King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024
Chapters: Acts Chapters 1-2
Message: Common Believers
Hello My Friend,
Jesus said this, [John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.]
[Expedient; Hastening; urging forward; fit or suitable for the purpose; useful; profitable; quick.] The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity of God, in fact, He is the very Spirit of God that we read about throughout the Old Testament who entered into believers as God saw fit to use them. In fact, all the books of the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit, [2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:]
So, why was this so important and why did Jesus need to leave before this would take place? First of all, the sending of the Holy Spirit depended upon the fact that Jesus would enter into the glory of His Father according to His human nature. He is our Mediator, the one who sits on the right hand of our Father and gives intercession for us. He is also our advocate to speak on our behalf, and to catch our prayers as we send them to our Father, [Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.]
Second, the Holy Spirit was also known as the glory of God, that light that we read from Moses to Ezekiel, who dwelt in the Tabernacle and Temple, and how God removed Him from the earth after the Jews destroyed it, [Ezekiel 11:23-24 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city. 24 Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.]
Finally, this was something that would be permanent for those who receive Jesus as their Saviour, up until His ascension, the Spirit did not remain in the believer, but this time He would indwell them until they go up to heaven, [Romans 8:10-11 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.]
The Book of Acts contains twenty-eight chapters, the author is the Apostle Luke and it was written to all believers, around 65 AD, and addressed specifically to Theophilus, which means, lover of God. The timeline for these events took place approximately between 34AD and 65AD. The purpose of the book was to explain the work Jesus continued to do after His ascension through the Apostles in the form of the Holy Spirit. What we are to learn from the book is that true evidence of the Holy Spirit is directed by the power of God in all believers, [Acts 1:8 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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.]
After Jesus resurrected He remained on earth for forty days, the strange thing was that He was not with the apostles the whole time, and yet several other people witnessed seeing Him during that time. Before He ascended into heaven, He gathered the eleven, who are now called apostles and gave them one last command. Since Luke wrote the Book of Acts, it is fitting that he would start the book with how Jesus left.
[Acts 1:1-5 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed 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: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.]
[The former treatise have I made,] A treatise is a written report on a particular subject, in this case, the Apostles and disciples were awaiting the promise that the Comforter would come and that they would all be baptized with Him. There are two baptisms, water baptism, which is merely a public profession of one’s faith in Christ. And there is spiritual baptism, in which the Holy Spirit enters the soul of the one who receives Christ as their Saviour, [Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.]
[he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles] This was included in the Scriptures for two reasons, one; to show them that it was the Holy Spirit who worked through His flesh and two; since the Holy Spirit now indwells them they ought to do everything through Him. Remember, once we receive Christ as our Saviour, He belongs to us and we belong to Him, therefore, we ought to be living our lives as the Holy Spirit guides us and trust me, you will know when the Holy Spirit is touching you, [John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.]
So, Jesus gathers the eleven Apostles together and sort of bids them farewell, with the promise that He will return. However, they were not concerned so much as to when He will return, but rather restore Judah back to Israel, [Acts 1:6-9 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.]
[wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?] The kingdom had been taken away from Judah since the days of their captivity to Babylon. Judah, was now a Roman province, under the power of a Roman governor, who we know as Pilate. The nation in general expected that upon the Messiah’s coming that they would be delivered from Roman rule, and that the son of David would be king over them. So, this was a complete surprise to all of them to discover that Jesus was leaving. There will come a day when He will return and Israel will be restored to the Jews and He will be King, but that will happen when God sees fit, [1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:]
[he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.] So here are these men watching Jesus as as He begins to ascend and all of a sudden a cloud appears and He disappears. And as soon as He does two angels showed up, it was not time for them to keep looking up, they had work to do.
[Acts 1:10-14 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.]
[shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.] Yes, just as Jesus disappeared when the cloud appeared He will appear when the cloud appears. This is not the time for Christians to be idle, just waiting for Him to return, we need to be ready, prepared, and doing the work that Jesus appointed for us because the day will come when we will not be able to do that, [Amos 8:11-12 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.]
[These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,] Now, in the case, the best thing that we can do to not only know where Jesus wants us to serve Him is to pray and wait for the answer. Waiting is not the same thing as being idle, Jesus, did not want them to leave Jerusalem until the promise He made about sending the Comforter came to pass. And while all of them were praying and conversing, Peter, decided that it was time to choose another Apostle to take the place of Judas Iscariot.
[Acts 1:16-17,21-23,25-26 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.]
[which was guide to them that took Jesus.] Peter, was referring to the band of soldiers that Judas led to Jesus, who came with their swords to take Him as a thief. Judas not only showed them where He was, but gave them a sign to show them who He was, and that sign was a kiss, as the kiss of a friend. And He was referencing this verse, [Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.]
[must one be ordained to be a witness] Both of these men Justus and Matthias, walked with Jesus and the the entire time that Jesus began His ministry and were even somehow witnesses to His ascension. While choosing one of these men to take the place of Judas did not mean that anyone else there would not be useful in preaching the Gospel, these men saw everything first hand. The only way for any of us to be a witness of Christ in our own lives is to be ordained or anointed with the Holy Spirit. And speaking of being ordained with the Holy Spirit, the time had come for the believers to be baptized in the Spirit.
[Acts 2:1-5 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.]
[And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,] Can you imagine sitting there when all of a sudden, huge gusts of wind form, and it is so loud that it sounds like a train passing by? On top of that, drops of fire coming down from the sky, each believer of Christ seeing that fire come down upon them, actually touching them, and fading into their skin. [cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.] Remember, the Holy Spirit is also the glory of God, and was this massive light that shown to let the people know that God was near. This is the same thing in a smaller form of course, [Exodus 24:17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.]
[devout men, out of every nation under heaven.] In other words, they came from all over the world speaking in only their native language. I am sure they had interpreters there, but what was happened next caused quite a stir.
[Acts 2:6-12 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?]
[we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.] This is what the true meaning of speaking in tongues is, each person spoke in their own language, but the one hearing them heard it as though they were speaking in their native tongue. Today, speaking in tongues is just speaking more than one language or unknown tongue, [1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.]
[they were all amazed, and were in doubt,] All they heard was the mambo jumbo that people who claim to be speaking in tongues today do. They actually thought that the people were drunk, but Peter quickly put a stop to that accusation, [Acts 2:15-18,21 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.]
[this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;] Peter, was referring to this passage, [Joel 2:28-29,32 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.]
Do you see how all believers called on the LORD? It did not matter whether or not one believed that the Messiah was coming to save them or we believe that He has already come, all who call upon the LORD will be saved or delivered from hell. Well, Peter thought that the best way for him to explain this was to take them back to David and what he had prophesied.
[Acts 2:22-27 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.]
[because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.] [Holden; to have power, be powerful; to lay hands on one in order to get him into one’s power.] Peter, is saying that it was not possible for Jesus to be under the power of death. It was by His sinless death, burial, and resurrection that we too have been loosed from the pains of death, it has no power over us. It does not matter if our flesh gives out and turns back to the dust it is created with, our soul knows no death and when Jesus returns, it will resurrect as well, [1 Corinthians 15:52-54 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.]
[moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:] Peter was referring to this passage, [Psalms 16:8-9 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.]
[moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:] If David said this well before Jesus came here this proves that every believer had hope of being resurrected and that their souls would not see hell. We can even account all the way back to Job when he knew that his Redeemer lives, and he is our Redeemer as well, [Job 19:25-26 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:]
Jesus, who was approved of His Father, descended in the flesh by David through the birth of the virgin Mary, defeated death and hell through His sinless sacrifice and resurrection. Peter, goes on to say that while David’s body still remains in the grave he fully believed that Jesus would come.
[Acts 2:29-32 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.]
[He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ,] Peter, is referring to this passage, [Psalms 16:10-11 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.]
This would actually be the account of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, which they were witness of just a few weeks prior. This is why those who believed in Christ coming to save their soul from hell before His passion are saved as well. Salvation has never been about works, it has always been about faith, but it was their works that confirmed their faith, [James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.] It does not matter if our flesh gives out and turns back to the dust it is created with, since we have the Holy Spirit in us, our soul knows no death and therefore we need not fear death. Now, as soon as the ones that were not saved heard this, they too wanted to know how to be saved.
[Acts 2:36-39,41 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.]
[Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ] [Repent; To change the mind in consequence of the inconvenience or injury done by past conduct.] In other words, turn your mind away from thinking that your own righteous can save you and turn it to Christ. Then open your heart to the Gospel of Christ, who died to save you from your sins and be baptized, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit, which can only come upon us through our faith in Christ, period. There is no amount of water that can save our soul, only our faith in Christ does that, [Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.]
[Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:] It just occurred to me that there were thousands of people there, so if three thousand received Christ that day can you imagine just how many did not. Nevertheless, these believers were now what we call, saved, born again Christian and gladly received not only the words spoken by the Apostles, they spread the Gospel as well, and added to the Church daily.
[Acts 2:42-47 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.]
[all that believed were together, and had all things common;] All those who receive Christ are joined together by one common belief, they fully believe in the Gospel of Christ. They did not add anything to it and they did not diminish it in order to get people to believe, they simply preached the Gospel. Today, churches are idle or preaching a watered down or overpowered version of the Gospel and what they are really doing is sending people to hell with their false doctrine and this is why so many doors are closing. God, will not be mocked, He rather see the doors closed then see them sending people to hell, [Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Acts 1:8 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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I find it amazing that all I need to do to have eternal life is believe in Your Gospel. I do not have to believe and follow a bunch of rules or believe and even be baptized in water to be saved. I am saved by grace through my faith alone in Your sinless death, burial, and resurrection. And my faith in You does more than save my soul from hell, it also gives me a gift that never fades or gets destroyed, and that is the Holy Spirit. You literally baptized my soul with Your Spirit by enduing it with Your fire of life. Thank You, Jesus for all that You have done for me, and continue to do as I allow Your Spirit to guide and teach me. I know I still mess up every day, at least, I know that by Your grace and my faithfulness I am a work in progress. I pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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