Lesson 1115

(Lesson1115)(10-07-14) Acts 2:5-15

"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 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: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day."

Today's quote begins the sermon at the Pentecost celebration preached by Peter and the other Apostles after they had received the power of the Holy Ghost.

That sermon initiated the evangelistic process of expanding the Church that Jesus had established during His ministry, just as He had commanded.

The miracle that was performed that day was not a miracle in the tongues of the speakers, as many contend, but rather it was a miracle within the ears of those who were gathered to listen.

Peter and the others spoke in the language that was commonly used by the local Jews, probably Hebrew or Aramiac, while the listeners heard the words they spoke in the language of their home regions. One of the listeners is quoted to have said, "we do hear them speak in OUR tongues the wonderful works of God."

This is very important to point out because there are some devout "Christians" who, even yet today, hold on to the false contention that some people are divinely selected as miraculous vessels through which the Holy Spirit speaks some language (Unknown tongue) that can only be interpreted by someone else who is also miraculously overcome by the Holy Spirit, so as to interpret what the original speaker has said.

If understanding this explanation is difficult for those who have studied and pretty much know the intent of the bible, imagine how confusing it would be for the lost who have no bible education.

As can be easily seen, the process of "speaking in tongues" would serve no purpose other than to confuse lost souls.

It behooves us all to recognize that ALL those men present for the sermon at the Pentecost celebration were Jews who had come from all over the known world, "DEVOUT JEWS", as was stated in the quote, "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven."

This is important to remember because it will help us better understand that this sermon, being preached to Jews only, establishes a great part of the context within which that sermon was preached.

Some of those present were so stunned by the miracle so as to think Peter and the others were drunk. Peter quickly dispelled that idea by reminding them that it was to early in the day to be drunk.~

Lesson 1114

(Lesson 1114)(10-06-14) Acts 2:1-5

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Today's quote describes the baptism of the Holy Ghost that Jesus had promised to His Church. The Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) is the protecting and preserving power of God that is granted to every child of God through His Church.

Those approximately one hundred and twenty disciples who were present in that house were the very first members of the Church Jesus had assembled during His ministry. This is very important to remember in that later that same day, there would be approximately five thousand souls added to the Church.

We should remember that from the beginning, John the Baptist preached that although he indeed baptized with water, Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost. The events that occurred in today's quote fulfilled John's prophesy.

It also behooves us to note that there is no mention of water in association with the baptism of the Holy Ghost that occurred there at Pentecost. This tells us that the term "baptize", being applied herein to describe an overcoming of the Holy Ghost by the wind, can describe far more that just an immersion in water.

The English word "baptize" was transliterated from the Greek word "baptizo" and should have the same implications in English as baptizo does in Ancient Greek.

To baptize simply means to place a person, or thing, into a substance, or set of circumstances, so as to alter the original characteristics of that person or thing.

When the bible transliteration was made from Greek to English the specific intent of the term "baptize", in each of it's many applications, was not carried forward leaving its intent to be determined strictly by the context within which it is applied.

The failure to explain the many intents of the term "baptize" has led most bible scholars to simply imply that the term "baptize", except when it is applied to the coming of the Holy Ghost, to always suggests water as the medium into which a person is "baptized".

The failure of those early scholars to explain that the English term baptize simply means to place within, or enclose within for the purpose of altering, just as the ancient Greek term baptizo did, has led to a gross misinterpretation of the gospel of Jesus Christ by most modern religious isms and has led many to teach that water baptism is demanded as a step in the process of eternal salvation.

I make note of this discrepancy because as we continue our New Testament study, we will encounter the term "baptize", or one of its' many grammatic variants, many times as we proceed and this knowledge should help determine what the term means within the context it is applied.~

Lesson 1113

(Lesson 1113)(10-05-14) Acts 1:12-26

"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."

Today's quote relates how eleven of the original twelve Apostles while obeying Jesus' command to stay in Jerusalem, along with about one hundred and ten of those closest to Jesus assembled themselves in Jerusalem and awaited the coming of the Holy Ghost.

Judas, after betraying Jesus to the high priest, had committed suicide and was no longer counted among the Apostles. As the disciples waited, they chose a replacement for Judas.

There was a heavy restriction placed on those who might possibly replace Judas among the twelve. The replacement was required to have been present with Jesus from the time He was baptized by John, until Jesus ascended back to the Father.

Peter, speaking only of those present, said; "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection".

From among those qualified the eleven original Apostles selected two possibilities for Judas' replacement, Matthais and Justus. They "cast lots" to choose between the two with Matthias being finally selected.

(The way they chose Matthias should be noted by those who condemn "gambling" because the Roman soldiers "cast lots" to determine which soldier would get to keep Jesus' coat.

In both instances the casting of lots had nothing to do with gambling as it is practiced today but rather was a fair means of making a choice between more than one possibility.)

Today's lesson disproves the false contention made by Roman Catholicism et al, that the original twelve Apostles were to select a replacement every time one of the twelve was lost. The prime qualification for being an Apostle was that the man MUST have been present at the baptism of Jesus as He fulfilled the Law, and he MUST have been present to watch Jesus ascend to heaven after His resurrection. Common sense tells us that there have been none qualified under those restrictions since the death of Paul who was personally selected by Jesus Himself.

One other common misunderstanding can also be cleared up by today's lesson. There are some who use this quote to assert that the water baptism of a child of God must be traceable to the "baptism of John". Even if that were actually possible, we can easily see that what Peter said had nothing to do with one's water baptism, but rather, what he said applied ONLY to those who might replace Judas as an Apostle. ~

Lesson 1112

(Lesson 1112)(10-04-14) Acts 1:1-11

"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

In the first part of today's quote the author of the book of Acts affirms the gospel of Jesus Christ as it was recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The author also quoted what John the Baptist and Jesus had said, in all four gospel accounts, concerning the coming of the Holy Ghost; "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence".

In the above quote Jesus made a very clear distinction between water baptism, or water immersion of the type John the Baptist had practiced, and the immersion into the Holy Ghost which Jesus would cause to occur upon His Church at Pentecost.

Both occurrences however, were defined in the bible transliteration by the same term, "baptize", which literally, and simply, means to place one object, within another in order to alter the original state of that object.

Most all of today's "Christian religions", because they erroneously misapply the intent of the term "baptize", by most always applying it to define a water immersion, mistakenly contend that in order to achieve eternal salvation one must be baptized in water. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As today's lesson very clearly demonstrates the baptism referenced by Jesus, almost every time He applied it, had nothing to do with water and everything to do with the granting of the Holy Spirit, His sacrificial ordeal, or the sanctification of the eternal soul through the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

This very important subject will be revisited and confirmed several times as these lesson progress.

The latter part of today's quote confirms the ascension of Jesus as He rose to rejoin the Father in heaven and His promise to return and collect those of us whom have placed our trust in Him.~

Lesson 1111

(Lesson 1111)(10-03-14) John 21:18-25

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

The content of today's quote can be confusing if it is not carefully parsed. After charging Peter to teach the mystery of Christianity, Jesus said; "When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God."

This meant that Peter and the others were no longer free to do as they pleased, but rather, they were charged to represent the gospel of Jesus Christ abandoning all other aspects of life.

Jesus also predicted that Peter would be put to death because of his devotion to Christianity.

In the last part of the quote there is an interesting exchange between Peter and Jesus concerning John, the brother of Jesus, and his having followed Jesus and Peter as they left.

This text does not relate where they were going nor why. Neither does it explain why Peter got upset that John was tagging along.

There were some who interpreted the discussion to mean that John would never face a natural death. I cannot make any connection to that contention from what Jesus said, and apparently, neither could John.

Speaking of himself, John said, "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true."

I'm confident that through prayerful study the true intent of that conversation between Jesus and Peter will become much clearer.~

Lessin 1110

(Lesson 1110)(10-02-14) John 21:15-19

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."

Three times in today's lesson Jesus tested Peter's love for Him, and three times He told Peter to "feed my sheep".

Through that simple instruction Jesus ordered Peter to be a pillar, the most faithful "rock" for the rest of His disciples. Not that Peter was given authority over them but that he was indeed responsible to them that they be sure and come to know the secrets of the doctrine Jesus had only taught in parables.

This fulfilled another prophesy; "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 13:35)

Peter, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, was to make the "secrets" of the parables known to all the other disciples.

Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, was also given the "sectrets" directly from Jesus; "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" (Ephesians 3:3-6)

Jesus had told Peter and the others before that the Holy Ghost would teach them all things; "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26) Jesus' instruction to Peter in today's lesson was a simple follow up to what had been said in earlier lessons.~

Lessin 1109

(Lesson 1109)(10-01-14) John 21:1-14

"After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."

In today's quote Jesus appeared to His disciples for the third time and by performing yet another miracle which caused their nets to be filled with fish. After witnessing this miracle they all recognized and sat down to eat with Jesus.~