I have not written for awhile now, for my time varies in busyness and then busy relaxing. However, I have found a short few minutes to write. Through my weekly reading through first Romans-Philemon and then the rest of the NT writings, Romans as well as all of Gods Word has become dear to my heart. In Romans Paul explains the power of the gospel. The first part of the gospel is the wrath of God and that everyone is deserving. Paul then explains the gospel and how it is redemptive, a propitiation, and serves as justification. Paul explains the Cross no longer as bad news as Peter did in early Acts, but as good news and power. He explains it as a gift to be received by faith. After this Paul goes into detail about faith alone and Abraham. By the end of chapter 4 we understand Christ died for our sins was buried and rose again.
Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
God raised Christ from the dead for our justification, to declare those who believe righteous. That is, Christ's righteousness is credited to our account. By the time one gets to Romans 5 one has been taught the preaching of the Cross, the gospel of God's grace, and how one is to receive God's gift. It is through faith one is justified.
Romans 5 starts out by teaching now what the Spirit has done and what God has given to that justified person. It is this reason why I write.
Romans 5:1-2, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Paul lists 3 things here in the first two verses of chapter five. 1)We have peace with God, 2)We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, 3)Rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
First, notice the words in verse one before Paul's list. "Therefore being justified by faith", notice the "ed" at the end of "justified". It is past tense, it is a state of "being". One who believes the Cross work of Christ is justified. They have a standing before God not with any righteousness they have done, but of Christ's righteousness. It is done. It is a standing that never changes because it is solely based upon Christ. In fact, Romans 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." I quote this because as sure as Christ lives forever so is your state of being as justified, because Christ maketh intercession for you based upon the Cross and it is Christ's perfect faith on the Cross that justifies a believer. The three things Paul lists are results of "therefore being justified by faith". Before I use the rest of this blog to touch on the first of the list, I quickly want to note something. In this chapter and these verses no hint of perseverance to the end in order to be saved is mentioned. Under grace the believer is given everything right up front. This is opposite of Jews in time past and in the future, for they have to hold fast until the end.
"But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Heb. 3:6
"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" Heb. 3:14
"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:" Heb. 6:11
"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 1 Pet. 1:9
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, e sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"
1 Pet. 1:13
Jews in early Acts and in the future will have to believe until Christ returns during His second advent, or else they will not receive the grace of God. They receive the end of their faith which is their salvation. This all changed with the raising up of the Apostle Paul. We today, however, receive the gift of grace first the moment we believe.
"That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ." Eph. 1:12
"Therefore being justified by faith", one has as their standing and in their possession numerous spiritual blessings. The first mentioned in Romans 1 is, "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
"We have peace with God", the two parties mentioned are the "justified by faith" and "God". The spiritual blessing is "peace with God". This is a drastic change from what Paul says in Romans 3:19, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Everyone is guilty, but if one believes the gospel, that is, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, one is justified by faith and has as their present possession "peace with God". What a fantastic spiritual blessing to have? One that not only works in your heart and soul, but affects your mind and life. What does it mean to have peace with God? It means the wrath written about in chapters 1-3, your wage of sin (Rom. 6:23) has been settled. It is because of Christ payment of your sin debt (redemption) that God not only declares you righteous, but now looks upon you in peace. It is not that God has given you righteousness, but think that it is unfair. Now God because of Christ not only looks on you with peace, but "we have peace with God". Relationship is now welcomed through Christ and much more. God through the work of Christ has provided reconciliation, that is, to restore fellowship with His human creation. He has provided this by the Cross, but those who believe "have" it, we have restored relationship with Christ. Praise God.
"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." Eph. 2:15-17
The first "making peace" mentioned in this passage is between Jew and Gentile, but then Paul speaks about "reconcile both unto God" and "having slain the enmity thereby" that is, "by the cross". Then God sent Paul to preach "peace" to the Jew and Gentile. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 5:1, "peace" was achieved for us on the cross, preached to us through the gospel, and for those that receive it by faith, HAVE IT!!!
As I end I will mention that I will write again on this chapter and especially Paul's list. The first result, yea rather spiritual blessing one "has" after by faith receiving the gospel of grace, the first blessing one pulls out of that gift, is "peace with God". What a glorious blessing to attain and have, not by any works we have done, but solely on Christ. It is to have restored relationship and fellowship with God Almighty the possessor of heaven and earth and that in kindness, love, and grace, because it is Christ that satisfies God the Father. It is Christ, "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood", God is true to His Word. May you "therefore being justified by faith" take hold of your spiritual blessing in Christ, to "have peace with God" and let that peace rule your mind and heart. It is peace you have, not insecurity, a sense of condemnation, but "peace". May you not "stand fast" in order to get peace, but "stand fast" in it because you "have" it.
Look Up,
Josh Strelecki
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Summer Family Bible Conference
Well I returned late last week from Rolling Meadows, IL. This was the place for the week long conference that Grace Impact put on. It started Saturday the 18th, through Thursday the 23rd. The theme this year was, "The Case For Grace". I was reminded daily of the grace of God and how through His Word it works effectually in me. I was reminded of how the grace of God works within me, when at times I get so focused on myself and what I practically can do, not understanding it is "He who works in me".
There were many topics, "The Humility Grace Displays", "Grace and Discipline", "Grace and Gifts", "Grace in the Future Kingdom", etc. Sunday my wife and friend from Twin Cities Grace Fellowship arrived at the Holiday Inn where the conference was being held, to catch the final evening message. Richard Jordan's message was titled, "The Word Grace Delivers" his text being Ephesians 2. His preaching caught my hear as he stood up and proclaimed boldly that he along with most at the conference stood for some things. It was very encouraging as he kindly, yet boldly took a stand for the KJV Bible and it being the final authority, Paul our Apostle whom Christ sent to the Gentiles with the gospel of the grace of God and the mystery of Christ, and lastly rightly dividing the word of truth to recognize the clear divisions in the Bible and that God has two programs within the canon of scripture. It was and is a great blessing to have "fellowship of the mystery" (Eph. 3:9), to have fellowship with likeminded saints.
The other message that really caught my hear was a message by Thomas Bruscha, titled "The Humility Grace Displays", as he spoke mainly on Philippians 2:1-11. This message as he preached the word worked effectually in me. He preached about having the mind of Christ, that the all sufficient, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotent, did not count it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Thomas spoke about Christ giving up His divine attributes not completely, but at times, for the sake of doing God's will in order to offer salvation to all mankind. He spoke about Christ coming from heavens glory entering into time, being one place at one time, specifically Calvary. I think the one the hit me the most was Jesus Christ learning, Hebrews 5:7-9, "Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey;". Christ learned obedience through that which He suffered, the most High God possessor of heaven and earth, learned. It is this Christ who resides in me, it is this Christ that lives through me, it is this Christ who died, was buried, and rose again for my justification and that freely. It was and is and always will be God's Word working in me and motivates my inner man and quickens my mortal body to bring forth fruits of righteousness, not by me, but that are by Jesus Christ.
Father of Glory I thank you for your grace displayed at Calvary. I thank you that you have set forth Christ to be a propitiation (to satisfy your justice) through faith in His blood, and that I am and all who believe can be justified (declared righteous), by your grace through the redemption (payment of sin debt) that is in Christ Jesus. I thank you that because of the faith of Jesus Christ Your righteousness is given freely to all, but upon all them that believe!!! I hope and pray those that may read, would trust the grace of God through faith, that Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose again and that through simple faith in the work that you have done, that cost You Your Son, we may be saved. I hope and pray that they may receive eternal life as a present possession now by the Cross of Christ through faith, and the complete (past, present, future) forgiveness of sins, and an eternal inheritance in the heavenly places. It is truly in Christ. Amen
There were many topics, "The Humility Grace Displays", "Grace and Discipline", "Grace and Gifts", "Grace in the Future Kingdom", etc. Sunday my wife and friend from Twin Cities Grace Fellowship arrived at the Holiday Inn where the conference was being held, to catch the final evening message. Richard Jordan's message was titled, "The Word Grace Delivers" his text being Ephesians 2. His preaching caught my hear as he stood up and proclaimed boldly that he along with most at the conference stood for some things. It was very encouraging as he kindly, yet boldly took a stand for the KJV Bible and it being the final authority, Paul our Apostle whom Christ sent to the Gentiles with the gospel of the grace of God and the mystery of Christ, and lastly rightly dividing the word of truth to recognize the clear divisions in the Bible and that God has two programs within the canon of scripture. It was and is a great blessing to have "fellowship of the mystery" (Eph. 3:9), to have fellowship with likeminded saints.
The other message that really caught my hear was a message by Thomas Bruscha, titled "The Humility Grace Displays", as he spoke mainly on Philippians 2:1-11. This message as he preached the word worked effectually in me. He preached about having the mind of Christ, that the all sufficient, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotent, did not count it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Thomas spoke about Christ giving up His divine attributes not completely, but at times, for the sake of doing God's will in order to offer salvation to all mankind. He spoke about Christ coming from heavens glory entering into time, being one place at one time, specifically Calvary. I think the one the hit me the most was Jesus Christ learning, Hebrews 5:7-9, "Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey;". Christ learned obedience through that which He suffered, the most High God possessor of heaven and earth, learned. It is this Christ who resides in me, it is this Christ that lives through me, it is this Christ who died, was buried, and rose again for my justification and that freely. It was and is and always will be God's Word working in me and motivates my inner man and quickens my mortal body to bring forth fruits of righteousness, not by me, but that are by Jesus Christ.
Father of Glory I thank you for your grace displayed at Calvary. I thank you that you have set forth Christ to be a propitiation (to satisfy your justice) through faith in His blood, and that I am and all who believe can be justified (declared righteous), by your grace through the redemption (payment of sin debt) that is in Christ Jesus. I thank you that because of the faith of Jesus Christ Your righteousness is given freely to all, but upon all them that believe!!! I hope and pray those that may read, would trust the grace of God through faith, that Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose again and that through simple faith in the work that you have done, that cost You Your Son, we may be saved. I hope and pray that they may receive eternal life as a present possession now by the Cross of Christ through faith, and the complete (past, present, future) forgiveness of sins, and an eternal inheritance in the heavenly places. It is truly in Christ. Amen
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, December 1, 2008
Acts 2 Traditionally and Dispensationally Considered
I was reading through Acts and when I reached Acts 2, many thoughts and traditions of my former persuasion came to mind as I read the chapter. Acts 2 is traditionally where the church the Body of Christ begins or starts. It may not be tradition in all denominations or churches, however from the Baptist denomination and the 3 churches I formerly attended it was. I believe Acts 2 is the common place where most churches, denominations, and religions under Christianity find and begin the church the Body of Christ.
I write briefly and draw upon verses, so that we may renew our minds about when the church the Body of Christ began. Who was the first member of the Body of Christ? When did it start form?
I think it important to quickly note exactly what is the Body of Christ and what is it made up of. Quickly let us look at Eph. 2:13-17,
"But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made night by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."
The both, is the uncircumcised and the circumcised; the Gentile and Jew. The Body of Christ is made up of both Jew and Gentile and the focus is not your race, but Christ and Christ alone. The Body of Christ is individual Jew and Gentiles together in Christ. The middle wall of partition, that law covenant is out of the way, being abolished. God reconciles both in one body. Is this what starts to take place in Acts 2?
As we go through Acts 2, notice the exclusivity of people. Notice the Jewishness of the passage and lastly whom Peter is speaking to.
Acts 2:1, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
When what day was fully come, the day of Pentecost. This was a Jewish feast day. Who is the they? The "they" can be found in chapter 1:13-15. The 11, with the women, and Mary in total about 120. Where are they? They are in Jerusalem.
Now in verses 2-4, we see the prophesied event of the disciples being baptized with the Holy Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit does not dwell in them, but comes upon them. Christ made this known in John chapters 14-16, about Him sending the Comforter, that is the Spirit. It was upon them and would fill them and then just be upon them and then fill them again in certain circumstances. They spoke in tongues.
Acts 2:5, "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem JEWS, devout men, out of every nation under heaven."
Astonishing, Jews from every nation under heaven, came to Jerusalem to celebrate and take fellowship in those feast days. These are devout men and they are dwelling at Jerusalem and notice what happens next.
Acts 2:6, "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."
God gives the 120 the Holy Spirit manifesting the languages of the nations. However it is the languages of the nations, it is not the Gentiles that God wants to speak to, but the Jews in those nations that came to Jerusalem. The day of Pentecost a Jewish feast day was not coincidental in God's plan of giving them the Spirit. Every Jew dwelling there that is witnessing this extraordinary event hears in their own language. The response?
Acts 2:7, "And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?"
They were amazed at what they were witnessing, but most of all what they were hearing and who it was coming from. We know why they marvel, because each Jew can hear them in their own language, but why do they pose the question, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?" (I desire to go into this myself, but read the article below by Keith Blades to get a grasp of why might these Jews be astonished at these Galileans who are manifesting this power.)
Acts 2:8-11, "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 Judea, and Cappaddocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phyrgia, 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."
All the nations represented and they heard in their own language the wonderful works of God. Now it is here that I can only see why it has become tradition that so many believe the church the Body of Christ began here. Tradition assumes that because the nations are represented here that this means the Body of Christ. We most not add to the Scriptures nor take away. The Jews out of every nation are at Jerusalem, not Gentiles. This must be clearly noted and understood. Yes, the devout Jews spoke the Gentile languages, however they were Jews and God is speaking not to the nations, but to the Jews out of those nations!!!
Acts 2:12-13, "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."
May we ask the same question, what meaneth this? Well may we not answer by tradition that this means the beginning of the church the Body of Christ, but may we let Peter answer for us.
Acts 2:14, "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:"
Peter stands up, lifts up his voice and announces whom he is speaking to. Who? Men of Judea and all that dwell in Jerusalem. Judea (Judah=2 tribes) and Jerusalem (Israel=10 tribes) are represented here. Notice Peter doesn't say listen to what Christ said while on earth, but he says "hearken to my words". Granted his words are that of the Holy Spirit, but Peter is the main apostle of the circumcision. It is only appropriate as Christ gave Peter the keys to the kingdom, not only for him to stand up with the 11, but that he speaks. He says, "hearken to my words". May we hearken to Peters words as well.
Acts 2:15-16, "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;"
Peter corrects their thinking, that is, they are not drunk, but what they are witnessing is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. What is spoken by the prophet Joel, that Peter says it is that they are witnessing. Well Peter filled with the Holy Ghost quotes, Joel 2:28, with a slight change.
"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 prohesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and my servants and on my handmaidens i will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prohesy: and I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the hearth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Now compare with Joel 2:28-32
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the hand maids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the lORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call."
Peter quotes Joel, but not saying that what those Jews are hearing and experiencing is a "new day" or a "new thing" such as, the Body of Christ, the one new man. In fact, he is speaking to Jews only warning them that what they are seeing is the manifestation of the Spirit upon the believers in the LAST DAYS. It is the last days Peter is in and referencing to and warning the Jews to repent (to change your mind), that is, change their mind about Jesus of Nazareth that He is the King of Israel and He is coming back. Peter is telling them to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus, because what is next after the manifestation of the Spirit is wrath, that is, "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come." The next event on God's prophetic time schedule was His wrath, "the times of restitution of all things" (Acts. 3:21). God's restitution was next and Peter was warning them, telling those Jews that they crucified their Messiah and that He was going to stand and take vengeance and consummate His wrath at His second coming.
I pose two questions. When did this wrath take place? Did it happen, Peter said it was next? Did he lie? Why do so many institutions, churches, and schools hold to the church the Body of Christ, the one NEW man beginning in Acts 2 at the day of Pentecost? The setting is completely Jewish, on a Jewish feast day, at Jerusalem, speaking about the prophecy of Joel, the 12 (representing the 12 tribes of Israel)preaching about what was happening and what was going to happen, that is, the time of Jacob's trouble.
The church the Body of Christ started with an unexpected return of the Lord Jesus Christ to one man, the apostle Paul. Jesus Christ instead of pouring out His wrath and proceeding with God's prophetic time clock put on hold His wrath and did endure and is enduring with longsuffering to show and dispense His matchless grace. God saved Saul who became Paul (a man who was a born Jew, but a Roman citizen, both Jew and Gentile in one body) to send him to the Gentiles with the unsearchable riches of Christ, riches that God had not made known since the world began, but in His timing has made them manifest. The Body of Christ started the apostle Paul in Acts 9, him being the first member of the one new man, that he might be a pattern to show forth God's longsuffering for those who should after Paul believe that Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose again.
Folks, it is by God's grace that He is holding back His wrath and saving sinners, however this dispensation, that is this administration of God's grace was never promised nor is it given a time when it will end. God's wrath was next when Peter spoke and although on hold it is next after God ends the dispensation of grace. If no one has ever loved you enough to ask you where you would spend eternity if you died today, let me ask you. Where would you spend eternity? If you don't know for sure, you can know. God sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to die for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. It is by His grace through your faith plus NO works that He will freely give you the complete forgiveness of sins; past, present, and future. Christ was delivered up for this purpose to be able to forgive sins and was raised again for justification, that's God's able right because of the sacrifice of His Son to give you His righteousness, a perfect position, standing and identity before Him. It is by His grace that today at this moment you can know for sure where you would spend eternity, that is in heaven. God does all the saving you do all the being saved, won't you trust Him today, never to be separated from the love of Christ. It is a gift. You don't have to pray a prayer, be water baptized, nothing, it is by grace through faith, just simply put your trust in Christ's work alone to save you.
I write briefly and draw upon verses, so that we may renew our minds about when the church the Body of Christ began. Who was the first member of the Body of Christ? When did it start form?
I think it important to quickly note exactly what is the Body of Christ and what is it made up of. Quickly let us look at Eph. 2:13-17,
"But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made night by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."
The both, is the uncircumcised and the circumcised; the Gentile and Jew. The Body of Christ is made up of both Jew and Gentile and the focus is not your race, but Christ and Christ alone. The Body of Christ is individual Jew and Gentiles together in Christ. The middle wall of partition, that law covenant is out of the way, being abolished. God reconciles both in one body. Is this what starts to take place in Acts 2?
As we go through Acts 2, notice the exclusivity of people. Notice the Jewishness of the passage and lastly whom Peter is speaking to.
Acts 2:1, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
When what day was fully come, the day of Pentecost. This was a Jewish feast day. Who is the they? The "they" can be found in chapter 1:13-15. The 11, with the women, and Mary in total about 120. Where are they? They are in Jerusalem.
Now in verses 2-4, we see the prophesied event of the disciples being baptized with the Holy Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit does not dwell in them, but comes upon them. Christ made this known in John chapters 14-16, about Him sending the Comforter, that is the Spirit. It was upon them and would fill them and then just be upon them and then fill them again in certain circumstances. They spoke in tongues.
Acts 2:5, "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem JEWS, devout men, out of every nation under heaven."
Astonishing, Jews from every nation under heaven, came to Jerusalem to celebrate and take fellowship in those feast days. These are devout men and they are dwelling at Jerusalem and notice what happens next.
Acts 2:6, "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."
God gives the 120 the Holy Spirit manifesting the languages of the nations. However it is the languages of the nations, it is not the Gentiles that God wants to speak to, but the Jews in those nations that came to Jerusalem. The day of Pentecost a Jewish feast day was not coincidental in God's plan of giving them the Spirit. Every Jew dwelling there that is witnessing this extraordinary event hears in their own language. The response?
Acts 2:7, "And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?"
They were amazed at what they were witnessing, but most of all what they were hearing and who it was coming from. We know why they marvel, because each Jew can hear them in their own language, but why do they pose the question, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?" (I desire to go into this myself, but read the article below by Keith Blades to get a grasp of why might these Jews be astonished at these Galileans who are manifesting this power.)
Acts 2:8-11, "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 Judea, and Cappaddocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phyrgia, 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."
All the nations represented and they heard in their own language the wonderful works of God. Now it is here that I can only see why it has become tradition that so many believe the church the Body of Christ began here. Tradition assumes that because the nations are represented here that this means the Body of Christ. We most not add to the Scriptures nor take away. The Jews out of every nation are at Jerusalem, not Gentiles. This must be clearly noted and understood. Yes, the devout Jews spoke the Gentile languages, however they were Jews and God is speaking not to the nations, but to the Jews out of those nations!!!
Acts 2:12-13, "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."
May we ask the same question, what meaneth this? Well may we not answer by tradition that this means the beginning of the church the Body of Christ, but may we let Peter answer for us.
Acts 2:14, "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:"
Peter stands up, lifts up his voice and announces whom he is speaking to. Who? Men of Judea and all that dwell in Jerusalem. Judea (Judah=2 tribes) and Jerusalem (Israel=10 tribes) are represented here. Notice Peter doesn't say listen to what Christ said while on earth, but he says "hearken to my words". Granted his words are that of the Holy Spirit, but Peter is the main apostle of the circumcision. It is only appropriate as Christ gave Peter the keys to the kingdom, not only for him to stand up with the 11, but that he speaks. He says, "hearken to my words". May we hearken to Peters words as well.
Acts 2:15-16, "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;"
Peter corrects their thinking, that is, they are not drunk, but what they are witnessing is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. What is spoken by the prophet Joel, that Peter says it is that they are witnessing. Well Peter filled with the Holy Ghost quotes, Joel 2:28, with a slight change.
"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 prohesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and my servants and on my handmaidens i will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prohesy: and I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the hearth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Now compare with Joel 2:28-32
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the hand maids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the lORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call."
Peter quotes Joel, but not saying that what those Jews are hearing and experiencing is a "new day" or a "new thing" such as, the Body of Christ, the one new man. In fact, he is speaking to Jews only warning them that what they are seeing is the manifestation of the Spirit upon the believers in the LAST DAYS. It is the last days Peter is in and referencing to and warning the Jews to repent (to change your mind), that is, change their mind about Jesus of Nazareth that He is the King of Israel and He is coming back. Peter is telling them to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus, because what is next after the manifestation of the Spirit is wrath, that is, "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come." The next event on God's prophetic time schedule was His wrath, "the times of restitution of all things" (Acts. 3:21). God's restitution was next and Peter was warning them, telling those Jews that they crucified their Messiah and that He was going to stand and take vengeance and consummate His wrath at His second coming.
I pose two questions. When did this wrath take place? Did it happen, Peter said it was next? Did he lie? Why do so many institutions, churches, and schools hold to the church the Body of Christ, the one NEW man beginning in Acts 2 at the day of Pentecost? The setting is completely Jewish, on a Jewish feast day, at Jerusalem, speaking about the prophecy of Joel, the 12 (representing the 12 tribes of Israel)preaching about what was happening and what was going to happen, that is, the time of Jacob's trouble.
The church the Body of Christ started with an unexpected return of the Lord Jesus Christ to one man, the apostle Paul. Jesus Christ instead of pouring out His wrath and proceeding with God's prophetic time clock put on hold His wrath and did endure and is enduring with longsuffering to show and dispense His matchless grace. God saved Saul who became Paul (a man who was a born Jew, but a Roman citizen, both Jew and Gentile in one body) to send him to the Gentiles with the unsearchable riches of Christ, riches that God had not made known since the world began, but in His timing has made them manifest. The Body of Christ started the apostle Paul in Acts 9, him being the first member of the one new man, that he might be a pattern to show forth God's longsuffering for those who should after Paul believe that Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose again.
Folks, it is by God's grace that He is holding back His wrath and saving sinners, however this dispensation, that is this administration of God's grace was never promised nor is it given a time when it will end. God's wrath was next when Peter spoke and although on hold it is next after God ends the dispensation of grace. If no one has ever loved you enough to ask you where you would spend eternity if you died today, let me ask you. Where would you spend eternity? If you don't know for sure, you can know. God sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to die for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. It is by His grace through your faith plus NO works that He will freely give you the complete forgiveness of sins; past, present, and future. Christ was delivered up for this purpose to be able to forgive sins and was raised again for justification, that's God's able right because of the sacrifice of His Son to give you His righteousness, a perfect position, standing and identity before Him. It is by His grace that today at this moment you can know for sure where you would spend eternity, that is in heaven. God does all the saving you do all the being saved, won't you trust Him today, never to be separated from the love of Christ. It is a gift. You don't have to pray a prayer, be water baptized, nothing, it is by grace through faith, just simply put your trust in Christ's work alone to save you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)