Category: twelve apostles

Peter’s Preposterousness #3

Monday, January 8, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

Read his first denial of Christ as seen from four perspectives. “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest” (Matthew 26:69,70). “And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew” (Mark 14:66-68). “But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not” (Luke 22:56,57). “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not” (John 18:17).

Now, Peter’s second denial presented from four angles. “And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man” (Matthew 26:71,72). “And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again…” (Mark 14:69,70a). “And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not” (Luke 22:58). “And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not” (John 18:25).

As if Peter has not been ludicrous enough, the third and final denial reveals something especially outlandish about what specifically he is using to “protect” himself. Today’s Scripture is most insightful….

Peter’s Preposterousness #2

Sunday, January 7, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

Peter followed the Lord Jesus Christ for the entire three years of His earthly ministry. The Lord Himself had trained him in all that which pertains to God’s purpose and plan for the nation Israel and the Earth. Peter heard Christ’s sermons, saw His miracles, walked with Him, ate with Him, talked with Him. Now, in the context of today’s Scripture, that Christ has been arrested and is on trial—facing the death penalty, with no chance of escape. “And Peter followed afar off” (verse 54). Peter has come along in the crowd to see what will ultimately happen to his Lord, though he keeps his distance lest he be noticed and also be persecuted.

On three occasions, Peter figuratively puts distance between himself and the Lord Jesus Christ. When identified as one of His disciples, Peter denies it (verses 56,57). Again, Peter is accused of being the Lord’s follower, but he argues it is not so (verse 58). For a third time, someone suggests Peter is connected to Jesus Christ, but the Apostle refutes the allegation (today’s Scripture). Verses 61,62: “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

We will recall that, earlier in the chapter, the Lord Jesus had foretold: “[31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: [32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. [33] And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. [34] And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” What Christ predicted indeed came to pass….

Peter’s Preposterousness #1

Saturday, January 6, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

The setting of today’s Scripture is the Lord Jesus’ trial—the first or Jewish or religious phase. Let us read those verses in context: “[52] Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? [53] When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. [54] Then took [arrested] they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.

“[55] And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. [56] But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. [57] And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. [58] And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. [59] And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. [60] And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. [61] And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [62] And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

We believers in Christ can be quite foolish or silly, can we not? Even we saints are not immune from sin. Let us take poor Peter as a prime pattern of preposterousness….

The Misunderstood Messiah #5

Saturday, December 30, 2023

“Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God” (John 8:41 KJV).

Did you ever notice the magnitude of the insult put forth toward Jesus Christ in today’s Scripture?

Once Christ replied with sound doctrine (verses 42-47), Israel’s religious leaders simply resorted to name-calling again (verse 48): “Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?” A Samaritan was half-Jew/half-Gentile, and “the Jews [had] no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:9). Notice Jesus was insulted twice more—they called Him a “Samaritan” and “devil possessed.” Throughout the rest of John chapter 8, Israel’s religious leaders continue arguing with Jesus and nearly stone Him to death (verse 59)!

Why did Jesus not simply “zap” these religionists and instantly throw them into hellfire? They belittled and blasphemed Him several times in this one account, and then attempted to murder Him, but rather than Jesus killing them with His spoken word (which would have been justified), He only conversed with them. Why?

Remember, when the Apostles James and John saw how the Samaritans refused to accommodate Jesus, they asked Him if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven and consume those sinners, He replied, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:55,56). This First Coming of Christ was His “meek and lowly” coming: He did not come to judge man’s sins, but to die for them!

Even today, God is still not pouring out His wrath on wicked mankind (2 Corinthians 5:19), creatures who still snicker at Jesus Christ, deceive others in His name, persecute His saints, ignore His Word, and “rub His nose” in their sins. Lost mankind is wasting God’s grace and mercy that He is offering so freely. When His grace is finally exhausted, the undiluted wrath that has accumulated will finally be poured out (His Second Coming). May we trust Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour now so we have our sins forgiven now, lest we face that angry, righteous God in judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)!

For more information, you may also see our archived Bible Q&A: “Did God ‘rape’ Mary?”

Perceive Ye How Ye Prevail Nothing? #8

Monday, October 30, 2023

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19 KJV).

Behold, the lamentation of professional religious leaders whose system is in jeopardy!

It is human nature to strive to be at the center of attention (note well how “sin” and “pride” both share the same middle letter!). We seek to believe and do whatever we want, so we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to God’s words (the very words that describe what He believes and does). That was unbelieving Israel’s chief problem in today’s Scripture. How hard they tried—how hard they tried!!—to eliminate their “competitor” in “ministry.” It was just an exercise in futility, which they begrudgingly admitted and know well even now 20 centuries later.

“Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.” No matter what those religious leaders attempted to do to silence Him, or how underhanded they were in bringing it to pass, the Lord Jesus was still popular with the common Jewish people. Nevertheless, these “religious teachers” would not and did not submit to Messiah. Instead, they kept pursuing that line of wishful thinking that they could rid themselves and their nation, once and for all, of this “Troublemaker!”

No doubt they murdered Jesus their Messiah or Christ. It was premeditated, carefully planned and carried out. What else could they do to ensure their religious machine—their religious organization controlling the nation—would survive? Even now, the people of our world scheme to accomplish their own words and works. In some way or another, they hope to save themselves without the God of the Bible, without Christianity, without Holy Scripture. May they listen well! “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand” (Proverbs 19:20,21).

Just as the Lord Jesus Christ came back from the dead totally victorious, He will come back to our fallen world completely triumphant! “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).

Perceive Ye How Ye Prevail Nothing? #7

Sunday, October 29, 2023

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19 KJV).

Behold, the lamentation of professional religious leaders whose system is in jeopardy!

In Acts chapter 5, while the Sanhedrin members consider killing Christ’s Apostles, a dissenting or disagreeing voice interjects: “[34] Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; [35] And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. [36] For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. [37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. [38] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: [39] But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

Gamaliel—a well-known rabbi or Jewish teacher even now (2,000 years later!)—was willing to give the Apostles the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they really were serving the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was thus open to sparing their lives, and they were delivered from execution (read verses 40-42). If they were following a false “messiah”—who were multiplied during that time, including Theudas and Judas of Galilee (verses 36,37)—the movement would be manmade and thus fizzle. However, Gamaliel might have had some spiritual light from Joseph of Arimathaea or Nicodemus, his Messianic Jewish colleagues of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50,51; John 3:1,2; John 7:45-53). Not necessarily a believer, Gamaliel was nevertheless quite right in warning, “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Perceive Ye How Ye Prevail Nothing? #6

Saturday, October 28, 2023

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19 KJV).

Behold, the lamentation of professional religious leaders whose system is in jeopardy!

The same religious leaders who had so viciously opposed and killed the Lord Jesus kept violently resisting Him in resurrection as His Little Flock (filled with the Holy Ghost) conducted their ministry during the early Acts period. Sermon after sermon is preached to call Israel to repentance (change in mind) and faith (in Jesus as Christ/Messiah). The response is overwhelmingly negative, with just a believing remnant. By the time of chapter 5, the Apostles, having been imprisoned and subsequently freed by the angel of the Lord, are now recaptured and on trial before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court).

We read in chapter 5 of Acts: “[25] Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. [26] Then went the captain with the officers [the Jerusalem Temple police!], and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council [Sanhedrin]: and the high priest asked them, [28] Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

“[29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. [30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. [31] Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. [32] And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. [33] When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.”

Let us see if the Apostles will live or die….

Palsy #7

Friday, October 20, 2023

“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, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

Once Christ pronounced the man forgiven of his sins, unbelieving Israel regarded it as blasphemy (speaking against, talking evil about, disrespecting God). “This man blasphemeth” (Matthew 9:3). “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7). “Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (Luke 5:21). Such reactions proved they really had no concept of Messiah or His purpose. Consequently, He demonstrated He could forgive sins. Before their very eyes, He restored the paralytic to health—and they could not deny it! As it was stated at His incarnation, “…[T]hou shalt call his name JESUS [‘JEHOVAH-Saviour’]: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:25).

The other paralytic the Lord Jesus healed was the servant of a (Gentile) Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13). Here, the Lord showed He had the Gentiles in mind during His earthly ministry. He aimed to convert Israel so that He could then reach those Gentiles through redeemed Israel. Unfortunately, while the Gentiles were willing to accept and believe Messiah, Israel was not!

Regarding the Apostle Peter healing paralytic Aeneas in Acts 9:32-35, this miracle was performed in conjunction with the start of Paul’s ministry earlier in the chapter. Though Paul’s Gentile apostleship is in effect, it will not go on forever. At some point, our mystery program will close so God can continue the prophetic program and raise Israel to kingdom glory (as symbolized with Aeneas). Aeneas had suffered palsy eight years. Eight in Scripture is the number of new beginnings (seven signifying perfection or completion). When Messiah Jesus comes back, Israel’s national spiritual palsy will be cured (Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23).

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice [be of good cheer!] for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy” (Isaiah 65:17,18).

Palsy #1

Saturday, October 14, 2023

“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, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

The Lord Jesus Christ healed palsy in today’s Scripture, plus, according to the Bible, in at least two other instances. Firstly, there was the centurion’s servant in Matthew 8:6: “And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.”

Secondly, there was the unfortunate man of Matthew 9:2,6: “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee…. But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.” This is the same man presented in Mark 2:3-5,9,10 and Luke 5:18,24.

On at least one occasion, the Apostle Peter healed someone tormented with palsy: “And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy” (Acts 9:33).

In all these instances, the Greek word is “paralytikos,” derived from “para” (“with”) and “luo” (“loose”). That is to say, paralytics suffer from physical looseness or limpness. There is no strength in the affected part of the body, which powerlessness prevents movement or mobility. Look at all the above references, with the exception of today’s Scripture, and observe how the person is bedridden, confined to the position of lying down. In fact, Peter’s “patient” has been incapacitated for eight long years!

As with the case of all Bible miracles, a lesson is to be learned from the doctrine communicated. If we do some verse comparison, we will comprehend just what the healing of palsy actually signifies in Scripture, and why the Holy Spirit included such narratives in His Book….

The Last State is Worse Than the First #3

Thursday, October 5, 2023

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26 KJV).

Who is this man? Why is his last state worse than his first?

Satan certainly did not know everything, but he could study the Old Testament and listen to Father God’s messengers (angels, John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus, the 12 Apostles) to gather that Christ’s earthly ministry was connected to the founding of God’s earthly kingdom. For example, Luke 1:31-33: “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

If God has a holy people working His will in the Earth (Israel), Satan’s plans thus cannot come to pass! What better strategy could Satan employ to prevent God’s earthly kingdom from arising, than render the Jewish people unclean by sending his evil spirits to possess them? Thus, in Matthew through John, there is a sharp increase in devil possession. Satan is opposing the institution of God’s earthly kingdom, Israel’s political revival, the reinstatement of David’s throne.

One major feature of Christ’s earthly ministry is exorcisms. His purpose in working this miracle is revealed in two verses. “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you” (Matthew 12:28). “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20—the context of today’s Scripture). When Messiah came, He would indeed “cause… the unclean spirit to pass out of the land [of Israel]” (Zechariah 13:2). Yet, Israel was not ready for Messiah….

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