True Repentance

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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: Thursday, November 17, 2022
Chapters: ACTS 1-2
Study: True Repentance

Hello My Friend,

I had some of my nephews with me last Sunday afternoon, we were sitting at the dining room table eating lunch and talking about Christmas coming when the five year old says, “We just had Christmas.” Even the kids have noticed how fast it seems that a year has gone. This entire year has seemed like a blur to me or somehow has melted together with last year It is strange though how we perceive time, there are some people probably thinking how long of a year it has been and cannot wait for it to be over. Well, that I do agree on, but as for time, it all goes by one second at a time, it is clearly understandable why God says that a thousand years seems like one day to Him, [2 Peter 3:8-9  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.]

[Repentance; The pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment; Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God; A change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.] As you can see, there are a few meanings to the word repentance, but they all circle around one thing, sin. 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 apostles together, and part of that was what we had read from Luke. Since Luke wrote the Book of Acts, it is fitting that he would start the book with how He one; left, and two; sent the Holy Spirit as He promised.

[Acts 1:1-4  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.]

[but wait for the promise of the Father,] Jesus, did not want them to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit had descended upon them. How exactly was that going to happen? We will learn that in chapter two. First, we learn of how Jesus left the earth, and what He had told the apostles just before He did.

[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.]

[which the Father hath put in his own power.] Remember, Jesus, had already told them that God had not given Him or anyone else the date in which He will return and Israel will finally recognize Christ as the Messiah, [Matthew 24:35-37  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.  36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.]

[why stand ye gazing up into heaven?] Do you remember the days of Noah? How many people got saved? Eight. So, think about that, each year that passes by there are less people getting saved. I just watched a program on the Disney channel that hinted that “Christmas spirit” and the belief of Santa Claus is on the decline. So, if the world is seeing that less people are believing in their most beloved figure you know that there is a decline in the true meaning of Christmas. The older I get the more I truly understand just how much of a vapor life is, I mean there are more people are living to be a hundred these days, but that is still not very much time. Jesus, will return as we definitely do not want to be gazing when He does, [2 Peter 3:10-11  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,]

It is Jesus, through the Holy Spirit who 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. 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.]

[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. Several books, including Foxes Book of Martyrs, testify that he was stoned and beheaded for preaching the Gospel. For a while it seemed that Christian prosecution was on a decline, but it is on the rise now, which is another sign that Jesus will be returning quicker than we think, He will surely come as a thief in the night, [Revelation 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.]

Jesus, did not want them to leave Jerusalem until the promise He made about sending the Comforter came to pass. And it did not take long, in fact, it was fifty days later on the Day of Pentecost, and it was an incredible sight, [Acts 2:1-4  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.]

[And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,] [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. Does this sound a bit familiar? Next week is Thanksgiving Day here in America. Do you think that the very first feast that the pilgrims had with the Indians to give thanks for a successful harvest had anything to do with this? None of our holy days are a coincidence, and everything that our founders have instituted, including the Constitution, evolved around God’s Word. That is actually what makes for a successful harvest, and nation for that matter, [Psalms 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.]

[and it filled all the house where they were sitting.] Remember, what John said about Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit upon them? [John 20:21-22  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:] Well, that is pretty much what He does to us the second we believe.

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. People from every tongue were actually speaking the Gospel, from every nation, and as you can imagine, it caused quite a stir.

[Acts 2:6-8,12-15  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? 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.]

[every man heard them speak in his own language.] Behold, the introduction and truth of what speaking in tongues really is. It is when one person speaks in their own language and is understood by others, even though they never spoke a word in another language. My goodness, to have the gift of tongues would be an incredible asset, especially since with my line of work. However, the Holy Spirit can do a pretty good job of showing us how to reach people when we have no clue what they are saying, [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.]

[Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.] These were actually the ones who had not gotten saved yet, so, they had not received the Holy Spirit. Now, Peter explains what was going on.

[Acts 2:17-18,21,23-24  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. 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.]

[And on my servants and on my handmaidens] Peter, was referring to this passage, [Joel 2:28-29  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.]

[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. The best way for Peter to explain this was to take them back to David and what he had prophesied, by whom Jesus descended in the flesh.

[Acts 2:29-30,32-36  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;  32  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.  33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.  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.]

[he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.] 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. And when Jesus returns, it will resurrect as well and we will actually receive, new glorified bodies, [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 2:37-39,41-42  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.  42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.]

[they were pricked in their heart,] This is what Jesus does to all, He will either prick hearts to repentance or He will prick hearts to rejection. I do not care who you are, we are all given the same message, those whom have rejected Jesus will stand before Him as well and give an account as to why they did not get saved, [John 5:28-29  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.]

[continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,] 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 death and hell. And be baptized, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit, who can only come upon you through your faith in Christ, period. This is the doctrine that the apostles preached and what we are to preach as well until Jesus returns, [2 Timothy 4:1-5  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.]

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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