Source: https://nightlightblogdotcom.wordpress.com/2017/09/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 06:56:11+00:00

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In our last post, we looked at the first part of this chapter and its description of the events of that extraordinary day.
Remember, it was only 50 days since the crucifixion of Christ. Many of the men and women in Peter’s audience, for we need not suppose there were only men, many of them had no doubt witnessed the events surrounding that sad day. Though many of them lived elsewhere, they had traveled to Jerusalem to participate in Passover and the Feast of Weeks, one of the names by which Pentecost was known. Little had they known when they started out that they would see the fulfillment of what those two days foreshadowed.
Peter reminds them of the facts of the Lord’s ministry, v. 22. In the words he used on another special occasion, Jesus “went about doing good,” Acts 10:38.
I can’t think of a better epitaph.
But he also reminded them of the Lord’s murder, v. 23.
This tells us that the death of Christ wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a mistake, as some have taught. It wasn’t the result, as one writer put it, of “a hastily called meeting of the Divine council.” How could a professed believer have such a dishonoring view of God?
In one of his writings, Peter put it like this: He [Jesus] indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world…, 1 Peter 1:20. And Revelation 13:8 refers to Him as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
This is a common viewpoint, that God merely reacted to what He foresaw in the actions of men as He looked down from heaven.
Is it Scriptural? Does God really just “react”?
If the “foreknowledge” view were correct, we would expect to read that God does indeed see many “who understand, who seek God.” Is that what the Psalmist describes?
Paul refers to this in Romans 3 in his teaching of the universal sinfulness, rebellion and condemnation of mankind and concludes, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, v. 23.
It refers to a cloth used by a woman during her time of the month or used by a leper for his sores. Not a very pretty description.
And that’s “our righteousnesses,” those little acts of goodness we do once in a while. What must our “unrighteousnesses,” our sins be like?
I’m glad God didn’t decide to give us what we deserve, but sent His Son to do what we couldn’t do. No force on earth could have put the Lord Jesus on the Cross if He hadn’t been willing to go. And no force on earth could have kept Him away from it since He was willing.
The question is often asked, “If God is sovereign and foreordains everything, how can man be responsible for his actions?” And that’s a good question.
The Scripture never answers it. It just says that they’re both true statements. There are many instances of this in Scripture. Perhaps the best known one is found in Genesis 50.
You remember the story. Joseph had been the favorite son of his father Jacob. Moreover, he apparently was a tattle-tale, telling his father of the misdeeds of his eleven brothers. They got back at him by selling him into slavery and, for 13 years, Jacob lamented the death of his son. Fast forward, and Joseph has become second-in-command in Egypt. His brothers needed to go down to Egypt twice to get food, and the second time, Joseph revealed to his brothers that he was their brother. Naturally they were terrified and begged him not to pay them back for what they had done to him. He replied, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive,” vs. 19, 20.
The brothers meant only evil toward their brother and were responsible for what they did. God meant only good. So here, with Peter’s message. The crowd who crucified Jesus meant only evil and were fully responsible for their attitudes and actions. God meant it for good.
Men are responsible for their attitudes and actions.
1] When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3] Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
2 Corinthians 1:22, who [God] also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2 Corinthians 5:5, Now He who has prepared us for this very thing [the victory of eternal life over mortality, vs, 1-4] is God, who also has give us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Ephesians 1:14, who [the Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
In these three verses, the KJV has “earnest” for “guarantee.” I think I like this word better. An “earnest” is a down-payment on something, or at least that’s what it used to be called. At least to me “guarantee” doesn’t really have the same impact. When my wife and I bought our present house, we had to give the owner some money to seal the deal, as it were. It was our “earnest.” This was our promise to buy the house, which we did. It was also his promise to sell us the house. By the grace of God, we now own it free and clear.
The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment, if you will, on the eternal blessings He has promised to His people. But, unlike our lengthy time of paying for the house, the payment for our redemption was made all at once by the Lord Jesus on Calvary. By the grace of God, salvation is ours, free and clear.
In the case of the house, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t “upkeep”. I need to get out and mow the yard once more before winter gets here. We recently had the house painted. We’ve had the roof replaced and the sewer lines cleaned out. But the house is ours.
So it is with salvation. There is “upkeep”. This does NOT mean that we have to “keep” it or else we might lose it. It’s ours, free and clear. But, as with the house, there are things to do as Christians: prayer, Bible study, fellowshiping with other believers, faithfulness during the week and not just on Sunday.
On this first Pentecost, what happened to the believers? They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, v. 4.
“Other tongues.” What does this mean? Was it just gibberish, or “angel tongues,” or something else? Luke clearly tells us. In v. 5, the crowd drawn by the sound of the “rushing mighty wind,” v. 2, heard them speak in their own language, v. 6. Then Luke lists 17 languages understood by those who heard the disciples.
This astonished the crowd because it was evident that these disciples were Galileans, v. 7. Galilee was in the northern part of Israel, next to Gentile territory. In fact, it was called Galilee of the Gentiles, Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:15. Galileans were considered uncouth and ignorant, without learning and speaking even their own language clumsily and without grace. Yet here were these men, speaking foreign languages, and, we might imagine, doing so quite fluently, though Luke doesn’t specifically tell us that.
This brings us to what they were talking about: the wonderful works of God, v. 11.
We’re not told which of these works are included, but I think there’s a lesson here, nonetheless. Our world and culture is awash with skepticism and unbelief. We’re told that this world just happened, that it evolved from nothing into the wonder we see all around us. There is no God, no rhyme or reason for anything, it just happens. The Bible is just another religious book, subject to human wisdom and scholarship. There are no absolutes (except that one!), everything is just what culture and society say and accept. We see the results of that teaching in the degeneracy and violence all around us.
We need to return to a Biblically-based preaching and teaching. This world didn’t just happen; in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, Genesis 1:1. Man didn’t “evolve” from lesser creatures; he was created as a direct and unique act of God, Genesis 1:26, 27. Death entered for no other reason than man sinned, Romans 5:12. There are absolutes; man is accountable. There are a heaven and a hell, and there’s only one way to enter the one and to escape the other: faith in the Lord Jesus, Acts 4:12.
12] Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13] And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot. 14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
23] And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24] And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25] to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26] And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Our Lord’s earthly ministry had ended. He told His disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Promise of the Father, v. 4. There had been a question about the re-establishing of the Davidic kingdom, and He had replied that it wasn’t time for that, such was up to the Father, and that in the meantime there were things for them to do, namely being His witnesses world-wide, vs. 6-8. Then He ascended, but not with sending an angel with the wonderful promise that He would return “in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.” He didn’t tell them to look for signs or wonders, to check the news for evidence that “the end” was near, or to expect that folks would listen to them. He simply told them to wait, after which they would be busy.
“To wait.” That didn’t mean to be idle. The eleven along with some women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers, continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, v. 14. It’s interesting that nothing is said about them praying to Mary or through her. She held no place of importance among them. There was no “veneration” of her. She was just there as one of them. And, evidently, His brothers had been converted after first rejecting Him, cf John 7:1-5.
It’s a shame prayer doesn’t have a greater place in our lives. I’m guilty, too. We get so busy with lesser things that we forget the important thing. And I don’t mean just some repetitive formula, or a few words hastily uttered before bedtime, but real communication with and intercession before God. And it isn’t just about “asking and receiving,” as one author wrote. That is certainly part of it, but God is not some heavenly Concierge just waiting around to tell Him what to do. No, no, if we are believers, we are His children and as children love to be with their father – if he’s the right kind of father – so God’s children love to be around Him. God is the right “kind” of Father! If we remember who He is and what He has done and is doing and will do, we have a lot to thank and praise Him for.
Perhaps Peter had in mind the Lord’s promise that the time was coming when the apostles would “sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel,” Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30. Since there were only eleven apostles at the time, one more was necessary.
Some have criticized Peter for not praying before making this statement. However, those in the room had been in constant prayer, and it is possible, though not stated, that the lack of an apostle was part of that prayer.
“Many will say to Me in that day [the Day of Judgment], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ “ vs. 22, 23.
It’s a solemn thought. Many in our time “prophesy” or “cast out demons” or do “wonders” or make much of “the Lord’s name.” But our Lord rejects such things! Why?? Read Matthew 7 again. It’s all about what they have done! Nothing about what He has done. Cf. Paul in Romans 15:18, For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me…, emphasis added. Not once did Paul take the credit for his ministry. Christ used him, yes, and He uses others, but it is God who gives the increase, 1 Corinthians 3:7.
Oh, that we would remember this. No one praises the paint brush of a great artist or the chisel and hammer of a sculptor.
We are only tools in the hand of that One who designed the ages and brings His work to pass. After all, He doesn’t need us. He simply spoke the worlds into existence. But He’s pleased to use us, imperfect though we are, not because of us, but because of His great mercy.

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