Good morning,

Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.

Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?

Rebellious nation of Israel (37-53)

“³⁷ This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.³⁸ This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:³⁹ To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,⁴⁰ Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.⁴¹ And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. ⁴² Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? ⁴³ Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.⁴⁴ Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.⁴⁵ Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;⁴⁶ Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.⁴⁷ But Solomon built him an house.⁴⁸ Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,⁴⁹ Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?⁵⁰ Hath not my hand made all these things?⁵¹ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.⁵² Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:⁵³ Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

Stephen is making the point that Israel had been rebellious in the past and his hearers were also rebellious. He accuses them of being stiffnecked and resisting the Holy Spirit. He said that they were murderers and they had not kept the law.

Stephen did not water down his witness. He was bold and truthful. Unsaved people do not like the truth about themselves.

When we witness, do we present the gospel with boldness or do we water it down? We need to be sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit, but should always tell the “good news” boldly.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Stephen, the High Priest, and the Rebellious

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51)

INTRODUCTION

Setting the stage (Acts 6:8-15) Stephen accused

STEPHEN’S DEFENSE The history of Israel (Acts 7:1-53)

1. Abraham v 2-7

a) Family history v 2-4

b) Inheritance v 5

c) Bondage v 6-7

2. Covenant of circumcision v 8

3. Joseph: Prison to Prince v 9-16

a) Joseph afflicted by his brothers, made governor by Pharaoh v 9-10

b) Famine v 11-12

c) Revelation to brothers and father v13-16

4. Exodus v 17-36

a) Pharaoh’s plan to destroy God’s people v 17-19

b) Moses born and raised in Pharaoh’s court for 40 years v 20-22

c) Moses visits his brethren v 23-29

d) Moses flees to Midian for 40 years v 29-30

e) God calls Moses to deliver Israel v 30-35

f) God delivers Israel v 36

g) Moses reminds the people of their rebellion and idol worship v37-44

h) Joshua Promised Land till David v 45

 i) David finds favor with God v 46

 j) Temple built by Solomon v 47

k) God does not dwell in temples made by hands v 48-50

 l) Stephen’s rebuke for disobedience and death of Jesus v 51-53

RESPONSE TO STEPHEN’S DEFENSE (Acts 7:54-60)

1. High Priest, people, elders, and false witnesses v 54, 57-60

a) They were cut to the heart v 54

b) Stopped their ears v 57

c) Cast him out of the city and stoned him v 58-59

2. Stephen’s response v 55-56, 59-60

a) Looked up to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God v 55-56

b) Call’s unto God to receive his spirit v 59

c) Cries to God saying “Lay not this sin to their charge.”

CONCLUSION

• KNOW YOUR HISTORY
• OBEY GOD’S WORD

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.

Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?

Stephen’s Message: Israel’s history (Acts 7:1-36)

Abraham (2-7)

² And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,³ And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.⁴ Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Harran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.⁵ And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.⁶ And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.⁷ And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

Covenant of circumcision (8)

⁸ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

Joseph (9-16)

⁹ And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,¹⁰ And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.¹¹ Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.¹² But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.¹³ And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.¹⁴ Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.¹⁵ So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,¹⁶ And were carried over into Shechem, and laid in the sepulcher that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Shechem.

Exodus (17-36)

¹⁷ But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,¹⁸ Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.¹⁹ The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.²⁰ In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:²¹ And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.²² And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.²³ And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.²⁴ And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:²⁵ For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.²⁶ And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?²⁷ But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? ²⁸ Wilt thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?²⁹ Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.³⁰ And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. ³¹ When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,³² Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.³³ Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.³⁴ I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. ³⁵ This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.³⁶ He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”

Stephen was well versed in the history of Israel. So far he was on common ground. No one could argue Israel’s past.

When witnessing to others about Christ, find the common ground. This will help to get the conversation started. Then move to how Christ came to earth to redeem of their sin.

Tomorrow, we will see more history, and then the contentious issue of Jesus Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.

Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?

Stephen and his opposition (Acts 6:8-15)

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angels.”

Stephen was full of faith and power, who did great wonders and miracles. The synagogue of the Libertines did not like Stephen’s preaching. They disputed with him. When they could not convince him to stop, they hired false witnesses to testify against him.

Telling people about Christ evokes the same response from unbelievers. When we are challenged, do we quit or continue to proclaim Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection?

Stephen’s example may help us to make the correct decision.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How did God transform the disciples of Christ? They were baptized by the Holy Ghost. Who stepped up and preached the first sermon of the church age? Peter did. It is found in Acts 2:14-47. We will focus in on Peter’s sermon.

Peter’s Preaching at Pentecost

The commitment of the new believers (2:42-47)

⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So, did their decision have an impact on their lives? Yes it did.

There are six things that characterize their changed lives.

First, they obey God’s word. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…” The apostle’s doctrine is the word God passed down to the apostles. These new believers were willing to learn and obey.

Second, they fellowshipped together.

Third, prayer. They learned to and then practiced prayer.

Fourth, they sold all they had and had all things in common. They were committed.

Fifth, they ministered to the saints.

Sixth, they praised God.

When they believed on God’s word, they turned away from their old lives and turned entirely to Christ.

Are we that committed? These were brand new believers. They came knowing nothing. They gave up everything. They turned their world upside down for Christ.

How about us? We have extensive years of Bible teaching, no real persecution, lavish churches in which to worship, ample transportation, and Bibles to transmit the word of God to whoever will listen.

But will we go?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How did God transform the disciples of Christ? They were baptized by the Holy Ghost. Who stepped up and preached the first sermon of the church age? Peter did. It is found in Acts 2:14-47. We will focus in on Peter’s sermon.

Peter’s Preaching at Pentecost

The response to Peter’s preaching (2:37-41)

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 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.

The Holy Spirit was at work convicting the hearers of their sin and need to repent.

Four things happen at the end of Peter’s message.

First, conviction. “…they were pricked in their heart…” The Holy Spirit used Peter’s message to convict the hearers that were sinners, in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Second, a question. “…what shall we do?” If an unbeliever is under conviction by the Holy Spirit, there will be a need to know what to do.

Third, the answer to the question. “Repent and be baptized.” All unbelievers must deal with their sin. God wants us to confess all our sin before Him. Repent means to turn in the opposite direction. Follow Jesus.

Fourth, decision. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” The hearers could choose to accept or reject God’s message of salvation. Three thousand chose to accept.

Tomorrow, we will see if this decision had any impact on their lives.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How did God transform the disciples of Christ? They were baptized by the Holy Ghost. Who stepped up and preached the first sermon of the church age? Peter did. It is found in Acts 2:14-47. We will focus in on Peter’s sermon.

Peter’s Preaching at Pentecost

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)

Prophecy of Joel (2:14-21, Joel 2:28-32)

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.¹⁶ But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;¹⁷ And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:¹⁸ And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:¹⁹ And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:²¹ And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

God raised up Jesus (2:22-24)

²² 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.

David’s testimony of Christ (2:25-28, Psalm 16:8-11)

²⁵ For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶ Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷ Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.²⁸ Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Peter preaches Jesus’ resurrection (2:29-36)

²⁹ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. ³⁰ Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹ He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.³² This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.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 the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

The response to Peter’s preaching (2:37-41)

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 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.

The commitment of the new believers (2:42-47)

⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How did God transform the disciples of Christ? They were baptized by the Holy Ghost. Who stepped up and preached the first sermon of the church age? Peter did. It is found in Acts 2:14-47. We will focus in on Peter’s sermon.

Peter’s preaching at Pentecost

David’s testimony of Christ (2:25-28, Psalm 16:8-11)

²⁵ For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶ Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷ Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.²⁸ Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

David’s life is characterized by a close walk with God. Whether as a shepherd, servant, warrior, fugitive, adulterer, or King, David always sought God. He knew God was always near him. His heart rejoiced, was glad, he had hope, he knew God would not leave him in hell, and that God had made known to him the ways of life.

Do we live a life this close to God?

Psalm 16 is also a prophetic Psalm. Full disclosure, I do not understand how this is prophetic. However, my research, plus the understanding of Peter’s day, made this obvious. Included below is the question and a very good answer.

Peter preaches Jesus’ resurrection (2:29-36)

²⁹ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. ³⁰ Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹ He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.³² This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.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 the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Why does Peter proclaim that Psalm 16 applies prophetically to Jesus and not king David? 

1. David…is both dead and buried: Peter points out that this Psalm cannot be speaking of its human author, David – he is dead and remains buried. The Psalm must speak prophetically of the Messiah, Jesus.
a. “The Davidic authorship of the Psalm was common ground between Peter and his Jewish listeners. Peter argues, however, that the Psalm cannot be taken as referring to David himself. Since he died and was buried, and since for the Jews to be buried was the same thing as to suffer corruption and descend to Sheol, it followed that he himself was abandoned to Hades (the Greek word for Hebrew Sheol) and suffered physical corruption. Peter was entitled to make his point with confidence; after all, the proof of David’s burial was visible for all to see.” (Marshall) 

b. “If David was not speaking about himself, it followed that he must have been speaking prophetically. Two factors suggested this. First, David himself was gifted with prophetic powers. The same assumption is made in 1:16 and Mark 12:36, and is implicit in Jewish understanding of some of the Psalms as having a future reference. Second, David knew that God had promised faithfully that one of his descendants would sit on his throne. Here Peter has in mind Psalm 132:11. with its divine oath, ‘One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne’ (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12–16; Ps. 89:3., 35–37). To be sure, these references indicate that David would be the father of a line of kings; the throne would remain in his family and not be taken over by usurpers from some other family. Nevertheless, Peter takes it that one descendant in particular is in mind.” (Marshall)  

c. “He therefore claims that what David was doing in Psalm 16 was to utter a prophecy regarding the Messiah, who would be his descendant. Instead of being abandoned to Hades, the Messiah would be raised from the dead. The wording of Psalm 16:10 is slightly altered to fit its new context; the word flesh, which has been taken over from Psalm 16:9, refers to the person of Jesus as a whole, and does not suggest that a flesh/soul dualism is in mind.” (Marshall)

Jesus: The Way, The Truth, & The Life Systematic and Practical Theology (http://jesusisgod316.blogspot.com/2015/05/acts-225-36-peters-sermon-on-day-of.html)

The resurrection changes everything. Thursday we will see the results of Peter’s preaching.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How did God transform the disciples of Christ? They were baptized by the Holy Ghost. Who stepped up and preached the first sermon of the church age? Peter did. It is found in Acts 2:14-47. We will focus in on Peter’s sermon.

Peter’s preaching at Pentecost

Prophecy of Joel (2:14-21, Joel 2:28-32)

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.¹⁶ But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;¹⁷ And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:¹⁸ And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:¹⁹ And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:²¹ And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The prophet Joel prophesied that the Spirit of God would be poured out on all believers. The purpose was that believers would have the boldness to tell others about Jesus Christ. The end result being men and women, boys and girls, would call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.

The last days refers to the time from Christ’s resurrection all the way to the end of the church age.

Are we willing to allow the Spirit of God to work through us to lead unbelievers to Christ? Please remember, it is our responsibility to tell others about Christ, the Spirit of God’s responsibility to convict unbelievers of their need for salvation, and Jesus’ responsibility to bring them to salvation. We do not win souls. God does.

God raised up Jesus (2:22-24)

²² 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.

Peter now expounds on Joel’s prophesy. He explains who Jesus is, a man approved of by God, who did miracles, wonders, and signs, in their presence. How these evil men had Jesus crucified and how God raised Him from the dead. Peter always brings them back to the resurrection.

God is still in the business of doing the miraculous. Every soul won to Christ since Pentecost is a miracle in itself. The very fact that, believers in Christ, go to heaven when we die, instead of hell, is a miracle of God.

I fear we take these acts of God for granted. Yet we do not deserve the breath we breathe apart from the miraculous blood sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us. We live today because of what Christ did for us. But Jesus didn’t just give us life, He empowered us to live life. He baptized us with the Holy Spirit of God. We have the Spirit of God living within us. The Spirit of God leads us, guides us, and comforts us.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and comfort you today.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Christ died to pay the sin debt for all mankind. He was buried in a rich man’s tomb. He arose the third day.

So, what happens next? Christ ascending back to heaven, waiting in the upper room, the replacement of Judas as an apostle, the 120 are filled with the Holy Ghost, and the 120 preaching and every one hears them in their own language.

We will explore each of these this week.

All hear in their own language (Acts 2:5-13)

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.⁷ And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?⁸ And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?⁹ Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,¹¹ Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.¹² And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?¹³ Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.”

The 120 now descend on Jerusalem. They began to preach and the people understood them in their own language. The city was made up of many different ethnic groups, which spoke different languages. What was happening was amazing.

There is a two-fold reason God allowed the residents of Jerusalem to understand in their own language.

First, it confirmed the message was from God. Only God could allow the residents of Jerusalem to hear the gospel message in their own language.

Second, it authenticated the messenger was from God. God was the one who filled the 120 with the Holy Ghost. These messengers were God’s witnesses.

We have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within us. It is one thing to be indwelled with the Spirit and quite another to be controlled by the Spirit. How often does the Spirit of God move us to do something and we say no. When the Spirit shows us clear Bible teaching and we reject it. This is called quenching the Spirit.  God wants us to be sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He wants the Spirit of God to be in control of our lives.

Will we let Him?

Next week we will look at Peter’s preaching at Pentecost. His life was dramatically change from the night he denied Christ three times to standing before a great group and preaching about Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com