fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Sept 7, 2018 12:10:22 GMT -5
Interesting that you mentioned 'personal responsibility", because I just watched a MacArthur sermon on 'social justice'....how it has infiltrated the church.
He pointed out how our culture has become a culture of victims ( he was NOT denying, people have suffered at the hands of others.....in fact, most people have).
However, the point was, ( not his exact words)
that is life in our fallen world, people do suffer at the hands of others,
nevertheless....
We are still responsible for OUR sins!!!
We cannot say, well, I was abused, people were prejudiced against me, etc etc.
So therefore, I cannot be held responsible.
The Bible is clear, we are responsible for our own sins, we cannot blame others.....
as a side point, he said ( again not his very exact words but as close as I can remember)
, that got started with Adam in the garden of Eden,Adam actually blamed God when he said:
the woman YOU gave me.....,
and Eve blamed it on the serpent....
so I am a victim, and 'me too'
has been around from the very beginning.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 7, 2018 13:03:03 GMT -5
I don't think I have done much work in Acts ( ever....
I have read it),
but I have yet to really fall in love with it like most other scriptures.....
which is sad, because, many find Acts the 'greatest tonic' of the Holy Spirit.
Again I recently listened to a couple of MacArthur's sermons on the Holy spirit...he believes the Holy Spirit is the least known of the trinity and the most degraded ( not his exact words).
Well, I surely agree that for me, God the Holy Spirit is indeed the least known to me, and so I am hopefully going to dig into Acts this time around.
Since we lost some ( but not all) of our electric today, this will be a bit brief, I did read Mac Arthur's introduction and some commentaries and prayed about it....
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 7, 2018 14:29:38 GMT -5
Acts 1: 1
This is the 2nd book attributed to Luke ( the physician to Paul and very precise in his writing).
So right off the bat I read in one commentary that Acts 1: 1,2 could be titled:
"The Continuing Words and Deeds of Jesus by His Spirit through His Apostles"
That was helpful and encouraging to me because it indeed points to the God the Holy Spirit.
The gospels tells us what our Lord did in His earthy ministry, now we will see what He will do thru His Holy Spirit ( thru the apostles).
Jesus taught (He did a LOT of teaching) and did ( many miracles) and He died on the cross to pay for all my sins and millions of other peoples sins.
I am thinking we (I) need to be daily in the Word, so that if the Lord wills, I can be of assistance to some, or someone) or rather He will work thru me.
When Jesus ascended into Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit down to the apostles ( and believers) that were chosen.
What a joy, thrill, and honor to be chosen!!!
These 11 apostles were eyewitnesses to Jesus being resurrected physically ( not as a ghost or spirit)....by not just a few,
but by 'many' proofs.
These happened over a period of 40 days.
He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God.... the millennium Kingdom and when it merges with the eternal Kingdom
( and in the hearts of the believers) during this time
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 8, 2018 13:18:09 GMT -5
Acts 1:4-6
Interestingly Jesus ordered them to gasp 'wait'......not many people like to wait. In fact, I am guilty of looking at the end of a novel (to make sure it ends well) when often only a few pages or a chapter into the book! in fact, that is probably one of my main gripes about a kindle ( it is harder to go to the end and back to the beginning.)
I do love that God let us know a lot about how this life, world etc. is going to end.....so I can relax knowing He is in control, even if sometimes it might seem He is not...but knowing the end, I can actually see how it is working out.
Nevertheless, God does often say wait, and in this culture, that is almost an impossible command ( we have a cow if our computers run a second slow!!!)
Still, this was worth waiting for in Jerusalem....they were to wait for the promise of God!
I think Christians today may often get ahead of God's timing and it doesn't bode well. We need to be sure that God the Holy spirit and thru prayer and scripture point to what God wants us to do , when and where.
Just try to imagine this generation waiting as long as Sarah and Abraham for God's promise....if we can't wait one second with a slow computer....
( of course we are still waiting on God's time for the rapture and Jesus return for the millennium and the new Heaven and new earth). I guess we are getting a real lesson in waiting on God's time because He is in control not us.
But slowing down and waiting, makes it easier to hear the Lord and time for the Lord to do more work on us.
Sometimes waiting gives us more joy then if we get everything we want instantly all the time.
2 types of baptism, John's was good but not compete, but the Holy Spirit's eternal and Divine new birth.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 9, 2018 14:38:42 GMT -5
Acts 1: 6-8
I guess I am not the only impatient one, the disciples knew Jesus would restore the kingdom but I am pretty sure, that wanted it to be yesterday.
I can relate,
but then Jesus gently says to them the timing is none of their business
( it is not so much they asked the question, Jesus did not say, he would not restore the kingdom, just the timing is not for them to know...no date setting allowed).
And He had another job for them to do, Jesus wanted people saved and He will give them power to evangelize thru the Holy Spirit..
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Post by Cindy on Sept 10, 2018 10:17:33 GMT -5
Interesting that you mentioned 'personal responsibility", because I just watched a MacArthur sermon on 'social justice'....how it has infiltrated the church.
He pointed out how our culture has become a culture of victims ( he was NOT denying, people have suffered at the hands of others.....in fact, most people have).
However, the point was, ( not his exact words)
that is life in our fallen world, people do suffer at the hands of others,
nevertheless....
We are still responsible for OUR sins!!!
We cannot say, well, I was abused, people were prejudiced against me, etc etc.
So therefore, I cannot be held responsible.
The Bible is clear, we are responsible for our own sins, we cannot blame others.....
as a side point, he said ( again not his very exact words but as close as I can remember)
, that got started with Adam in the garden of Eden,Adam actually blamed God when he said:
the woman YOU gave me.....,
and Eve blamed it on the serpent....
so I am a victim, and 'me too'
has been around from the very beginning. I don't think I have done much work in Acts ( ever....
I have read it),
but I have yet to really fall in love with it like most other scriptures.....
which is sad, because, many find Acts the 'greatest tonic' of the Holy Spirit.
Again I recently listened to a couple of MacArthur's sermons on the Holy spirit...he believes the Holy Spirit is the least known of the trinity and the most degraded ( not his exact words).
Well, I surely agree that for me, God the Holy Spirit is indeed the least known to me, and so I am hopefully going to dig into Acts this time around.
Since we lost some ( but not all) of our electric today, this will be a bit brief, I did read Mac Arthur's introduction and some commentaries and prayed about it.... Acts 1: 1
This is the 2nd book attributed to Luke ( the physician to Paul and very precise in his writing).
So right off the bat I read in one commentary that Acts 1: 1,2 could be titled:
"The Continuing Words and Deeds of Jesus by His Spirit through His Apostles"
That was helpful and encouraging to me because it indeed points to the God the Holy Spirit.
The gospels tells us what our Lord did in His earthy ministry, now we will see what He will do thru His Holy Spirit ( thru the apostles).
Jesus taught (He did a LOT of teaching) and did ( many miracles) and He died on the cross to pay for all my sins and millions of other peoples sins.
I am thinking we (I) need to be daily in the Word, so that if the Lord wills, I can be of assistance to some, or someone) or rather He will work thru me.
When Jesus ascended into Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit down to the apostles ( and believers) that were chosen.
What a joy, thrill, and honor to be chosen!!!
These 11 apostles were eyewitnesses to Jesus being resurrected physically ( not as a ghost or spirit)....by not just a few,
but by 'many' proofs.
These happened over a period of 40 days.
He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God.... the millennium Kingdom and when it merges with the eternal Kingdom
( and in the hearts of the believers) during this time
Acts 1:4-6
Interestingly Jesus ordered them to gasp 'wait'......not many people like to wait. In fact, I am guilty of looking at the end of a novel (to make sure it ends well) when often only a few pages or a chapter into the book! in fact, that is probably one of my main gripes about a kindle ( it is harder to go to the end and back to the beginning.)
I do love that God let us know a lot about how this life, world etc. is going to end.....so I can relax knowing He is in control, even if sometimes it might seem He is not...but knowing the end, I can actually see how it is working out.
Nevertheless, God does often say wait, and in this culture, that is almost an impossible command ( we have a cow if our computers run a second slow!!!)
Still, this was worth waiting for in Jerusalem....they were to wait for the promise of God!
I think Christians today may often get ahead of God's timing and it doesn't bode well. We need to be sure that God the Holy spirit and thru prayer and scripture point to what God wants us to do , when and where.
Just try to imagine this generation waiting as long as Sarah and Abraham for God's promise....if we can't wait one second with a slow computer....
( of course we are still waiting on God's time for the rapture and Jesus return for the millennium and the new Heaven and new earth). I guess we are getting a real lesson in waiting on God's time because He is in control not us.
But slowing down and waiting, makes it easier to hear the Lord and time for the Lord to do more work on us.
Sometimes waiting gives us more joy then if we get everything we want instantly all the time.
2 types of baptism, John's was good but not compete, but the Holy Spirit's eternal and Divine new birth.
Acts 1: 6-8
I guess I am not the only impatient one, the disciples knew Jesus would restore the kingdom but I am pretty sure, that wanted it to be yesterday.
I can relate,
but then Jesus gently says to them the timing is none of their business
( it is not so much they asked the question, Jesus did not say, he would not restore the kingdom, just the timing is not for them to know...no date setting allowed).
And He had another job for them to do, Jesus wanted people saved and He will give them power to evangelize thru the Holy Spirit..
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 10, 2018 14:16:28 GMT -5
Aha about losing 1/2 our electric power....
Perhaps it would have been less confusing it I said, 3 of the circuits went out ( the ones the computers, refrigerator and stove etc. were on.
So the bathroom, and back room was not effected, as they are on different circuits.
In fact, it kept going on and off and apparently did so last night, and has been threatening ( by flickering) to do so again, all day, so far, today.
Today, I can kind of understand, we do have some rain....but yesterday was not rainy or windy???
I think the Russians did it LOL
Actually, I read somewhere, they ( the Russians) 'claim' they can take down the whole USA electrical grid...
but who knows,
another conspiracy or fact?
Even IF they could, would it bode well for them to do so?
I would think that at least the military might have a special grid somewhere and the retaliation would be fierce.....plunging everyone into the 1700's or so.
How I got onto that???? LOL
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 10, 2018 15:47:37 GMT -5
Acts 1:9-11
Jesus had finished His work on earth and ascended into Heaven, so that the Holy Spirit would come.
His self imposed limitations was ended.
Most all commentaries say this was not an ordinary rain cloud but the Shekinah glory.
He would go prepare a place for us, and intercede for us in Heaven.
And we know how He will return, the same way He left.
While they were gazing watching this astonishing thing it says 2 men stood by, tho, it does not say they were angels, it is pretty clear they were...
I think by what they had to say.
I don't think their asking why (were they standing around, just looking at Heaven) was so much a rebuke, as an encouragement, that it was time to begin to get busy about their mission,
and
the angels gave them a promise of His return someday.
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Post by Cindy on Sept 11, 2018 10:58:48 GMT -5
Aha about losing 1/2 our electric power....
Perhaps it would have been less confusing it I said, 3 of the circuits went out ( the ones the computers, refrigerator and stove etc. were on.
So the bathroom, and back room was not effected, as they are on different circuits.
In fact, it kept going on and off and apparently did so last night, and has been threatening ( by flickering) to do so again, all day, so far, today.
Today, I can kind of understand, we do have some rain....but yesterday was not rainy or windy???
I think the Russians did it LOL
Actually, I read somewhere, they ( the Russians) 'claim' they can take down the whole USA electrical grid...
but who knows,
another conspiracy or fact?
Even IF they could, would it bode well for them to do so?
I would think that at least the military might have a special grid somewhere and the retaliation would be fierce.....plunging everyone into the 1700's or so.
How I got onto that???? LOL
I don't know how you got onto that lol. I don't know whether it's possible or not, although it wouldn't surprise me. What will be, will be. I don't really consider any of it, because I know that the Lord has me covered anyway. Any number of things "could" happen.... who knows? Only the Lord, really.
I'm glad you found the new thread. 
Acts 1:9-11
Jesus had finished His work on earth and ascended into Heaven, so that the Holy Spirit would come.
His self imposed limitations was ended.
Most all commentaries say this was not an ordinary rain cloud but the Shekinah glory.
He would go prepare a place for us, and intercede for us in Heaven.
And we know how He will return, the same way He left.
While they were gazing watching this astonishing thing it says 2 men stood by, tho, it does not say they were angels, it is pretty clear they were...
I think by what they had to say.
I don't think their asking why (were they standing around, just looking at Heaven) was so much a rebuke, as an encouragement, that it was time to begin to get busy about their mission,
and
the angels gave them a promise of His return someday.
Anyway, I love thinking about all of that especially considering that's how Jesus will return, and we will be with Him!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 11, 2018 13:19:27 GMT -5
Well, yesterday since the electric continued its dance of on again, off again....Leonard called the electric company.
I don't know if it's the same rules/law where you live or not, but here, they will take care of 'issues' if the problem is outside the dwelling, but if it is inside, then the owner must contact an electrician and pay them.
This time, it was 'outside'.
The electric company man repaired some wire on a pole, and said it should be good....
but even so, he would schedule a workforce to come out 'sometime' and redo a bunch of the wiring.
As to the rat....he or she is still with us. Leonard did buy an electric trap....which the rat has avoided so far. Oh the landlord paid for it, as it was spendy.
In any case, the 2 visiting cats have continued to hunt it in our place.
Last night, the semi wild cat,
who is almost totally domesticated and tame,
worked with me on a hunt.
Leonard has some very big canvases in the hall,
and she ( the cat) decided the rat was there,
but...
She could not get in between all the canvases, so I would move one, and she would stalk carefully sniffing etc.
then back out, and I would move the next one....and on it went....but then I heard the rat...but it got away....again sigh!!
However, it (the rat) no longer comes to where we sleep...for one this orange cat has taken to sleeping with Leonard....
and we still sleep with the light on.
But we may go for a day or two and not hear it at all.....just when I think it is gone...then I will hear it.
I don't want the place condemned tho.....this is probably the cheapest place to rent and we have so little money we might be homeless other wise.
Oh I guess we could move waaaaay inland, and find a place way out in the country we could afford, maybe
but where we are is one mile from hospital,
1/4 from grocery store, post office, drug store, and shops,
1/4 mile from library and so on.
Our car ( still paying on the other one,) is iffy....
so if we were way out in the country, and the car died, we would not be able to get to grocery stores, docs, etc or help Hossanah and so on.
Here if the car died, and if worse came to worse,
we could walk,
or catch a cab for 1/4 mile to get to these things.
Which does not mean I am at all happy with a rat in residence!!!
However, I know for sure, one of these 2 cats killed a rat ...cause they left it on our door steps as cats are want to do....
either they think we are baby kittens who cannot seem to catch our own food,
or its a 'gift'
or something? LOL
soooo, if they caught one rat, I am praying they will find and kill this one
or
it will finally try to new trap at some point and die quickly.
sigh.
By the way, I have a new question for you and Leonard will at some point send you an email....when he does I will also.
No its not about us,LOL
but a question about Doug's 'tract' he made ( it is almost totally scriptures)....well, I won't get into it here.
But I need some help, counsel, advise. and /or thoughts concerning it.
It will be in a day or two I am thinking.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 11, 2018 14:00:04 GMT -5
Acts !: 12-14
So since Jesus had commanded them to stay in Jerusalem, they obeyed and returned.
I think this is a good example for all believers, they did not do some other things first, or decide to do their own thing, etc. Instead they stuck to God's timetable and plan.
Then they went to the upper room where it would be private and devoted themselves to prayer ( and both v. 13 and 14 list who was there).
The neat thing is they were all of one accord/unity in this matter of prayer and waiting.
They didn't just give a minute for prayer or even 5 mins, and then went on about their business, they kept at it....praying continually...another example for believers.
But to those who think that woman were still treated poorly even by
Christian men back then, note the woman were included.
As an aside, MacArthur points out, that Mary the mother of Jesus, was praying to God, not being prayed to.
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Post by Cindy on Sept 12, 2018 9:44:49 GMT -5
Well, yesterday since the electric continued its dance of on again, off again....Leonard called the electric company.
I don't know if it's the same rules/law where you live or not, but here, they will take care of 'issues' if the problem is outside the dwelling, but if it is inside, then the owner must contact an electrician and pay them.
This time, it was 'outside'.
The electric company man repaired some wire on a pole, and said it should be good....
but even so, he would schedule a workforce to come out 'sometime' and redo a bunch of the wiring.
As to the rat....he or she is still with us. Leonard did buy an electric trap....which the rat has avoided so far. Oh the landlord paid for it, as it was spendy.
In any case, the 2 visiting cats have continued to hunt it in our place.
Last night, the semi wild cat,
who is almost totally domesticated and tame,
worked with me on a hunt.
Leonard has some very big canvases in the hall,
and she ( the cat) decided the rat was there,
but...
She could not get in between all the canvases, so I would move one, and she would stalk carefully sniffing etc.
then back out, and I would move the next one....and on it went....but then I heard the rat...but it got away....again sigh!!
However, it (the rat) no longer comes to where we sleep...for one this orange cat has taken to sleeping with Leonard....
and we still sleep with the light on.
But we may go for a day or two and not hear it at all.....just when I think it is gone...then I will hear it.
I don't want the place condemned tho.....this is probably the cheapest place to rent and we have so little money we might be homeless other wise.
Oh I guess we could move waaaaay inland, and find a place way out in the country we could afford, maybe
but where we are is one mile from hospital,
1/4 from grocery store, post office, drug store, and shops,
1/4 mile from library and so on.
Our car ( still paying on the other one,) is iffy....
so if we were way out in the country, and the car died, we would not be able to get to grocery stores, docs, etc or help Hossanah and so on.
Here if the car died, and if worse came to worse,
we could walk,
or catch a cab for 1/4 mile to get to these things.
Which does not mean I am at all happy with a rat in residence!!!
However, I know for sure, one of these 2 cats killed a rat ...cause they left it on our door steps as cats are want to do....
either they think we are baby kittens who cannot seem to catch our own food,
or its a 'gift'
or something? LOL
soooo, if they caught one rat, I am praying they will find and kill this one
or
it will finally try to new trap at some point and die quickly.
sigh.
By the way, I have a new question for you and Leonard will at some point send you an email....when he does I will also.
No its not about us,LOL
but a question about Doug's 'tract' he made ( it is almost totally scriptures)....well, I won't get into it here.
But I need some help, counsel, advise. and /or thoughts concerning it.
It will be in a day or two I am thinking.Acts !: 12-14
So since Jesus had commanded them to stay in Jerusalem, they obeyed and returned.
I think this is a good example for all believers, they did not do some other things first, or decide to do their own thing, etc. Instead they stuck to God's timetable and plan.
Then they went to the upper room where it would be private and devoted themselves to prayer ( and both v. 13 and 14 list who was there).
The neat thing is they were all of one accord/unity in this matter of prayer and waiting.
They didn't just give a minute for prayer or even 5 mins, and then went on about their business, they kept at it....praying continually...another example for believers.
But to those who think that woman were still treated poorly even by
Christian men back then, note the woman were included.
As an aside, MacArthur points out, that Mary the mother of Jesus, was praying to God, not being prayed to.
I have to ask though, are you really only reading a couple of verses at a time each day?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 12, 2018 13:30:42 GMT -5
I sometimes review what I read ( like start at verse one, and go on to the couple verses I am studying for the day.
But for example yesterday Devon was sick, ( and I was sneezing and congested as well.....in fact, I feel asleep while hanging out with him)
and I didn't get to the Bible study until afternoon-ish
I do intend to get back to a chapter a day ( or more), soon.
I am usually reading in my Bible throughout the day.
For example, when reading the Kids Left Behind books with Devon, I sometimes will read where certain things, in the series comes from, in the Bible.
and I often look up scriptures that may be in a book I am reading.
However even when studying 3 verses, it usually takes about 2 hours....
like following the notes trails in MacArthur Study Bible,
and going to the related scriptures,
also praying, reading commentaries, reflecting on the verses.
I usually read the whole chapter to get the overall view
and then
go to the next couple of verses in more depth .
Actually, I also have been so tired, starting when Hossanah was gone for a month training to be manager, and then this summer .....
Devon has only been in school ...today makes day #4
So finally........ I am slowly, beginning to get a bit more rest,
cleaning a few things at home ( esp. with a rat in residence)
But also, to... finally..... have more time,
in the Word.....
so I will make an effort to pick up the pace now :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 12, 2018 20:22:55 GMT -5
Acts 1: 15-26
So one of the first orders of 'business' when they got back from Jesus's ascension, was to chose a replacement for Judas the betrayer.
What is a little surprising is that there were 120 people there!!!
Tho this was not all the believers In Jerusalem, it was still a lot!!
It kind of reminds me a little of how the Lord in the old Testament, shaved down the army of Israel to just a few hundred ( so the people would know that God won the battle).
But speaking of an replacement, Luke first gives the tragic terrible ending/suicide to the betrayer Judas.
Judas willing betrayed Jesus, but at the same time fulfilled scripture.
Judas bought the field he died in, indirectly because he gave back the money to the Priest, but because they considered it blood money they bought the field with Judas money.
and people are always trying to find 'errors' in the Bible, and how Judas died is one thing they point to.....it says he hanged himself...it also says his body fell and his insides burst out.
Well, he did hang himself, and soon it started to decompose as bodies do.....and either the branch broke or the rope broke and he fell face down, and his organs etc fell out.
I didn't go into the explanation as to where Jesus ascended (Bethany or Mt Olives, but that would be like saying I live in Clatsop County,
or
I could say I live in Seaside....both are correct .
Anyway, Matthias was chosen, to replace Judas.
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Post by Cindy on Sept 13, 2018 11:32:36 GMT -5
I sometimes review what I read ( like start at verse one, and go on to the couple verses I am studying for the day.
But for example yesterday Devon was sick, ( and I was sneezing and congested as well.....in fact, I feel asleep while hanging out with him)
and I didn't get to the Bible study until afternoon-ish
I do intend to get back to a chapter a day ( or more), soon.
I am usually reading in my Bible throughout the day.
For example, when reading the Kids Left Behind books with Devon, I sometimes will read where certain things, in the series comes from, in the Bible.
and I often look up scriptures that may be in a book I am reading.
However even when studying 3 verses, it usually takes about 2 hours....
like following the notes trails in MacArthur Study Bible,
and going to the related scriptures,
also praying, reading commentaries, reflecting on the verses.
I usually read the whole chapter to get the overall view
and then
go to the next couple of verses in more depth .
Actually, I also have been so tired, starting when Hossanah was gone for a month training to be manager, and then this summer .....
Devon has only been in school ...today makes day #4
So finally........ I am slowly, beginning to get a bit more rest,
cleaning a few things at home ( esp. with a rat in residence)
But also, to... finally..... have more time,
in the Word.....
so I will make an effort to pick up the pace now :-)
 Acts 1: 15-26
So one of the first orders of 'business' when they got back from Jesus's ascension, was to chose a replacement for Judas the betrayer.
What is a little surprising is that there were 120 people there!!!
Tho this was not all the believers In Jerusalem, it was still a lot!!
It kind of reminds me a little of how the Lord in the old Testament, shaved down the army of Israel to just a few hundred ( so the people would know that God won the battle).
But speaking of an replacement, Luke first gives the tragic terrible ending/suicide to the betrayer Judas.
Judas willing betrayed Jesus, but at the same time fulfilled scripture.
Judas bought the field he died in, indirectly because he gave back the money to the Priest, but because they considered it blood money they bought the field with Judas money.
and people are always trying to find 'errors' in the Bible, and how Judas died is one thing they point to.....it says he hanged himself...it also says his body fell and his insides burst out.
Well, he did hang himself, and soon it started to decompose as bodies do.....and either the branch broke or the rope broke and he fell face down, and his organs etc fell out.
I didn't go into the explanation as to where Jesus ascended (Bethany or Mt Olives, but that would be like saying I live in Clatsop County,
or
I could say I live in Seaside....both are correct .
Anyway, Matthias was chosen, to replace Judas.
Acts 1:18 does not say that Judas committed suicide in the field that the priests bought with the money. That act would have defiled the land and the priests would never have purchased it. Matthew 27:7 states that the priests bought a field; Acts 1:18 states that the money Judas acquired was used to buy it. Judas could not have purchased a field with that money because he gave the money back to the priests. The priests called the cemetery “the field of blood” because it was purchased with “blood money.” Judas’ suicide added more “blood” to the name, since it was he who contributed the money. Judas hanged himself, and apparently the rope broke and his body (possibly already distended) burst open when it hit the ground. The Bible exposition commentary
I thought this was interesting too, although it seems like I just spoke about this recently.....I don't remember for sure though...
“Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)” (Acts 1:19)
Luke’s expression, “their language” is supposed to exclude himself from the Jewish nation. By way of undesigned coincidence, Paley has pointed out that in Colossians it is implied that Luke is not “of the circumcision,” in saying that Aristarchus, Marcus, and Justus were “of the circumcision” (Col 4:11), that Epaphras, Luke, and Demas, mentioned separately, were not (Col 4:12-14). The words “their proper tongue” or “their language” are taken to be the words and observation of Luke the historian, and not a part of Peter’s speech, in the midst of which they are found. Such words would not have been used by a Jew, but are suitable to the pen of a Gentile writing concerning Jews. This coincidence is so remote from all possibility of design, that it stands as substantial evidence of the historicity of Acts, and the authenticity of Paul’s epistle. Such an obscure relationship would not be the product of a forger, who would want validating relationships to be evident on the surface, or they might be missed by the intended audience, and furnish no evidence for authenticity of his document. The evidential strength of any observed undesigned coincidence is directly proportional to its obscurity. The less obvious the coincidence, the stronger evidence it furnishes for authenticity. The new treasury of scripture knowledge
Also, these verses are quite important as they give us the qualifications of an apostle: “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”” (Acts 1:21–22) (by the way, this also proves there are NO apostles today!)
Later, Paul was uniquely set apart as the apostle to the Gentiles, because he didn't meet the qualifications just given is why Paul said, speaking of Jesus: “and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:8–9) Because Paul was most definitely an unbeliever and had not known Jesus before His death and resurrection, he was absolutely sure that Jesus was in fact dead. Bless our Lord's heart that He loved Paul enough that He made a special appearance to him and declared him His apostle to the Gentiles! It shows how far our God will go to save someone too! Again the disciples, now apostles, and Paul must have wondered at why God had made him the apostle to the Gentiles and the others to the Jews. I wonder if any of them thought perhaps they or the Lord had got it wrong.... because the others were unlearned, only knowing what Jesus had taught them. Whereas Paul would have been the next Gamaliel, one of the highest most respected rabbis of all! You would think that Paul should have been sent to the Jews, and the others to the Gentiles, as that's the way the world would have done it. God obviously did the right thing though, and proved He always knows what is best.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 13, 2018 12:45:32 GMT -5
Acts 2:1-13
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
The coming of the Holy Spirit gave power to the church to begin to spread the gospel. It came 10 days after Jesus ascended into Heaven. The interesting thing to me, was the people waited for 10 days...they totally trusted what Jesus said would come, would in fact come....if it were today....maybe most people would last 1/2 a day, but 10 ???
Even assuming they might have thought it would come on the day of Pentecost ( since Jesus died on Passover) and so they all came to celebrate the Feast of Weeks, the Pentecost....still they had no idea when it would come, but yet they were in prayer and trusting ( faith) Jesus.
In any case, it seems like it still took them by surprise because 'suddenly' the sound 'like' a might wind....but I am thinking there was not really a wind ( could it have sounded like a tornado, because it seems like more people came because of the strong and powerful sound ?)
I read one commentary that was saying fire was considered as God's presence ( and also it give light). I thought that was interesting because I could not think of exactly why the Lord God would use tongues 'as of' ( or like) fire.
Then they were able to speak in other languages, so that many people could hear the gospel or exaltation of God, the good news /or testifying about Jesus.
And we get a list of some of the peoples and languages spoken.
I read another commentary addressing people who think we have to speaks in languages today in order to have the Holy Spirit...but they forget that this, one time event, also had the wind and fire included ( but they don't seem to think that is needed).
What was amazing to the gathered crowd, besides hearing the gospel and/or exaltation of God in their own language, was...
that this 'hillbillies', 'country bumpkins', unlearned men from Galatia were the ones speaking.
This was a miracle and greatly amazed them!!
But of course, there are always mockers , Skeptics, and nay sayers, and even so some said... ridiculing, sneering, saying: oh they are drunk.
Well, in a strange way, if they had been drunk ( and they were not),
it would have also been a miracle,
that these unlearned men, could speak foreign languages... drunk
( many drunks just babble nonsense),
I never knew one drunk to thus be able speak a foreign language....
never mind 120 drunks, all of a sudden being able to do so!!! )
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Post by Cindy on Sept 14, 2018 10:04:15 GMT -5
Acts 2:1-13
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
The coming of the Holy Spirit gave power to the church to begin to spread the gospel. It came 10 days after Jesus ascended into Heaven. The interesting thing to me, was the people waited for 10 days...they totally trusted what Jesus said would come, would in fact come....if it were today....maybe most people would last 1/2 a day, but 10 ???
Even assuming they might have thought it would come on the day of Pentecost ( since Jesus died on Passover) and so they all came to celebrate the Feast of Weeks, the Pentecost....still they had no idea when it would come, but yet they were in prayer and trusting ( faith) Jesus.
In any case, it seems like it still took them by surprise because 'suddenly' the sound 'like' a might wind....but I am thinking there was not really a wind ( could it have sounded like a tornado, because it seems like more people came because of the strong and powerful sound ?)
I read one commentary that was saying fire was considered as God's presence ( and also it give light). I thought that was interesting because I could not think of exactly why the Lord God would use tongues 'as of' ( or like) fire.
Then they were able to speak in other languages, so that many people could hear the gospel or exaltation of God, the good news /or testifying about Jesus.
And we get a list of some of the peoples and languages spoken.
I read another commentary addressing people who think we have to speaks in languages today in order to have the Holy Spirit...but they forget that this, one time event, also had the wind and fire included ( but they don't seem to think that is needed).
What was amazing to the gathered crowd, besides hearing the gospel and/or exaltation of God in their own language, was...
that this 'hillbillies', 'country bumpkins', unlearned men from Galatia were the ones speaking.
This was a miracle and greatly amazed them!!
But of course, there are always mockers , Skeptics, and nay sayers, and even so some said... ridiculing, sneering, saying: oh they are drunk.
Well, in a strange way, if they had been drunk ( and they were not),
it would have also been a miracle,
that these unlearned men, could speak foreign languages... drunk
( many drunks just babble nonsense),
I never knew one drunk to thus be able speak a foreign language....
never mind 120 drunks, all of a sudden being able to do so!!! )
I would like to mention another part that's often misunderstood and there's much false teaching about: Acts 2:17-21. This is a much misunderstood passage. Like many other prophetic verses, this will be fulfilled twice. The first time it was partially fulfilled at Pentecost. The passage itself is Peter repeating the prophecy in Joel 2 and explaining that it's being partially fulfilled right in front of them. This will be fulfilled one last time during the Tribulation. This passage is not talking about "now" during the end times, but is speaking of what will happen during the Tribulation. Remember, the church is living in the age of Grace. It is our lot to believe by faith and not by sight. However, when the church was born, it was born with a great many signs and wonders. Those things slowly fell off until they were rare instead of happening all the time. So for the vast majority of the Church Age, there would not be (and there wasn't) a lot of signs and wonders being performed.
Once the Tribulation starts however, then this passage will be totally fulfilled and there will once again be many signs and wonders going on. This is one of the things about the Tribulation that fascinates me. This is where God once again turns His attention back to the Jews. Once again God will perform miracles almost as a matter of routine and I'm not talking about the judgments either. Think about it: there will be angels flying around in plain view preaching the gospel! Revelation 14:6. Now if that alone isn't miraculous, then I don't know what is!
And that's only one of the things He will be doing. People will be doing as this passage says, and they will suddenly begin to prophesy just as they did in the OT! Now I'm not talking about the kind of so called prophecies we have going on by the false teachers and false prophets today. I'm talking about the good old fashioned REAL prophecies that will be able to be verified very quickly. (just like what happened in the OT days) They won't be "generalizations" but will be quite specific and they will be 100% accurate! The same way with dreams. Most of the stuff going on today by the false teachers and false prophets is nothing but garbage.
What will happen then, will be Truth and straight from God. Some people today are experiencing a tiny portion of this prophecy as God begins to get us ready for Jesus to return. But what they're experiencing is as I said, nothing more then the bare edges of this prophecy as we get closer to the time of it's fulfillment. We are also experiencing Satan's new age counterfeit which he lures people in with. So we have that going on now too. That is all just part of the signs of our time though. I doubt if anyone here has fully experienced the kind of dreams this prophecy is talking about. These dreams are dreams like those in the OT again. They are prophetic dreams and the reason for them is to either bring people to repentance and to Christ or to show them God's judgment of them if they don't or won't come to Christ. And again these judgments will be of the kind in the OT. Remember, God is turning His attention back to the Jews and will be operating the same way He operated before Christ came the first time.
Again, it's funny how they will use one part of a passage but then leave out another. You don't hear them mention this verse: “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.” (Acts 2:20) And they often leave out the last part too since that's old stuff to them: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Acts 2:21)
Here is the entire passage:
““ ‘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. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Acts 2:17–21)
Now see the original one which Peter was quoting:
““And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.” (Joel 2:28–32)
It's all of one piece and all goes together and obviously isn't talking about today, but about the tribulation, just before the second coming. God as always does His best to save everyone that's willing before Jesus comes as judge.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 14, 2018 13:51:40 GMT -5
Thank you for that added info about dreams and visions.
I know people like to pick and choose verses, and even part of a verse.
I think some people, just don't know to continue reading to the end of the sentence, but I do think False teachers know, but use parts of verses or one verse as part of their smoke and mirrors act as the fleece people of millions of dollars.
Well, you could say a 'god' (aka satan) wants them ( false teachers anyway) to be rich.....
so he uses them, and makes them rich
and like Judas they get their 30 pieces of silver....for awhile,
but....
in the end,
the false teachers will wish they had never accepted millions of dollars in this life.....
for what shall a man gain, if he gain the whole world but lose his (eternal) life?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 14, 2018 15:21:07 GMT -5
Acts 2: 14-20
I am not sure if all 12 apostles ( now with Matthias) all actually stood up or not, but I do think they were all in agreement with what Peter had to say.
No longer a coward, he spoke loudly and clearly,firmly, kindly, respectfully ( unlike the scoffers) and boldly.
He explains they are not drunk with wine, it's only 9 in the morning!!
Today, I'd be tempted to give an eye-roll ( but since I personally don't drink alcohol at all....)
He goes on to explain that this (the 120 speaking in know foreign languages) is a partial fulfillment
( or the 1 st fulfillment....the 2nd will come in the tribulation)....
of Joel's prophecy....of the Holy Spirit being poured out on all those who believed in Jesus....and possibly on all men in full at the end of this evil age.
One commentator mentions that Joel does not even mention speaking in tongues!!
Joel does talk about prophesying.
Prophecy is the ability, to declare the Word of God, to tell forth the Word of God.
And another commentator pointed out Peter did not have a Bible handy to look up Joel...it was from memorizing!
This is an example for us, the day may come when we don't have a Bible, or a cell phone, computer etc, to be able to look up passages, so that is a good reason to memorize scripture.
And there is more, they won't just prophesize they will be accompanying cosmic signs
on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
As you pointed out, the so called prophets today, neglect the sun being dark, and the moon blood red.
The 'last days' started with Jesus.,,,the 'last day is a specific day.
As an aside, Dreams and visions ( at any time) are never above the Word of God....the Bible. They do not stand equal in my thought, and cannot be added to the Word or take away from it. And of course, in my mind, one has to be ever so careful of where this is coming from...a fallen angel/demon?
It goes without saying that anything from a non-believer is not in this category, because it clearly states these belong to God, they are His servants.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 15, 2018 12:50:41 GMT -5
Acts 2:21-24
God in His mercy provide a way from the wrath of Hell to come, and it is thru Jesus.
Jesus performed miracles which gave proof and evidence that He was certified declared to be true and genuine by God. These proved Jesus was who He said He was. his miracles were plainly seen.
The unbelieving Jews and many people today think if Jesus was really God He would have used His power and avoided the horror of being crucified.....
What they miss is Jesus was not some man with some nice sayings but was a hapless a victim of things gone array....
no this was a plan
What??!!!
what kind of plan is it to get oneself crucified???
The greatest love ever demonstrated....
because Jesus was perfect as 100% man and 100% God< he could take our sins and pay for them in full ( instead of our paying for them in Hell for eternity.).
Jesus was not caught off guard, and surprised by what happened, He had been saying it right along. This was done by evil men, who made this choice but it fit into God's plan.
The greatest proof of Jesus is His resurrection.
24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 16, 2018 14:26:47 GMT -5
Acts 2:25-28
Peter quotes Psalm 16: 8-11
In these verses David attests that the Messiah's death and resurrection were a part of God's plan.
Often in scripture the verse concerns the actual time and/or person when it was written, but also refers to the future. Jesus, Himself said the OT scriptures spoke about Him....and so do these verses.
David speaks prophetically of the Messiah, and this is why Peter quotes it.
So tho the Jews knew Jesus did miracles, they thought he could not be their messiah because of his death on the cross.
But since death could not and did not hold Him ( as this psalm says), it was proof He was who He said He was, God the Son, the Messiah.
In one sense believers have to count the cost of belonging to Jesus, everything from perhaps scorn, loss of jobs, friends, family, and even life, but on the other hand, it also has Joy
That God will absolutely NOT abandon His Holy one in Hades refers to Jesus Christ the Messiah, Jesus body would not go thru the normal decay process.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 17, 2018 12:28:15 GMT -5
Acts 2:29-33
So Peter makes the point that Psalm 16 which he quoted from cannot be about David, in that David died and his body corrupted.
However He (David as a king but also prophet) knew and believed God's promise,that there would be one in the future from his line that would not decay and would be resurrected ( Jesus).
They were witnesses to the resurrected Christ who therefore ( in part based on the Messianic psalm 16) was the promised Messiah.
Because God raised Jesus, he was NOT cursed but approved by Father God.
The 120 had all witness the ascension of Jesus and those people who came who were not believers witnessed the Holy Spirit on them. Jesus could not sent the Holy spirit unless He was raised and was now in Heaven ( in order to send the Holy Spirit).
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Post by Cindy on Sept 18, 2018 10:17:07 GMT -5
Thank you for that added info about dreams and visions.
I know people like to pick and choose verses, and even part of a verse.
I think some people, just don't know to continue reading to the end of the sentence, but I do think False teachers know, but use parts of verses or one verse as part of their smoke and mirrors act as the fleece people of millions of dollars.
Well, you could say a 'god' (aka satan) wants them ( false teachers anyway) to be rich.....
so he uses them, and makes them rich
and like Judas they get their 30 pieces of silver....for awhile,
but....
in the end,
the false teachers will wish they had never accepted millions of dollars in this life.....
for what shall a man gain, if he gain the whole world but lose his (eternal) life?  That's for sure!
Acts 2: 14-20
I am not sure if all 12 apostles ( now with Matthias) all actually stood up or not, but I do think they were all in agreement with what Peter had to say.
No longer a coward, he spoke loudly and clearly,firmly, kindly, respectfully ( unlike the scoffers) and boldly.
He explains they are not drunk with wine, it's only 9 in the morning!!
Today, I'd be tempted to give an eye-roll ( but since I personally don't drink alcohol at all....)
He goes on to explain that this (the 120 speaking in know foreign languages) is a partial fulfillment
( or the 1 st fulfillment....the 2nd will come in the tribulation)....
of Joel's prophecy....of the Holy Spirit being poured out on all those who believed in Jesus....and possibly on all men in full at the end of this evil age.
One commentator mentions that Joel does not even mention speaking in tongues!!
Joel does talk about prophesying.
Prophecy is the ability, to declare the Word of God, to tell forth the Word of God.
And another commentator pointed out Peter did not have a Bible handy to look up Joel...it was from memorizing!
This is an example for us, the day may come when we don't have a Bible, or a cell phone, computer etc, to be able to look up passages, so that is a good reason to memorize scripture.
And there is more, they won't just prophesize they will be accompanying cosmic signs
on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
As you pointed out, the so called prophets today, neglect the sun being dark, and the moon blood red.
The 'last days' started with Jesus.,,,the 'last day is a specific day.
As an aside, Dreams and visions ( at any time) are never above the Word of God....the Bible. They do not stand equal in my thought, and cannot be added to the Word or take away from it. And of course, in my mind, one has to be ever so careful of where this is coming from...a fallen angel/demon?
It goes without saying that anything from a non-believer is not in this category, because it clearly states these belong to God, they are His servants.
Acts 2:21-24
God in His mercy provide a way from the wrath of Hell to come, and it is thru Jesus.
Jesus performed miracles which gave proof and evidence that He was certified declared to be true and genuine by God. These proved Jesus was who He said He was. his miracles were plainly seen.
The unbelieving Jews and many people today think if Jesus was really God He would have used His power and avoided the horror of being crucified.....
What they miss is Jesus was not some man with some nice sayings but was a hapless a victim of things gone array....
no this was a plan
What??!!!
what kind of plan is it to get oneself crucified???
The greatest love ever demonstrated....
because Jesus was perfect as 100% man and 100% God< he could take our sins and pay for them in full ( instead of our paying for them in Hell for eternity.).
Jesus was not caught off guard, and surprised by what happened, He had been saying it right along. This was done by evil men, who made this choice but it fit into God's plan.
The greatest proof of Jesus is His resurrection.
24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:25-28
Peter quotes Psalm 16: 8-11
In these verses David attests that the Messiah's death and resurrection were a part of God's plan.
Often in scripture the verse concerns the actual time and/or person when it was written, but also refers to the future. Jesus, Himself said the OT scriptures spoke about Him....and so do these verses.
David speaks prophetically of the Messiah, and this is why Peter quotes it.
So tho the Jews knew Jesus did miracles, they thought he could not be their messiah because of his death on the cross.
But since death could not and did not hold Him ( as this psalm says), it was proof He was who He said He was, God the Son, the Messiah.
In one sense believers have to count the cost of belonging to Jesus, everything from perhaps scorn, loss of jobs, friends, family, and even life, but on the other hand, it also has Joy
That God will absolutely NOT abandon His Holy one in Hades refers to Jesus Christ the Messiah, Jesus body would not go thru the normal decay process.
Acts 2:29-33
So Peter makes the point that Psalm 16 which he quoted from cannot be about David, in that David died and his body corrupted.
However He (David as a king but also prophet) knew and believed God's promise,that there would be one in the future from his line that would not decay and would be resurrected ( Jesus).
They were witnesses to the resurrected Christ who therefore ( in part based on the Messianic psalm 16) was the promised Messiah.
Because God raised Jesus, he was NOT cursed but approved by Father God.
The 120 had all witness the ascension of Jesus and those people who came who were not believers witnessed the Holy Spirit on them. Jesus could not sent the Holy spirit unless He was raised and was now in Heaven ( in order to send the Holy Spirit).
I'm going to go start that other study for you in this forum but in a new thread. It's up to you how we do it. We can either stop doing Acts for a while, or what I think might be better is for you to do Acts during the week, and then on the weekends you can do this other study.... But you'd better look at it first, as it might be too much for you to do in two days.... I'm not sure. Just do it however you're most comfortable with it.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 18, 2018 12:57:37 GMT -5
Yes, I think you are right, Acts during the week and the other on the weekend.
It's funny because I went there first, before coming here and I even asked there ( more or less) if I was to do it then or????
As the saying goes: All great minds run in the same vein LOL :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 18, 2018 14:39:28 GMT -5
Acts 2:34-37
Next Peter quotes from Psalm 110:1
Nowhere in scripture does it say, David ascended into Heaven, however Psalm 110
shows ( and proves) the Messiah ascended into Heaven
( and is not just a man ...but God),
and there were many many witness that saw Jesus ascend into Heaven.
And this verse alludes to one God, but 2 persons ....(actually 3)
but Lord and Lord are in this verse.
Thus Jesus was able to send the Holy Spirit as a gift, like He said He would.
Until suggests a time gab as one commentator said. In other words, Jesus enemies are still about for a time.
This really convicted a great number of the listeners, the truth cut them to the heart! And they asked what shall they do?
It is necessary for all who are to be converted ( born again) to come to realize how deep and terrible their sin is. It was not just these people who crucified our Lord Jesus, but every man or woman who has lived ( by our sins).
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Post by Cindy on Sept 19, 2018 9:33:07 GMT -5
Yes, I think you are right, Acts during the week and the other on the weekend.
It's funny because I went there first, before coming here and I even asked there ( more or less) if I was to do it then or????
As the saying goes: All great minds run in the same vein LOL :-) Acts 2:34-37
Next Peter quotes from Psalm 110:1
Nowhere in scripture does it say, David ascended into Heaven, however Psalm 110
shows ( and proves) the Messiah ascended into Heaven
( and is not just a man ...but God),
and there were many many witness that saw Jesus ascend into Heaven.
And this verse alludes to one God, but 2 persons ....(actually 3)
but Lord and Lord are in this verse.
Thus Jesus was able to send the Holy Spirit as a gift, like He said He would.
Until suggests a time gab as one commentator said. In other words, Jesus enemies are still about for a time.
This really convicted a great number of the listeners, the truth cut them to the heart! And they asked what shall they do?
It is necessary for all who are to be converted ( born again) to come to realize how deep and terrible their sin is. It was not just these people who crucified our Lord Jesus, but every man or woman who has lived ( by our sins).
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 19, 2018 11:30:29 GMT -5
We still haven't gotten baptized but Leonard called the church about a month ago, and they were going to have a class....which we were not able to make it to.
I keep wondering tho, if Leonard needs to renounce (or repent as the Bible says) the spiritual brotherhood.....he still believes in
(he thinks it is the Holy spirit,
kind of like Pentecostalism in many ways) ....
and in Jesus.
So I wonder if maybe that is part of the hold up.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 19, 2018 12:32:57 GMT -5
acts 2: 38-
You pretty much covered v. 38
I guess I would add that repenting is not a suggestion, but a command. It's a word many people do not like, it seems hard, cold or harsh, but that is because sin is that serious!
Repentance show a change of one's mind, we no longer make excuses for sins....it may be a fact our childhood was indeed horrible, but that still does not excuse us for what sins we chose , we no longer use the victim card ( even if we were victims), we do not blame God for evil ( but know men choose to do evil of their own will and accord) and so on.
The promise of the Holy Spirit is to all ( children, friends, anyone anywhere) those who repent and trust in Jesus. I read in one commentary that read in one section: Christianity a religion of Promise .
well, I know, it's a 'relationship' with God....but I liked the idea of Promises....if my Lord makes a promise, it WILL be kept! And so it was and is about the Holy spirit.
This verse in a strange way reminds me of an incident that happened awhile ago. One of our neighbors in our complex, groused to Leonard something about Christianity being an 'exclusive club'!!!
Leonard calmly replied: "Yes, it is....and one that anyone can join".
It did give our neighbor something to consider....Leonard did not go into a big explanation about it not being a 'club' (because that was not really what our friend was grumbling about and this friend/neighbor was in a hurry to get to work, and not be late).
But our Lord and Savior, Jesus, doesn't limit who can be saved ( it does not matter your race, your sex, your age etc etc).
V. 40 let's us know, this is not all that Peter said ( it might have been hours long!!??)
I know the unbelieving ( in those days the Jews, but really all who do not believe) were hardhearted and unyielding .... as they are today.
There but for the grace of God would I have stayed....angry, self centered ( I still struggle greatly with that), sin filled but not caring, rebellious, proud, etc etc. I am so grateful Jesus saved me from being a part of the untoward generation ( which is every generation really).
Anyway, 3,000 were converted and saved ( and baptized!!!) Wow!
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls and continued in doctrine, prayers etc.
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Post by Cindy on Sept 20, 2018 9:23:26 GMT -5
We still haven't gotten baptized but Leonard called the church about a month ago, and they were going to have a class....which we were not able to make it to.
I keep wondering tho, if Leonard needs to renounce (or repent as the Bible says) the spiritual brotherhood.....he still believes in
(he thinks it is the Holy spirit,
kind of like Pentecostalism in many ways) ....
and in Jesus.
So I wonder if maybe that is part of the hold up.
I wouldn't worry about Leonard's belief about that cult. The Lord Himself will show Him the truth in His perfect timing. The best thing you can do is leave that topic alone and let the Lord handle it. The important thing is that Leonard understands that the Bible alone is God's Word and has the only and final say about everything.
acts 2: 38-
You pretty much covered v. 38
I guess I would add that repenting is not a suggestion, but a command. It's a word many people do not like, it seems hard, cold or harsh, but that is because sin is that serious!
Repentance show a change of one's mind, we no longer make excuses for sins....it may be a fact our childhood was indeed horrible, but that still does not excuse us for what sins we chose , we no longer use the victim card ( even if we were victims), we do not blame God for evil ( but know men choose to do evil of their own will and accord) and so on.
The promise of the Holy Spirit is to all ( children, friends, anyone anywhere) those who repent and trust in Jesus. I read in one commentary that read in one section: Christianity a religion of Promise .
well, I know, it's a 'relationship' with God....but I liked the idea of Promises....if my Lord makes a promise, it WILL be kept! And so it was and is about the Holy spirit.
This verse in a strange way reminds me of an incident that happened awhile ago. One of our neighbors in our complex, groused to Leonard something about Christianity being an 'exclusive club'!!!
Leonard calmly replied: "Yes, it is....and one that anyone can join".
It did give our neighbor something to consider....Leonard did not go into a big explanation about it not being a 'club' (because that was not really what our friend was grumbling about and this friend/neighbor was in a hurry to get to work, and not be late).
But our Lord and Savior, Jesus, doesn't limit who can be saved ( it does not matter your race, your sex, your age etc etc).
V. 40 let's us know, this is not all that Peter said ( it might have been hours long!!??)
I know the unbelieving ( in those days the Jews, but really all who do not believe) were hardhearted and unyielding .... as they are today.
There but for the grace of God would I have stayed....angry, self centered ( I still struggle greatly with that), sin filled but not caring, rebellious, proud, etc etc. I am so grateful Jesus saved me from being a part of the untoward generation ( which is every generation really).
Anyway, 3,000 were converted and saved ( and baptized!!!) Wow!
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls and continued in doctrine, prayers etc.
What Leonard said to him was absolutely perfect! To often we tend to think that we have to "explain" everything, but we don't! Often the best reply is one that's short and to the point, it's just enough to make the person think, and not enough to cause them to become defensive and stop listening. Another thing that's neat about it is that when at some point that person becomes saved, the Lord will give Leonard credit for doing his part to bring them to salvation!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 20, 2018 13:25:15 GMT -5
Your reply was so helpful!!! I can't thank you enough!!!!!!!!!!
An interesting thing, today I was listening to Amir Tsarfati....
a Jew from Israel who is a believer and Bible teacher, Jan Markell has him at her conferences
( I really like him, and so does Leonard).
Anyway, Leonard told me that Amir had a new video out, and I asked if it was good, and he said, yes as it always is.
So, I watched.
What was interesting to me, was near the end of the video, Amir was saying how the Jews are all fasting in Israel now,
but
they make a big display to each other, rather than rending their hearts to God ( perhaps not word perfect but that was his point).
He went on to say, many religions do this
( make a big show to everyone instead of focusing on their sins and God)
Which is what they would do in the cult
as they would all do Ramadan...
it was not a or done in 'secret'
they often might joke about it ( like weird things that happened as a result, or if they were hungry etc.etc). ....
But the thing was, this was just one of many things that I saw as so wrong about it, but I never said...
but God brought it up, thru Amir's video.
I do not know if Leonard made the same connection, but he heard the video....so you are so right....
I need to and have been leaving it up to God.
But I never thought about the fact, many people who are baptized still have many false ideas.
Certainly Leonard has many right ideas and more added each day and it is up to God.
But that takes away one of my biggest concerns, so thank you soooo much.
No doubt, I too have an eternity of learning about God....so as the teens would say....
yeah!
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That's for sure!
