Read the Bible in a Year (13NOV19)

DAILY REMINDER – Today, November 13’s Bible reading is Acts 1-3.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, November 14’s Bible reading is Acts 4-6. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.

 

ACTS Introduction 

The book of Acts, which is the first book following the Gospels in the canonized Bible, is known by other names such as the Acts of the Holy Spirit and Acts of the Apostles. One can even break down the spelling of the name to mean (Active Church Testimonials of the Saints). The Holy Spirit led the believers during their early formation and growth as well as throughout their ministries. Acts tells the story of when the followers of Christ became known as Christians at Antioch, and Christianity spread like wildfire throughout the world. This took place during the first thirty years following the death, resurrection, and ascension back to Heaven of Jesus. The Apostle Luke, who is credited with being Acts’ author having written it around 63 A.D., wrote the book as a link between the Gospels and the Apostle Paul’s letters to the churches.

The book of Acts bears witness through the apostles’ teaching that Jesus was the Messiah in fulfillment of the Word given to the prophets long ago. The essence of the Christian faith encompassed in the belief in Jesus apart from the works of the Law is the message being highlighted in this book as the Gospel is given to both Jews and Gentiles. Persecution of the church was at an all time high due to the Gospel being preached, but the Truth continued to be spread as the message of Jesus took the world by storm and countless souls were saved. 

 

ACTS MOMENT – (13NOV19) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Jesus had returned to Heaven to be seated at the right hand of his Father. But prior to His departure, He told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem where they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. They were to be His witnesses and give testimony of Him throughout the world. The message of Salvation was no longer limited to just the Jews, but now, they were to spread it to the Gentiles as well. Peter made it known that there was a need to replace Judas Iscariot who had betrayed Jesus and had been part of the original Twelve. Matthias, who had been with them from the time of John the Baptists until Jesus’ departure, had been chosen by lots after they prayed. Then, on the day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), the Holy Spirit came into the house where one-hundred and twenty of them had been gathered, and they all were baptized in the Holy Spirit. 

 

So, what did the Holy Spirit enable them to do? The apostles were immediately able to speak in other languages. The Bible says: “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken” (Acts 2:5-6).  There were Jews who had come for the Feast of Weeks’ celebration and they spoke in various languages. Nevertheless, when they heard the apostles and others speak in their language, they could not understand what was taking place, and some even accused the apostles of being drunk. Peter, however, let them know that it was too early to drink and that this manifestation they were witnessing was the power of the Holy Spirit sent by the One they had crucified and was raised. He reminded them of the Prophet Joel’s message in that God promised to pour out His Spirit on all people in the last days. The Bible says: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:17-18). One important thing to be mindful of is that the last days’ countdown began when Jesus ascended back to Heaven and the early church began – not in the twenty-first century. 

The Holy Spirit also enabled them to heal. There was a beggar who was lame seated at the temple’s entrance. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for money, but Peter let him know that he did not have any money, but what he did have, he would give to him. Peter healed the man in Jesus’ name, and the man was immediately able to walk. The Bible says: “ When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (Acts 3:9-10). Peter let the onlookers know that it was not through his power that this healing took place, but by the power of the Spirit of the One whom they killed.

 

Peter preached a message of repentance to the people and many accepted the message and were baptized. Three thousand were added to their numbers at Pentecost, and the Holy Spirit kept adding to their numbers. They devoted themselves to learning from the apostles and they fellowshipped together daily. The Bible says: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts2:44-45). There was no selfishness found among them, for they cared for one another and gave of themselves and their belongings. 

 

The time is quickly approaching were we in the west will be operating as they did in the book of Acts. One day, the buildings will not be where the church gathers, but they will meet in homes, parks, restaurants, or wherever they can go. The world is becoming increasingly hostile towards the things of God and as we see our society descent into more wickedness, those who hate Jesus will show more hatred and intolerance towards those who oppose their debauchery. The kangaroo courts, censorship of conservative speech, school sexual indoctrination of children, and advocation of killing babies outside of the womb is only the tip of the iceberg for what Christians will soon face here in this nation. The world is already claiming that those who go against their demonic agendas such as LGBTQ tolerance, gay marriage, abortion, transgender story-time, gender confusion, Islamic terrorism, gun rights, and open-border madness are bigots, homophobes, xenophobes and the most popular one – deplorables. Nevertheless, those who are filled with the Spirit will stand against such things regardless of the cost. Peter had once denied Jesus, but He later became a powerful mouthpiece for Him. Do you know where you stand in God? Are you willing to stand for Him despite opposition? The time to get prepared is now because time is running out, and it is not the time to be straddling the fence. Real soon, we will all be forced to make a decision as to where we stand. Some have already made it, and others are still being beckoned by the Spirit to come. It is time to think about and know where your loyalties reside as well as the reason for your faith. Something to ponder….