Acts of the Apostles - session 7
Acts 15 - 27
Sometimes you may hear that this book is called "the acts of God". Yesterday I heard someone call it the "experiences of God", as His plan is realized through the lives of the Apostles. Whatever it is called, one can't help but notice how often the Holy Spirit of God is the "hero" of this book. Luke makes that message very clear. The leaders of the early church never took that for granted. Many other attempts at "new" viewpoints, or bands, of some beliefs came and went; but because of the direct involvement of the Spirit, Christianity evolved and survived. The main character assessment one can ascribe to the Apostles seems to be their openness to the leading of the Spirit. Have you been counting the number of times this is mentioned? I have counted well over 100.
Scholars believe that, about ten years after Peter's vision up on the roof, an important meeting was arranged. This is thought to be the first Council of the Christian Church (held in Jerusalem). One of the questions to be settled was the problem with the law of circumcision, required of all Jews. Paul and Barnabas went to join Peter and the others. Peter spoke to all of them, saying,
Scholars believe that, about ten years after Peter's vision up on the roof, an important meeting was arranged. This is thought to be the first Council of the Christian Church (held in Jerusalem). One of the questions to be settled was the problem with the law of circumcision, required of all Jews. Paul and Barnabas went to join Peter and the others. Peter spoke to all of them, saying,
God, who knows the heart, showed He accepted [the Gentiles] by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He purified their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:7,8)
The result of this council was a letter to all Gentile Believers, pointing out this agreement of the elders of what was required. These covered what was prohibited, such as eating certain foods and sexual immorality. Yet, all other requirements were passed over, although they remained optional, and this included circumcision.
In all that he did, and the places he visited, Paul was led by the Holy Spirit. For this new, early church to become so wide spread, it was obvious to the Believers that the Spirit was directly involved. Does this account for their enthusiasm and their dedication? Paul met violent opposition at times, but he never wavered from the mission he felt God had given him. He traveled to Corinth, Ephesus, and parts of Macedonia and Greece. Paul continued to encourage all who would listen. In a poignant remark that Paul made to the elders at Ephesus, he said,
In all that he did, and the places he visited, Paul was led by the Holy Spirit. For this new, early church to become so wide spread, it was obvious to the Believers that the Spirit was directly involved. Does this account for their enthusiasm and their dedication? Paul met violent opposition at times, but he never wavered from the mission he felt God had given him. He traveled to Corinth, Ephesus, and parts of Macedonia and Greece. Paul continued to encourage all who would listen. In a poignant remark that Paul made to the elders at Ephesus, he said,
The Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. Yet, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I finish the race and continue the task the Lord Jesus has given me. (Acts 20:24)
On to Rome
Chapters 21 through 27 read like a modern novel with escapades that would keep you on the edge of your seat, if it was produced for a movie theater. (I hope someday someone has a leading to do this.) Please read this for yourself! It would be hard for me to do it justice!
You will read about the devastating shipwreck. One can see how God's hand was in all that Paul experienced. A class member asked me if I thought God caused the ship to wreck. I hesitate answering a question like that. I would prefer the student read the whole Bible and then come to some understanding. My answer, however, was this: "Whether God knew ahead of time that this would happen, or He caused it to happen, is not the main theme in this account. From this experience, Paul and those with him, learned of God's PROVIDENCE!"
We learn this as we read about this remarkable happening. My first thought is always this when something so unexpected, so scary, so potentially dangerous happens (to me, or anyone else). God knows about it!
I look to Him for what comes out of this situation. I listen for His leading, I follow His directions. I know He can make something GOOD come out of something BAD. Hark back to what was said about the terrible trial that Joseph encountered (whose father gave him a coat of many colors). His brothers wanted to kill him and threw him in a pit.
You will read about the devastating shipwreck. One can see how God's hand was in all that Paul experienced. A class member asked me if I thought God caused the ship to wreck. I hesitate answering a question like that. I would prefer the student read the whole Bible and then come to some understanding. My answer, however, was this: "Whether God knew ahead of time that this would happen, or He caused it to happen, is not the main theme in this account. From this experience, Paul and those with him, learned of God's PROVIDENCE!"
We learn this as we read about this remarkable happening. My first thought is always this when something so unexpected, so scary, so potentially dangerous happens (to me, or anyone else). God knows about it!
I look to Him for what comes out of this situation. I listen for His leading, I follow His directions. I know He can make something GOOD come out of something BAD. Hark back to what was said about the terrible trial that Joseph encountered (whose father gave him a coat of many colors). His brothers wanted to kill him and threw him in a pit.
You meant it for evil, but God meant it for GOOD.
This awful mess was turned into an amazing new life for Joseph. Actually, through this new life, Joseph eventually saved thousands from starvation including his own brothers. That's quite an inspiring story of faith and forgiveness found in Genesis 50:19.
Luke was not with Paul on this journey to Rome, but as a close friend he must have heard all the details on a person-to-person visit. His description of all of this is so vivid. You will notice that Luke uses the pronoun "us" when he did accompany Paul.
While Paul was on his journeys, and even in prison in Rome, he wrote valuable letters. He wrote to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, with particular letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Many of the Jews seemed to close their ears. Paul quoted this from Isaiah, chapter 6, verses 9 & 10: "Their hearts had become hardened . . . otherwise they might understand with their hearts and I would heal them."
It is at this point that I remind students to remember the phrase, mentioned 27 times or more in the Bible,
Luke was not with Paul on this journey to Rome, but as a close friend he must have heard all the details on a person-to-person visit. His description of all of this is so vivid. You will notice that Luke uses the pronoun "us" when he did accompany Paul.
While Paul was on his journeys, and even in prison in Rome, he wrote valuable letters. He wrote to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, with particular letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Many of the Jews seemed to close their ears. Paul quoted this from Isaiah, chapter 6, verses 9 & 10: "Their hearts had become hardened . . . otherwise they might understand with their hearts and I would heal them."
It is at this point that I remind students to remember the phrase, mentioned 27 times or more in the Bible,
Let those who have ears hear.
Can it be that this is a clue? Those who have "ears to hear" are able to listen to God and then follow His directions. Those who do not have "ears to hear" are not Spiritually "in tune". As John put it "flesh communicates with flesh, Spirit communicates with spirit" (John 3:6).
Someday, God may inspire someone to open a new way for many more to "open their ears" Spiritually. We already know that music and singing can do this; corporate and personal prayer, also the look of art . . . such as stained glass windows, portraits, pictures of and especially trips to the Holy Land. Yet, there may come another "break through" that God has in mind for us. Hard bound rules and regulations, especially unforgiveness, can quench the Holy Spirit.
Luke ends this book without telling us of Paul's final imprisonment and cruel death. Paul lived a fairly long life and grew in the Spirit along the way. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he told about a man who was taken up into the "third heaven". He heard "inexpressible things, things a man is not permitted to tell" (II Cor. 12:2-4). Scholars believe that Paul was talking about himself. He learned to trust in the Lord for everything and completed the remarkable mission that God had planned for him. He finished "the race"!
Someday, God may inspire someone to open a new way for many more to "open their ears" Spiritually. We already know that music and singing can do this; corporate and personal prayer, also the look of art . . . such as stained glass windows, portraits, pictures of and especially trips to the Holy Land. Yet, there may come another "break through" that God has in mind for us. Hard bound rules and regulations, especially unforgiveness, can quench the Holy Spirit.
Luke ends this book without telling us of Paul's final imprisonment and cruel death. Paul lived a fairly long life and grew in the Spirit along the way. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he told about a man who was taken up into the "third heaven". He heard "inexpressible things, things a man is not permitted to tell" (II Cor. 12:2-4). Scholars believe that Paul was talking about himself. He learned to trust in the Lord for everything and completed the remarkable mission that God had planned for him. He finished "the race"!