Category: early Acts period

Training Replacements #5

Friday, June 13, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

Though they forsook Him in Gethsemane, the Lord restored the 11 Apostles to ministry during the 40 days following His resurrection (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:45-53; John 20:21-23; John 21:1-25; Acts 1:1-12). During this time, He also instructed them from the Old Testament Scriptures how Judas Iscariot’s vacated office needed to be filled—and He ultimately chose Matthias to occupy that twelfth position (Acts 1:15-26; cf. Luke 24:44,45). Approximately a week after Christ’s ascension, the Holy Ghost comes down upon the Little Flock on the Day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2).

As before with Christ’s earthly ministry, the Apostle Peter calls Israel to repentance or change in mind—except, now in early Acts, the crucifixion is a further development in their unbelief and rejection of Messiah. All the words Jesus spoke, and all the miracles He performed during Matthew to John, are on Peter’s mind as the Holy Spirit brings those events to his memory (Acts 2:22-24,32,36; cf. Acts 3:13-21; Acts 4:10-13; Acts 5:29-32; et cetera; cf. Acts 10:34-43).

Scanning those chapters of early Acts, we discover how the 12’s ministry is an extension of Christ’s earthly ministry. Individual Jewish salvation, Israel’s national conversion, and the nation’s subsequent rise to kingdom glory to bless all nations or Gentiles, are still the primary issues (Acts 3:19-26). Miraculous demonstrations to confirm that word—miracles to preview the kingdom blessings—still play an integral part in God’s ministry (Mark 16:17,18; Acts 2:43; Acts 3:1-12; Acts 4:7-17; Acts 5:1-16; Hebrews 2:3-5; Hebrews 6:4,5). These ordinary, weak, fallible men have been “endued [gifted, empowered] with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), exactly as Christ foretold in Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Nevertheless, something drastic interrupted their fulfillment of that commission….

Training Replacements #4

Thursday, June 12, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

Israel’s opposition to the Lord Jesus Christ gradually increased during those three years. He ordained 12 Apostles in Matthew chapter 10. Israel’s unbelief culminated in chapter 12 (see verses 14-21), with the nation’s religious leaders plotting to murder Him. It is here that His public ministry begins to close and a private ministry commences.

By the time of chapter 13 (cf. Mark chapter 4 and Luke chapter 8), He preaches to the multitudes in parables (riddles, stories with hidden meanings), but, in private, He explains all of these parables to His disciples—especially His Apostles. Note particularly Matthew 13:1-17, Mark 4:1-13, and Luke 8:1-10. These parables are spoken in light of His soon departure—His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. His First Coming will end with His return to His Heavenly Father. While He is gone, the parables are in force all the way to His Second Coming and subsequent Millennial Kingdom.

In the context of today’s Scripture (John chapters 13–16)—what is known as the “Upper-Room Sermon”—Christ is having a final meal (Passover) with His Apostles and other members of the Little Flock. He is then on His way with them to the Garden of Gethsemane (chapter 18) following His “high priestly” prayer of chapter 17. As He makes numerous references to the Holy Spirit’s coming in Acts chapter 2 (cf. John 14:16-18,26 [today’s Scripture]; John 15:26,27; John 16:7-15), He is preparing those 12 Apostles to go on without Him as the Holy Spirit arrives to take over His ministry. They will draw on the Holy Spirit’s power to know where they are on the Bible timeline and be able to preach to Israel in early Acts all that they heard during those three years of Matthew to John. Indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ has been training replacements, and they now conduct their ministry as the Book of Acts opens….

Training Replacements #3

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

“Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:1,2).

Christ accomplished Isaiah’s prophecy in Matthew 4:12-17: “Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As the Lord Jesus Christ taught Father God’s words to the nation Israel who had so neglected it for centuries, He expelled the Bible ignorance like light removes darkness. Individual Jewish souls were rescued from satanic bondage. Calling specific men to be His disciples (students), He announced, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10)—including brothers Simon Peter and Andrew, and brothers James and John sons of Zebedee. These fishermen forsook their nets, their fishing business, and were appointed by the Lord as His fishermen. Such “fishers of men” would now use the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom to “lure and catch” Jewish souls, bringing them back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob….

Training Replacements #2

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

According to Luke 4:16-21, Jesus’ first recorded sermon, Isaiah 61:1,2 outlines the goal of His earthly ministry: “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD….” He has come to Israel to “preach good tidings [‘gospel,’ ‘good news’] unto the meek.” Of course, He had only three years (see Luke 13:7), so it was impossible for Him to preach in every city and every town of Israel during such a short time. He therefore made preparations in light of this His absence.

Roughly a year into His ministry, the Lord Jesus selects 12 men from among His disciples (students). These are the 12 Apostles of Israel (see Matthew 10:1-4). As He gradually withdraws from public ministry, they spend more time with Him and He instructs them further. When He first commissions them, the Bible says: “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye 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 10:5-8). The same Gospel of the Kingdom that He preached (Matthew 4:17,23; Matthew 9:35) is their Good News of the Kingdom to preach. He taught them precisely what to say and what to do to confirm or authenticate their message, just as He Himself taught and demonstrated His words to be true….

Training Replacements #1

Monday, June 9, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

Read John chapter 14, verses 23-26, today’s Scripture in context: “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Observe how the Holy Spirit will bring to the memory of the 12 Apostles all that Christ said to them during Matthew to John.

Flip over to chapter 15, verses 26 and 27: “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” Again, the Holy Ghost will empower the 12 Apostles on the basis of what they saw and heard during Christ’s three years of earthly ministry.

Lastly, chapter 16, verses 12-14: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” Once more, the Holy Spirit’s ministry during Acts is necessary to sustain the 12 men the Lord Jesus trained in Matthew through John….

Reaping and Sowing #4

Friday, May 23, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

During the centuries before Christ, Israel worshipped Gentile idols. Consequently, Satan’s lie program distracted the Jewish people from John the Baptist’s preaching, Jesus Christ’s preaching, and even Peter’s preaching in early Acts. Israel sowed unbelief and will reap the horrors of (the future) Daniel’s 70th Week!

The LORD speaks in Proverbs 1:20-33: “[20] Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: [21] She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, [22] How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? [23] Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. [24] Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; [25] But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: [26] I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; [27] When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

“[28] Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: [29] For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: [30] They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. [31] Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. [32] For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. [33] But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”

There is an old farmers’ adage, “You reap what you sow, you reap more than you sow, and you reap later than you sow.” In short, our actions have consequences—the outcome reflects the decision, the outcome will be more extreme than we thought when we made the decision, and the outcome does not immediately follow the decision. Let us now see today’s Scripture in context….

Christ Liveth in Me

Sunday, April 20, 2025

“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.

Paul in the Synagogues #4

Sunday, March 9, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

By heading the persecution of Israel’s believing remnant (the Little Flock of Luke 12:32, the Messianic Church of Matthew 16:18) in Jerusalem or Damascus or anywhere else, Saul of Tarsus (Acts chapters 7 and 8, and even partly into chapter 9) demonstrated how he regarded Jesus of Nazareth as an imposter or false messiah/christ—certainly not “the Son of God.” Now, in today’s Scripture and beyond, he has since been transformed into the Apostle Paul. He preaches the very truths he formerly detested and resisted so mightily. Having abandoned Satan’s “synagogue ministry,” he is now in God’s “synagogue ministry.” Moreover, he is afforded the chance to see just what his victims endured when he was mercilessly hounding them. Apostate Israel turns on him and seeks to take his life on more than one occasion! The same old unbelief from Christ’s earthly ministry (Matthew through John) has spilled over into Christ’s heavenly ministry (Paul’s “Acts” ministry).

Keep reading in Acts chapter 9: “[23] And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: [24] But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. [25] Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. [26] And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. [27] But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. [28] And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. [29] And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians [Greek-speaking Jews]: but they went about to slay him.”

Paul has many more unsettling synagogue visits ahead….

Paul in the Synagogues #3

Saturday, March 8, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

The Lord Jesus Himself foretold how synagogues—so-called “houses of worship of JEHOVAH God”—would be where His Jewish believers would face extreme persecution (Matthew 10:17; Matthew 23:34; John 16:2). Also see Mark 13:9, Luke 12:11, and Luke 21:12, which are still future from us. Working with that evil world system of Satan, Saul of Tarsus engaged in “synagogue ministry” during the early Acts period.

“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” (Acts 9:1,2). “And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:…” (Acts 22:19). “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,…” (Acts 26:10-12).

In early Acts chapter 9, Saul of Tarsus had been en route to the Damascus synagogues to punish Jewish believers in the Gospel of the Kingdom (Jesus is Israel’s Messiah/Christ, ready to bring in God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom). By chapter’s middle (see today’s Scripture), however, Saul is in those very synagogues preaching for Jesus Christ instead of against Him! “But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ” (Acts 9:21,22; cf. Galatians 1:22-24).

Yes, Paul is now in the synagogues, for God’s glory….

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NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #23

Monday, January 27, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Read Romans chapter 2: “[3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? [4] Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;….” This is God’s “longsuffering” of 2 Peter 3:9,15,16. It was first extended to Saul of Tarsus in Acts chapter 9, and Saul/Paul receiving God’s grace and mercy and peace is the “pattern” for how God deals with this undeserving, Christ-rejecting world now. As God tolerated Saul when he deserved wrath and judgment, so God “long time” puts up with sinners, rebels, unbelievers!

First Timothy chapter 1 is Saul/Paul writing about himself: “[13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] 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. [16] 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.”

God’s wrath is coming, but it is delayed—and has been postponed for 2,000 years. Why? As Saul was given opportunity to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour (“Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day;” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4), so anyone and everyone can do likewise and also join the Church the Body of Christ before the wrath falls….