Holy Spirit Action

The book of Acts in my Bible is titled 'The Acts of The Apostles'. Titles and sub-headings were added by man. There are great records about the apostles in the book of Acts, but there are also records of others who did great things for God like Philip and Stephen, the certain disciple, Ananias, and others. The common denominator of all those that did great things for God was the gift of holy spirit. Instead of Acts of the Apostles, it might be better to title the book: Acts of Holy Spirit, or maybe even Holy Spirit Action.

God is spirit and everyone who truly loves Him worships Him in spirit and in truth. The very essence of what He is, spirit, has been imparted to man, with measure in the Old Testament, without measure in the New Testament. Throughout the New Testament there are references to the 'new man' or the inner godly nature that the spirit of God brings us. The Word of God fans the flames of that spirit. Where God is concerned, 'spirit' and 'truth' go hand in hand.  Spirit can exist without truth and truth without spirit but both may not be godly. Spirit without truth can be quite lively and misleading. Truth without spirit can be verrrrrrrrry dull.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter delivered a great explanation about what had just gone on in Jerusalem after all the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of holy spirit. Peter was a changed man, no longer denying Jesus, he squarely confronted those who had put Jesus to death. Not only was he changed, but those listening were changed also and acted without fear in response as recorded in Acts 2:42-47:

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear (respect) 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 favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

People recognized the wonderful compassion of God.  They rejoiced. People changed in their hearts as the holy spirit worked in them. They continued boldly in the temple and from house to house and were no longer afraid of those who who sought to extinguish their movement. These verses are about the spiritual reaction to the gift energizing them. Love energizes. They were inspired. This section of scripture should be read with that in mind.  Remember the people in Exodus? They didn't exactly see deliverance the way the believers in Acts did. On the day of Pentecost God must have been so blessed with the 3000 people who were praising Him and sharing grace with all the people.

The grace continued as Peter  and John ministered to a lame man and he was healed. People got excited about it. Peter responded to their wonder by telling them exactly where the powerful and faithful love  was from:

12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. Acts 3:12-13 

The power or holiness came from the gift. A lot has been written about holy spirit, some of it very confusing and frankly misleading.  Internal genuine power comes from a loving and willing God.
When people truly understand its significance, lives get changed and the glory goes to God. He has given us such a gracious gift and it didn't disappear at the close of Acts.

Did God Really Say That?

Adam and Eve had it all: paradise and a wonderful relationship with a loving Father. So why did they mess up?  It all boiled down to a question: "Did God really say that?" The same thing is true today and that question has been the same stumbling block throughout the entire history of human existence.

If we look at history starting with the garden of Eden, this question has continued to rise front and center in all cultures and societies.  Cain's offering to God from the 'fruit of the ground' when God had said the ground was cursed is another example of someone questioning what God said.

Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

There are plenty of examples throughout the Bible and beyond all through history. That question surrounds us everyday on TV, in newspapers, in books, magazines and from other sources of the 'fruit of the ground'.

God gave us two ears and two eyes, two nostrils, two hands, but only one mouth.  Hearing, observation, and even the sense of smell and touch are abilities for receiving information. We also have been given spiritual abilities. God has given us every opportunity to know Him. Man's problem is not his equipment. His problem comes with what he pays attention to. Eve listened to God's opponent. Every human being has the right to listen to whomever he or she wants. Free-will choice is a gift of God.

Just type in the word 'God' on a Google search. The results would be very confusing with all the many different beliefs. Study the Crusades, religious wars, and councils (start with the Council of Jerusalem in the book of Acts and  read about some of many councils that came after the Bible was written) to see the 'Did God really say?' question pop up over and over. I really struggled with who to believe, what to believe or what was actually true. What I finally decided after just simply reading the Bible for myself, was that it is very simple to see God's love and that God is bigger than that question. God provided us with so much in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have known and read many teachers of the gospel and have come to the conclusion that there isn't any one person or organization that really has a monopoly on truth both doctrinally and practically. But God, who is spirit, does for us just as he did in Jesus Christ. This same spirit that was in Jesus Christ is in us and communicates to us. We can have the truth!

Look at the words Jesus Christ spoke in John 16:13-15:

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

When we read God's word believing for understanding, the spirit of God can help us. I can learn from other people, but the assurance and confidence in the truth comes from a prayerful inner heart.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

When the "Did God really say?" question arises don't give up on the Bible. Read it and refuse to be anxious. The answers will be coming.

Spiritual Connectedness

 I and II Timothy and Titus were written towards the end of the apostle Paul's life. They are often called the 'Pastoral' epistles as their subject matter deals with the spiritual administration of the church.  I Timothy records simple instructions as to  the orderly conduct of the first century church. Our Western approach to the structure of the church is not at all based on the 1st century model.  Even those churches today that tend toward the home church miss the mark of the dynamic churches  of the early Christians.  The early church was to represent God's desire to have every believer fully functioning on all cylinders of power.

Paul was essentially responsible to teach what God had freely given in the gift of holy spirit and its effect on the newly formed church. In the 7 church epistles (Romans through Thessalonians), Paul plainly paints a complete picture of the administration of God's grace where every believer has a significant part to play. God had kept quiet about this age until he was ready to reveal it and the responsibility of revealing it was given to Paul.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Heresies started immediately emerging as the grace age started unfolding and continued to grow and it was important to maintain and preach the pure word of God. In II Timothy the heresies had grown to a proportion that it effected the church. People were losing the true understanding of what God had revealed. It is easy to teach the doctrine of the revealed grace administration, but getting one's head really into it is another story. This is so true today. Our culture, especially our religious culture overshadows and pulls Christianity in another direction. Most of what we see in today's churches has roots in the 3rd-5th century A.D.

All religion tends to categorize and divide people into groups. There are over 38,000 religious sects today. There are spiritual walls thrown up between clergy and laity, pew and pulpit, and altar rails and altars. People get bogged down in the physical structure of the church and lose sight of the spiritual blueprint. Unity is not in activities, meetings and simply social hanging out. The true church is based the spiritual reality of God and what it means to live in this age of grace.

It is up to each individual to have the a vital relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Everyone has direct access and it is proved over and over again when people start to interact with each other. God feeds one heart here and another there and when they interact it seems like amazing coincidence when it is actually the hot line from God in both.

The energized church, consisting of Judeans and Gentiles equally, is a spiritual body growing together into the true spiritual temple of the Lord.  It consists of children, young adults, middle ager and seniors operating together and not in distinct separate groups. When a mixture of people associate through operation of the spiritual gift, needs get met and it is a vibrant and alive family of faith. Signs, miracles and wonders occurring is commonplace because God is in it.

Walking Out of a Prison

This morning as I was reading a blog of a friend on some interesting words in Acts 15, I decided to do a word study on them. The blogger had pointed out the phrase 'it seemed good to the Holy Ghost'. It got me to thinking about the spirit of God and how it works in us.  In the book of Acts at that time, Paul hadn't written the church epistles yet, nor were the gospels all written out in a nice leather bound book for everyone to put on their coffee table. What they had were eyewitness accounts and the gift of holy spirit that was given on the day of Pentecost. The Judean law and oral traditions were still very much a part of the culture, so things like circumcision which had been staple of the Judean religion before Christ was still a consideration in many of their minds.

The words 'seemed good' is the greek word 'dokeo'.  This word in other places is translated think, suppose, trow,  pleaseth and seemeth good. I went back to the first use of 'dokeo' in the book of Acts and studied it's use.

Acts 12
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased (eimi arestos) the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers (16 soldiers working in shifts) to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 

An angel woke Peter up and told him to get up. This was not a dream. When the angel wanted to talk to Peter he needed to be awake. He would have to act on what the angel told him.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought (dokeo-seemed good) he saw a vision. 

Peter didn't know what was happening, he just went out and followed the angel. He thought that it was a spiritual revelation, not something physically real.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 

Recognizing the voice of God through one of God's messengers, he carried out the instructions and was miraculously delivered from the prison ordeal. After the angel left, Peter was left with the reality of what happened. It really did happen!

We too often find ourselves in prisons of various types. God is a God of deliverance. We have the church epistles to explain spiritual matters (I Corinthians 12:1 pneumatikos -gifts is in italics) to us. We know the gift of holy spirit arrives with  nine gadgets (I Corinthians 12:7-11) to operate and bring about success for ourselves and others. One can't see spiritual things by the 5 senses, but men and women who trust God are fully knowledgeable that God can communicate to them by various means: by the word and by what is revealed to the holy spirit within by revelation.  Some times if we are unsure because we don't see something physically, we simply have to trust God. He always comes through! As we act, we realize the surety of the gift.  It is pretty amazing how it works.

The Orchestration of God

God working with Peter

Israel had always been the chosen people. After the ascension of Jesus Christ, there was no longer a distinction between Jew(Judean) and Gentile. The new church of God began to emerge. It wasn't until Acts 10, however, that this was fully realized, when Peter, a Hebrew was invited to a Gentile home to minister the Word about Jesus Christ. 


In the early records in Acts it is recorded that some of the Judeans (Jews) in Jerusalem were not too happy about all that had occurred in Jerusalem and a persecution of the new Christians started. During the events following the persecution in Acts 7, Peter traveled out from Jerusalem to visit the new Christian Judeans. His travels were filled with the operation of the gift of holy spirit operating all nine evidences of the gift which profited the new believers.

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 For to one (referring to the profit to God’s people) is given by the Spirit (God inspires or energizes each of these listed) the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit (God), dividing to every man severally as he will.

First he traveled to Samaria and helped Philip. These people were half-Judeans (Jews) and not looked upon with great respect by the Judean elite. As God worked in Peter along with John and Philip utilizing all nine of the tools of the spirit, people were set free and in turn were endowed with the same power.

Later we see Peter travel to Lydda where there is a man named Aeneas who was crippled. Aeneas asked for help and Peter explained the real deal about what Jesus Christ had done for his life and he told him to get up! He did! Nothing spooky about it! Just simply explaining what was really true!

Next we read that Peter was called up to Joppa to help a wonderful woman who had died. Peter knew what was available to her in that he had been in almost a similar situation with Jesus Christ when he raised Jarius’ daughter. Great working of miracles and healing resulted because of the dynamics of the gift of holy spirit within Peter. He was able to do that because of God’s tools of word of knowledge and wisdom and believing that he utilized and was strengthened by. Probably all nine of the manifestations of holy spirit were in operation.

Peter stayed in Joppa for a while after that. Interestingly enough, he stayed with Simon the Tanner, a man whose profession of handling dead animals was considered unclean by the Judeans. This shows how Peter was growing past former legalisms and distinctions. God continued to teach him as he moved closer (spiritually, as well as physically) to God’s original intention through the ages (recorded in Acts 10).

What difference does it make if you’re a dork? What difference does it make if you are Joe Cool? We were all given access to the same measure of faith by way of Jesus Christ.  A new cable line was laid down on the day of Pentecost in the arrival of holy spirit when God poured out His very essence to those who believed. It doesn’t matter how old, what nationality or culture you are, whether you are male or female, or even whether you are a democrat or republican. Believers have high speed access to God.

Just look at the record of that notable day way back in 3 BC.

Acts 2:5-13 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 meanest this?

Almost two months prior to the day of Pentecost, the veil in the temple had been ripped open from top to bottom (Who did that? Think about it, top to bottom?) I’m sure people had questions about that!.

Exodus 26:33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.

It takes looking at the fine details in the Word like the torn veil, the multitude gathered at the day of Pentecost, to see the perfection of God’s communication of His heart and of His desire to have fellowship with man. Believing God comes from looking at the Word.

Since that day of Pentecost a person who chooses to believe is no longer isolated from the presence of God. Prior to that event, only the high priest could enter into the holy of holies. Now every believer regardless of his credentials has the right to enter into the holiest of holies. Why would anyone lack confidence or feel inferior with that kind of privilege! It doesn’t matter who or what we are, people who believe can confidently walk and help others in our own unique way because the spirit of God within. 

New Birthday!

A change came about as the result of the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost. A new church was born and it was not a church made of mortar, stone or stain-glass windows! It was a group of people and how they grew into what God made available for the first time, holy spirit.

The book of Acts is a description of people, places and events in the post resurrection/ascension climate of the early church. There are a lot of people mentioned in the book of Acts. Two major influences in the early church were Peter and Paul.

Peter was a fisherman by trade.  He traveled with Jesus Christ. He was one of the twelve. In Acts 4:13, it is recorded:

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 Paul did not travel with Christ.  He actually persecuted the men and women who were filled with holy spirit after the day of Pentecost. His background was quite different from Peter’s. He received the spirit from God later as a result of a huge event that happened on the road to Damascus. His background is recorded in:

Philippians 4:4-6Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Yet they had the same spirit of God in them and commitment to stay faithful despite their human shortcomings. Peter wrote of Paul:

2 Peter 3:15-16And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Paul wrote of Peter:

Galatians 2:7-8, 7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

The common denominator for them was the gift of holy spirit.  It was God that worked in them. Some people call the book of Acts the Acts of the Apostles but in reality, spiritually it should more appropriately be titled The Acts of the Holy Spirit.  Holy spirit is available today for all Christians just as it was in later chapters in the book of Acts. Every person has access to the very same power when they declare Jesus Christ Lord and believe in his resurrection. 

As Peter said on the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:38-39 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. 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.

Freedom

Recently, floating out on the Sound off the shores of Connecticut, I began thinking about the brave pilgrims and their courage and belief to worship God freely without bounds by traveling to an unknown land. Our ancestors focused on the promises and ability of God and pointed their bows to the clearing in the the sky with new hope for freedom. Sure there were a lot of clouds, but they looked for the 'sonshine'. That is what the renewed mind is. It is about  pointing your compass to the promised land of freedom allowing God to be the wind in your sails.


When I first heard about the renewed mind, my mind thought about the old days when heading out of the confessional feeling squeaky clean after having spilled the beans about how many sins I had committed. Oh glory, as if God is interested! He really is only interested in  repentance (oops, sorry, that word has been darkened and dramatized too). Repentance means a change of mind, a redirection to a more prosperous path, a path that He can shower one with blessings. He is happy about that!


The renewed mind is so much more than dealing with sin.  It is about the power of God reigning in your life without limits. Just look at Romans 12:2:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Reading the rest of Chapter 12, we are encouraged to get functioning in the body of Christ. What a joy it is to do that! There is so much life in those verses to be lived. Don't let anyone talk you out it. If they try, lovingly tell them to get their own renewed mind and get busy with their own exciting work. You have the God-given right to hear from God and uniquely utilize holy spirit from Him to help people.  You don't have to wear a backwards collar, put on a pointy hat, walk around with a pious puss, or even have a fancy title to help you renew your mind. Just hold on to the Word in your mind, act accordingly and when you run into a 'truth seeker' say "Greetings pilgrim, your search has landed!" "This is the land of the free and the home of the brave!"