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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
As we come to the end of Acts 11, let's take time to consider how that young Church of Jesus Christ in Antioch was such a model fellowship, and an example for us today.
[list=1]Persecuted disciples of Jesus Christ make their home in Antioch and influence many in the community. They are so eager to hear The Word of God and receive teaching from those who were just a little bit further along the way than the others. They are open to the Holy Spirit - open to prophecy and a word of knowledge. There is an obedience to those in authority. These true believers are willing ( Click for more )
In Acts 11:26, these disciples of Jesus Christ were always talking about their Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, and in Antioch they were first called Christians - 'little anointed ones' - 'little Christs'.
It is a peculiar fact today, that you can bring the name of Jesus Christ even into some Church meetings, and people can become embarrassed and uncomfortable. Not so in Antioch.
Their lives were so different from other people's lives, in so many ways. They were distinctly different - by their love - their joy - their compassion - their openness - the way they ( Click for more )
Acts 11:25. For a whole year, Barnabas and Saul (Paul) teach in that Church in Antioch. Many heard and received the teaching.
First - you hear about Jesus - you come to believe - then you need nourishing teaching which will build you up - and enable you to grow and mature.
The Church of Jesus Christ is where men of God teach the Word of God to the people of God. That is one reason why we in Nairn meet on Sundays and Wednesdays. We also meet to Worship - and Pray - and Fellowship.
There is a generation growing up in our land, which hardly knows ( Click for more )
In Acts 11:22, some were obviously wondering what was happening and going on up in Antioch, a city which had a reputation for sin! So they sent Barnabas - an excellent choice. He was the man who was always going around encouraging disciples. He was the man who interviewed and introduced the converted and anointed Saul of Tarsus to the fellowship in Jerusalem.
When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he liked what he saw. What did he see? He saw the evidence of the Grace of God. He saw the love of Jesus Christ and the power of The Holy Spirit in the lives of those new believers ( Click for more )
Acts 11. Disciples of Jesus Christ had fled to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. They spoke to Jews to begin with, and then it opened up to Greeks, and they heard the good news about the Lord Jesus.
We do not come into all the truth right away - we are always learning - growing - developing - maturing. Some of these scattered disciples thought the message about Jesus was only for Jews - even though it was the Jews which had caused them to flee. Then, others came opening up the Gospel for all. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for you and for those around you - graciously ( Click for more )
We have reached Acts 11:19. Let's take time to review and see how The Word of God has been spreading so far.
Recapitulation can be an important aspect of education and learning and understanding.
There had been this most violent wave of persecution against The Church of Jesus Christ, and this caused The Church to grow, in various dimensions.
In these verses we learn some important principles. Saul, being confronted by the risen Jesus, spends these first three days praying and fasting, and receives ministry from a new friend, brother Ananias, and is given ( Click for more )
In Acts 11, Peter is answering the questions of the apostles and disciples back in Jerusalem who had been wondering whatever Peter had been up to in the home of a Roman Army Centurion, a Gentile, a non-Jew, in Caesarea. Peter takes time to explain exactly and precisely and calmly what actually happened, and he stuck to the facts. Just as we were Baptised in The Holy Spirit, at the very beginning on the day of Pentecost, so were these Gentiles, in Caesarea, with similar signs following - the same as we experienced.
If God was giving them the same gift as He gave us, who ( Click for more )
In Acts 11, the apostle Peter is having his ministry thoroughly examined because of what happened in the home of Cornelius. His fellow apostles back in Jerusalem did not know what actually happened, and it is always unwise to act on mere rumour. Always seek to get at the facts. Get at the truth. Truth is the actual state of affairs, as contrasted with rumour or false report, or myth, or legend. And the truth fits every situation. We can apply that to the whole of the Bible. None of us can afford to build our life upon rumour or myth or legend.
Peter helps these ( Click for more )
In Acts 10, Peter had learned to make Jesus head. Initiate nothing. Have we learned the lesson which can be difficult and challenging at times - to allow Jesus Christ the Lord to be Head of His Church!
Peter moved as God led, and not by his wishes or ideas or feelings. Peter had cultivated humility, and had made the decision that he would submit to God, and serve God, no matter what God asked of him.
In Jerusalem, there are those who want to examine everything. That is not always a bad thing. Take time to read what faced him - in Acts 11.
Where did you go? ( Click for more )
In Acts 10, both Peter and Cornelius experience God moving in a way neither of them ever thought they would ever experience and see and witness.
Visions lead to men from different backgrounds coming together. Obedience to the revelation of God leads to an outpouring of The Holy Spirit, and a breakdown of barriers and prejudices. While Peter is speaking in that Gentile home those listening to Peter's message are filled with the Holy Spirit. They speak in tongues, and they are baptised in water. Gentiles, people who are not Jews, are 'born again', and the basic essential ( Click for more )
Never compromise. Never dilute your doctrine. Never water down your message about God and Jesus Christ. Peter spoke powerfully and with specific essential content in the home of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion. Take time to read the full account of what happened, in Acts 10:34-48.
While Peter is speaking - in the middle of his message - the risen living ascended Jesus pours out The Holy Spirit upon all who are listening. This small group of Jewish believers, who accompanied Peter, are astonished and astounded. They are shocked, that Jesus Christ was pouring out The Holy ( Click for more )
In Acts 10:34, Peter begins to address all those who have gathered in the home of Roman Centurion, Cornelius. Do read this passage again. "I have just seen a great truth. God is no respecter of persons. God shows no favouritism." This is quite a transformation in Peter's thinking.
He goes on - and refers to the fear of God - which is a healthy fear. It is like fearing the dangerous traffic - having a healthy respect for fast-moving cars and lorries. If you ignore them or overlook their presence - you could get hurt. But at the same time you don't permit the fear to ( Click for more )
In Acts 10:23, we read of Peter and six fellow disciples of Jesus making their way the 20 miles or so from Joppa to Caesarea. Cornelius is waiting for Peter's arrival. He has gathered together all his relatives and friends. He is expecting something to happen. He believed that God is going to move and speak through Peter. Are people still looking for that and expecting that today?
As Peter goes into Cornelius's house Cornelius falls at Peter's feet. But Peter would NOT be worshipped, and he says, "Stand up. I am only a man."
We are NOT to worship men - or bow ( Click for more )
In Acts 10, Peter, and some brother disciples of Jesus are in the home of this Roman Centurion, Cornelius. God was dealing with both of these men, in different ways, to achieve different goals.
God was preparing two men who were poles apart, to come together. Cornelius had had a very real spiritual experience, and soon he is to have a mightier experience.
Cornelius and Peter each received a vision from The Lord Jesus Christ, and they both obeyed what God the Lord had said through that vision. For both, it was a hard thing Jesus was asking them to do.
Cornelius ( Click for more )
In Acts 10, three men are on their way to meet the apostle Peter, who is waiting before God in prayer, not realising what dramatic events are about to happen.
At that time, the Jews thought of everyone who was not a Jew as common or unclean. Peter had to unlearn what his theology and church and tradition had taught him. To unlearn is almost harder than learning something. This is seldom an easy thing to do.
Have we things to unlearn? Are we holding to prejudices from which God wishes to deliver us and set us free? The Holy Spirit falls upon Peter to perform a new work ( Click for more )
In Acts 10 we read of God sending an angel to Cornelius the Roman Army Officer, at the garrison Headquarters in Caesarea. Cornelius needs to meet Peter, and the angel informs Cornelius exactly where Peter can be found.
We have seen this in Chapter 9 - when we need help - ministry - we ask - we send for those whom we know can help. We let the pastors and elders or leaders know that their ministry is urgently required.
It was NOT God's job to let Peter know of the need in Caesarea. It is the job of Cornelius to obey God and send for Peter to come and minister.
When ( Click for more )
As we move on into Acts 10, please take time to read the biblical text. It is vitally important to feed regularly upon God's holy Word, and not just thoughts from the Scriptures.
Following the wave of persecution - following the amazing dealings of the risen and living Jesus with Saul of Tarsus - Peter sets out to travel around, visiting those disciples of Jesus who had experienced a sore traumatic costly time. Some would be and pained and wounded. Most would have questions. Emotions would be raw. There would be much to do. Many stories to hear. Many wounds requiring ( Click for more )
In Acts 9:32, Peter comes to a fellowship of believers at Lydda, (the site of the modern international Ben Gurion airport) and there he found a man called Aeneas, who had been bedridden and totally paralysed for 8 years.
Peter says to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and tidy up your mat." He is immediately healed. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to The Lord. One act of obedience - one miracle - one brave courageous word from Peter, and many turn to Jesus Christ!
The Word of God is eternal. It has life. It has power to save and ( Click for more )
Acts 9:32-42 - and please, do read the passage of Scripture. It is vitally important that we base our life and thinking upon the Word of God and NOT comments upon the Word of God.
When you read the Bible you will never read a wrong word. As we make our way through the Book of Acts I cannot emphasise sufficiently how necessary it is to read the Biblical text.
After that lengthy comprehensive section on how Paul met Jesus Christ - and all that is connected with his being born again - so rich - so valuable - in taking us through the very basics of discipleship - Luke then switches ( Click for more )
What happens to Saul when the Jerusalem brothers send him back home to Tarsus for his own personal safety? We do not hear of him for a few years. It needs to be said that personal safety was quite a temporary matter, as he faced tremendous danger later on, but in God's timing. He was not always rescued out of situations which were life threatening.
We do know that Saul went away into the wilderness of Arabia, for at least three years, to work things out.
He needed time to be on his own. To be alone with Jesus - to think and pray and listen, and to consider the implications ( Click for more )
Acts 9:28-31. We have been in these verses for a number of weeks, but there is much to learn and I pray that you are studying these principles revealed to us by God in His Holy Word. The born again Saul of Tarsus is preaching again, speaking boldly about Jesus Christ, and SOON there is yet another plot and conspiracy to kill him.
Again, the man who hunted Christians is himself being hunted. But, give up or give in or be put off? That does not enter his thinking! The brothers in the local Jerusalem Fellowship hear of these threats on Saul's life, and they send Saul ( Click for more )
In Acts 9, we learn just how vitally important friends are. Some are named and others remain unnamed, but each played his part.
Saul of Tarsus joins The Christian Fellowship. This is an important principle. From the very beginning Saul is committed to The Church of Jesus Christ. He was a physical visible member. Wherever he goes over the next 30 years, Paul (as he was later called) is committed to The Church, which is The Body of Christ. No matter what city or community he goes to, we see this vital principle. Now this is not widely taught.
From the first ( Click for more )
Acts 9:27-31. Saul of Tarsus the man who had set out to persecute the Church of Jesus Christ has been 'born again' to everyone's complete surprise. He has met the risen living Jesus, had his eyesight restored, was filled with The Holy Spirit, and baptised in water, then had something to eat.
He began to preach in Damascus, that Jesus is the Son of God. People were astonished and amazed. This, after all, was the opposite of the main reason for his visit to Damascus. Saul grew more and more powerful as he exercised his faith - this muscle called faith.
He baffled the ( Click for more )
Acts 9:26. Saul made his way back to Jerusalem, from Damascus. This was not going to be any easier to begin with. He tried to join the Christian fellowship there. Not only was this a hard test for Saul, it was also going to be a hard test for them. To begin with they would NOT accept him.
How would you react if you had tried to get into the Jerusalem Fellowship and someone had said - "No - No - we are not allowing you in here. We don't trust you. You are just a wolf in sheep's clothing - off you go - scarper!" Would that put you off the Church of Jesus Christ ( Click for more )
Acts 9:23-31. The enemy of God attempted to eradicate Saul of Tarsus as soon as he was born again and started preaching Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. There are times when he does attempt to rub us out - silence us - remove us - destroy our witness to Jesus Christ.
Saul is facing a violent reaction to his preaching in Damascus and he has to escape. Friends in his new found Fellowship help him to do this, and it is not very dignified. Sometimes we have to be prepared to lose our dignity to rescue our ministry and keep alive.
When opposition becomes real and fierce ( Click for more )
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