pictures of life in the first Christian community.]

These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, [ Not the proclamation of the Good News to non-Christians, cf. 15:35, but instruction for the newly converted in which the sacred scriptures were explained in the light of the Christian Event.] to the brotherhood, [ What constitutes this 'brotherhood' or 'fellowship' is a united purpose, cf. Galatians 2:9; Philemon 6; 1 John 1:3,6,7, and a care for the poorer members to the extent of holding all goods in common, cf. Romans 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:13; Phil. 1:5+. In a word: charity.] to the breaking of bread [ See v. 46; 20:7,11; 27:35; Luke 24:30,35. In itself the phrase suggests a Jewish meal at which the one who presides pronounces a blessing before dividing the bread. For Christians, however, it implies the Eucharistic ceremony, 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:24, Luke 22:19p; 24:35+.] This, v. 46, was celebrated not in the Temple but in private houses; an ordinary meal would accompany it, cf. 1 Cor. 11:20-34.] and to the prayers.

[Prayers in common, with the apostles presiding, 6:4; 4:24-30, is one example. Cf. 1:14,24; 12:15. There are many examples in Acts of the constant prayer Jesus recommended (Matthew 6:5) and practised (Matthew 14:23+). There is the prayer in common presided over by the apostles (1:14; 4:24-30; 6:4) with the breaking of bread as the central ceremony (2:42,46; 20:7,11); prayer for special occasions like the election and ordination to office in the Church (1:24; 6:6; 13:3; 14:23 - accompanied in the last two cases by fasting); the confirmation of the Samaritans (8:15); the prayer in time of persecution (4:24-30; 12:5,12).

There are also individual prayers: that of Stephen for himself and his persecutors (7:59-60), the prayer of Paul after his vision (9:5), of Peter and Paul before they work miracles (9:40; 28:8), of Peter when God sends him to Cornelius (10:9; 11:5) who is himself a man of prayer (10:2,4,30,31), of Paul and Silas in prison (16:25), of Paul when he bids farewell at Miletus (20:36) and at Tyre. In most of these cases the prayer is a petition (see also the petition for forgiveness in 8:22-24), but there is also the prayer of praise (16:25) and thanksgiving (28:15). Prayer is evidence of faith: 'to invoke the name of Jesus Christ' is the mark of a Christian (2:21,38; 9:14,21; 22:16).]

The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone. [ Add. 'In Jerusalem, and upon all there was great fear.'] The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.

They went as a body to the Temple everyday but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly [ Joy is the sequel of faith: 8:8,39; 13:48,52: 16:34; cf. 5:41; Luke 1:14+; Romans 15:13.] and generously; they praised God [ Cf. 3:8,9; 4:21; 13:48; 21:20; Luke 2:20+.] and were looked up to everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. [ When judgement comes the members of the Christian community are assured of salvation, 2:21+, cf. 13:48 and Saint Paul's letters. The Church is thus identified with the 'remnant of Israel', Isaiah 4:3+, Cf. Romans 9:27.] - Acts 2:42-47 -

The cure of a lame man

Once, when Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the prayers at the ninth hour, [ The time of evening sacrifice, cf. Exodus 29:39,42; Luke 1:8-10+; Acts 3:3,30.] it happened that there was a man being carried past. He was a crippled from birth; and they used to put him down everyday near the Temple entrance called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from the people going in. When this man saw Peter and John on the way into the Temple he begged from them. Both Peter and John looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us'. He turned to them expectantly, hoping to get something from them, but Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!' [ Var. 'get up and walk', cf. Luke 5:23-24, etc.]

Peter then took him by the hand and helped him to stand up. Instantly his feet and ankles became firm, he jumped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went with them into the Temple, walking and jumping and praising God, and they recognised him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. They were all astonished and unable to explain what had happened to him. - Acts 3:1-10 -

Peter's address to the people

Everyone came running towards them in great excitement, to the Portico of Solomon, as it is called, where the man was still clinging to Peter and John. When Peter saw the people he addressed them, 'Why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us though we had made this man walk by our own power of holiness? You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant [ The Christians see in Jesus the mysterious 'servant' of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (quoted in part in Acts 8:32-33), cf. Isaiah 42:1+. See below, v. 26; 4,27,30. His 'glorification' by God is his resurrection, v. 15. Cf. John 17:5+.]

Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over [ Cf. Isaiah 53;12. Same allusion to the Servant Song in Romans 4:25; 8;32; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2,25; Acts 7:52.] and then disowned [ As their disowned Moses, 7:35, himself a figure of Christ.] in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. It was you who accused [ Var. 'disowned.'] the Holy One, [ Cf. with Acts 4:27,30: Jesus is 'the holy servant of God'. He is also 'the holy one of God' and 'the holy one' par excellence; Acts 2:27; Luke 1:35; 4:34; Mark 1:24+; John 6:69; Revelation 3:7.] the Just One, [ Cf. Isaiah 53:11; Acts 7:52; 22:14. See also Matthew 27:19; Luke 23:47; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:1.] you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life. [ The one who leads his subjects to full life, imparting his own life to them. In the Roman liturgy the Easter Sequence borrows the expression Dux vitae mortuus regnat vivus. This same title of 'leader' is given, 7:27,35, to Moses who prefigures Christ. Cf. 5;31+; Hebrews 2:10.]

God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are the witnesses; and it is the name of Jesus which through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has restored this man to health, as you can all see. [ The 'name' according to the ancients, is inseparable from the person and shares his perogatives, see Exodus 3:14+. By invoking the name of Jesus 2:21+, 38+, his power is stirred to action, 3:6; 4:7, 10,30; 10:43; 16:18; 19:13; Luke 9:49; 10:17; see also John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:24,26; 20:31. Faith is of course required if this invocation is to be effective, cf. Acts 19:13-17; Matthew 8:10+.]

'Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing; [ Apparently an allusion to Luke 23:34; cf. Acts 7:60.] this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. Now you must repent and turn to God, [ By 'repentance' man 'comes back' to God, cf. Matthew 3:2+. The pagans must return to God by forsaking idols; see 1 Thess. 1:9; Galatians 4:9; 1 Cor. 10:7,14; Acts 14:15; 15:19; 26:18,20; the Jews must turn to the Lord by acknowledging Jesus as Lord: cf. 2 Cor. 3:16; Acts 9:35. The expression of Luke 1:16; Acts 11:21; cf. 1 Peter 2:25 is somewhat different. Cf. also Isaiah 6:10, quoted in Acts 28:27; Matthew 15:15; Mark 4:12; cf. John 12;40.]

So that your sins may be wiped out, and so that the Lord may send the time of comfort. [ This epoch coincides with that of Christ's coming and of 'the restoration of all things', cf. 1:7+; Romans 2:6+, a period which, as the apostles thought, would see the re-establishment of the kingdom in Israel. Acts 1:6-7. Repentance and conversion hasten its coming, cf. 2 Peter 3:12.] Then he will send you the Christ he has predestined, that is Jesus, [ Or 'Jesus who has been appointed Christ for you', cf. 2:36+. When the time comes, Christ who became King Messiah through his resurrection will return to establish his kingdom for ever and to make all creation new, v. 21, cf. Romans 8:19+.] whom heaven must keep till the universal restoration [ term use by the prophets for the return from Exile (foretaste of the messianic age), Jeremiah 15:19, etc.] comes which God proclaimed, speaking through his holy prophets. [ Add. 'from ancient times'.]

Moses, for example, said: The Lord God will raise up a prophet like myself for you, from among your own brothers; you must listen to whatever he tells you. The man who does not listen to that prophet is to be cut off from the people. In fact, all the prophets that have ever spoken, from Samuel onwards, have predicted these days. [ The earliest Christian preaching made a point of showing how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophesy: he was a descendant of David, 2:30; 13:34, he appeared as a prophet, Moses' successor, 3:22f, cf. Matthew 16:14+; John 1:21+, he suffered, Acts 2:23+, he was the stone rejected by the builders (the Jews) but now set in a place of honour, 4:11, he rose again, 2:25-31; 13:33-37, and is at God's right hand, 2:34f.]

'You are the heirs of the prophets, the heirs of the covenant God made with our ancestor when he told Abraham: in your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed. It was for you in the first place that God raised up [ Thus, implementing the promise recalled in v. 22, because the Greek verb means both 'to raise up' and 'to raise up again'. God by raising Christ from the dead fulfills the promises made to the fathers, 13:32-34; 24:14-15; 26:6-8.] his servant and sent him to bless you [ Cf. 26:23; 2 Tim. 1:10; Gal. 3:4. Christ by his resurrection brought to the world the blessing promised to Abraham, v. 25.] by turning everyone of you from your wicked ways. [ Others translate 'so long as each of you turns from your wicked ways.'] - Acts 3:11-26 -

Peter and John before the Sanhedrin

"IT IS TRUE, GOD SENT HIS WORD TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, AND IT WAS TO THEM THAT THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE WAS BROUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST - BUT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL MEN. 

YOU MUST HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE RECENT HAPPENINGS IN JUDAEA; ABOUT JESUS OF NAZARETH AND HOW HE BEGAN IN GALILEE, AFTER JOHN THE BAPTIST HAD BEEN PREACHING BAPTISM. GOD HAD ANOINTED HIM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH POWER, AND BECAUSE GOD WAS WITH HIM, JESUS WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD AND CURING ALL WHO HAD FALLEN INTO THE POWER OF THE DEVIL.

HOW? AND IN WHAT WAY, WHEN IT COME TO UNDERSTANDING MATTERS: WHAT I WAS ALWAYS BEING TOLD IS: THERE ARE WAYS AND PREFERENCES TO COMPREHEND ALL MATTERS, WHETHER IT IS OF SPIRITUALITY AND OF UNSPIRITUALITY.

FIRSTLY, IN A LITERALLY MANNER: THAT IS, USED FOR EMPHASIS OR TO EXPRESS STRONG FEELING WHILE NOT BEING LITERALLY TRUE.

SECONDLY, IN A HUMANLY MANNER: THAT IS, FROM A HUMAN POINT OF VIEW, IN A HUMANLY MANNER, BY HUMAN MEANS; WITHIN ABILITY; WITH HUMAN FEELING OR KINDNESS.

THIRDLY, IN A SPIRITUALLY MANNER: THAT IS, IN A WAY THAT RELATES TO OR AFFECTS THE HUMAN SPIRIT OR, SOUL AS OPPOSED TO MATERIAL OR PHYSICAL THINGS.

FINALLY, IN AN UNSPIRITUAL MANNER: THAT IS, NOT SPIRITUAL. BUT SECULAR AND WORLDLY.
                                                         Page 38

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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 -

Pentecost

When Pentecost day came round, they [ Not the hundred and twenty, 1:15-26, but the group mentioned in 1:13-14.] had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, [ The Spirit is like the wind, and the same word is used for both 'spirit' and breath'.] the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; [ The shape of the flames (Is. 5:24; cf. Is. 6:6-7) is here associated with the gift of tongues.] these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them.

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit [ One element, vv. 4,11,13, of the Pentecost miracle is the gift of glossolalia common in the early Church: see 10:46; 11:15; 19:6; 1 Cor. 12-14; cf. Mark 16:17, cf. early prophecy in Israel, Numbers 11;25-29; 1 Sam. 10:5-6, 10-13; 19:20-24; 1 Kings 22:10. Cf. the promise of Joel, 3:1-5, quoted by Peter, vv. 17f.] gave them the gift of speech.

Now there were devout men [ 'devout men' Sin. Western Text 'Now the Jews who were living in Jerusalem were men from every nation under 'heaven'. The other texts have both 'devout men' and 'Jews'.] living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. [ A second characteristic of the Pentecost miracle: the apostles speak a universal language: the unity lost at Babel is restored. This symbolises and anticipates the apostles' worldwide mission.] They were amazed and astonished. 'Surely' they said 'all these men speaking are Galileans? How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language?

Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; as well as visitors from Rome - Jews and proselytes [ Pagans converts to Judaism who joined the chosen race by being circumcised. These proselytes are not the same as the God-fearers, 10:2+, who admire the Jewish religion and attend the synagogue but do not accept circumcision or the ritual prescribed by the Law. Jews and proselytes are not here additional classes of people: the terms qualify the nations just enumerated.] alike-Cretans and Arabs; we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvel of God.

Everyone was amazed and unable to explain it; they asked one another what it all meant. Some, however, laughed it off. 'They have been drinking too much new wine' they said. - Acts 2:1-13 -

Peter's address to the crowd

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven [ Peter speaks as head of the apostolic body and occupies a leading position, cf. 1;15; 2:37; 3:4,6,12; 4:8,13; 5:3,8,9,15,29; cf. 10-11. See Matthew 19:19+.] and addressed them in a loud voice:

'Men of Judaea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this, but listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you imagine; why, it is only the third hour of the day. [ About 9a.m.] On the contrary, this is what the prophet [ Add. 'Joel'. Vv. 17-21 quoted as in Western Text: Alexandrian Text favours the LXX.] spoke of:

In the days to come [ The messianic age.] - it is the Lord who speaks-
I will pour out my spirit on all mankind.
Their sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
your old men shall dream dreams.
Even on my slaves, men and women,
in those days, I will pour out my spirit.

I will display portents in heaven above
and signs on earth below.
The sun will be turned into darkness
and the moon into blood
before the great Day of the Lord dawns. [ The day of the Lord's coming in glory, the 'day of Yahweh', Amos 5:18+. In Christian preaching, this 'day' is that of Christ's return. Matt. 24:1+.]
All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. [ The Christians style themselves 'those who invoke the name of the Lord'. 9:14,21; 22:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Tim. 2:22; the title 'Lord' no longer indicates Yahweh but Jesus, cf. Phil. 2:11; Acts 3:6+. On Judgement day people will be received or rejected according as they have or have not invoked this name, that is, acknowledged Jesus as Lord: see Acts 4:12 and Romans 10:9.]

'Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: [ The content of the earliest apostolic preaching (the 'kerygma') is here summarised for the first time; cf. the five discourses of Peter, Acts 2:14-39; 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 5:29-32; 10:34-43, and the discourse of Paul, 13:16-41. The kerygma is (1) a witness, 1:8+, to Christ's death and resurrection, 2:24+, and to his exaltation, 2:33+; 2:36+. (2) It also provides certain details of Christ's ministry; how it was heralded by John the Baptist, 10:37; 13:24, inaugurated by teaching and miracle, 2:22; 10:38, completed by the appearances of the risen Christ, 10:40,41; 13:31, and by the gift of the Spirit, 2:33; 5:32. (3) It places the story in its wider setting: it appeals to the past, adducing the O.T. prophecies, 2:23+; 2:25+, and it surveys the future, the advent of the messianic era, inviting Jews and pagans to repentance, 2:38+, so that Christ's glorious return may come the sooner, 3:20-21. The gospels, which are developments of the primitive preaching, adopt the same scheme.]

Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention [ The O.T. prophecies demonstrate this divine plan: Acts 3:18; 4:28; 13:29, cf. 8:32-35; 9:22; 10:43; 17:2-3; 18:5,28; 26:22-23,27; 28:23; Luke 18:31+; 22:22; 24:25-27,44.] and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. [ In this case the Romans. The primitive kerygma accused the Jews in the same way, and confronted them with that act of God which raised up Jesus, 2:32,36; 3:13-17; 4:10; 5:30-31; 7:52; 10:39-40; 13:27-30; 17:31; cf. Romans 1:4+; 1 Thess. 2:14+.]

You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; [ 'of Hades' Western Text; 'death' Text Rec. Cf. vv.27 and 31. 'Hades' in LXX is sheol, Numbers 16:33+; Matthew 16:18+.] for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says to him: [ Quoted according to LXX. In the Hebrew text the psalmist prays only for deliverance from imminent death 'You will not allow your faithful one to see the pit.' Hence the argument presupposes the Greek version which, by translating 'pit' (=grave) as 'corruption'. introduces a new idea.]

I saw the Lord before me always,
for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.
So my heart was glad
and my tongue cried out with joy;
my body, too, will rest in the hope
that you will not abandon my soul to Hades
nor allow your holy one to experience corruption.
You have made known the way of life to me,
you fill me with gladness through your presence.

'Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that.

Now raised to the heights by God's right hand, [ Words borrowed from Psalms 118 (v.:16 LXX 'The right hand of the Lord has raised me up') used in their preaching by the apostles who took it to be messianic: Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7; Matthew 21:9p,42p; 23:39; Luke 13:35; John 12:13; Hebrews 1:3,13; 8:1 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22.] he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, [ According to the prophets, the gift of the Spirit would character the messianic era, Ezekiel 36:27+. Peter explains the miracle his hearers have witnessed as the 'pouring out' of this spirit, foretold in John 3:1-2, by the risen Christ.] and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.

For David himself never went up to heaven; [ The argument is, apparently, that David lies in his tomb and therefore did not ascend into heaven; hence God's summons was addressed not to him but to the one who came out from the tomb. A variant reading 'for he himself says', in place of 'and yet these words are his' (that is, it was said by, not to, him), reduces the argument to that of Matthew 22:43-45.] and yet these words are his:

The Lord said to my Lord:
Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for you.

'For this reason the whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.' [ Conclusion of the argument from sacred scripture: it is by his resurrection that Jesus has been constituted the 'Lord' of whom Psalms 110 speaks, and the 'Messiah' (Christ) to whom Psalms 16 refers. From Psalms 2:7 (Son of God). Acts 13:33+; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; Romans 1:4+ develop a similar argument. Cf. also Acts 5:31 (leader and saviour); 10:42 and Romans 14:9 (Judge and Lord of living and dead); Phil. 2:9-11 (glorified Lord).] - Acts 2:14-36 -

The first conversions

WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE/HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY.

The Lord Jesus Christ, promised to us that our mission on this earth is really and utmost important for our own salvation.

"I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time, in the world to come, Eternal Life." - Luke 18:28-30 -

'Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?'

"Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He is like a man who when he built his house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built.

But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 -

"EACH ONE OF US, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN GIVEN HIS OWN SHARE OF GRACE, GIVEN AS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ALLOTTED IT. IT WAS SAID THAT HE WOULD:

             WHEN HE ASCENDED TO THE HEIGHT, HE CAPTURED PRISONERS,
             HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.

WHEN IT SAYS, 'HE ASCENDED,' WHAT CAN IT MEAN IF NOT THAT HE DESCENDED RIGHT DOWN TO THE LOWER REGIONS OF THE EARTH? THE ONE WHO ROSE HIGHER THAN ALL THE HEAVENS TO FILL ALL THINGS IS NONE OTHER THAN THE ONE WHO DESCENDED.

AND TO SOME, HIS GIFT WAS THAT THEY SHOULD BE APOSTLES; TO SOME, PROPHETS; TO SOME, EVANGELISTS; TO SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; SO THAT THE SAINTS TOGETHER MAKE A UNITY IN THE WORK OF SERVICE, BUILDING UP THE BODY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

IN THIS WAY WE ARE ALL TO COME TO UNITY IN OUR FAITH AND IN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTIL WE BECOME THE PERFECT MAN, FULLY MATURE WITH THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST HIMSELF.

THEN WE SHALL NOT BE CHILDREN ANY LONGER, OR TOSSED ONE WAY AND ANOTHER AND CARRIED ALONG BY EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, AT THE MERCY OF ALL THE TRICKS MEN PLAY AND THEY CLEVERNESS IN PRACTISING DECEIT.

IF WE LIVE BY THE TRUTH AND IN LOVE, WE SHALL GROW IN ALL WAYS INTO CHRIST JESUS, WHO IS THE HEAD BY WHOM THE WHOLE BODY IS FITTED AND JOINED TOGETHER, EVERY JOINT ADDING ITS OWN STRENGTH, FOR EACH SEPARATE PART TO WORK ACCORDING TO IT FUNCTION. SO THE BODY GROWS UNTIL IT HAS BUILT ITSELF UP, IN LOVE." - EPHESIANS 4:7-16 -                                                                                     
                                                               Page 37
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:

Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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 -

THEOLOGY? ISN'T THAT THE STUDY OF RELIGION? SO, WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH ME? ISN'T IT CONCERN PRIESTS, THEOLOGIANS AND THE VATICAN?

THEOLOGY HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH ME, HASN'T IT?

Most of us think that theology is the concern of specialists, an academic subject that has little to do with lay person. Yet, the Christian theology that we accept today has its roots in the faith experiences of the Hebrews' search for God, their reflection on those experiences and their response to Him.

As Rev. Fr. Michael Amaladoss SJ, the Assistant to Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ, responsible for Dialogue and Ecumenism (May 1992-...) puts it, "Faith looks, not only backward to God's saving and powerful presence in history, but also to the future that God invites us to create in the power of the Word and of the Spirit. Theology is therefore not an abstract philosophical elaboration of eternal verities reserved to a few expert professionals. It is a discerning search for God in the here and now of history that is the concern of everyone".

In this sense, theology must be the concern of every Christian and more so of every Christian in Malaysia.

It is the recognition of the Malaysian situation, specifically that of Saint Francis Xavier's Church (Petaling Jaya, Selangor.), that has prompted the central argument in Theology of Shoes-off, an initial effort on the part of Rev. Fr. Joseph (Jojo) Fung SJ to identify the elements that could form our very own Malaysian Theology.

Rev. Fr. Amaladoss SJ has this to say about Theology of Shoes-off. The flowering of local theology is a sign of the rootedness and maturity of a particular Church. So I am glad to welcome and introduce this pioneering effort by Rev. Fr. Joseph (Jojo) Fung SJ to develop a Malaysian theology of "Shoes-off".

BY REV. FR. JOSEPH  MATTHEW  FUNG  JEE  VUI  ( JOJO ) SJ, was the Parish Priest of SFX Church (Petaling Jaya, Selangor.) from 1988 to 1992.

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS (VICAR OF CHRIST) TO THEOLOGIANS: DON'T DO THEOLOGY AWAY FROM PEOPLE. "A THEOLOGY THAT HELPS EVERY CHRISTIAN PROCLAIM THE SAVING FACE OF GOD IS NECESSARY."

FOR POPE FRANCIS (VICAR OF CHRIST), THE THEOLOGIAN ISN'T JUST A SIMPLE SCHOLAR OF GOD, BUT RATHER MUCH MORE. HE OR SHE IS A SCHOLAR AT THE SERVICE OF A PEOPLE, THE CHURCH, TO WHICH HE OR SHE BELONGS AND IS NURTURED BY. THERE'S NO ROOM FOR INDIVIDUALIST THEOLOGIANS WHO COMPETE AMONGST THEMSELVES TO SEE WHO KNOWS MORE.

BEFORE MEMBERS OF THE ITALIAN THEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, THE POPE SAID THEOLOGY MUST BE USED TO HELP EVANGELIZE.

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS (VICAR OF CHRIST),

"A THEOLOGY THAT HELPS EVERY CHRISTIAN PROCLAIM AND SHOW IS NECESSARY; ABOVE ALL, THE SAVING FACE OF GOD OF THE MERCIFUL GOD, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF SOME UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES THE HUMAN BEING FACES TODAY."

POPE FRANCIS MET WITH THE ORGANIZATION IN HONOR OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY. THE ASSOCIATION WAS CREATED WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL. - ROMEREPORTS.COM DECEMBER 29, 2017 -

HENCE, I EARNESTLY AND PROFOUNDLY BELIEVED THAT AS FAR AS SPIRITUALITY IS CONCERN. IT CAN ONLY COME FROM GOD, THE AUTHOR. THUS, THERE IS NO SUCH THING, AS COPYRIGHT, OR IT IS PRODUCED OR WRITTEN BY ME OR IT IS MINE; THE WORD OF GOD, THE SACRED SCRIPTURE/HOLY BIBLE.

"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 -

ALL WRITERS, PERTAINING TO SPIRITUALITY WERE DEFINITELY QUOTED OR TAKE FROM HERE AND THERE, WHICH MAY BE ON AND FROM SOME OTHER WRITERS ARTICLES, BOOKS, BLOGS, OR SITES, ESPECIALLY THE "WORD OF GOD" THE SACRED SCRIPTURE/HOLY BIBLE. BUT IN REALITY, IT IS FIRST USED ALREADY, PERHAPS, LONG, LONG TIME AGO.

"THIS DISCIPLE IS THE ONE WHO VOUCHES FOR THESE THINGS AND HAS WRITTEN THEM DOWN, AND WE KNOW THAT HIS TESTIMONY IS TRUE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DID; IF ALL WERE WRITTEN DOWN, THE WORLD ITSELF, I SUPPOSE, WOULD NOT HOLD ALL THE BOOKS THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE WRITTEN." - JOHN 21:24-25 -

JUST AS GOD ORIGINALLY INSPIRED THE SACRED SCRIPTURE/HOLY BIBLE. GOD HAS USED THIS MEANS TO PRESERVE HIS 'WORD' FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. BUT BEHIND THE WRITING LAY PERIODS OF TIME WHEN THESE MESSAGES WERE CIRCULATED IN SPOKEN FORM. (ORAL TRADITION) THE STORIES OF THE PATRIARCHS WERE PASSED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION BY WORD OF MOUTH BEFORE THEY WERE WRITTEN. (WRITTEN TRADITION)

THE MESSAGES OF THE PROPHETS WERE DELIVERED ORALLY BEFORE THEY WERE FIXED IN WRITING. NARRATIVES OF THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF CHRIST JESUS WERE REPEATED ORALLY FOR TWO OR THREE DECADES BEFORE THEY WERE FIXED IN WRITING.

THEREFORE, SACRED SCRIPTURE/HOLY BIBLE QUOTATION, THAT IS, HOW ANYONE AND I PUT WORD OF GOD INTO SENTENCES OR PUT WORDS INTO SENTENCES. REMEMBER ALWAYS! NO MATTER HOW THE "WORD OF GOD" AND WORDS PUT INTO SENTENCES, IN TRUTH, EVERYONE STARTED AND TOOK IT FROM THE MAIN SOURCE, THAT IS, FROM THE WITNESSES AND FROM THE SACRED SCRIPTURE/HOLY BIBLE; "WORD OF GOD."

"IT IS TRUE, GOD SENT HIS WORD TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, AND IT WAS TO THEM THAT THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE WAS BROUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST - BUT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL MEN.

YOU MUST HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE RECENT HAPPENINGS IN JUDAEA; ABOUT JESUS OF NAZARETH AND HOW HE BEGAN IN GALILEE, AFTER JOHN THE BAPTIST HAD BEEN PREACHING BAPTISM. GOD HAD ANOINTED HIM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH POWER, AND BECAUSE GOD WAS WITH HIM, JESUS WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD AND CURING ALL WHO HAD FALLEN INTO THE POWER OF THE DEVIL.

NOW I, ( SIMON PETER / PETER ) AND THOSE WITH ME, CAN WITNESS TO EVERYTHING JESUS DID THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRYSIDE OF JUDAEA AND IN JERUSALEM ITSELF; AND ALSO TO THE FACT THAT THEY KILLED HIM BY HANGING HIM ON A TREE, YET THREE DAYS AFTERWARDS GOD RAISED HIM TO LIFE AND ALLOWED HIM TO BE SEEN, NOT BY THE WHOLE PEOPLE BUT ONLY BY CERTAIN WITNESSES GOD HAD CHOSEN BEFOREHAND.

NOW WE ARE THOSE WITNESSES - WE HAVE EATEN AND DRUNK WITH HIM AFTER HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD - AND JESUS CHRIST HAS ORDERED US TO PROCLAIM THIS TO HIS PEOPLE AND TO TELL THEM THAT GOD HAS APPOINTED HIM TO JUDGE EVERYONE, ALIVE AND DEAD.

IT IS TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT ALL THE PROPHETS BEAR THIS WITNESS: THAT ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS WILL HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN THROUGH HIS NAME." - ACTS 10:36-43 -

THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES

Prologue

In my earlier work, [ The gospel of Luke.] Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, [ This emphasises the part played by the Spirit in the first missionary activities of the apostles, vv. 5,8 and chapter 2, as in the opening of Christ's ministry, Luke 4:1,14,18.] and taken up to heaven. [ The Western Text does not mention the ascension here.]

Jesus had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. [ The kingdom of God, Matthew 4:17+, must be the main subject preached by the apostles, cf. Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31, as it was the main thing preached by Christ, cf. Matthew 3:2+.] When he had been at table with them, Jesus had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised.

'It is' he had said 'what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised [ The baptism of the Spirit foretold by John The Baptist, Matthew 3:11p, and here promised by Jesus, will be initiated by the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, Acts 2:1-4. Subsequently, the apostles, obedient to Christ's command, Matthew 28:19, will continue to make use of baptism in water, Acts 2:41; 8:12,38; 9:18;10:48; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:5, as the ritual initiation into the messianic Jesus', Acts 2:38+, and through belief in Christ as Saviour, cf. Rome 6:4+, will be able to absolve from sins and to give the Spirit, Acts 2:38.

Connected with this Christian baptism by water there is the companion rite of the imposition of hands, 1 Timothy 4:14+, the purpose of which is to give the gifts of the Spirit in as manifest a way as they had been given at Pentecost, Acts 8:16-19; 9:17-18; 19:5-6 (but cf. 10:44-48); this is the less instructed early Christians, 19:3.] with the Holy Spirit.' - Acts 1:1-5 -

The Ascension

Now having met together, [ Acts 1:6, takes up the narrative broken off in Luke 24:49.] they asked Jesus, 'Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?' [ The apostles still identified the messianic kingdom with the political restoration of David's dynasty. Cf. Matthew 4:17+.] Jesus replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates [ Human history is the unfolding of salvation and it develops through the 'times and dates', cf. Daniel 2:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:1, that God has always foreseen (Romans 16:25+; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:4, 3:9,11; Col. 1:26; 2 Tim 1:9; cf. Matthew 25:34): first there are the 'times' of preparation, Hebrews 1:2, 9:9; 1 Peter 1:11, and of God's patience, Rom. 3:26; Acts 17:30; then follows the appointed time.

Galatians 4:4+, the moment long foretold for the Messiah to come and begin the era of salvation, Rom. 3:26+; after this, the time that is to escape before the parousia or final coming. 2 Cor. 6:2+; lastly, the great and final 'Day'.] that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you, [ The Holy Spirit is a favourite theme of Luke (Luke 4:1+); he talks mostly about the Holy Spirit as a Power, Luke 1:35; 24:49; Acts 1:8; Rom. 15:13,19; 1 Cor. 2:4,5; 1 Thes. 1:5; Hebrews 2:4, sent from God by Christ. Acts 2:33, to broadcast the Good News.

(1) The Spirit gives the charismata, 1 Cor. 12:4f, that guarantee the message: the gift of tongues, Acts 2:4+, of miracles, Acts 10:38, of prophecy, 11:27+; 20:23; 21:11, of wisdom,  6:3.5.10. (2) The Spirit gives strength to proclaim Jesus as Messiah in spite of persecution, 4:8,31; 5:32; 6:10; cf. Phil. 1:19, and to bear witness to him, Matt. 10:20p; John 15:26; Acts 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:7f, cf. following note. (3) The Spirit guides the Church in her major decisions: the admission of pagans, Acts 8:29,40; 10:19,44,47; 11:12-16; 15:8, without obligation to observe the Law, 15:28; Paul's mission to the pagan world, 13:2f; 16:6-7; 19:1 (Western Text), cf. Matt. 3:16+, Acts also mentions the Spirit as received in baptism and forgiving sins, 2:38; cf. Rom. 5:5+.] and then you will be my witnesses [ The primary function of the apostles is to bear witness: not only to Christ's resurrection, Luke 24:48; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 5:32; 13:31; 22:15, but also to the whole of his public life, Luke 1:21; John 15:27; Acts 1:22; 10:39f.]

And then you will  be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.' [ Nothing can limit the apostolic mission, Is. 45:14+. The progress outlined here follows the geographical plan of Acts: Jerusalem was destined to receive the Good News, to be the centre from which it is now spreading, cf. Luke 2:38+.]

As Jesus said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud [ The cloud is part of theophanies in O.T., Exodus 13:22+, and in New Testament; Luke 9:34-35p. In particular, Daniel 7:13, it marks the coming, or parousia, of the Son of Man, Matthew 24:30+; v.11 of this passage; cf. 1 Thes. 4:17;Rev. 1:7; 14:14-16.] took him from their sight. They will still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, 'Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus [ Thus, the Western Text. Text Rec. 'this Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven'.] will come back the same way [ The glorious coming, the parousia, see notes on Matthew 24 and Luke 17:22-37; 21:5-33.] as you have seen him go there.' - Acts 1:6-11 -

I. THE JERUSALEM CHURCH

The group of apostles

So from the mount of Olives, as it is called, they went back to Jerusalem, a short distance away, no more than a Sabbath walk; and when they reached the city they went to the upper room where they were staying; there were Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Jude son of James. [ 'Son' (of Alphaeus, of James) is not in the Greek. The apostle Jude is not the Jude 'brother' of Jesus. cf. Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3, and brother of James (Jude 1). Nor is it likely that the apostle James son of Alphaeus was James brother of the Lord, Acts 12:17; 15:13, etc.] All these joined in continuous  prayer, together with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. [ Cousins of Jesus, cf. Matthew 12:46+] - Acts 1:12-14 -

The election of Matthias

One day Peter stood up to speak to the brothers [ The term means Christians, usually the laity as distinct from apostles and elders, cf. 11:1; 12:17; 17:18; Romans 1:13, etc.] - there were about a hundred and twenty persons in the congregation: Brothers, the passage of Sacred Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, foretells the fate of Judas, who offered himself as a guide to the men who arrested Jesus - after having been one of our number and actually sharing this ministry of ours.

As you know, Judas Iscariot bought a field with the money he was paid for his crime. He fell headlong and burst open, and all his entrails poured out. Everybody in Jerusalem heard about it and the field came to be called the Bloody Acre, in their language Hakeldama. Now in the Book of Psalms it says:

                                    Let his camp be reduced to ruin,
                                   Let there be no one to live in it.

And again:

                                   Let someone else take his office.

'We must therefore choose someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was travelling round with us, someone who was with us right from the time when John was baptising until the day when Jesus was taken up from us - and he can act with us a witness to Jesus resurrection.'

'Having nominated two candidates, Joseph known as Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias, they prayed, 'Lord, you can read everyone's heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen to take over this ministry and apostolate, which Judas abandoned to go to his proper place.' They then draw lots for them, and as the lot fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles. [ 'he was listed as one of the twelve apostles'.] - Acts 1:15-26 -

Pentecost
                                                                Page 36

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:

Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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 -