Acts 5:17-42 The Apostles Arrested and Freed

Here is another confrontation between the Apostles and the authorities. As Jesus had predicted, they would be hated in the world. Why? Well, the Sadducees were part of the established authority and they preached no resurrection. Also, they were jealous of the following the apostles were able to gather around them. Finally, the message of the apostles laid guilt upon them as they participated of Christ's crucifixion. Belief, jealousy, and guilt are only some reasons why the world stands against the Gospel. Even today, these three reasons still stand as powerful reasons to persecute the Christians and the Church. The world will do everything it can to silence the good news of the Gospel and stop it from spreading.

How did the Apostles react to the authorities' persecution? For one, they were submitted to the authorities. I don't see any attempts to even resist arrest. They did what they had to do and allowed the authorities to do what they had to do. No violence. No name calling. No animosities. The Apostles did not hesitate to obey even in the midst of great pressure. They were preaching and teaching when they were arrested the first time. They were preaching and teaching when they were freed and commanded to continue to speak all the words of this Life by the angel. They went out to preach and teach after they were beaten and charged not to speak in the name of Jesus by the authorities. Their motto was: "We must obey God rather than men."

What could motivate the apostles to risk their own safety for the sake of the Gospel? So much for Maslow's hierarchy of needs. According to Maslow, safety ranks way above self-actualization; second only to physiological needs. Yet we see the apostles giving their all to preach and teach the gospel of the kingdom. Safety needs pale in comparison to the need to obey God. The apostles found all their needs met by God. They found joy even in the midst of their lack of safety. My greatest need is not physiological or even safety. My greatest need is God and he is the provider of all my other needs.

It is quite idolatrous of me to have my needs to outrank God. It is unbecoming of the kingdom of God to think that my service to others is contingent upon the satisfaction of my needs. If I make God my everything and obedience to him my priority, then I am able to serve despite my hunger. I will be able to serve despite unsafe surroundings and threats. Obedience to God becomes my food. God himself becomes my safety. Iam able to give to others because my needs are satisfied by my God.

Dear Lord, may I never make your gifts and provision a requirement to obey and serve you. Make me see that you are all I need. 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 2:42-47 The Fellowship of the Believers

The apostles experienced such an explosive growth - just 3,000 people responded to Peter's sermon. What did they do? What was their lifestyle like? How did they spend their time? The Scripture says they "devoted" themselves to certain things. Their existence in the community of faith was one of devotion - giving most of their time and resources, to persist obstinately, to adhere, to be constant, to be steadfastly attentive, to give unremitting care. They were attentive and persistent despite the obstacles; they dogged these things. As I read this, I am convicted about my own level of devotion.

What were the things that were so important and worthy of their constant devotion? They were the apostles' teaching, fellowship, meals, and prayers. I have the apostles' teaching in the Bible. Fellowship is a communion, partnership, association to pursue a common interest. My relationships are not for the sake of a friendship, as great as that is. It is to come together to plan and strategize to work towards a common goal. Meals together are more likely referring to both the Lord's Supper (communion) and eating together as a family. The Lord's Supper gives me the opportunity to remember the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ - one Lord, one faith, one Church. Also, having meals together is a great reminder that I am part of the family of God. I am my Father's child together with other brothers and sisters - my siblings in the faith. Am I devoted to these things?

The effects upon ones life for devoting oneself to these things should motivate me to pursue them with a passion. Notice the resulting effects: awe, signs and wonders, unity, community, gladness, generosity and worship. The interesting thing here is that growth was God's doing and not the people's doing. If I devote myself to the Scriptures, fellowship, meals, and prayers, my life will be filled with a sense of awe (reverent fear) for God. The gifts of the Spirit will be at work producing more signs and wonders. There comes a unity that becomes community as everyone's needs are met and not ignored. My heart is filled with gladness (contentment) and generosity that moves me to worship and praise.

A community like this would be a magnet for a needy world! The Lord would then add the numbers. Growth is a result of devotion to the right things and not pursuit of growth per se. If I devote myself to the teaching of the apostles, to fellowship, meals, and prayers, there is no stopping of what God can do in terms of growth. He takes care to add the numbers. I should take care of devoting myself to the right things.

Father, forgive my lack of devotion and forgive my devotion to the wrong things. Give me a heart that is fully devoted to you and your kingdom. Help me prioritize my life to make Scripture, fellowship, meals, and prayers the most important things in my life.

Acts 1:12-26 Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

After Jesus' ascension, the apostles obediently returned to Jerusalem and waited in prayer. Many others joined them (120 people total) including Mary, the mother of Jesus. Peter, stands and speaks to the brethren gathered there. He explains Judas' treason and fate as a fulfillment of the Scriptures as written by David in the Psalms. So the Scriptures are used as the authoritative source to understand and explain what has happened.

Many see a contradiction in the this account of the field's purchase as compared to Matthew 27. It is best to see them as two different perspectives on the same event and they are reconcilable. Peter recounts that Judas acquired the field with the reward, but Matthew states that Judas came back to the Pharisees with a guilty conscience and threw the money at them in the temple and hung himself afterwards. It is not difficult to think that the Pharisees purchased the field in Judas' name since they knew it was blood money and could not keep it for themselves. None of them would want a property in their name associated with blood money. So much so, that the people called the field a Field of Blood (Akeldama). Peter quotes Psalm 69:25 as a prophecy to be fulfilled - it would be desolate and no one would dwell in it.

Moreover, the Scriptures also are the authoritative source, not just to understand what has taken place, but to decide what must take place. Peter quotes the Psalms (109:8) as the basis for their first decision as apostles - Let another take his office. Understanding that Psalm 109 predicts Jesus' suffering and the final fate of his betrayer, they decide to choose a replacement for him. They established the requirements, they prayed, and they selected by casting lots.

Concerning casting lots... It was a method of selection that eliminated human influences like popularity, money and other controlling factors from the process. It is important to note that the selection criteria was established beforehand and the candidates had to meet such criteria. Manny people don't feel that there is an election unless there is a popularity vote with at least two people competing against each other. Not so in the Scriptures. It is best to have the leadership establish the requirements and choose those who meet the requirements. If there is more than one meeting the criteria for a given position, then cast lots!

The Scriptures are central to the believer's life. They are the only authoritative source for all of life and faith. I must make the Scriptures central in my life. In order to derive the benefits that the Scriptures offer, I must meditate on them often. I must also take them seriously. The Scriptures should always be my light and my guide.

Father, make me hungry for your Word every day. May I seek what it says. May I strive to live what it commands. May I delight in it every day of my life. Amen

Matthew 10:1-4 The Twelve Apostles

Jesus put together one of the greatest, if not the greatest, team on earth. Their greatness can be measured in many ways. For one, they influenced the whole known world of their day with the Gospel. Also, their preaching, teaching, and writings have shaped the thoughts of many, many people around the world to this day and inspired the writing of many books. Last, but not least, their ministry in the supernatural with healing and exorcisms left the crowds in awe. Undoubtedly, this is a great team that has influenced the whole world since its inception to this day and will continue to touch lives throughout history until the end of days.

Interestingly enough, the members of the team are not extraordinary people, but ordinary citizens of their day. Among them we find fishermen, tax collectors, and carpenters. Yet, they were all able to make a contribution for the expansion of the kingdom of God. None of them were in positions of power and influence, but were able to influence the masses with the Gospel message. In their beginnings, they were pretty insecure; afraid of what the authorities would do to them. Afterwards, they were willing to die for the proclamation of the Gospel.

What makes ordinary people into extraordinary team players for the kingdom? Jesus called them, gave them authority, and the apostles obeyed. It is essential that I have certainty that God has called me - not just to be a pastor, but to be a Christian. My calling as a Christian must be clear. Secondly, it is very important that I seize the authority given and use it appropriately. Authority is permission and power to do something. Just like the apostles, permission alone does not cut it; they needed power. I must live a Spirit-filled life to be empowered to do the work of the kingdom. Finally, I must obey. The call and the authority are worthless unless I am willing to act in obedience.

When I question my salvation and my call, I undermine the work of God in my own life and the life of those around me. When I doubt the God-given authority Jesus gives me to minister to others, I jeopardize my ability to be an instrument in God's hands to touch others. When I simply disobey God's call upon my life to be a witness to others, I miss the opportunity to see God do extraordinary things with my ordinary life.

Lord, grant me assurance in my call to serve you. Fill me with your Spirit so that I may seize the authority you have dispensed. And move my will to obey you day by day so that I may see you at work through me.