3-8-2025 Devotion

 We are continuing to look at reasons that the early church seemed to have more power and authority than the church in America. In Acts 4:32-33 says: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." Today, we focus on the grace that was on the early church. The compassion and selflessness shown by the early church brought grace or favor to them from those they sought to reach.

 

The Barnes New Testament Commentary explains: "here is an instance of the power of the testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus to impress the minds of men. But this is not all, nor probably is it the main idea. It is that their union, their benevolence, their liberality in supplying the wants of the needy, was a means of opening the hearts of the people, and of winning them to the Saviour. If we wish to incline others to our opinions, or to bring them to be Christians, nothing is better adapted to it than to show them kindness, and even to minister to their temporal wants. Benevolence towards them softens the heart, and inclines them to listen to us. It disarms their prejudices, and disposes them to the exercise of the mild and amiable feelings of religion. Hence our Saviour was engaged in healing the diseases, and supplying the wants of the people." The early church had favor and grace because of the caring nature of their hearts as manifested in their giving to others. The effect was grace on them which produced spiritual fruit.

 

Today, examine your attitude and actions towards those in your community of believers. Then, consider how you feel and treat those outside the faith. What do you honestly see? Do you have favor or is there some other response you are receiving? If we want to see the power of God on today's church, then we will need to do some serious thinking about our church and its concern for those both inside and outside the community of believers. Selah.

3-7-2025 Devotion

 We are continuing to look at reasons that the early church seemed to have more power and authority than the church in America. In Acts 4:32-33 says: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." Today we are going to focus on the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Other than at Easter, how often do you hear the message that simply says that Jesus Christ has rose from the dead? It seems we are to busy trying to fix the problems of those we seek to evangelize as opposed to the message that Jesus was once dead but now lives. Because He lives, I shall also rise from the dead if I am His disciple. There is power in this message. It is also a dividing line between the disciple and the unbeliever.

 

The Barnes New Testament Commentary says: "The apostles bore testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This was the main point to be established. If it was proved that the Lord Jesus came to life again after having been put to death, it established all that he taught, and was a demonstration that he was sent from God. They exerted, therefore, all their powers to prove this; and their success was such as might have been expected. Multitudes were converted to the Christian faith." God confirms the preaching of His Word (see Mark 16:20 "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.") As the Word is preached, God confirms that Word with signs following. Since much of the American church do not see signs following, it makes you stop and think what it has been preaching.

 

Today, examine your witness and testimony. Do you preach the Word or some isolated doctrine peculiar to your community of believers? I exhort you today to preach and witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is our message; that is our life.

3-6-2025 Devotion

 We are continuing to look at reasons that the early church seemed to have more power and authority than the church in America. In Acts 4:32-33 says: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." In addition to the unity of the early church, they possessed great compassion for each other. Jesus walked in compassion toward His people and the early church had the same genuine concern for each other. They did not see their possessions as their own; instead, they were willing to part with them for the common good. Many times today, church members fight with each other over silly differences and then wonder why they don't see the glory of God in their services. 

 

Matthew Henry's Commentary stated: "The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be so again, when the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high." If we want to see the Holy Spirit poured out again, we need to practice compassion on our fellow believers. We need to give them the benefit of the doubt on issues not mandated by the Scriptures; we should extend grace to them the way grace has been provided to us. Having compassion is more than helping out with money (although it certainly includes financial assistance when needed), it comes from our hearts when we really care for others.

 

Today, examine your community of believers. Is there genuine compassion among them? If not, what can you do to change that? If there is compassion, what can you do to make it better? Go back and read Acts chapter 4 again and see the link between unity and compassion and the power of God in their midst. He is the same God. Are we the same church?

3-5-2025 Devotion

 We are continuing to look at reasons that the early church seemed to have more power and authority than the church in America. In Acts 4:32-33 says: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." There was great power when there was unity among the church. I have seen the power of unity in the body of Christ. In 2005, our local church had a great love and unity among all the people. Mind you, we didn't agree on everything; however, there was a unity in that love prevailed even in disagreement. During 2005, there were a number of medically documented healings in our local church. It was like Bible times. Sometimes a visitor would show up saying he had heard that God was healing people in our church and he wanted prayer. Then, division crept in and a church split became evident and the healings stopped. The early church had unity and God worked mightily in the midst of that unity.

 

Thomas Scott commented as follows: "Not only the company to whom Peter and John returned, but the whole multitude of believers, were thus united in judgment and affection, as one body animated by one soul; so that hitherto no controversies, jealousies, or murmurs were known." Psalm 133:1 says: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" God likes His people to walk in unity. Church fights and splits do so much harm to the body of Christ and its witness. Let us do all we can to walk in unity with one another.

 

Today, examine your community of believers. Is there unity among them? If so, praise God for it; if not, ask God what you can do to help restore unity. Is there someone you need to forgive or is there someone you need to ask forgiveness from? Either way, seek to walk in love with your fellow believers and watch the power of God began to manifest like in the early church!

3-4-2025 Devotion

 

We are continuing to look at reasons that the early church seemed to have more power and authority than the church in America. After Peter and John had been returned from their imprisonment for preaching the gospel, the people prayed in part in Acts 4:28: "For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." The early church understood Divine Sovereignty.  To the contrary today, many emphasize man and what the gospel can do for him. Salvation is about the power and glory of God in that the Father determined before the foundation of the world that Jesus Christ would die for the sins of His people. If you are redeemed today, the process began before you were born and became effective when you gave your life to God and were redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ. It is best to give God all the glory for your salvation and take none for yourself. 

 

Philip Doddridge commented: "But it is our unspeakable comfort to think, that by their utmost rage they cannot break in upon thy schemes, or prevent the efficacy of any of thy purposes; for we know that, in the midst of all this impious fury they have shown against thy Son, they have only been able  to do what thine hand had pointed out before, and what thy unerring counsel, to which all future events are obvious, had before determined that, for wise reasons, thou wouldst permit to be done." We can have great boldness to speak the Word and live the Word when we know that God's Sovereignty controls the future and not the power of our works. This knowledge, in part, enabled the early church to be fearless. We need that same fearlessness.

 

Today, consider the events of your life. See them in light of God's Sovereignty. He was walking with you before you knew it; but He was still there guiding you to where you are today. Know that that same Sovereignty will take you through today. Be bold for the gospel; you have nothing to fear because God is still in control!

3-3-2025 Devotion

 We started yesterday looking at the early church and comparing what they did with what we do. We can mostly agree that the early church possessed a power and authority in the midst of suffering that is not present in the Western church found in America. Today, there is an emphasis among many to preach, "your best life now," "God has a wonderful plan for your life," "being purpose driven," and having "seeker sensitive" services. Do you find this type of evangelism in the book of Acts? Look at Peter's message on the day of Pentecost:

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain...." Acts 2:22-23

 

Peter told his listeners that they had wicked hands and crucified Christ themselves. One might call that "straight preaching." In verse 37, we are told that those that heard were "pricked in their hearts." That is what good evangelism does; it pricks the heart through truth. Stephen got stoned in chapter 7 for preaching in part the following: "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." The early church was direct in their message and they did not try to persuade their audience through gimmicks or an easy gospel. I am convinced the second reason that we don't see the power of God like the early church is that we have added "a spoonful of sugar" to make the gospel more presentable.

 

Does your heart cry out for God to bring true revival? (And I am not talking about some of the silliness that passes today for revival that resembles a bar scene.) Are you ready to be fully committed to the cause of Jesus Christ today? If so, meet Him in prayer and open your heart to Him. Tell Him your fears and ask for His boldness. Don't be surprised if your life starts to shake!

Preparing for Christ’s Return Part 1

 https://pathwaytopurityandpower.podbean.com/e/preparing-for-christs-return-understanding-the-end-times/

Bible Study Acts 3: 1-26

 

Commentary of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Acts 3: 1-26

Text:

The Lame Beggar Healed

3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the [a]ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 2 And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they used to set down daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg [b]alms of those who were entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 4 But when Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him, he said, “Look at us!” 5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” 7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 And leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10 and they were recognizing him, that he was the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter’s Sermon in Solomon’s Portico

11 And while he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the [c]portico called Solomon’s, full of wonder. 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16 And on the basis of faith in His name, it is [d]the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His [e]Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that [f]times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the [g]Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the [h]period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. 22 Moses said, ‘The [i]Lord God will raise up for you a prophet [j]like me from your brothers; to Him you shall listen to everything He says to you. 23 And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also proclaimed these days. 25 It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God [k]made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 For you first, God raised up His [l]Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.”

The “temple” referred to the temple courts, and particularly the part near the gate called Beautiful. The “ninth hour” was 3pm.

Verse 2: “And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they used to set down daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.”

This man had never experienced one day in his life that he was not lame and disabled. He had been this way for decades most likely. Can you imagine him having any hope at all at this point? He sought “alms” which means gifts of charity. The gate called “Beautiful” was used to separate the Court of the Gentiles from the Court of Women.

Verse 3: “When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.”

Since Peter and John were Jews, they could pass through the Court of Women and enter the Court of Israel. Gentiles could not.

Verse 4: “But when Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him, he said, ‘Look at us!’”

Peter was not afraid to act as his Lord did. Peter took command of the situation. This new post-Pentecost group was about to experience new power as part of their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 5: “And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.”

When Peter and John gave the beggar this much attention, he looked at them with the hope that they would give him some money.

Verse 6: “But Peter said, ‘I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!’”

I have heard it said that the problem with churches today is that they have plenty of “silver and gold,” but they don’t have the power of the Name! Peter is making it clear that whatever is about to happen is not because of him, but because of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 7: “And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.”

The author of this book, Luke, is a physician. When he writes of a miracle, he provides greater detail because of his medical training. Here, he explains what the miracle did: “his feet and his ankles were strengthened.”

Verse 8: “And leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”

Notice the use of the word “leap” twice in this verse. Every knowledgeable Israelite going up to the temple that day marveled at this lame man leaping. They knew who he was. They knew he was lame. Something new and exciting was occurring and it was just beginning. The early church had the authority of the name.

Verse 9: “And all the people saw him walking and praising God;”

The people saw him. They recognized the man. They observed the significance of this miracle. Christ had performed healing miracles, His followers had performed miracles while He was still among them, but now His followers were performing miracles after the ascension. This was new and powerful. 

Verse 10: “and they were recognizing him, that he was the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

A testimony is most powerful when the crowd knows the participants. All knew he was lame. All saw what God did through Peter and John. All saw the results. It was miraculous. 

Verse 11: “And while he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the portico called Solomon’s, full of wonder.”

The “portico” was a porch built by Herod the Great along the east side of the temple platform. It should be no wonder that the people were “full of wonder.” In the past weeks, they had seen Christ crucified, resurrected, ascended, Pentecost and now this. They had to be thinking, what’s next?

Verse 12: “But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?”

Peter is making it very clear that he is not the source of this miracle. Compare this with modern day charlatans who try to convince their followers that they have healing power. Peter focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, not monetary gain.

Verse 13: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.” 

Like Christ did in some of His sermons, Peter appeals to the patriarchs of the Jewish faith. Peter places the blame for Christ’s crucifixion on the people because Pilate wanted to release Christ but they didn’t want him to. 

Verse 14: “But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,”

Peter is not what I call today a “silk stocking smooth preacher.” He doesn’t try to make the people comfortable. He wants them to hear the truth. He is preaching a message to bring about Holy Spirit conviction. Barabbas was the murderer released. Peter’s message emphasizes the sin of the people, the righteousness of Christ, and as we will soon see, the resurrection of Christ. Peter understood the necessity of preaching the resurrection.

Verse 15: “but put to death the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.”

Peter preaches the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This should be a part of every message preached today.Also, this is additional proof of the resurrection because if Christ had not risen, someone in the crowd would have protested the point. They could have said, “I know where He is buried.” Their silence demonstrates an understanding that Christ has indeed risen.

Verse 16: “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

Who had faith in His Name? Was it the man or Peter? It was Peter! Compare this approach with modern charismatic prosperity preachers who blame the sick person’s lack of faith if they don’t get healed. From the moment Peter laid eyes on the lame man and said, “Look at us,” he had faith in the Name to heal. Do we still have faith in the Name? How was the man healed? The faith in the Name “strengthened” his body so he could stand.

Verse 17: “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also.”

Their past rejection of Christ calls for a course of action. That action was repentance and conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 18: “But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.”

Examples of the prophecies include Genesis 3: 15; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; and Zechariah 12: 10. The prophecies speak of the Messiah being bruised, pierced, beaten and killed. Peter is summarizing Scripture for the people to make his point. He does not shrink back from pressing the issue of Christ’s suffering. This is all designed to bring about repentance and faith in his listeners.

Verse 19: “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;”

Repentance is not lip service. It includes words, but it does not stop there. There must be action consistent with the words of repentance. Thus, you “repent and return.” Some Jewish rabbis taught that you had not truthfully repented until you had faced the temptation to commit the sin at least four times and successfully resisted it. While this is not Scripture, it makes a good point to be on guard and too quickly forgive yourself until you have completely repented of a sin. There is no salvation without repentance. The “times of refreshing” refers to the return of Christ and the establishment of His millennium kingdom. Christ will be present during the 1000 years time of peace and blessings.

Verse 20: “and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,”

God gives His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to those that “repent and return” because that is His Divine appointment. The Son covenanted with the Father and Holy Spirit to die as a sin substitute for those elected by the Father to salvation. The Holy Spirit covenanted with the Father and the Son to take this message to the hearts of the ones the Father chose.

Verse 21: “whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.”

Again, this verse looks to the “period of restoration” that occurs during the millennium. This will be a time of peace and tranquility. Several Old Testament prophets wrote about this time:  

Isaiah 2:2-4: A vision of nations coming to the mountain of the Lord, where He will teach them His ways, and they will live in peace.

Isaiah 11:6-9: A prophecy of harmony in creation, where even natural enemies live together peacefully.

Micah 4:1-4: Similar to Isaiah 2, it describes a time when nations will seek the Lord's guidance and live without fear.

Verse 22: “Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers; to Him you shall listen to everything He says to you.”

This is a quote from Deuteronomy 18: 15. Moses was greatly respected by the Jews as their greatest prophet, and the Jews viewed the prophet “like him” to be a specific reference to the Messiah.

Verse 23: “‘And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’’”

This verse is a quote from Deuteronomy 18: 19 and Leviticus 23: 29. To reject the Messiah was to lose covenant blessings that belonged to the nation Israel.

Verse 24: “And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also proclaimed these days.”

The Israelites had the first offer of Divine grace of the New Testament. The Messiah was first sent to the Jews with the hope that they would repent, and be saved. Samuel was an Old Testament prophet and while he did not directly write of the Messiah, he did anoint David as king and speak of his kingdom. The promises to David were fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 25: “It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”

The Lord Jesus Christ was the ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant and its blessings, which are still available to all today. Peter is coming to the conclusion of his message and he wants the listeners to know it is not too late to step back into the covenant blessings which God made to Abraham. 

Verse 26: “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

“For you first” means to the Jew first. The gospel was presented to the Jew first and when they rejected the truth, the gospel reach was expanded to include gentiles. “Servant” is literally “Son.” The word “you” in this verse is plural. Peter is letting everyone know that this message is for all of them. The purpose of the resurrection is to bless you and cause you to repent. Peter has now concluded this sermon.