King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 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.]
Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Chapters: Acts 1-2
Message: Endued With The Holy Spirit
Hello My Friend,
I spent two and a half hours talking to God, taking Him with me as I read a few emails about potential jobs that you take an assessment for, and also to correct a mistake on a project I am working on for church. Then I took Him to my pity party and this is all my fault because I made so many bad decisions the past couple of years. That was when God reminded me, [Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.]
Yes, God knew exactly what was going to happen to me, and each and every one of us, and I cannot blame Him for anything that has happened, because honestly, He has been with me every step of the way. No matter how many times I tripped, He was there to pick me up, and the only one to blame is the devil for putting these doubts and fears in my head. We really have to give God a lot of credit because He truly has gotten us through some incredible feats, and has many more to get us through as well. Each and every one of them truly does conform us closer to am image that resembles His Son, and for that we can expect some challenges. And as we begin in the reading of Acts, I thought I would start with the end of Luke, who actually wrote Acts as well.
[Luke 24:45-49 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.]
[Endue; (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively): – array, clothe (with), have (put) on.] What was the power from on high that they would put on like clothes? The Holy Spirit! 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. It is He who endures them with the power to become witnesses for Christ. Jesus remained on earth for forty days after His resurrection, before He ascended into heaven, He gathered the eleven apostles together, and part of that was what we just read in Luke.
[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.]
[Until the day in which he was taken up,] So many religions lose the fact that Jesus arose from the dead and ascended up into heaven. They focus so much on His death that they never comprehend the fact that He is alive and actually sitting at the right hand of His Father, making intercession for all who believe in Him. It is truly important that we remind ourselves that Jesus did die a horrible death for crimes He never committed, but we must never forget that He arose from the dead, and He is not on the cross anymore, []
Jesus must have taught them, or they must have started to study the Scriptures a little more, because they asked Jesus when He will restore Israel as a kingdom, [Acts 1:6-11 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. 10 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.]
[and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,] It is Jesus, through the Holy Spirit that He gives us the commands that we are given. Without the Holy Spirit we would not even have the desire to witness the Gospel to people let alone have a conversation with God. We can talk to God until we are blue in the face, but He will not talk back unless we are endued with the Holy Spirit, [1 John 5:10-11 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.]
Today is actually the first day since Saturday that I have some liveliness to my body, I had been so sick that I could not even move my head without the room spinning inside my head. While a sinus infection did play a part of that, anxiety played the bigger part. Even though I am not really worried about what is going to happen since I lost my job, my body itself wants to freak out. In the back of my mind I feel like I have failed and wasted another four months of my life on something that I literally knew before I took the job was not going to end well. All the while, the Holy Spirit inside of me, is telling me not to count it as a loss because I did learn a few things through all this, the most important is that I do not give up without a fight, and have not backed down in my faith. It does not matter where God places us, or even of we somehow took a wrong turn and ended up in some strange situation, God will use it for a purpose, and that is to glorify Him. Now, after Jesus had ascended, the Apostles as well as Mary and several others, in fact, a hundred and twenty, came together as one and talked about what had happened. Peter decided that it was time to choose another Apostle to take the place of Judas.
[Acts 1:14-19 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 15 And 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,) 16 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. 18 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. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.]
[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.] Truth be told, we have more enemies who live among us (friends, family, church, coworkers) than we do outside of our realm. This is why Jesus said, [Matthew 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.] All of those people who were said to be on my side, who were said to never leave me, who said if I needed anything to call them and they would be right here, they were the first to cave, to sell me out, and leave. Their true colors came out when I could no longer benefit them, but you know what, they are the ones who have to answer to God because He is the one taking the count, [Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.]
[And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem;] The world definitely knows that we belong to Jesus, they also watch everything that we do in hopes that we would do something to discredit both our testimony as well as Jesus. After Peter describes what happened when Judas killed himself, it was time to choose someone in his place, but this would have to be a witness that was with them the whole time, someone who saw first hand what had happened, and also give their testimony of what they had saw when they walked with Jesus. So, the hundred and twenty people named off names and narrowed it down to two men, [Acts 1:23-26 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 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.]
[and the lot fell upon Matthias;] Matthias, although not much was said about him after this, he was one of the first seventy disciples that Jesus had appointed to His ministry, around AD 29. From several books, including the Foxes Book of Martyrs, which testifies that he was stoned and beheaded for preaching the Gospel. How they chose him was through a lot of prayer and each person wrote the name of who they thought would be the one on a piece of paper, and placed the paper in an urn. The urn was shaken, one piece of paper was grabbed, and the first name to be read was the elected as the Apostle to take Judas’ place. Some would say that it was by chance, but there is no such thing a chance with God, remember, Jesus chooses us, we do not choose Him, and it is not by chance or even our own design that we become witnesses for Christ, it is our faith, and what Christ decides, [John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.]
[Pentecost; A solemn festival of the Jews, also called the Feast of Weeks because it was celebrated seven weeks after the passover.] The Feast of Weeks, was observed fifty days after Passover to offer God the first fruits of their harvest; also that they might call to mind and give thanks to God for the Law which he had given them at Sinai on the fiftieth day from their departure from Egypt. Now, called the Day of Pentecost, it also happened to have been fifty days since Jesus had died on the cross. Jesus did not want the Apostles to leave Jerusalem until the promise He made about sending the Holy Spirit would come. How He would send Him, they had no clue, but Jesus decided to send His on the day, and it was an incredible, and I imagine somewhat frightening sight.
[Acts 2:1-6 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. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.]
[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. This is the first and only time that tongues were spoken, and what that really means is that each person spoke in their own language, but the one hearing them heard it as though they were speaking in their own language. People from every tongue were actually speaking the Gospel, from every nation, and it caused quite a stir.
[Acts 2:9-15 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? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day]
[These men are full of new wine.] These were actually the ones who had not received the Holy Spirit yet, we learn that later on as Peter explains what was going on. The best way for him to explain this was to take them back to David and what he had prophesied, by whom Jesus descended in the flesh.
[Acts 2:22-24,29,31,34-36 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. 29 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. 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. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.]
[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.]
Now, as soon as the ones that were not saved heard this, they too wanted to know how to be saved, [Acts 2:37-41 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. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 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; Turn away from your thinking that your own righteous can save you. 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.]
Let Us Pray: 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 that 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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