Phiilippians 1:15-19

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: ( 16 ) The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds. ( 17 ) But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. ( 18 ) What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. ( 19 ) For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

What would you consider to be the center of the gospel of Jesus Christ? What does it take to truly be born again? ( In my opinion ) true salvation has its center on Jesus Christ and him crucified, buried and the fact that he arose from that grave. He lived a sin free life, never sinned. In Him and Him alone do we put our faith. I say that without contention or envy, even without strife. I truly wish God’s will on all that believe.

I don’t offer that as an opinion but; rather that it’s my opinion that it is the center of being born again. I’m sure that if we, as in a group of believers were to sit at a round table we could even debate; what the actual center might be but, my point is that we are all preaching and teaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That, in itself becomes a great asset toward the salvation we seek.

My passion, my burden is the fact that there are so many people that are members of our Churches and are not born again, they have never been saved. While I am not a judge of any man, that doesn’t mean that I’m not concerned. The Bible teaches us this fact in many areas. For instance, when I see people that old things have not passed away and, all things are not becoming new, that concerns me. I can see how a person can be deceived in thinking that simply believing in Jesus Christ is salvation and that is not all it is to salvation. The Bible says that the devils believe, and tremble. ( James 2:19 ) At any rate, that is my burden therefore, I can be hard on Church leaders because my desire is for Church people to be sanctified, set apart for the glory of Jesus Christ. The Church is the one place a sinner should be able to come and meet Christ, see Christ above all. And, every person that represents any Church should represent Christ outside the doors of that building.

Just as it is the resposibility of the Holy Spirit to draw a sinner to Jesus Christ it’s also his responsibility to convince each believer of truth. Since or, if we have Jesus Christ as our center then, you are not my enemy nor will you ever be. There are many people that see things differently that I do but, we have the same passion for sinners and salvation. For instance, there are those that believe you can lose your salvation, I happened not to believe that. We both love Christ and are witnesses in his name and we are not enemies. We are on the same team.

Whether the issue is, falling from grace, speaking in tongues, the rapture, tribulation, baptism, the Lord’s supper or, what Church you go to, it doesn’t matter. It will take the Holy Spirit to teach every person of their error in truth, including me. When truth is revealed to me by the Holy Spirit then, it becomes my responsibility to yield to that truth and change what I am teaching. With that being said, we are not enemies and, the people that are lost shouldn’t ever see us as such.

I do however, also realize that it can all work together for the salvation of the sinner. There’s a fine line between two believers being seen as people that are concerned for the lost and two that are fighting among each other.

I try my best to choose my battles. and that, because we are on the same team. If I fight I battle that I cannot win and, if I win, what have I won? To whom is the profit? However, If I win a battle but lose my ability to witness to some that are lost then, who actually won that battle?

Satan often wants to put God’s children at odds because he knows when we argue, he wins. As a born again believer, I have no desire to win anything. My desire is for God’s Spirit to win in the heart of the sinner, to teach what I believe to be true and, to allow God’s Spirit to us me for his glory. I truly appreciate every person that teaches for God’s glory, no matter what avenue they choose to use.

I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. When he has a voice from any person then, he can win. I want to encourage every person that seeks to exhault Jesus Christ to keep up the good work for his Glory. Flood the web, the television, the radio, the streets and highways, the mountains and valleys with all his glory.

When we lift up his name then; the Holy Spirit can teach each of us in all things and, sinners will be saved above all.

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

As we consider these questions’ I’d like to go back to an Old Testament book and look at a verse of scripture. ( Ezra 2:63 ) And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

According to what I can find, the definition of these words are as follows: ( 1 ) Tirshatha – The Feared. ( 2 ) Urim – Light. ( 3 ) Thummim – Truth.

What had happened in the book of Ezra; the Nation of Israel, God’s chosen people had been in captivity for some years. While they we in bondage they had began to chose their own direction and, do things that were not seen as following obedience. Now they are back in their home land and, they want to resume their normal activities just like it had always been.

What the prophet is telling them is that; we need a leader, someone that you fear, This leader has to have light and truth on him. These things, since we have strayed, need to be in place to correct us.

If I can, I’d like to share some verses from another book in the Old Testament. ( Amos 7:14-15 ) Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit. ( 15 ) And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophecy unto my people Israel.

We see in these two scriptures that there were men that sought to, being led by God the Father to shed light on the truth. We could also argue a couple of things. ( 1 ) Why should anyone listen to either of these men, who are they? ( 2 ) Israel has no one to fear, at least as far as they can see.

The truth is, today, just as it was then; it is someone to fear. There is light and, there is truth. The question is; do we fear, and what? We can argue that God’s people of that day did fear but, that fear was not of the hand of God. So, what did they fear? They feared losing their priviledge of doing as they chose to do. They feared having to be submissive to someone else, to listen to someone else. Ezra said this, I am a herdman and, I gather sycomore fruit. Why should the Nation of Israel listen to what he has to say?

I want to point out a couple of verses that seems to be where we are as a society today. ( 1 Timothy 4:1-2 ) Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to suducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, ( 2 ) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

I’m going to come back to these verses in a little while but, first I want to share some things with you; beginning with this verse. ( Matthew 13:45-46 ) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: ( 46 ) Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went out and sold all that he had, and bought it.

As a born again believer, I fear God. That fear is the kind of fear that draws me close to him and, never drives me from him. My desire is to be very sensitive to his Spirit that lives within me as I listen to other people, speak, read what is written about him or, hear the preaching of his word. I don’t want to have my own way or will but, rather to be yielded to him. My desire is to be like Amos ans Ezra. I’m not a prophet but, I do seek to know his truth and not to be goverened by the things of this world.

A few months ago, I emailed my pastor. I asked him what was the difference in the ( Holy Spirit ) and the ( Holy Ghost )? His reply was that there wasn’t any difference. So, I replied; why are both terms in scripture then? I told him ( I believed ) it was a difference and, I desire to know that difference. I only tell you that story because I believe that we can be that sensitive to the Spirit of God, so sensitive that even points that minor; in scripture can teach us things about the God we serve.

I showed you a verse in Matthew about finding the ( pearl of great price ). Once you find that pearl then, you forget all the rest, just to have that pearl. I realize that you might see that verse a little different but, you, more than likely can see my point as well.

I believe there is a truth and, we can find it. That truth is not in my pastor, nor is it in me. Now we both might be able to reveal that truth but, we are not the source of that truth. We are only vessels that God can use to reveal truth. Do you remeber the verses in ( Ezra ) Tirshatha – one to be feared: Urim – Light: Thummim – Truth? Well, he is here now. We call him the ( Holy Spirit ). The only way that he ( God’s Spirit ) can be seen is when we allow Him to be seen in us. We must become the ( Ghost of God ). God being revealed in our flesh.

That truth can be found. It is revealed to each born again believer, by the Spirit of God from, the Word of God. Remember the vereses in ( 1 Timothy )? He tells us there that ( God’s Spirit ) expressly tells us that in the ( latter days ) some would depart from the faith. These would give heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocricy, their conscience ( seared ) with a hot iron.

We could cover a lot of territoty here and, most of what I might say; you might disagree with. However, we have reached those ( latter days ). We have crossed the line where we must trust the Holy Spirit and him alone. We must deside and, stand firm on: What is God’s word? Is God pleased with every book that is called a Holy Bible? What is a Church? What is a Pastor? Do we really have Sunday School teachers?

Our Bibles, our Churches, our pastors and, our Sunday School teachers have been seared with a hot iron and, in most cases, they don’t even know it. ( SEARED ) pressed down firm, straight lined. Where we stand is correct, makes no difference what the word of God says. And, if any person questions that then, they automatically become the enemy.

Do we even seek truth? Do we even desire for the Spirit of God to show up in our Church services or in our Bible study? Do we really desire him in our homes, how about in our hearts? We could ask a question; when is salvation real or, just how real is yours? Far too often we seek to change who God truly is by designing our own Jesus Christ, choosing our own denomination or, in some cases building our own word of God. Have we become so ( seared in our conscience ) that we can’t see that?

As I teach, seek to instruct, you must understand, you do not have to believe or agree with anything I say. However, if we are to grow spiritually we must be willing to see where we are wrong as revealed by God’s Spirit and, we must be willing to die to ourselves; even if it means losing all our family and all of our friends.

You look around in you Church, you Sunday School class, your home, you Bible. See how many things you can find that have been seared with a hot iron and, God is not in. Are you willing to do just that or, do you fear what you might truly find?

Truth can be found by you. It can be revealed by you. you can become a very powerful vessel for Jesus Christ if you truly seek to know him. You must be willing to hear him that you fear, seek light and truth.

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

There’s an old movie that I recall that I think will start this point off well. Doctor Jykle and Mister Hyde. If you have never seen the movie it showed two completely different sides of the same man. Isn’t, what we call Christianity somewhat the same way? We live in a body of sinful flesh but, at the same time we have the actual Spirit of God living within this sin cursed body. The objective is to allow the Holy Spirit of God to be seen above the sinful flesh that we live in.

On of the first and foremost problems I see with this scenario is how each individual defines what the spirit of God is and how we react to the voice we hear from within. My quest here is to place thought on what is truthfully real whether we like it or not. One of the first things that pops to my mind is a verse of scripture we see in the Bible. ( 2 Peter 1:20-21 ) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. ( 21 ) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

If you will notice; the key words here are ( Holy Ghost ). That is singular, it’s not but one. Therefore, if we say we are born again, washed in the blood of Jesus Christ then, that one single Spirit is going to teach each of us the very same thing, if we are willing to hear him. There is no private interpretation., meaning; I cannot create or form my own opinion, neither can any religion or denomination. Do we have a problem with that fact? First of all, let me ask you a question. Right this minute, do you feel you are where God would have you be in a spiritual light? Do you ever consider that fact? Most people, Just like me, have a mindset that if every person were just as they were then the world would be perfect. We don’t say that but, we live like that would be the case. In reality, within that statement lies the true problem. All of us are just alike, there is no difference. Help me LOrd, to realize that if all men were like me, then all would be sinners.

I often use the metaphor of a choir. A new choir director takes charge of the choir we are in. He lays out a set of guidelines that we must obey if we desire to sing in the choir he directs. We all think about it, realize we truly want to sing in the choir so, we decide to submit to his guidelines. Neither one of us are any closer to God, as led by God’s Spirit are we? We simply know what it takes to satisfy a choir director. Isn’t the average Church setting the same way? We all look good to one another but we are not led by God’s Spirit. We are uniform but not in unity of the Spirit of God. It’s not that it’s not a good thing to have guidelines to go by but, rather that we understand where we are in the spiritual light of the gospel; that’s important. Far too we often we leave that aspect of our life completely untouched, as long as we are pleasing the people around us.

I once told a young person that had parents that were faithful to the Church they attended, if you, as a young person ever choose to get right with God then, your parents or the Church they attend probably won’t like you very much. That wasn’t meant to be derogatory toward his parents or anyone but rather, to shed light on the general mindset of most people.

I see this as a great problem within our societies. We can’t see the spiritual darkness that we are in because we confuse the satisfaction with others with the mindset of God, we don’t know the difference. I’m afraid we are in for a rude awakening when we stand before God.

Let me share a true story with you to make the point. As a child growing up, my mom took my sisters and I to a little local Church. My dad hardly ever went with us and, he also had some characteristics that were not very Godly. These things were defining. It was a contrast between what my mom was and what my dad was. My mom was a leader in our Church, even became Sunday School superintendent at a later point .

As we all grew up we began to visit another Church as their children. This Church was Spirit filled and the pastor preached with the power of God on him. Finally, my whole family actually became members of this Church, even my dad.

One night in a business meeting, my mom started to raise her hand to gain the floor. My dad softly laid his hand on hers and said to her in a soft voice; I’ll handle this Margaret. For the very first time in my life my dad had began to take the spiritual helm of the household. My mom, well, she didn’t like that, even missed the next service. I stopped by to visit her the night after she missed service and told her I missed her at Church last night. I could tell she was still upset.

This is what I told her: I said mom. I’ve seen the time you would give your right arm to see what you seen last night. Now that it’s happened, dad has began to be a spiritual man, you don’t like the fact you don’t have that control. I also said; I tell you what, you just stay at home if that’s what you want to do, I just walked out and left. The next meeting she was back in Church and never missed again that I remember. I’m sure there were struggles but it’s a learning process to seek to be in God’s will. The point is we are satisfied with saying we are Godly as long as we don’t have to change anything, You see what I mean?

One might ask if I believe it’s wrong for a woman to speak in Church? Actually that’s beside the point. I really don’t see a problem with it but, even if I said I did that neither makes me right or wrong. It’s the leadership of the Spirit that My desire is to get you to see. If you simply chooses sides with what I think you still don’t know how God fells about the issue. That’s why I say we become our own worst enemy. We never truly seek to know truth. We fall into the trap of the world and simply follow what a pastor teaches or, a denomination or religion.

What is the beginning of the cure for the sickness we have? It is the understanding that we have a disease. That disease is sin. If we cannot see ourselves in the condition we are in then we can’t see that we need help. Once we see our sickness then we must understand where we find the cure and seek that cure. We become our own worst enemy when we look as good as everyone around us and assume we are cured of the sin disease because of what we see or hear around us.

( Luke 18:11 -13 ) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. ( 12 ) I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess. ( 13 ) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

We all are just like the publican, beginning with me. This publican seen very well the sin disease he had and understood the cure for that disease, so to speak. The Pharisee had become: ( His own worst enemy ). Not because the cure for his sin disease could not be cured but, because he couldn’t his need for a cure.

On a personal note; I’ve been on both side of that coin. Even now, as a born again believer; I have self righteous tendencies. I am nothing more than a publican, unworthy of anything from God the Father. However, it’s very easy to become ( my own worst enemy ) because of the weakness of my flesh.

I love the study of God’s word and, I also love to teach his word. Does that mean that I’m always correct in what I teach? The truth is; the more I study, the more I realize that I don’t have all the answers. Remember? I said that if you are born again, then you have the same Spirit within you that I have. That means, you can teach me as well. The day that I stop hearing you and researching what you have to say is the day I once again ( become my own worst enemy ).

Sometimes, God the Father, by his Spirit has to gently lay his hand on mine and remind me, Just wait a minute son, I got this. It’s nothing wrong with having a great passion for sharing God’s word and seeking truth but we, ( I ) must never forget that God, through his Spirit is the only true teacher and he knows all the answers. I just need to stop being ( my own worst enemy ), die to myself and, hear him, especially when he is speaking through someone else.

I’m a piece of clay on a potter’s wheel. I often teach that salvation is in all three tenses. Past, present and future. I have been saved from the penalty of sin. It’s under the blood of Christ. That’s ( past tense ). I am being saved from the practice or presence of sin in my life. ( present tense ) And one day I will be with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my salvation will be complete. ( Future Tense )

As I seek to ( not ) be ( my own worst enemy ) I am often reminded of these verses. ( Romans 12:1-3 ) I beseech ye therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. ( 2 ) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ( 3 ) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

As I seek to yield my body to Christ, which I truly believe is a very reasonable expectation. As I try not to conform to this world but have a desire to be transformed by allowing God to renew my mind; I also always try to remember that I’m just a sinner, no better than any other person and, when I think I am them I am less than I should be in Christ.

All this is a part of seeking not to ( become my own worst enemy ). Lord, Help me to teach but, not only to teach but allow myself to be taught. Help me to have a listening hear and a yielding heart, to every person that speaks. Help me to exort people with my words yet, teach with the power of your grace and wisdom. Teach me, O Lord, to learn from each person that speaks, to have discernment to know right from wrong as I hear teaching and study your word. Help me to be transformed by ther renewing of my mind to be all God desires me to be.

Help me not to be ( my own worst enemy ) in Jesus Name. Amen

I’d like to begin this segment of the study of the Book of Acts off by saying a few things about me. First and foremost; I’m not educated. I often define my formal education by making this statement. I graduated from High School with a seventh grade sducation. Most people my age will understand what I am saying. I only study and teach the ( King James ) Bible. Don’t misunderstand, you have a God given right to read and study any book you choose to. Another saying I have is that people have a right to use a catalog and call it God’s word, if that is what they choose to do.

Another point I’d like to make here is that common sense would say that every Church that is led by a pastor should stand and teach a specfic book that they consider to be correct. If you, as a pastor are going to place your confidence in ( New International Version ) of the Bible then ask your people, everyone of them, to that version with them to Church. They have a right to study any book they choose but, at least; at Church you all will be reading the same thing.

The Bible says that ( God is not the author of Confusion ) 1 Corinthians 14:33 ) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Churches of the saints. If we leave that verse in context, I understand what he’s speaking of but, as far as I’m concerned, confusion is confusion, makes no difference what the confusion is about. I’m actually writing this whole segment in our study because of this statement in ( Acts 2:42 ) And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Now, let’s look at some things about this verse. Again, starting with me. I was born again in an Independant Baptist Church. However, I am not pushing anything about the Independant Baptist. In other words, if we look back at the verse: ( I am not ( stedfastly continuing ) in the Independant Baptist Church ). If you consider confusion, consider this: when someone is lost without Christ today, any person; as they ride down the average street in any town or city, what do they see? They see all kinds of Churches with different denominational names on them. Now, if they go into any of these Churches, every person, to some degree will even argue about what book they should be studying or reading.

At a time in my life; I was one of those people. I normally don’t point out denominations but, I will here. As a child. we went to a Methodist Church. My dad didn’t go. He was what they call around where I live a Primitive Baptist. They believed; as they say ( what will be, will be. ) They live on the concept that if God wants to save you he will, if he wants you to go to hell, you will, you have no choice in that matter. Actually, that’s not exactly what that denomination teaches but, since there is very little actual teaching in that denomination then, that is what their people say. I also had members of my family, cousins, Uncles and Aunts that went to Southern Baptist Churches.

How in the world does anyone find truth in all of this? On the Sunday morning that I asked Christ to come into my heart; no person came to meet me at the alter, no one. Basically, I consider that now, to be a very good thing. The only person that mattered that morning did meet me at that alter. By yhe power of the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ met me at that alter and saved my soul. If any other person would have came that morning, I might have been confused by man.

Basically speaking my friend, ( the apostles’ doctrine ) is no different than the ( independant Baptist doctrine ), ( the Baptist doctrine ) , ( the methodist doctrine ) or any other doctrine you can name, they are all made by man. All doctrines; made by man have parts of them that are correct and, parts that are not. When Jesus Christ looked at Peter and said: ( upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ). What name did he put on that Church or doctrine?

Look at these verses: ( Ephesians 4:3-6 ) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. ( 4 ) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ( 5 ) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ( 6 ) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

With that group of verses in mind; what do we have to conclude? We must understand that, if we are truly born again, we are all lead by the self same ( ONE ) and, we must all seek that ( ONE ) self same truth. I feel that here, we need to understand a point made by Jesus Christ himself and, time. Let’s see: ( John 16:7 -14 ) NeverthelessI tell you thr truth: It is expedient for you that I go away: For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ( 8 ) And when he is come, he will rerprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ( 9 ) Of sin, because they believed not on me: ( 10 ) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more: ( 11 ) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. ( 12 ) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. ( 13 ) 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. ( 14 ) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jesus Christ was, shall we say, the second part of the Godhead. Jesus Christ didn’t come to build or to teach the Chruch; his responsibility was to offer himself as a perfect sacrifice for the Chruch that was to come. Here in theses verses he is explaining that to the people. When the Spirit is come being, the third part of the Godhead, he will teach you all things. Now, where does that spirit live? Does he not live in the heart of every believer? Look at what he says: HE WILL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF, BUT WHATSOEVER HE SHALL HEAR, THAT SHALL HE SPEAK. Doesn’t that make it the responsibility of every believer to only speak what the Spirit of God tells him to? The people that were speaking on the day of Pentacost and, for a while after could only speak what they new but as they grew in knowledge, it became their reponsibility to hear the spirit within them and, to yield to that spirit.

Now, look at this verse: ( Acts 17:30 ) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men to repent: According to what we see in secular history, this was written some twenty or thirty years after the day of Pentacost. He’s telling us that God allow ignorace, you might say, for a time but, at some point knowledge is revealed and we need to learn and move toward that truth.

If I go back to my days as an Independant Baptist, the day I was saved. It’s understandable that I was a babe in Christ. I truly appreciate all that denomination did to bring about my salvation but, that doesn’t mean I can depend on every word that they tell me, I must allow myself to be taught by God’s Spirit far beyond all that they might say.

The people that were listening to the apostles’ doctrine were revealed the truth as it was known at that time but they cannot stay there as the babes they were. It becomes the responsibility of each believer to grow spiritually and that not of just what a man might think or say.

If it’s any person that is still clinging to ( repent and be baptized, for the remission of sins, that ye might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost ) then, they are in ignorance of the very spirit they say they have and, God is not winking at that anymore.

The Apostle Paul again speaking in ( Hebrewa 6:1-3 ) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, ( 2 ) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. ( 3 ) And this will we do, if God permit.

( I believe ) the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Hebrews. He wrote it to Jewish believers that were struggling with the very concept I’m speaking of; clinging to something that is past and gone.

I can’t go back to the day of my birth. Both, my mom and dad lived to a ripe old age. It came a day within their lives that it became the responsibility of my sisters and I to look after both of them; now, I have exactly the same responsibilities as my dad had and, it happened many years even before he died.

Spiritually, we see the same picture and, that is what he’s saying here. I can’t go back to the day of my salvation. As we look at the doctrine of Christ or, the apostles’ doctrine, both had their purpose and were needed at the time but, think about this. Christ done his job and, is now seated at the right hand of the Father, The apostles were here after he had risen and, they did their job. Now, while I live and you live what is our responsibility? If I stayed as a child, I could never fill my dad’s shoes. If I remain a babe in Christ, I can never truly take on the respnsibility of being like Christ or his apostles.

Let’s move on to ( Chapter 3 ). Here in ( Verse 1 ) we see Peter and John walking to the temple together. Do you remember back in ( John 13: 23-24 ) Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. ( 24 ) Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. ( I believe ) that this disciple was John. If you notice; Peter asked him to asked Jesus. Now, here in ( Acts 3 ) who do we see speaking? The Apostle Peter is with John but Peter is doing the speaking. This can be considered the second use of the ( Keys of the Kingdom ) that Jesus gave to Peter In ( Matthew 16:19 ). In this chapter, we see the second message that Peter preached.

Let’s start here by seeing what happened when these two men went up to the temple. There’s a man that is lame laying at the entrance to that temple. Someone brings him there for him to beg for help as people come into the temple, and he asked Peter and John for help. The Bible says in ( verse 4-5 ) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. ( 5 ) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. ( Verses 6-8 ) Then Peter said , Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.( 7 ) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and angle bones received strength. ( 8 ) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Why did this just happen? On the day of Pentacost, God used tongues to give Peter an opportunity to open a door. He got the attention of the prople there by doing so. Here, we don’t see tongues but, we see a miracle happen that drawed attention and, Peter preached another message. I want to point out something here that needs to be considered. Was this man saved? Although he was healed he still must acknowledge that Jesus Christ died and arose for his personal salvaion, if not then all he actually got was his ability to walk. Although this man was healed; that was not where the importance of that day needs to be placed and, it was not. The importance was on the message that Peter preached and the conviction that came to their hearts because of that message.

If we look at this whole process as we go through the book of Acts as a preacher and, a people that are maturing in the knowledge of Christ then, we can actually see that unfolding. Without going through each verse that we see here; let’s just pick out some growing points and points of Knowledge we can learn.

The Apostle Peter basically preached the same message here however, this time notice to whom he’s speaking. ( Acts 3:12 ) And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men Of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk. If you notice in these verses he is speaking to ( men of Israel ). On the day of Pentecost there were people there from every nation under the heaven. On the day of Pentecost, tongues were used to get the message to all those different people but, here it’s not needed because they all speak the same language.

The same God that enabled the believers on the day of Pentecost to speak in tongues has now in ( Acts 3 ) caused a lame man to walk but, for the very same reason. Attention was drawn to the Apostle Peter that he might preach a message.

Do you realize that when the Apostle Peter preached the first message he never mentioned faith? However, here he does. We need to look at this very closely. First of all, notice the man that was healed. Why did he go to the temple that day? Did he go to get healed? No, he didn’t, as a matter of fact; that was probably the fartherest thing from his mind. I still contend that; this man’s healing had nothing to do with his salvation. With that being said, we can relate it to the salvation of almost every person that will ever be saved. For instance, the day of my salvation, I didn’t go to Church with that on my mind. I went to Church just to be going and, salvation came to me.It might be more to it than that and, it is but, the point is the Sunday morning I went to Church and got saved was just like every other Sunday morning I had ever been to Church.

Now, look at what the Apostle Peter is saying in ( verse 16 ). And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong,whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

See if you agree with me. This man’s healing had nothing to do with any faith on his part. Peter and John had faith in the name of Jesus and, that translated to the healing of this man. On the day of my salvation, I was simply a hell deserving sinner. There were people, like Peter and John that had faith in the name of Jesus Christ and, the power of the Holy Spirit. They truly believd , by faith that by the blood of Christ I could be born again. Their faith in the name of Jesus translated into my salvation and granted me that very same faith in his name.

A sinner has no faith and, also has no ability to get or know that faith on his own. As we begin this journey through Acts we are seeing this knowledge as it unfolds. We see the maturity growing, even in the message that the Apostle Peter has preached here. We see he has mentioned ( faith ), something not spoken of in the message in ( Acts 2 ). We also see in ( verse 17 ) the word ( ignorance ). And,now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

Through ignorance and, the absence of God’s Spirit men build doctrines and denominations. For example: if we listen to and, build a doctrine or denomination what the Apostle Peter in ( Acts 2:38 ) then, are we also going to build a doctrine or denomination on what he is about to say at the end of this message? Every man, every person is ignorant, that is at least to the mind and works of God the Father through his Spirit. We must be taught those things by his Spirit and, there is no other way to know how God works.

Just by way of making a point. Can we get Church doctrine from anywhere we choose to in scripture, even the Old Testament? And, if not then where should we get Church doctrine? Can we use anything in Acts for the purpose of creating sound Church Doctrine?

When the Apostle Peter had finished the message he preached to these people; look at his invitational call at the end of the message. ( Verse 19 -21) 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: ( 20 ) And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: ( 21 ) 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.

Repent and be baptized has been changed to repent and be converted. For the remission of sins has been changed to be converted that you sins may be blotted out. Not only that, but here, he doesn’t mention the Holy Ghost. We also can see that seemingly the return of Jesus Christ is not looked at as occurring as soon. He says ( whom heaven must receive until the restitution of all things ).

We see the working of the Spirit of God in the heart of the Apostle and those around him. They are learning to hear the spirit and their mindsets are changing and they are maturing in Christ as each day passes. That is actually how it’s suppose to work even today as a person receives that self-same spirit. On the day of our salvation, we hear the call of that Spirit and as the days go by from that day we learn to hear that spirit as he teaches.

In closing this segment, let’s build an hypothetical setting. We know that the day of Pentecost was fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Seven sabbath s being 49 days and then the next day being again on the first day of the week. That’s when the Apostle Peter preached his first message. We see that he preached that message out of the book of Joel, revealing what Joel had said about those days.

So, what if we assume this message is one week later; still on Sunday morning. The Apostle Peter has continued to study God’s word and now he has learned, being led by the Spirit that is now, within him. This Sunday morning he brings a message about what the prophets, other prophets have said about the resurrection of Jesus Christ beginning with Moses.

If you read the verses: ( Acts 3:22-26 ) he is telling them about a a brother that he will raise up among you that you should listen to. He says in ( verse 23 ) that every soul that will not hear him will be destroyed from among the people. He has learned that many prophets fortold this. The also says in ( verse 26 ) 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.

Between the message he preached in chapter two and, the message in chapter three can you see this change and spiritual growth? Now that was in the Apostle Peter and we can assume the Apostle John.

In the next segment we will see the outcome of this message.

We will call it: ( ACTS 4 ) THE LEARNING AND CONVICTION CONTINUES.

The word of God is a ( living organism ). It’s alive. There is no bottom, no top nor sides to it. Any person that chooses to can learn and grow spiritually beyond any other person in this world. That is because of the vastness of God’s word. Just to start this, the message that Peter preached on the ( Day of Pentacost ) was to the Jewish nation. If we go back to ( Leviticus 23 ) you’ll see that he makes a distinction between a ( sheaf of the firstfruits ) ( verse 10 ) and ( wave- loaves ) ( baked with leaven ). This os offered fifty days after the ( sheaf offering ).

The picture here is one of individual salvation and of a body of unified believers or people. In Israel. Each individual would bring their offering to the alter, so to speak, fifty days later, they would cook a loathe with leaven, Leaven is a type of sin, the loathe shows togetherness, cooked together.

We, as individuals have to come to Christ on our own for our own sins but, the Church is a group of forgiven sinners all coming together for a common goal in unity. This is what God was looking for in Israel, the whole nation in unity seeking his will. It’s the same picture in a Church setting. Each of us have to get saved on our own but, we are suppose to come together in a Church setting all seeking the unity in Christ. I often use the picture of ( communion ) as picture of this. In that ceremony we use bread and wine. Each grape and grain of wheat has to completely give up its individuality to form either grape juice, wine or bread. Have you ever seen a grape floating around in a glass of wine? Or, a grain of wheat in a good loafe of bread?

On the day of Pentacost, this whole nation, typlically is come together. What had happened was that it had simply become a religious ceremony without the power of God being present. They were expecting the same thing on this day. They didn’t realizze that they had offered the perfect lamb of God to be sacrificed on the Cross of Calvary. Christ was the firstfruits spoken of in ( Leviticus 23 ) and now on this day ( fifty days later ) the True loathe is being baked, so to speak, which is the Church, the bride of Christ.

So, now let’s go back to John the Baptist. What was the significants of John the Baptist? The best place to read about the purpose of this man is in ( John 1 ). He was a little older than Jesus Christ and, was actually born to be the person to anounce the coming Messiah. You can read about his birth in ( Luke 1 ). But we see a real picture of his ministry in ( John 1 ). I’m going to ( Mark 1:1-8 ), here we can see his ministry and message ( 1) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; ( 2) As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare the way before thee. ( 3 ) The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. ( 4 ) John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. ( 5 ) And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river Jordon, confessing their sins, ( 6 ) And John was clothed, with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; ( 7 ) And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. ( 8 ) I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

As you look at the ministry of John the Baptist; he is preparing the people of Israel for their coming Messiah. That is his ministry. For years they have been waiting for him. Will Istael now except him when he comes? We see that there are some people coming and being baptized. John is preaching: repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.

We need to recognize something here. What the people of Israel that were hearing the message of John were declaring wes this. Basically they are saying ( I believe that the Messiah is now coming like you are preaching, I repent from doubting that fact and, I’ll be baptized to show other people that I believe what you are preaching ).

Now, consider this; when Jesus Christ actually began his public ministry, did he baptize any person with the Holy Ghost? ( Verse 8 ) says: But he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. We must understand the concept of the ministry of John the Baptist. He was preparing Israel for the coming of their Messiah and, that Messiah did come; Jesus Christ but, Jesus never, not one time baptized any person with the Holy Ghost. That part was yet to come. As far as I know, every person that said that they believed, repented of their sin and, was baptized could have received the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentacost, along with anyone else that choose to do so.

As I make that statement; I wonder? How many people can you name or, show me in scripture, died from the time that Jesus Christ was born until he died on the cross? The two I can think of is Lazarus in which Jesus raised from the dead and, John the Baptist which was beheaded. Wonder why Jesus didn’t raise him from the dead? I think there’s an answer to that question but, all this is just a train of thought that doesn’t matter. We know that the Holy Ghost did come and all that were alive could receive him however, that is a choice. Just like repenting and being baptized was a choice, so is any person’s willingness to receive the Holy Ghost in their hearts.

The Apostle Peter, on the day of Pentacost was preaching the same message that John the Baptist preached, still, only to the Nation of Israel. The only difference in the two messages is that when John the Baptist preached ( repent and be baptized ), he didn’t have the Holy Ghost to offer, when the Apostle Peter preached, that Spirit was then available. When John the Baptist pearched it, Jesus hadn’t come or been revealed as of yet but, the Apostle Peter was on the other end of the life of Jesus.

The gospel was to be preached to the Nation Of Israel first. John the Baptist revealed Jesus to the Nation and now, on the day of Pentacost, Peter is now offering the Holy Ghost to them first of all as a nation.To me; the whole concept of repentance is a new thing to Israel, I realize it has always been a part of the walk with God but not in the sense that they are hearing it now. In their mind, we are the children of God, what do you mean repent of? Are we not somewhat the same way? God desires our hearts, our all. He wants us to seek his will because of a desire to do so, not because we are born into a family

Peter’s message now is ( Repent and be baptized ) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.( 39 ) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call, ( 40 ) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

( I just want to add this. You can study it out if you like. John the Baptist used the phrase ( Baptism of repentance ) for the remission of sins. Peter said, Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Do you see the difference )?

I know I’ve said some of this before but, it bears saying again. The message that Peter preached on this day was birth pains to the salvation we know about today. Even some of what the Apostle Peter was saying, under the inspiration of God’s Spirit was not understood by him or the people that heard it. It would take time to grow to a spiritual awareness of all that was about to take place.

There are people today that still can’t see all that transpired during the transitional things that happened in Acts. I’m going to take the time here to show you a verse, something to consider. ( 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 ) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. ( 10 ) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

According to the records I see but can’t prove, these verses were written somewhere about 60 years after the Apostles Peter’s message on the day of Pentacost. The Apostle Paul is still saying, that which is perfect is not here. So, what is that which is perfect and, when will it come?

These things in scripture are ( hidden pivot points ). They are scattered all throughout scripture. ( 1 Corinthians 2:7 ) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. I always refer back to this verse of scripture. Notice; he say: ( ordained before the world ) ( unto OUR glory ). Again, I say; these things are ( right in front of the world ) but they cannot see them. Even we that are born again, born into the family of God must have a passion to study and find them. God, by his spirit will reveal them if we are willing to look for them and know them. To use a metaphor; it’s like raising your own food. You can’t just through seeds on the ground and expect them to produce, it takes work to bring about the fruit you desire. The world of God is the same way, it takes interest and will, work, study to know truth. It’s a gold mine but, you have to dig it out, one verse, one word, one mystery at a time. I remember, learning to play guitar, what little I know about it. Once you get to the place you can strike a tune, all of a sudden you began to hear other tunes in that same song. It builds, line upon line, precept upon precept. ( Isaiah 28:9- 13 ) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. ( 10 ) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: ( 11 ) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. ( 12 ) To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this the refreshing: yet they would not hear. ( 13 ) But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

We, as believers are like the Cretans ( Titus 1:12 ) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretans are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. You can decide whether these people are actually born again or not; just like in any Church. The Apostle Paul left Titus here to set things in order at this place, for these people.

We have a mindset we can go to Church, listen to our Sunday School teacher, teach out of a quarterly, sit in our congregation for thirty minutes and hear a message from our pastor, go home and know who God is. My friend, it doesn’t work that way. That is what we would call a lazy believer, slow belly.

I’m going to make one other point here and move on. My heart felt desire is to help people see truth, not as seen by me but as revealed to them by God’s Spirit. God and you are one. You simply must be willing to forget family, brothers, sisters, Churches or, what they teach or believe and simply allow God, by his Spirit to teach you. If you lose every friend you have, stand on the precepts of God through his word. Very often, that is a hard thing to do therfore, we remain as we are.

So, what is ( that which is perfect ) ? And, ( When did it come )? That whis is perfect is the complete word of God. It came when John the revelater put the final Amen in the Book of Revelation; typlically speaking. However, it does appear that he was the last one to write anything in scripture. Do you have to believe this just becsuse I do, no you don’t. That’s up to you and the Spirit of God.

There have been denominations and religious organizations built on the concepts stated by the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentacost and, at that not even one word of the New Testament had been penned down yet. To use another metaphor, that would be like basing your whole life on what you learned from a six month old baby. Do you realize that, it would be an average of thirty years before the first word of the New Testament would be written after this day? As a matter of fact; the Apostle Peter was becoming part of that Testament and probably didn’t even know it.

AS we get back to the Apostle Peter and the message he preached on the day of Pentacost, he took scripture from the Old Testament and proved that, according to what it was saying, Jesus Christ was the man it was speaking of. As it did on that day, it takes the truth from God’s word to draw conviction on the heart of any sinner. Again here, I’d like to compare scripture with scripture to make a point. On this day, the Spirit of God was present. Now, let’s look back at something that Jesus said: ( John 6:53 ) And Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Now, look on down to ( John 6:66 ) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

What Jesus was saying here is relative to allowing his Spirit to come and live within you and allowing his word to transform you into what God wants you to be. Remember John the Baptist saying that Jesus would baptize you with the Holy Ghost? It’s very possible that many of these same people that Jesus spoke to and, they didn’t follow him anymore were some of the same people on the day of Pentacost. The difference would be the baptism of the Spirit that now is on them. But still, would you agree with me that it’s one thing to allow God’s Spirit to come and live within you but, quite another to allow him to guide you as you walk through this world?

It’s not so much not being willing but, it takes time to reach maturity. On the day of Pentacost when they said: What must we do? And, the Apostle Peter said; ( Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. These people were just in the beginning stages of understanding what that meant.

As we move on to the next few verses; I’ll make some comments that I’ve never heard made before. Again, you will have to decide whether you, being led by God’s Spirit, agree with me or not. However, as we go through this, I believe what we see is important to see and recognize as the beginning of the New Testament Church and, how it relates to our spiritual growth as we mature. We can either see these things and grow or decide to stay just as we are. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with me to grow but, you have to acknowledge the need to mature and put off old things and move foward.

We’ve already written ( verse 40 ) but, he makes this statement in that verse: ( Save yourselves from this untoward generation ). The day that Jesus Christ was crucified the Bible says the ( the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom ). ( Matthew 27:51 ) What that typlifies is the end of the ( Age of Law ) The main purpose of the law was to show us we are sinners, that we might be drawn to Christ and be saved. ( Galatians 3:24 ) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ , that we might be justified by faith. The leaders of the religious sect in Israel had taken this and used it for their benefit, made it a legal, religious system to basically benefit themselves. If we are not careful, we will and are doing the very same thing today in our Churches. Just as they needed to be saved from that, we need to see ( religion ) for what it is and, turn away from it, by faith, placing our faith in the word of God and not in any religion or denomination.

I say that because of what I’m about to say about the next verse and, how I see it relating to what we see today. In ( Acts 2:38 ), at the end of the Apostles Peter’s message; he offered the Jews; there; that day the same ( way of ) receiving the Holy Ghost as John the Baptist had in the very beginning of his ministery. Basically, the only difference is or, we see was the ( receiving of the Holy Ghost ). John the Baptist never said that at any time. Why? John the Baptist’s message, by design was to prepare a nation of people for their promised Messiah. At that time, it had nothing to do with the Holy Spirit or anything other than acknowledging that Jesus Christ was that man that was the Messiah. Repenting was an act of cleaning themselves up of all things sinful in respect of all other teachings or falsehoods that had been drilled into them. Being baptized was somewhat the same as it is today. It’s just an outward showing of an inward belief, showing those around you that you believe what is being taught, in their case by John the Baptist. The question might be; on the day of Pentacost, did they recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost by believing the same thing, that being, after Jesus Christ had been cricified and raised from the dead?

This is where I get into some thing you might or, might not agree with. Personally, I believe that these people actually got saved, believing in Christ Jesus. So, let’s look at ( verse 41 ) Then they that gladly received his words were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Now, let me ask you a question. One that I already know that has to be rhetorical because we can’t see an answer. Did all three thousand of these people speak in another tongue? What do you believe and, can you take scripture and prove what you believe? I can share with you what I see and, you will have to again, allow God’s Spirit to lead you. We see in ( Verse 4-7 ) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance. ( 5 ) And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. ( 6 ) Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. ( 7 ) And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

( I believe ) on that day when the Holy Ghost fell on the 120 Believers. God enabled those people to share their heart with people that spoke another language. It’s very possible that if another Galilaean was standing beside the man that was speaking, then he heard that man speaking in Galilaean. ( I believe ) that, as that one man spoke, if there were ten different languages around him, they all heard what he was saying in their own perspective language.

After this was ( noised abroad ) and these three thousand heard the people sharing that message in their own language then , there was no need for that again at that time. For instance, if I had been standing there and heard a Galilaean speak in english and, I believed then I told another man that spoke English what I had heard in English. Possibly, he believed as well. That doesn’t mean it was never used again. If I, speaking english left that day and run into another man that spoke another language and, I desired to share the message with him, ( I believe ) that God, at that time enabled me to do so. These gifts would be use and necessary until ( that which is perfect was come ).

As we go through the book of Acts, we’ll see tongues a couple more time used and, we will continue to study it out but, what about these three thousand that believed? What did they believe? These people, after listening to the Apostle Peter’s message and, even some before believed that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. They knew that he had been crucified by evil hands and, they truly believed that he would be returning. This concept and the reality of his return was ever, right before them. Think about it; these people had seen Jesus Christ, nailed to a cross, marred more than any other man with a crown of thorns placed on his head. They had seen this man Jesus placed in a tomb and, come out of that tomb. He even spent time with some of them, continuing to instruct them in the Kingdom of God. The three thousand people that believed are preparing themselves and, as many as will listen to them for Jesus to come back and set up his Kingdom right before them.Now, look at ( verse 43 ) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Would you mind explaining the apostles doctrine to me? What exactly does that mean? I’m going to end this segment here and, begin a new one called: ( THE DOCTRINES OF MEN ).

BUT PETER, STANDING UP WITH THE ELEVEN, LIFTED UP HIS VOICE, AND SAID UNTO THEM, YE MEN OF JUDAEA, AND ALL YE THAT DWELL AT JERUSALEM, BE THIS KNOWN UNTO YOU, AND HEARKEN TO MY WORDS:

I’d like to go back to ( Matthew 16:16 ) and build the beginning of this; somewhat around that verse, just by a way of teaching. The verse says this and, the statement comes from Peter. ( And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ) Jesus had just asked his disciples ( who the men say that I, the son of man am?) Then he changed it as asked the: ( who do you say that I, the son of man am? ) Quickly, Simon Peter answered that question.

Starting here, we could write a book on Peter and his acts alone. If you will study the gospels; you will notice that Jesus often spoke with or, took with him, Peter, James and John. I can’t read the mind of Jesus Christ. However, in the text we are looking into notice, of all the disciples on that day, when Jesus asked that question; Peter was the first to speak up. Here, it was more than just ( the twelve ) present. It seems it was a multitude there. Instantly, when this question was asked, Peter answered.

Peter, if we study him through the gospels, we will see he is less than perfect but, he is always the one that is willing to do or try. Just as leaders of people, someone like your boss man or, maybe you if you are a leader of people; don’t you seek to find the right person to do the right job? I can see how far too often when it comes to leaders in a Church we pick people by popularity rather than the man or woman that should be put in a certain position. I mentioned that when Jesus asked a question, Peter answered; no hesitation. In leadership sometimes hesitation can cause problems. Peter was a man that was not afraid to be wrong, admit that wrong and move on.

I’m going to make a statement here that might bear some understanding. The word of God is given to us for our instruction, to learn from and, grow by. That doesn’t mean that every person is always correct in all they do. They are people just like we are and their mistakes and misunderstandings are recforded in scripture to teach us and help us learn fron their mistakes. Do you remember the verse of scripture: ( Romans 8:28 ) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

The word of God is perfect, that doesn’t mean the the people were all perfect but, if you desire, you can find exactly what you need to find in God’s word. You just have to study to find it. Jesus Christ choose the Apostle Peter to bring to message to the Jews on the day of Pentacost. We must realize that the message he preached was for the Jews, it was not for any Gentiles. I am a Gentile, therefore, this message is not for or, to me. It is however for my instruction in righteous, it is here to teach me as the book of Acts unfolds.

Let’s just take, for example; the Apostle John. It’s very possible that he might have had a better understanding of the gospel message as far as it being a message to the Gentile as well, That , I can’t say but, if that’s the truth then it wasn’t needed on this day. Do you see what I mean? This message and, this man was what was needed for this day and the time at hand. The Apostle Peter told the men there that day to ( hearken to his words ).

I’d like to take some time here to really look into the message the Apostle Peter brings on this day and why. First of all; the message was designed to be expressly for the Jewish people. It was a command given by Jesus Christ himself. ( 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.

We know that, by God’s design; Israel was not going to except Jesus as their King at that time and, as a nation, they would not except him as the Savior. However the cammand was for the gospel to be offered to them first. Therefore, the scripture the Apostle Peter used in ( Joel 2 ) was a scripture expressly for the Jews. As we look at this, we must understand that time means nothing to God the Father. So, the message was timely but, not all that is recored in ( Joel 2 ) was going to come to pass at that time. The Apostle Peter didn’t know that as he preached. He was expecting Jesus to return at any time and establish his kingdom.

Simply reading in Joel; I can see how Peter thought this was about to happen. However, even to this present day, all those things have not come to pass. For instance, The sun hadn’t been turned to darkness and the moon hadn’t turnes to blood but, it will happen before that great and notable day of the Lord. Peter made this statement on that day, in his message: ( verse 21 ) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Actually, that not what Joel said: ( Joel 2:32 ) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

In reality, when Joel prophesied what he did, it had nothing to do with the Church. We can see the Church in the Old Testament but it is concealed, expressly to the Nation Of Israel. As far as the Jews were concerned; what was about to take place on the the day of Pentacost could not happen. The Gentiles were outcasts. Even Jesus made this statement. ( Matthew 15:26 ) But he answered and said, it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. If you will look at that group of verses, you will see that a woman of Canaan was asking something of him. She is not of Israel. Just before that; ( Matthew 15: 24 ) he says ( But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house Israel.

Although the gospels are all innerwoven, they are all also different. Matthew reveals Jesus as ( the King of the Jews ). Mark reveals Jesus as ( the servant to man ). Luke reveals Jesus as ( the son of Man ). And, John reveals Jesus as ( the son of God ). You can also find this in ( Mark 7:24 ). I want you to notice a difference here. In Matthew, Jesus did end up helping the woman but, she was the one that pointed out tha ( even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. In Mark, Jesus says that ( first let the children be filled ) referring to the nation of Israel. It is not mentioned in Luke and the Son of God, being revealed in John would not make that statement. Can you see the progression in the gospels toward Jesus being not just there for the Jews but the savior of the world. We can also see that Jesus was offering himself to the Jew first and then to the uttermost parts of the earth.

They were looking for their King, their Messiah, nothing beyond that. The prophet was rightly prophesying to the Jews, Peter was correct but, this was not the time. I suppose it can be argued that Joel’s prophecy covered a long period of time beginning at the Church and, extending all the way to the tribulation period and beyond. If that is the fact then all the rest of what he prophesied was still yet to come.

I’m going to make a comment here that many might not like but, I believe it needs to be considered. The nation of Israel was looking for a Messiah to come and deliver them from the state they were in. That, at the time being in bondage or, under the rule of Rome. However, they never seen any need to change anything about themselves as a nation. Often, we as a people look at God the same way. We want Him to be there for us in our time of need but, we are not willing to yield to him as he speaks to our hearts.

If Jesus Christ would have simply said; I’m the KIng of Israel, drove out the rulers of Rome and gave Israel complete authority and, allowed her to stay just as she was, all Israel would have been happy. They would have shouted the victory. If I, as an individual simply live a selfish life and, I get a deadly sickness. Let’s say I call on Jesus to heal me. Well, do I think I can stay just as I am and expect God’s blessings on my life? Are we, as a people living in that type of mindset?

Peter is just before preaching a message to the people of Israel. We’ll look at that message. ( I believe ) that if Israel ( as Nation ) would have heard this message, excepted Jesus Christ as their King and, submitted to his leadership, Jesus would have come back at that time and set up his Kingdom, right then, at that time. While I make that statement, I also realize, from scripture that that’s not the reason Jesus came into this world. ( John 18: 37 ) Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Thou sayest I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into this world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

The truth is that Jesus Christ was born to be the savior of all that would believe on him. Although he is the rightful King of the Jews; that is not why he came at that time. One day he will be their King but, even then it will not be simply to satisfy their fleshly desires and to allow them to live as they please. Niether did he become my savior and yours to allow us to stay as we are.

On this day there were only Jews there on the day of Pentacost. Therefore, this message was to the Nation of Israel. Peter is going to take the Old Testament and prove his point to those people. Let’s start with this verse: ( Acts 2:23 ) Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and forknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

I’d like to make a point here. I know perfectly that my sin and the sin of the world is why Jesus Christ allowed himself to be crucified and, I thank him daily for that. However, Peter is making the point here that it was the Jews that crucifird him. We can take scripture and prove this. So, let’s read a little. ( Matthew 27:17-25 ) Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? ( 18 ) For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. ( 19 ) When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with this just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. ( 20 ) But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. ( 21 ) The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas. ( 22 ) Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. ( 23 ) And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. ( 24 ) When Pilate saw the he could prevail nothing, but the rather a turmult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. ( 25 ) Then answered the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

I wrote all of this to show you what the Jewish people said and done. I realize that Pilate could have stopped it anyway and, that because of sin, we all are guilty of the blood of Christ. Peter however is making the point in his message that the people of Israel could have stopped the crucifixion of Christ but choose not to. As a matter of fact; look at the last statement they made as a people. ( LET HIS BLOOD BE ON US, AND ON OUR CHILDREN ).

Now, let’s go back to ( Acts 2:36- 37 ) Therefore let all the house of Istael know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. ( 37 ) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

You can go back if you like and study every aspect of the points that Peter made from the Old Testament to draw this conviction on Israel if you like but, I’m going to simply address the main points here.

Peter, by preaching God’s word as ordaind by the Spirit of God has drawn conviction on these people, the people that listened to his message. What’s the difference? The difference is; the Holy Ghost has fallen, a man is preaching inspired by that Spirit and, these people are feeling that spirit. Their question was ( what shall we do )? Here we see the grace and mercy of God. Once sin is committed, it cannot be undone can it? However, It’s alot more to be seen here that just few people on that day repenting and being baptized. Again, Peter is speaking in ( verse 38 ). Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ( 39 ) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

We must take time here to see what is being said by Peter on this day and, at this time to these people. Remember, he is preaching to the Nation of Israel. There is not one Gentile present on this day that we know of. The key phrase in ( verse 38 ) is ( every one of you ). That is meaning ( the whole nation ). ( I believe ) personally that, at this time even Peter didn’t understand all he was preaching. Look at what he says in ( Verse 39 ) For this promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ( I believe ) that in Peter’s mind and, in the minds of those that heard him say this, it was still all about Israel and no one else. They, at this time still didn’t understand the concept of the Church.

I’m going to close this segment out here and start another. However, I’d like to make a comment here. We, as members of our perspective Churches, far too often, just like the people of Israel, listen to and, follow our leaders without hesitation. We never even consider them as right or wrong. One of the most profound things I might ever say is that ( it’s not me that I desire for you to hear ). My desire is to be your teacher but that you hear the Spirit of God as he might use me. In reality, the Spirit of God is your teacher and, that beyond any man or person. If I, as your teacher, teaches you that; Jesus Christ needs to be your savior then, can you see that it still takes the Spirit of God to reveal that truth to you? As I seek to teach you truth here, it’s ultimately God’s Spirit that has to convince you of that truth.

The next segment will be called ( PETER AND THE MESSAGE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST ).

As a student of scripture, I believe that to understand the age in which we live in and, how it unfolds in time ; we must have a basic understanding of the ( Book of Acts ). The entire New Testament is all relative in that it all works together to bring us to the spiritual maturity level that we all need when we stand before God one day.

I’ve often said that the Bible has ( pivot points ). These points must be searched out and, we must allow God’s Spirit to guide us to the spiritual understanding we need in our spiritual walk through this life.

My desire as a teacher is to teach a basic understanding of the Book of Acts. Within that, to allow you, through my teaching to learn to grow beyond my teaching to a place of a perfect understanding of God’s Word. That’s my desire. With the help of the spirit of God we can all grow spiritually.

I’ll begin teaching the Book of Acts and, I be doing it verse by verse. As you watch you will see the different segments and verses as it unfolds on my blog. By God’s grace we will all grow spiritually together, one verse, one word at a time.

May God add his blessings to the ( studying ) of his word.

In our last segment we were looking at the Apostle Paul and his commitment to hearing and obeying the spirit of God. The ability for each person to have the Holy Spirit came about at the beginning of the dispensation of God’s grace in the age to which we now live. We left of looking at some verses seen in ( Ephesians 3 ) where the Apostle Paul was explaining how that God, through his spirit had given him the mystery concerning the Church.

Every pastor in every Church must, if they expect to be effective in the salvation of other people, understand the concept of the working of God’s spirit and; his ability to allow that spirit to work through him as he preaches the messages he preaches. If not, we can have a Church full of people but void of the very spirit that is needed to carry the Church of Jesus Christ forward.

I can see how this concept was used, even before the Apostle Paul was saved. Look at these verses in ( Acts 8:31 ) And he said, how can I, except some man should guide me? And he desire Philip that he would come and sit with him. ( 32 ) The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before the shearer, so opened he not his mouth: ( 33 ) In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from this earth. ( 34 ) And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? ( 35 ) Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

If we read a little before this we will see where Philip was led by the Spirit to join this chariot. Because of his obedience of the spirit a man was born again. It’s very possible that Philip didn’t understand the very concept that led him but, he was still obedient to the voice within him.

As the dispensation these people lived in unfolded the Apostle Paul, shall we say; perfected this concept. He understood that he, himself could not cause any man to become right with God. He knew that the law or, the ability of any man to keep that law or to be taught to keep the law was not the answer to their spiritual problem.

With that being said; it takes the convicting power of the Holy Spirit of God to transform a man to the person that God desires for him to be. It is not just the ability of a man to live or, be taught to live a good life. The Apostle Paul was put in prison for teaching Jesus Christ. Often, from prison he wrote letters to the Churches he had started. He sought to continue to instruct them in the correct way to allow the Spirit to direct their footsteps.

Basically, what had happened in almost every Church he had started, corrupt teaching had set in. The question is: today, have we locked Jesus Christ up in a spiritual prison and, allowed corruption to set in in our Churches? One of the responsibilities of a pastor is to instruct in righteousness. How are we taught or instructed in what is righteous?

When we go out into the world and, the people of this world sees our ability to live and, they know we are members of a Church but, that’s all they see; what have they gained? Actually, they have gained nothing. The reason for that is that it’s not our righteousness they need to see. They need to be taught by us that the righteousness that we are dependent on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We need to become teaches in our own right. Instructing people that if all we have is within our ability to live right, we have nothing. We are all sinners and deserve hell but, we are depending on the righteousness of Jesus Christ to afford eternal life.

When I say; we are taught ( right living ) is important, it is but, that is not what brings salvation to us or the people that see us living right. We have to, with our voice, exalt Jesus Christ and teach the world their need for his righteousness and not ours. When we leave people to believe that we are good, we leave the door open for the same people to see and look for our imperfections which we surely have. However, if we will simply admit that we are hell deserving sinners, unworthy of salvation but, we are totally depending on the righteousness of Jesus Christ for our salvation then, by that; we exalt the name of Jesus and reveal who we truly are.

When pastors preach ( right living ) and, only teach that aspect of our responsibilities then our whole Church becomes a self righteous sore spot on the community to which we serve. The problem is, no matter how much we present ourselves as Church members and righteous, people around us and, those that work with us already know who and what we are. Without exalting the name of Jesus Christ and his righteousness out of your mouth then what you call salvation is nothing to the people around you.

Pastors need to teach their people that; a college education or, a complete understanding of scripture is not needed to be a witness for Jesus Christ. I’ll give this verse as an example. ( John 9:25 ) He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

You can read the account of this man. Jesus had spit on the ground and made clay to put on this man’s eyes that were blind. He instructed him to go wash in the pool of Siloam, and he did, at that he was able to see. There’s a great and lengthy message in all of this but the short of it is that they man said: This one thing I know, I was blind but now I see.

We have a problem with that aspect of our spiritual walk. We won’t tell people that we were lost but, now we are saved. We tell them, if anything; we are members of a Church, we might even add that we have a good pastor. With that a good children’s program but nothing about Jesus Christ and how he is transforming our lives.

We need to be taught by our pastors to give Jesus credit for all of our salvation, It’s he that I trust to take me to heaven and, I know he will do that. It’s not in my ability to live good enough to go to heaven but, I’m trusting, by faith in his ability, what he has already done for me. In Him I trust and not in my own righteousness.

When we say ( we hope ) we go to heaven; what are we saying? We are saying that we are trusting in our own ability to be good enough to make it to heaven. We’re looking at it as Jesus was good enough to forgive our past sins but, his blood will not cover the sins I might commit after I’m saved therefore, I might not ask forgiveness for a sin I commit.

Pastors need to teach us the absolute truth of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died for all sin. That means the sins of the Old Testament and, every sin that will ever be committed by any person that will ever live in the New Testament. I say this often, every sin of every person that is in hell right this minute is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Those that are in hell right now just never excepted Jesus Christ and his righteousness for the covering for their sin.

While that fact does not give any person a right to live in sin, it is a true fact. Once Jesus Christ is living in our hearts, the word of God as it is preached draws conviction on our hearts and causes a transformation toward him and away from sin. I don’t see these things being taught in the average local Church.

Pastors, I’m here to help; I’m not anyone’s enemy. However, I can see how that the people that actually lose in this are the members of our Churches and, their Children. Think about this, the Apostle Paul went to prison. From prison, he began to hear about the activities of the Churches he had started. He was not pleased with the reports he was getting. Therefore, he began to write letters to those Churches and, also send men he could trust to those Churches to ( set things in order ).

I, as a man that truly cares about the souls of men; share his burden. Look at these verses: ( Revelation 2:4-5 ) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. ( 5 ) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

When we speak of these verses and, their contents, to whom and to what are we speaking? The candlesticks are the pastors of the seven Churches. He says: they have lost their first love. What would that be? To make this point, I’ll use another verse. ( Philippians 3:8 ) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

Now, we must build a case for something here. This is what I see as a man that cares. Pastoring today, the candlestick in our Churches has become an occupation instead of a passion. If the light was ever there, it has gone out. When the Apostle Paul got saved in ( Acts 9 ); he was then commisioned by the Holy Spirit of God to lay the foundation for the Church; ( the age of Grace ) in which we still now live. Actually, the way it works today is still the very same way it was in the early days of the Church as far as the Spirit of God is concerned.

In the verse we read, the Apostle Paul gave his all to know Christ. His desire was to hear his voice; so to speak and, to write it all down that we might have a perfect understaning of who he is.

Look at this verse he was instructed by the Spirit to write. ( Hebrews 10:7 ) Then said I, Lo, I come ( in the volume of the book it is written of me, ) to do thy will, O God.

We now have a book. We call it the word of God. That book speaks. It is revealed by the spirit of God to any person that is will to ( give all ) to know Christ Jesus ).

Today our pastors are taught in universities and religious institutions. When, in reality, God simply desires for each pastor to pray, study his word and allow God the Spirit to speak to them and allow God, through that process to speak and convict his people.

In my own experience. my ( first love ) was knowing and understanding God’s word. I still have that same passion today. If we lose that passion, then we lose the desire to truly know Christ. We lose the ability to share him trufully with other people. The fire on the candlestick is gone out.

Do you remember Samson? What was it that he lost that made him lose his power? Was it not what was on the very top of himself, his hair? Can we relate that to the fire on a candlestick? That being on the very top? Samson, still the same man, a pastor still the same man but, both without any power.

Pastors, the word of God you hold in your hand is simply a book of words, stories. That is unless you allow the spirit of God to use you in the presentation of those words, those stories. The spirit is the power, the only power within those words.

Let’s look at one other group of verses and we’ll close. ( Matthew 5: 13-16 ) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men. ( 14 ) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hilltop cannot be hid. ( 15 ) Niether do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ( 16 ) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.

A Church is a city on a hilltop. It sits there for all to see. What good is it if the power is gone from it? The pastor is a man that gives light to all that is in that house. The people that are in that house is to take that light out of that house and spread it all throughout the community that God might get the glory.

I hear a lot about good Churches, good pastors but very little about Jesus Christ therefore, how does God get the glory in that?

THe flame on the pastor’s candle is gone and, the Church is getting all the attention. That is not what God intended for our Churches to be.

As I write this I’d like for it not to be just a note to my pastor but, a note to the pastor of any true born again believer. As a simple Church member, one that just has a desire to see and to be able to work with the man that stands behind the pulpit in my Church. The man that stands in the very place that Jesus Christ would stand if he were in the flesh and heading the Church that he gave his life for. We seldom consider this but, Jesus Christ is the only person that has the authority to walk into any Church and tell the pastor of that Church to stand aside; from this point on I’m in control.

There is no king, president, no other Church leader or no other Church official, not matter what his rank might be that can sit a pastor down other than Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died and rose again for the Church, the body of Christ. We often get caught up in individualism. We like to think we are important and, salvation is a very personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However, it’s actually the Church that Jesus died and rose again for. We, as individuals are born into that body.

My pastor, your pastor stands where no man stands alone. He does not have the right to speak his opinion or even his own thoughts. We are talking about when he is standing behind his pulpit and delivering the message God has laid upon his heart. Starting with any pastor, he is not his own; just like every person he is speaking to that is a member of the body of Christ. We also are not our own. We don’t have the right to talk like we want to, act like we want to or dress like we want to. We also cannot believe like we want to.

The day my pastor asked Jesus Christ into his heart; he gave up that right. The day he surrendered to preach, he gave up his right to his own opinion. It’s now his responsibility to preach, to the best of his ability; the very message God lays upon his heart.

When a pastor does less than this, have you ever considered what he is actually doing? First of all, he is degrading the very pulpit he stands behind and also the very God that he says he serves. He is stopping the God of this universe from speaking to his own people. Secondly, he is leaving the people that He says he loves in darkness and bringing spiritual ignorance to the people of God. Thirdly, it’s very possible he is keeping the people that are lost in the darkness of this world because his thoughts or opinions cannot draw them out of that darkness.

WHO CAN BE A PASTOR?

Is this question something that members of the body should consider? Do we simply leave the qualifications of a pastor to the members of a Church? The very same Bible that we call ( God’s word ), the book that leads people to Christ also defines the qualifications of a pastor. Now, in making this statement; it does not mean that just because a person meets the physical qualifications of a pastor that; that same person has God’s hand on him does it? I. as an individual, born again believer might have to power of God all over me but, I might not meet the qualifications it takes to be a pastor of the Church that Jesus Christ died and rose again for. By the same token; just because a man meets all the qualifications to be a pastor does not mean that he has the power of God on him does it?

Since we are born again, that means that someone shared the gospel message to us and we, by faith asked Jesus Christ to be our savior. The holy Spirit, because of God’s word convicted our hearts and drew us to that saving grace. That act came from the word of God. if we are willing to trust our very salvation to the word of God; why wouldn’t we also trust the qualification of our pastor to that same book?

The members of the body of Christ, as well as any pastor can bring shame and reproach to God the Father by our very actions. It takes wisdom for a Church to pick a pastor, a man that will prepare you, one day; to stand before God. As any Church moves forward, the members of that Church must consider future generations, such as their own children and grandchildren. The people that are to come after us will also need truth and conviction from God’s word and, if we allow the man that pastors our Church to be less than all that God wants him to be then we tie the hands of the Spirit of God.

The Bible teaches us to: ( Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth ). ( 2 Timothy 2:15 )

Although the Bible does give distinct qualification for a pastor of any Church, it also teaches that the pastor should be filled with the spirit. If we read ( 1 Timothy 3:1-13 ) it gives the qualifications of a pastor and, also a deacon however, it actually doesn’t say anything about the spiritual aspect of his life.

I did notice that in ( acts 6:3 ) the Apostles tell the people to look for seven men of honest report, full of the holy ghost and of honest report. Here they didn’t say anything about them being married, having children or whether they ruled their own houses well. So, what is the point to be made? It takes study and, understanding how the spirit of God works in our lives and, that concerning scripture, our own requirements, spiritually speaking, as Church members.

For instance, can you as a Church member recognize the Holy Spirit in a man? Can you tell if he is filled with that spirit or not? How many people in your Church can you say have the wisdom to do that?

In our Churches today, we allow every member to vote on who will be our pastor. Is that a wise thing to do? In reality, today, our pastors are what the local Church says he should be and not necessarily, the spirit of God.

I realize that the verse we used in Acts is where we consider to be our instructions on picking deacons. As we look at theses verses it’s another thing we need to consider. Just because we read something in scripture does that mean that the act is spirit filled? Here in Acts for example; when the Apostles said that ( it was not meet that we should wait tables ), but that they should be studying scripture. And, at that they told the people to pick those men. Was that a move that was spirit lead? In scripture often we can learn ( what not to do ) as well as ( what things we should do ). It just takes spiritual wisdom to see those things.

Often now; we allow the children in our homes to rule the things that happen; do we not do the same in our Churches? If any member of any Church cannot recognize spiritual wisdom in a single member; why should they be allowed to vote on a pastor? When we allow children in our homes or, in our Churches to lead, we are not using wisdom. If you were ask, as a Church member to describe the responsibilities of a pastor, could you, by scripture answer that? If not, then why would you vote on any man?

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PASTOR

We speak of being filled with the spirit of God. The head of every Church is actually Christ but, he speaks through the pastor; when the pastor is filled with God’s spirit. Can you see a ( chain of command ) beginning there? The pastor is the start of that chain. ( A chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link ). If that weak link is the pastor; what do we have? That means that all the power of God through his spirit and the blood of Jesus Christ breaks at the source of that power. If you hook a very powerful tractor to a chain and expect it to move a heavy load but, the chain breaks at the very first link; the load never moves does it? The rest of those links could have done wonderfully powerful things but, they never got tested for strength because the very first link gave way.

As I write this my heart and mind goes to the Apostle Paul. I always like to point out these verses. ( Acts 9:15-16 ) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: ( 16 ) For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

We could look at the Apostle as the very first pastor. And that, of every Church he started until another man was spiritually mature enough for him to move on and start another work. However, the reason I point this out is because of the awesome responsibility God laid upon his shoulders. We see this in ( Ephesians 3:1 ) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (2) If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: ( 3 ) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; ( as I write afore in few words, ( 4 ) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ ) ( 5 ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; ( 6 ) That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and the partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: ( 7 ) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

If you will notice, this is all one sentence. The Apostle Paul is explaining how God, by his Spirit laid upon his shoulders the mystery as it is concerning the building of his Church, the bride of Jesus Christ.

What if the Apostle Paul would have considered the gift of hearing the Spirit of God as not important? Where would we be today? We often don’t consider the importance of simple things, simple gifts and abilities, and that, even of other people. The complete word of God had to come from somewhere. The understanding of all the parts of that one book has to also be considered and how that comes about. The Apostle Paul was a tremendous part of that. We live in that dispensation that he speaks of today.

Therefore, since the Apostle Paul understood the necessity of listening to God’s Spirit and obeying that self-same spirit; how does that relate to us today. I will seek to answer that in the ( Pastor 3 ) segment of this writing.