Category: early Acts period

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #65

Friday, July 24, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

The Apostle Peter preached to Israel in chapter 3 of Acts, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began…. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (verses 19-21,25,26).

With the founding of God’s earthly kingdom (Matthew 5:5; Matthew 25:31,34; et cetera) still in view in early Acts, the “signs” of the Gospel of the Kingdom continued to be present—picking up exactly where Mark chapter 16 concluded. The healing of the lame man in the opening of Acts chapter 3 typifies Israel restored to kingdom glory (see Peter’s sermon beginning chapter 4). Chapter 5 elaborates: “[12] And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people [Israel!]; (and they were all with one accord in [king!] Solomon’s porch. [13] And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. [14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) [15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. [16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”

Again, in Scripture, “signs” and Israel go together….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #64

Thursday, July 23, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

When JEHOVAH God brought Israel out of Egyptian slavery, He was thinking of His earthly kingdom headquartered in the Promised Land. Read this excerpt from the Song of Moses, Exodus chapter 15: “Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain [kingdom] of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever” (verses 17,18). Skip over to chapter 19, verses 5 and 6: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Gospel of the Kingdom was preached with accompanying miracles of casting out devils and healing the sick (reminiscent of Moses’ snake-handling and leprosy-healing in Exodus chapter 4!). “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick [insane], and those that had the palsy [paralytics]; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:23,24; cf. Luke 6:17-19). “And as ye [12 Apostles] go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7,8). “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:…” (Mark 3:14,15).

Observe again how these miracles are twice designated as “signs” in Mark 16:15-20, Mark’s conclusion bringing us into early Acts….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #51

Friday, July 10, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Over 20 years after his conversion in Acts chapter 9, Paul recounted in Acts 26:9-18: “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

“And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee [“apostello”], To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

Though apostate Israelites and heathen Romans meant Calvary for evil, God made Christ’s finished crosswork the basis for being favorable toward this sinful, hostile world. Here is what Saul learned outside of Damascus, the newly-revealed Gospel message he had just believed for his own salvation from sins. This was the “Good News” he was commissioned to preach to everyone without distinction….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #50

Thursday, July 9, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

After holding the clothes of Stephen’s murderers as they stoned him to death, unbelieving Saul of Tarsus kept on mercilessly abusing and torturing those members of Israel’s Little Flock (Jewish believers in Jesus Christ): “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock [turmoil] of the church, entering into every house, and haling [dragging] men and women committed them to prison” (Acts 8:1-3). Without any compunction, Saul was committing genocide!

Heading to Damascus to continue his rampage of religious fanaticism, this self-righteous snob was totally surprised to learn how the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ had arranged an appointment with him: “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:1-6).

Saul expected to die in his sins right there, God’s flaming fire burning him alive and Divine vengeance crushing him without delay. Yet, amazingly, un-prophesied grace and peace from God allowed Saul to convert to Christ and end up being in His ministry that very day….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #49

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Recall how, in the opening chapters of the Book of Acts, the Little Flock (Israel’s believing remnant, the Messianic Church) preached sermons that anticipated the imminent wrath and judgment of God on unbelievers. As per Psalm 2:1-8, the order of prophecy was: (1) Jesus Christ’s rejection and crucifixion by unbelieving Jews and unbelieving Gentiles united in satanic conspiracy (verses 1-3), (2) God’s response of wrath and war against those Jews and Gentiles (verses 4,5), and (3) Jesus Christ’s reign over the nations in the Earth (verses 6-8). (Remember, Acts 4:25-28 sheds some light here.) Anyone familiar with the Hebrew Bible during that time expected nothing but an uninterrupted unfolding of successive prophetic events, one coming right after the other.

Therefore, what startled the world was this. As Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven and sat at His Father’s right hand (Acts chapter 1), and then stood to prepare to make His enemies His footstool (defeat them) in Acts chapter 7 (cf. Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34-36), He never actually came back in that flaming fire and vengeance. While unbelieving Israel blasphemed against the Holy Ghost and silenced Spirit-filled Stephen via stoning (Acts 7:54-60; cf. Matthew 12:31,32; Mark 3:28-30), one of those unbelievers present was Saul… who later became the Apostle Paul!

Years afterward, Paul wrote: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1:12-16).

In Acts chapter 9, Christ indeed came back—but in an un-prophesied (secret) return of “grace and peace” to save and commission Saul/Paul, His chief enemy in the Earth….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #48

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Some 30 years after his early Acts sermons, now-aged Peter addresses the accusations of unbelieving ridiculers: “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:1-9).

As God punished sin with the Great Flood of water (Genesis chapters 6–8), so He will mete out righteous judgment again—but, this time, with fire! For now, He is longsuffering, putting up with sinners long time. Why? Peter continues in verses 15 and 16, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

Pauline revelation explains the reason for the delayed wrath of God….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #47

Monday, July 6, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

King David prophesied in Psalm 2:1-5: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.” (God’s judgment on unbelieving Israel and unbelieving Romans/Gentiles was to immediately follow Calvary’s cross. See the interpretation in Acts 4:24-30.)

Quoting Joel 2:30-32, the Apostle Peter in early Acts (right after Christ’s crucifixion) warned unbelieving Israel about coming wrath and judgment: “And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:19-21). He continued, “For Moses truly said unto the fathers [Deuteronomy 18:15,18,19], A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people” (Acts 3:22,23). Unbelieving, Christ-rejecting Israelites would be “destroyed!”

By Acts chapter 7, Israel’s one-year extension of mercy closes with Stephen’s sermon and ensuing stoning: “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (verses 55,56). “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1; cf. Acts 2:33-36).

Yet, Christ never came back, and there has never been such wrath… yet….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #24

Thursday, June 11, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Observe! It was the LORD God’s intention to bless the world/nations/Gentiles through the nation Israel’s rise to kingdom glory (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 3:24-26). That was the heart of “prophecy” (cf. Matthew 25:34; Luke 1:68-75; Acts 3:20-23). However, Israel rejected Messiah-King Jesus and crucified Him in unbelief (John 19:14,15), refusing to trust Him even after His death, burial, and resurrection… which brings us into early Acts, the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the 12 Apostles. With national Israel spurning Jesus Christ for three years (Matthew to John) and snubbing the Holy Spirit for one year (early Acts), she falls in Acts chapter 7 by stoning Stephen who is filled with the Holy Ghost (see Matthew 12:31,32; Mark 3:28-30; Luke 13:6-9).

Paul’s apostleship, which commences in Acts chapter 9, is introduced because of Israel’s fall. Romans chapter 11: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them…. [25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [secret, once-hidden wisdom now revealed through Pauline doctrine!], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits [do not think you are Israel or that you have replaced Israel!]; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

It is through the nation Israel’s fall that salvation currently comes to the Gentiles/nations/world, for the God of the Bible utilizes Paul’s ministry to reach out to all people without distinction during the operation of “mystery” (Romans 16:25,26)….

Christ Liveth in Me

Sunday, April 5, 2026

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

“He is risen” is not a simple blasé cliché!

When Jesus’ disciples came to His tomb on that glorious Sunday morning nearly 2,000 years ago, they were startled to find it empty! Angels inform them that He has resurrected, but they are still in shock (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-8). Jesus Christ Himself must later explain the Scriptures to them regarding what happened those last few days (Luke 24:44-46).

However, until Paul’s ministry, Christ’s finished crosswork is not preached as good news for salvation. Peter and Israel’s other apostles simply preach that Jesus Christ is now resurrected to “sit on [David’s] throne” (Acts 2:30)—that is bad news for much of Israel, for they still reject Him, weeks and months after His resurrection and ascension. Throughout early Acts, Israel’s apostles warn her that Jesus Christ is coming back to judge them.

When we come to the Apostle Paul’s ministry, we learn that we Gentiles can benefit from Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. Israel’s rejected Messiah is now our way to heaven! Yes, Israel hated Him, and demanded that He experience the most awful method of execution devised, but God allowed it in order to accomplish His will. Satan attempted to hinder God’s will by having Christ killed, but all that did was provide the method whereby God could save us pagan Gentiles. Calvary’s finished crosswork frees us from Satan’s evil system and gives us a chance to be God’s people (Acts 26:17,18)!

As people who have trusted Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins, that crucifixion is our death to self and sin, and that resurrection is our raising to walk in newness of life—His life (today’s Scripture; cf. Romans 6:1-11)!

Indeed, Jesus Christ is alive, and He lives in and through those who walk by faith in God’s Word to them, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon! 🙂

HAPPY EASTER!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study by the same name. That study can be read here or watched here.

*By the way, we have (finally!) resumed our New Testament Survey Project! Our latest Ephesians study is here.

A Hope Reserved for Israel in Heaven? #9

Saturday, February 7, 2026

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 KJV).

Perhaps we can search the Scriptures to resolve an apparent contradiction, thereby perfecting that which is lacking in superficial readers….

With national Israel refusing to repent (change the mind) and believe the Gospel of the Kingdom during Christ’s earthly ministry, the King goes back to Heaven as a “Royal Exile.” At some later time, the Lord Jesus will return to reign, just as the Apostle Peter preaches in early Acts: “Whom [Jesus Christ] the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). Also 1 Peter 3:22: “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

In today’s Scripture, Israel is actually awaiting that kingdom—and Christ’s Second Coming that will bring it to Earth from Heaven: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9).

Observe the “Our Father” Prayer: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come [to Earth from Heaven], Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9,10). “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth” (Luke 11:2). Father God is “in heaven” because unbelieving Israel has rejected Him….

NOTE: In order to bring you a special study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂