Acts 15:12-21 The Jerusalem Council - Part II

After Peter's testimony on how the Holy Spirit guided him to minister to the Gentiles and how the Holy Spirit came upon them just like for the Jews, Paul and Barnabas take the stand and testify on all the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. Both Peter and Paul had experienced the presence of the Spirit guiding them to minister to the Gentiles and the power of the Spirit upon them in conversion and baptism accompanied by signs and wonders just like among the Jews. There is no partiality in God and there should be none in the Church which means there should be none in me.

Now James, the Apostle, more likely the lead elder of the Jerusalem church, offers scriptural backing for what Peter, Saul, and Barnabas have experienced and are trying to explain. He cites Amos 9:11-12 that refers to the restoration of Israel in the end times to include all the nations of the world. It is interesting to note that the apostles are reasoning together to find a solution to the Gentile issue. They bring experience, but they also bring the Scriptures to bear upon it. There was no angel with a message, there was no vision (they had a few already on the issue), and they were not prophet speaking a word. Yet, the presence of the Spirit in their decision-making cannot be questioned. Experience, Scripture, and Reason are working together for the glory of God and the advancement of his kingdom.

James, based on the evidence before them, proposed a solution to the issue of asking Gentile believers to circumcise and keep the Law. He proposed that no undue burden be placed upon them, but "to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood." And the reason he gives for the Gentiles to abstain from these things is that the Law is proclaimed in the synagogues everywhere. In other words, to ensure that the Gospel would have no stumbling blocks among the Jews and to ensure the fellowship between Gentiles and Jews, there had to be some standard of conduct.

Am I willing to do whatever it takes to avoid being a stumbling block for the Gospel where I live? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to ensure fellowship with my brothers and sisters who are different from me in my local church? I think I am too prompt to sound the cultural trumpet to excuse myself from things that could offend others. Whether that be language, food, greeting, etc. I must be willing to give up my culture for the sake of the kingdom of God so that people don't have objections to the Gospel and my brothers and sisters can feel comfortable around me. Ultimately, my citizenship is from heaven and not from earth. And heavenly citizens are willing to give up their earthly customs to promote evangelism and fellowship.

Father, thank you for my heavenly citizenship. Help me understand that my culture may stand in the way of reaching others for the kingdom and it may stand in the way of bonding with my brothers and sisters in the kingdom. Grant me discernment to learn what I must give up to avoid being a stumbling block for the Gospel. Amen.

Acts 15:1-11 The Jerusalem Council - Part I

One of the ploys the enemy uses to come against the Church is false teaching. Some men (Jews, of course) had come from Judea teaching that circumcision was a requirement for salvation and that Gentile believers needed to keep the Law of Moses to be part of the Church. Paul and Barnabas debated them, but it seemed to cause enough trouble to require a ruling on the matter. At this point we can see that the Jerusalem church acted as a "mother church" for the work that was taking root in the surrounding areas due to the fact that the Apostles were there. Paul and Barnabas were sent to consult them on this matter, but while they made their way to Jerusalem, they continued to testify what great things God had done among the Gentiles.

Apostles and elders gathered together to settle the matter through much debate. Peter relates to the brethren how God called him to preach to the Gentiles. He offers as proof of God's approval the giving of the Spirit to them just as he did to the Jews. God makes no distinctions. Salvation is by grace through faith and a requirement like this would only become a yoke (burden) to the new believers as it has been for the Jews all these years. Furthermore, Peter argues that such a requirement is to put God to the test sinning against him. It is important to understand that the Law referred to here has to do with circumcision, ceremonies and rituals, including kosher foods.

With the giving of any law, there are dangers that could be depicted as cliffs on both sides of a road. On the one hand, there is the danger of legalism. This is an excessive adherence to the letter of the law missing out on the spirit of the law. Rules and regulations are good, but when taken to extremes they snuff out the life it is supposed to protect in its adherents. Legalism makes adherence to the law a zealous compliance to form and rituals that becomes mechanical, devoid of fervor and passion and therefore, meaningless.

On the other hand, there is the danger of liberalism. This is a disregard for rules and regulations bordering on anarchy and producing chaos. In this view, rules and regulations are meant to be broken bringing freedom. Unfortunately, just like legalism, it enslaves its adherents to less than the law intended. The purpose of the law is to bring order and protect its followers from abuses. Without adherence to the law there is no order or safety. Liberalism produces in its followers an arrogant attitude against authority.

Salvation cannot be viewed as a bunch of dos and don'ts. The Jews were not able to comply with the Law and so it would be for the Gentiles also. No one can keep the Law! Jesus Christ came into the world to fulfill the Law of God and promote justice so that all who trust in him can enjoy the benefits of eternal life. He took upon himself the penalty of our disobedience to comply with the Law and to be able to offer eternal life to all who dare trust in him. The Gospel does away with all the ceremonies and regulations, but it does not do away with the ten commandments - the Moral Law. We are still to strive to obey and please our God, but in grace it is not in our strength, but with God's help. "Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Father, thank you for your Son who gave himself for me to make salvation by grace through faith possible. Teach me to obey your Law that I may please you. Guard my heart from the extremes of legalism and liberalism. Help me walk the straight path you have set out for me in your Word. Amen.

Acts 12 James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

Even though Saul had converted to Christianity, the Church was still experiencing persecution. Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great who attempted to take Jesus' life as a child, killed James, the brother of John, one of the apostles, and imprisoned Peter. Peter was placed in "death row" until after the Passover to bring him out to the people to judge him and very probably, to sentence him to death. "But earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church." The Church was constantly depending on the Spirit for boldness, courage, guidance, and protection.  Am I depending on the Spirit on a daily basis for boldness, guidance, and protection?

The Church was offering "earnest" prayer for Peter. The word has a sense of stretching to the limit; prayers were offered with sincere and intense conviction to the max, fervently! Is my prayer life practiced in earnest? Or is my prayer life boring, lacking intensity, even faith? It is not how long, but how intense. It is not how loud, but how fervent. It is not the form, but the sincerity of heart that defines the conviction behind the prayer. The Church is called to depend on the Holy Spirit and the best declaration of dependence is prayer, earnest prayer.

Peter's escape from prison was a supernatural event thanks to the prayers of the Church. He was guarded heavily, probably due to the report that the Apostles had escaped prison before (Acts 5). But no guard in the world can stop the angels of the Lord from acting on our behalf. As a believer, I have in the angels great allies who minister to me in times of need. They are servants of the Lord whom God sends on missions to accomplish his will, and many of those missions are on my behalf. Do I believe in the angels? Do I believe that God can intervene in time and space on my behalf through his angels? Persecution will bring death to many Christians on this earth and that does not mean that God loves them any less. But if God has plans with my life, no one can take it until he grants permission.

After a miraculous escape, Peter went to Mary's house where many were gathered and praying. When Peter knocked on the door, Rhoda, a servant girl recognized him, but out of joy ran to the people inside and left Peter outside. The believers could not believe her report, but kept saying it was his angel. This is what most people call today a guardian angel. It was believed that the appearance of the angel was that of the person he guarded. There is no Scriptural basis for this belief, but there is basis to believe in guardian angels or angels as messengers on behalf of God's people. Prayer unleashes the angels of God to act on our behalf. Do I pray believing that God will answer? or like these people, I can't believe when God acts? Why am I surprised when God acts on my behalf answering my prayers?

It was not Peter's time, but it was James' time. Only God knows when our time is up. To protect Peter, and the Church, God took care of the soldiers, and even Herod himself and the word of God increased and multiplied. My time will come and God is the only one who knows when. In the meantime, I resolve to do my best to serve my King upon this earth. I want to live every moment to the glory of my King.

Father, teach me to pray. May my prayer life be earnest. Increase my faith to believe that you send your angels to minister on my behalf when needed. Grant me faith to expect your answers and believe them when they happen. May I depend on you for everything every day. Amen.

Acts 11:1-18 Peter Reports to the Church

The Church, though a divine institution, has been plagued with problems since its birth. Within the ranks of the faithful there was already a debate concerning how to deal with Gentiles. Some believed, those of the circumcision party, that Gentiles had to go through the Jewish ritual of circumcision to be accepted even as Christians, but others didn't. I have to fight the tendency to think and expect that the Church has to be perfect upon the earth. When sinners gather I can't expect perfection, but imperfection. We strive for it, but we have not attained it. I also have to fight the tendency to withdraw from the Church, labeling it hypocritical, because people in it don't follow the teachings of Christ perfectly. I am the chief of sinners and I can't follow his teachings perfectly, but that's why I need the Church. The Church is a place for teaching, reproofing, correcting, and training. If the Church were a Perfect Club there would be no need for all that.

These brothers criticized Peter for entering into a Gentile home and eating with them, something no Jew would do in those days and some even still to this day. Peter was following the promptings and guidance of the Holy Spirit and yet, he still encountered criticism. I can't expect the work of the ministry to be criticism free. It is part and parcel of what takes place in the dynamics of the Church. I need to grow up and learn to deal with criticism as unpleasant as it may be. There is no such thing as a criticism free ministry. I realize that criticism is not a fruit of the Spirit as some may think, but I have to accept that the Church is a Rehab Center for believers and the Lord is not done with us yet. If I work in the front line of the battle, I will be shot at - guaranteed! And friendly fire is not excluded!

Peter explained the events that transpired with the Gentiles and taught them what the Spirit had been teaching him through a vision. Moreover, the evidence that God was working among the Gentiles just like among the Jews was the pouring of the Spirit after repentance. Peter remembered the preaching of John the Baptist who declared the promise of the pouring of the Spirit upon all who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter declared: ...who was I that I could stand in God's way? When God is doing something new, I have to humble myself and accept his ways. True wisdom does not lean on its own understanding, but trusts in the Lord. The Word of God should always be the lamp and guide of my life. Am I listening to God's Word on a regular basis? I should never allow the status quo, even tradition to stand in the way of what God wants to do.

It is very evident that the Apostles were working together and were stationed in Jerusalem. From there, they monitored the activities of the Church as it expanded. The fact that Peter reported back to the Apostles in Jerusalem speaks clearly of an organization that is working to ensure the spread of the Gospel and also learning from the experiences that are taking place in the field. I should not object to the organizational aspects of the Church and its ministries. It is a practical way to stay in touch with what is happening in the preaching of the Gospel and also a way to ensure the proper teaching of the Gospel is taking place. Peter silenced the brothers of the circumcision because the obvious conclusion was that God was working among them as well.

Father, teach me to see the Church as a Rehab Center and not as a Perfect Club. I need your strength to face criticism even as I work in ministry. Help me to seek your Word and be sensitive to your guidance. Amen.

Acts 10:9-33 Peter's Vision

When Peter explained the giving of the Spirit on Pentecost, he quoted Joel who said "...and your young men shall see visions." Little did he know at the time that he would be given the privilege to see this one. God uses visions as a means to communicate something to his people with a visual image or images. The images of Peter's vision came to him while he was praying during the sixth hour (11-noon) on the housetop of Simon the tanner in the city of Joppa. The homes in these days had a flat rooftop that was used as living space, accessible via some steps on the side of the house. It was used as a gathering place as well as a place to do laundry, dry fruit, winnow chaff from grain, sleep during hot nights, and pray.

The vision came to Peter while he was on the rooftop praying. He was hungry, and while he waited for food to be prepared, he saw a sheet descending from the heavens with all kinds of animals on it and a voice that told him to kill and eat. The reason Peter refused to do so is rooted in the dietary laws of the Jews. According to Deuteronomy 14, there were clean and unclean animals, birds, and insects. The unclean (ceremonially speaking) were not to be eaten and these included the pig, camel, hare, eagle, vulture, falcon, owl, bat, insects, etc. among others. Peter's refusal to eat was met with the words: What God has made clean, do not call common."

Peter could not understand God's message because of the prejudice already built up in his life by tradition. How easy it is for me to get lost in the traditions that I have locked myself into! Traditions are not bad, they are good. They are the means to remember what God has done in the past and to celebrate the many benefits we enjoy for what God has done. But traditions have this other edge that cuts open, honest, and relevant communication with my God. Traditions can be the material necessary to build bridges that lead to the truth, but it can also be used to build a box to keep God inside and mold him according to my prejudiced conceptions of him.

As Peter tries to figure out the meaning of this vision, the men sent by Cornelius arrive. Timing is everything here. God speaks through the ordinary things of life as well as through the great visions of the heavens. Am I listening? The so called "coincidences" in life many times become the voice of God speaking loudly to me. Am I paying attention? I need to take time to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, the hurry, the busyness, the noise of the crowd so that I can hear God's voice. My refusal to slow down makes it almost impossible for me to perceive and discern what God wants to say to me.

I consider listening to God a task of great precision for which I must focus all my attention and energy to do it right. Have I ever tried to make a measurement reading with precision while moving? No! I stop. I take my time. I focus. I concentrate. I make sure I know how to use the measuring tool. And sometimes I measure again to make sure I did it right the first time. Why do I think I can listen to God while on the run? Why don't I take time to be with God and listen to his voice?

Traditions, busyness, and lack of attention can all stand in the way of hearing and understanding God's voice. Peter heard and finally understood God's message: Do not call any person common or unclean! The Gospel is also for the Gentiles, not just for the Jews! Am I listening? Am I paying attention? Am I able to see? I yearn to hear God's voice.

Father, allow my eyes to see you at work in the ordinary things in life. Allow my ears to listen attentively to your voice. Don't allow tradition, or busyness, or lack of attention to stand in the way of my relationship with you. Speak to me. I want to hear your voice. Amen.

Acts 9:32-43 Aeneas and Dorcas

Miracles abound in the book of Acts. One of them is the healing of Aeneas, a paralytic who was bedridden for eight years. It is astonishing to read how a word spoken by Peter heals this man after so many years of suffering. It is important to understand that it is not Peter's resources that bring about the miracle. Peter clearly states "Jesus Christ heals you." Yes, Jesus Christ is our healer! Peter is just an instrument in God's hands. Healing is a manifestation gift. God chooses whom he wants to heal and when and how. If we could have healing in our back pocket, we could empty out hospitals, but we can't. The ultimate purpose of miracles is to back up the preaching of the Gospel to have people turn to the Lord.

Lydda and Sharon were very strategic places during this time. Lydda was at the intersection between the road leading to Egypt and the road leading to the Mediterranean. It was a hub for commerce and cultural exchange. Of course, the story of a miracle like Aeneas' would spread very quickly in an area like this. It spread all the way to the Sharon valley, a very fertile and beautiful area on the Mediterranean coast. The preaching of the Gospel must be led by the Spirit. The Spirit is all about being strategic to spread the Gospel. What are some strategic places in our area where we can proclaim the Gospel?

Joppa was also a famous port on the Mediterranean in those days. Talk about strategic! Peter is called to pray for a woman named Tabitha (Hebrew) or Dorcas (Greek) who was very much loved by the people in her town. She was already dead when Peter arrives. Peter's dependence on the Spirit of God is demonstrated by his prayer before he prays for Dorcas. Peter asks people to leave him alone so he can focus on his prayer for guidance and direction. Again, the manifestation of the Spirit in the resurrection of Dorcas brought people in contact with the Gospel and many believed.

It is imperative to seek the guidance of the Spirit in the proclamation of the Gospel. I cannot depend on my own wisdom and resources for a task that has as its ultimate purpose the transformation of people's lives. The signs and the wonders are in God's hands and I should not be concerned with them. I must have faith and believe that God can work wondrous things in people's lives. I must also believe that God could use me as an instrument for his miraculous works. I should be on the lookout for strategic places and strategic relationships that could benefit the spread of the Gospel.

Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit. Teach me to listen and follow his guidance day by day. Grant me a keen sense for what is important for the Gospel proclamation and fill me with faith to believe that you can do the impossible in people's lives. Amen.

Acts 8:9-25 Simon the Magician Believes

The Gospel continues to spread even in Samaria. Its power amazes the Samaritans, even those who were practicing magic to amaze others - like Simon. Simon's magic was not the kind of magic we see in B'Day parties and shows whereby illusions, the magician "makes believe" that he has powers. Magic during the days of the Ancient Church is more like Spiritism today, assisted by demonic powers. It was practiced to heal diseases, bless and curse people, protect oneself from curses, and foretell the future. Its practice frequently used incantations, invoking the powers of some god or spirit, potions, and amulets. This kind of magic is forbidden in the Bible (Read Leviticus 19, 20 and Deuteronomy 18). It is an abomination against our God. But Simon believed the Gospel through Philip's preaching and abandoned his practice of magic.

Though Simon had stopped the practice of magic, he still thought and felt like a magician. It is easier to get the person out of magic than to get magic out of the person's heart. Peter and John were sent to review the work done in Samaria and they found that they had been baptized in the name of Jesus, but the Holy Spirit had not fallen on them. So Peter and John pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit and Simon, observing the power of God unleashed upon these new believers, wants to buy this ability to pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit. Simon is used to bargaining with spiritual powers for personal gain. But Peter condemns his desire and motivation. Thankfully, Simon repents.

The Lord saved me from sin and the world, but it is necessary now to get sin and the world out of my heart. The work of the kingdom is not completed at conversion. Conversion is only the beginning of a long journey. Spiritual growth is absolutely necessary to free the soul from the clutches of sin and the world. I must seek the filling of the Spirit. I must meditate on the Word day and night. I must pray to God in repentance for my sins seeking his forgiveness and grace. The transformation of my soul is a process that I must commit to realizing that I have no power to change myself, but I submit to the mercy and power of God to change me. Like Simon, I have believed and I have been baptized, but my heart wanders and at times is not right; wickedness still finds its way to manifest itself in my life.

Simon thought that the power of the Holy Spirit could be bought with money. He was so used to dealing with the spiritual world in terms of personal gain. He was in it for the power, prestige, even fame. He craved the attention; he loved the adulation of his fans. The kingdom of God called Simon to abandon all that. It calls me to leave all of it behind too. The kingdom of God is not about me and what I can do to impress people, but it is about God and what he has done for me. And most certainly, what God has done is enough to amaze us all.

Peter saw Simon in "the gal of bitterness and the bond of iniquity." Practicing sin as a Christian has dire consequences. Bitterness and bondage were awaiting to capture Simon's life if he did not repent. If I don't repent of my sin and continue to live a life of sin, practicing sin on a regular basis, I will also experience bitterness and bondage in my life. Sinning against the Holy Spirit without repentance on a regular basis will produce resentment in my heart. And if I continue the practice, it will lead to bondage. The kingdom of God is about freedom! Why would I choose to submit myself to bondage once again after he has freed me from it? I must repent! I must seek the fullness of his Spirit!

Father, shine your light upon my heart and don't let any dark corner have the upper hand. Fill me with your Spirit and help me shake off sin and the world from my heart. May I serve you to give you glory and not to advance my own agenda. Amen.

Acts 5:12-16 Many Signs and Wonders Done

A sign is an event that points to the reality, presence, and power of God especially as it is related to the Gospel. A wonder is an unexpected, remarkable event that causes admiration in those who witness it. So when the Scripture speaks of signs and wonders, it is speaking of supernatural events that clearly testify to the reality of God and his kingdom causing admiration in those who either experience or witness them. Signs and wonders were never a goal or achievement to pursue. Signs and wonders are the means to preach the Gospel to an unbelieving world. It is a means to convince them of the reality of God and his Son Jesus as the one who died and was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven. Signs and wonders are not human accomplishments, but they are manifestations of God's power in the name of Jesus.

The impressive part of all this is that signs and wonders were "regularly done" by the apostles. I somehow thought that signs and wonders were supposed to be a rare occurrence, but it was not during the days of the apostles. It was a regular and common experience among them. Have I settled for a Gospel that lacks signs and wonders? Am I supposed to believe that signs and wonders were reserved for the Apostolic era and not for the rest of Church history? Why is my expectation so low when it comes to the move of the Spirit among God's people? Isn't the same Spirit who filled the Apostles living in us today?

The phrase "none of the rest dared join them" is not describing the fears of the other believers who were not apostles. It is describing the fears of the people who would not dare join lest they truly believed. The testimony of the Book of Acts as a whole teaches us that the power to perform signs and wonders was not just on the Apostles, it was operative in the disciples as well. The Apostles may have been the center of attention for signs and wonders, but it was not exclusively upon them. My preconceived notions of signs and wonders get in the way. I must set them aside and open my mind and heart to the reality of God working among unbelievers. But I must believe! It begins with me. If I think it is a thing of the past, how can I minister to those who are in need?

Wow! Peter's shadow was used as a means for the Spirit to heal people. That is amazing! I believe God moves according to need and according to faith. These people were coming out in faith seeking a healing. You don't see that today. Maybe there is the issue of why there isn't healing today like in the days of the Apostles. God has not changed, but the Church has and also the unbelieving masses of today. In those days, due to need, people had no other options for healthcare and therefore, were more open to the healing ministry of the Church. But also, I have to admit that the Church's expectations concerning healing have changed. We don't pray as much for healing anymore.

Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help my unbelief. May I open my heart to what you can do among the unbelieving people of this world. May I make myself available to be a conduit of your power to operate in people's lives to promote your kingdom. Amen.

Acts 4:1-22 Peter and John Before the Council

The healing of the lame beggar was an indisputable sign from God. There were people who witnessed the healing. There were people who knew firsthand the beggar, who was over forty years old, and his condition. Though many people came to Christ as a result of the miracle (estimated 5,000), some still opposed the message. The priests and the Sadducees were annoyed with the preaching for different reasons. The priests opposed it because they didn't believe in Jesus as the Son of God. The Sadducees opposed it because they did not believe in the resurrection and did not like the proclamation that Jesus had resurrected from the dead. No matter how powerful a sign God may perform in our midst, there will be opposition.

Peter and John, after being arrested, were questioned about their good deed. The officials asked by what power they had performed it. Peter, filled with the Spirit answers that it was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified, whom God raised from the dead. Now, this is what I call courage and boldness! Knowing that he was arrested by people who hate Jesus and the resurrection, Peter still pounds, without fear, the truth in their faces. This is the kind of courage and boldness I need in this world to make known the message of the kingdom of God.

The message of the kingdom is clear. Jesus Christ is the one killed and resurrected; the stone they rejected and God made him the cornerstone; the salvation of the world. For there is no other name in which we must be saved. Peter not only demonstrated courage and boldness in preaching Jesus' name and his resurrection, but he makes the claim that Jesus is the exclusive savior - there is no other. We think that a message of exclusivity is not accepted today, but in those days, there were many religions and some pagan religions had many gods. To make a claim of exclusivity was counter-cultural, even daring. The gospel of the kingdom does not have room for polytheism (many gods) or syncretism (mix of religions). I need to make a decision about Jesus: Is he or is he not the Savior of the world? If he is, I must proclaim him as the exclusive savior with resolve and unapologetically.

The Spirit of God takes uneducated, common people and transforms them into true witnesses to the world. People who are determined to speak the name of Jesus no matter the cost. Even under threat to speak to no one, they were more concerned with God's perspective - "whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you." What they had witnessed was so life-changing that they could not be silent - "for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Have I truly experienced the saving power of Jesus in my life? If I have, what is holding me back from sharing the greatest thing that has happened in my life? If I fear something, it means I am not filled of the Holy Spirit. I need his fullness today, every day!

Father, send your Spirit and fill me up. May I boldly proclaim the name of your Son Jesus no matter the opposition. Grant me courage and boldness. Amen.

Acts 3:11-26 Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

People were astounded by the healing of the lame beggar and they gathered around Peter and John. Peter addressed the crowd to let them know that the miracle was not performed by their power or piety, but by Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead. Peter accuses them of his death because they delivered him to Pilate and declares the miracle a work of his hand by faith in his name. Faith requires an object. It cannot be faith for the sake of believing something. For it to be genuine faith, it must be in Jesus. Jesus is the object of our faith, trust, and obedience.

Christianity boils down to who I believe Jesus to be. Is he the son of a carpenter and a good man? Is he a prophet with powers to heal? Is he a peaceful martyr willing to give his life to appease the political powers of the day? Is he a political figure who promised better days? Is he a prophet willing to denounce the Scribes and Pharisees? Is he a wise teacher who understands the Law like no one else? All these things may be true, but they don't make him the object of my faith. Peter calls him the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, the resurrected and glorified Son of God. Do I believe this?

Peter explains that God foretold by the mouth of the prophets Christ's suffering and death. But the crowd's ignorance is no excuse - they stand guilty! He calls them to repentance so that they may receive forgiveness, refreshment, and the future restoration of all things. God is sovereign because he foretold what needed to take place, but human responsibility is not excused at all. Repentance is the remedy for such a rebellion. I can't forget that the reason Christ came into the world was to offer himself as a sacrifice for my sins. His death is upon me as much as it is upon the Romans and Jews of the day. God is sovereign, but I must repent!

Peter points out that this Jesus is the one Moses, and Samuel and all the prophets spoke about. He particularly reminds the people of the covenant God cut with Abraham with the promise: "In your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Jesus is that offspring and God began to bless the families of the earth by sending Jesus to the Jews first, and then the rest of the world. The blessing, Peter explains, is turning you from your wickedness. My wickedness is my desire to live my life my way turning my back on God and his ways. God calls me to repentance so that I may turn to him and live by his commands.

Father, enable me to make your Son the object of my faith. May I never hide behind your sovereignty as an excuse to evade my responsibility. Give me a repentant heart and a strong belief in your word spoken by the prophets.

Acts 3:1-10 The Lame Beggar Healed

Judaism had three hours of prayer a day. The first one was at the third hour of the day or from 8:00-9:00am. The second was at the sixth hour of the day or from 11:00-noon. And the third was at the ninth hour of the day or from 2:00-3:00pm. The Jews counted the hours starting at 6:00am instead of midnight like we do (the Roman system). The disciples continued to pray according to this schedule. In our day, we have watered down our devotion through prayer. Many Christians don't practice a devotional life at all. I must fight to keep a meaningful devotional life every day.

During this hour of prayer, many Jews would make their way to the temple. Beggars came to take their place at the different gates that lead to the temple to ask for alms - beg for money. This was the only way that the handicapped poor could survive since they could not work. In the case of this lame beggar, probably family and friends would carry him to the gate to a place where he could be seen to receive some alms. Poverty is a difficult social issue that I wish I didn't have to deal with. But Jesus told us that we would have the poor with us. My responsibility is to ensure I have a benevolent heart to help those who are in need. It starts in my home, my church, and my community. My Christian faith demands that I "direct my gaze" at the poor and not away from them.

Interestingly enough, Peter and John are not in a position to give any money because they didn't have any to give. But the fact that they didn't have money did not deter them from interacting with the beggar. Actually, they had something to offer that was more precious than money - Jesus Christ! With authority, Peter calls on Jesus on behalf of the beggar for healing and the beggar is healed! I must understand that Christ is more important than money. The opportunity to pray for God's intervention in someone's life, including the outcast of our society should not be passed up. Sometimes, I focus on the material things I can offer people and don't stop to consider that a prayer may be as needed. Of course, I don't want to become one who just offers a prayer and does nothing to relieve the physical need. But I don't want to think that all I have to offer is material because Jesus Christ can do things in a life that nothing and no one else can do.

The results of offering a prayer on behalf of people and their needs are in the hands of God for sure. But I cannot enjoy testimonies of wonder and amazement unless I take that step of faith. The Gospel is proclaimed by the testimonies of people whom God touches through his body - the Church. I am part of that body. I am the hands of Jesus to touch those who are in need. I am the mouth of Jesus to say a prayer for those who are oppressed. I am the feet of Jesus to carry the Good News wherever I go. The poor and the oppressed need me to direct my gaze at them and offer them what I have - physically and spiritually. I will offer relief for the body as God enables me, but I will also offer relief for the soul in the name of Jesus Christ. I will offer my prayers on their behalf. I will intercede to my heavenly Father for them to receive a healing touch. For some it may be physical, but the real healing begins with the soul.

Father, help me be a man of prayer. May I seek you day by day with all my heart. Fill my heart with compassion so that I may be benevolent towards the poor and the oppressed. Give me courage to offer what I have to those in need. Amen.

Acts 2:14-41 Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

Peter takes the lead to explain what is going on. It is not that the people are drunk! It is the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Joel2:28-32) right before their eyes. Joel spoke of the pouring out of the Spirit upon all flesh with evident manifestations of prophecy, visions, and dreams. The second part of his prophecy speaks of the day of judgment with wonders in the heavens and signs on the earth. Some of these are: blood, fire, vapor of smoke, the sun turning into darkness and the moon turning into blood. These are all literary devices to express the coming of the day of the Lord, or Judgment Day. The Spirit is here! I am living the end times!

Then, Peter presents Jesus as the man God delivered up according to his plan and foreknowledge. At the same time, he accuses the crowd for crucifying and killing him. Many books have been written about the reconciliation between God's sovereignty and Human responsibility. The Scriptures teach both. Whatever philosophical system we devise to explain the interaction of these two perspectives cannot lose sight that both need to be upheld. My God is sovereign! From the little sparrow to the hairs on my head, he has dominion over it all. I am responsible! God will hold me accountable for my thoughts, words, and actions.

Now he turns to the Psalms (16:8-11) to prove that Jesus' resurrection was prophesied by David and links the pouring of the Spirit with the resurrection and ascension of the Lord. Finally, he states that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. The title of Lord implies that Jesus has power, authority, and influence over his people. The title of Christ identifies him as the promised one to Israel, the Messiah, the King to come, the Savior. I have to come to grips with who Jesus is in my life. Is he my Lord? Is he my Savior?

The people's response to Peter's sermon was that they were cut to the heart. It was devastating! It hit them really hard. Now what? What to do? Peter points the way with repentance and baptism so they can enjoy the promised Holy Spirit. It pains my soul to see many people today in our churches without making a commitment to the Lord through baptism. I will never forget my baptism. Mom and Dad did not like it. My friends then, told me I was crazy. Baptism is the confession to the world that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. The message continues to be the same: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the promised Holy Spirit.

Father, thank you for giving your Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my soul. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to fill me and guide me day by day. May I keep Christ as the center of my life to live in the fullness of your promise all the days of my life. Amen

Matthew 26:57-75 Peter Denies Jesus

After his arrest, Jesus is taken before the high priest and the whole Council (Sanhedrin). The Sanhedrin, with 71 members in all, is the equivalent of the Supreme Court for the Jews. They had paid Judas to turn Jesus in and were paying false witnesses to accuse him, but none of them stuck and Jesus did not comment on any of them. In a last attempt to accuse him, the high priest questions him about his claim of being the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus admits his identity and the high priest accuses him of blasphemy. Blasphemy was condemned with the death penalty, but under Roman domination the Jews were prohibited to exact the death penalty. This is the reason for the Council taking Jesus before the Roman authorities (Pilate).

As members of the Council take turns to slap and spit on Jesus, Peter is outside waiting to see how it all turns out. While he is waiting, he is recognized by a servant girl as one who was with Jesus, but he denies it. And as he moves out of the courtyard, by the entrance, another slave girl recognizes him as well, but this time he denies with an oath. Finally, the bystanders come to him because they recognize his accent, but he denies again while swearing. At this time, the rooster crows and Peter remembers Jesus' prophecy about his denial and weeps bitterly.

It is easy for me to hide behind the Jews, or the Romans, even Peter. I could say to myself that they were the ones who spat and slapped and denied Jesus, but not me. The truth is that my sin was the cause of it all. I am the high priest who pronounced judgment on Jesus. I am the Council member who spat on his face. I am the Roman soldier who slapped him. And even though I can't imagine doing such a thing, I am the Peter who denied him three times. Why? Because my sin is the reason Jesus came to drink of that cup.

Even today, I spit, slap, and deny when I let sin reign in my life. I have been bought at a price and I am not my own. Christ bought me from the grip of death and gave me life to live it for him. When I give into sin, I spit his face. When I cave into temptation, I slap him again. When I surrender to the flesh, I deny that I know him even if for a moment. The abuse against Christ is not on the Jews, or the Romans; not even on Peter. It is on me!

Lord, forgive my lack of faithfulness to you. Give me strength to live for you. May I proclaim to all that I know you, not just with words, but with my life.

Matthew 16:13-20 Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

Jesus asked his disciples: "Who do people say I am?" The disciples had all the answers of the day: "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." If I asked this question today, I think the answers would be: "Some say he was a good man, others say a great healer, and yet others a charismatic leader." In the past as in the present, people use the known to classify the unknown. Unfortunately, the people and categories offered are not sufficient to identify Jesus.

Jesus asks again: "But who do you say I am?" What "other people" think is not of much importance. What matters is what I think about Jesus. What others think does not define my relationship with God, but what I think does. Peter's answer to the question is right on: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." The answer was accurate, bold, and critical. I have no part in the kingdom of God unless I believe Jesus to be the Christ, the promised Messiah who comes to save. I have no rights in the kingdom of God unless I believe Jesus is deity, God in the flesh!

The answer was not mustered by human cleverness, but by the power of God.  Sometimes I get annoyed with people who "don't get it." If truth be told, there is nothing to get and everything to receive. The revelation of who Jesus really is comes from heaven and not from man. I forget that it is God who takes off my blinders and allows me to see the truth. Flesh and blood can only present the truth, but cannot make a heart believe. Only God has that power!

Jesus' establishment of the church follows Peter's confession. The church is not established upon Peter (Peter's name is translated little rock and is masculine; the rock Christ refers to is a big rock and is feminine), but upon the truth that Peter spoke about Jesus which is to say Jesus himself. Jesus is the Rock, the Cornerstone, upon which the church is built. And he offers a promise: "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." This phrase does not place the Church on the defensive, but quite the contrary. The Church is on the offensive against Hell and Hell will lose! I must shake off my fears, stop being on the defensive, and move on the offensive.

What is the offensive strategy of the Church against Hell? The binding and loosing of souls. Peter's confession entitled him to have authority (the keys) to bind and loose people and all who believe what Peter believed have the same authority. The authority is not to command the heavens at my whim, but to receive orders from heaven to work on earth (the binding and loosing is accomplished in the heavens first). The binding and loosing on earth takes place through my witness to people. Those who receive the Gospel are loosed to freedom. Those who reject the Gospel remain in bondage. I must be in tune with what God wants to do so I can be an instrument in his hands.

Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who is the Rock of my salvation and the Cornerstone of the Church. Help me exercise the authority you have given me to bind and loose souls. May I be on the offensive for your kingdom every day.