STUDIES IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

VOLUME TWO

Lessons 16-23

Chapter’s 9-14

INTRODUCTION:

While the Acts of the Apostles is very much a history of the apostolic church, there is much doctrine to be derived from it, especially in relationship to ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church. This writer enjoys the study of Acts because of its Practical Theology. It not only tells, but shows us how they did it in those days of the beginnings of the church that Jesus built from the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The beginning of this volume is the beginning of new life and ministry in the greatest missionary-evangelist of all time, Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul. In Paul we will see much more of the

in-working of God’s absolute sovereign grace and purpose. Let us now begin the second part of our study through the Acts of the Apostles

AN APOSTLE IS BORN!

(The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus)

Scripture: Acts 9:1-30

Text: 1 timothy 1:15

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

INTRODUCTION:

We should never underestimate the power of God to save the chief of sinners. That is what Saul (who was later called, Paul) called himself in his first letter to the young Pastor, Timothy. And indeed he had been a ringleader in the persecution against the Church at this time. Saul had a most amazing conversion as the Lord Jesus Himself arrested him on the Damascus Road.

As we look at this amazing account here in Acts chapter nine, we see:

1. CONVERSION: Vs 1-18

A. Arrested By Jesus:

1. We see first of all, Saul the sinner. Vs 1-2

No one can be converted if he does not first know in his heart the need for conversion.

2. Then we see instant conversion. Vs 3-4

Saul's conversion was not instant in the light of God's sovereign plan of grace from eternity. But, from the time Jesus spoke to him on the Damascus Road, there appears to be a quick turn around. Such turn around can only be accounted for by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

3. Saul meets the Lord! Saul, the chief of sinners, the ringleader in persecution against the Body of Christ in Jerusalem, now meets the Lord. We may think we are right and that we are our own person, but we all must give an account to someone, especially to the LORD.

Saul no doubt thought that his "religion" was right. That he was actually working for God in persecuting the Church.

Saul thought he was persecuting heretics, a bunch of radicals who were turning God's people away from Him, towards a false God.

Idols cannot speak, but Jesus whom Saul no doubt thought was dead, now appeared to him and was speaking.

"I am Jesus whom you have been persecuting."

4. Here I believe is the pivotal point of Saul's conversion:

"Vs 6 -"And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

Then came the marching orders:

"Arise and go into the city, (Damascus) and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

5. New Testament preaching was aimed at the need for personal conversion.

Acts 3:19

"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."

Matthew 18:3

"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."

B. Ananias The Soul Winner: Vs 10-18

1. The first thing we see here is that although salvation is of the Lord, it pleases God to use men.

Throughout the ministry of Christ, He schooled His disciples to do His work. Man cannot save, that is the business of the Lord. However, God uses men to witness to, and to lead sinners to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ and life within the New Testament Church.

Paul would later write to the Church in Rome:

Romans 10:14

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

God uses men, and Jesus commissioned the Church to preach the gospel to every creature. To make disciples of all nations.

Ananias is perhaps the only one who knew that this chief of sinners was actually a sheep, one of God's elect. The rest of us do not have that luxury, we just preach the gospel to everyone and the Lord adds to the Church such as should be saved.

Hyper-Calvinistic Hardshells err when they refuse to preach the gospel to everyone. How can we tell a sheep from a goat when "all are equally sinners," until the cross has done it's work personally in the heart and life of the one who is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb?

2. The second thing we see here is that Ananias was led by the Lord:

(Excuse me if I smile a little here. How many times have I had someone come to tell me they were led of the Lord? Then they proceeded to tell me some outrageous thing that they thought I needed to know.)

Please take note that God spoke to both Saul and Ananias. When Ananias met Saul, he knew God's leading. When Saul met Ananias, he knew what God has already told him. This was confirmation, not leadership by man. Be ware when someone tells you, "God told me to tell you." Such people usually just need a good dose of Alka-Seltzer.

God always works from both ends of the street, to the middle of the road. See verses 6, 10-12 -

3. Ordered to action! The Lord gave Ananias direction, even while Saul was still praying. It is amazing that Saul was now living on Straight Street! I believe he was converted, but needed some counseling, some direction.

Ananias would visit Saul to give him physical sight, but also spiritual vision.

4. The hesitation of men: Vs 13-14

Don't fault Ananias for his hesitation in going to do some visitation. When is the last time you did any personal visitation to talk to someone about the Lord? Remember that Saul was not just anyone. He had authority to bind Christians in chains and haul them off to Jerusalem where they may be killed. I think all of us would ask the same question that Ananias did.

The main thing here is that with a brief explanation, Ananias went to call on Saul!

5. God's chosen vessel: Vs 15-16

God's reasons are stronger and supercede our fears.

a) "He is a chosen vessel unto me"

b) "To bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings and Israel"

c) "For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake,"

God would remake this broken vessel and use it for His glory. How would you react to this Word from Jesus?

The truth is, we do not know what plan God has for the man across the street, the one working next to you at the shop, or the one you meet regularly in the elevator. That is really not our business. Our business is to preach the word!

6. Ananias message to Saul: Vs 17

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

a) Ananias went directly into the house and laid his hands upon Saul.

Remember that Saul was still blind, but Ananias shows no hesitation here.

b) "And said, Brother Saul" - Saul is already considered a brother even before he is baptized.

c) Confirmation: "Jesus has sent me." Saul was not caught off guard as Jesus had also told him about Ananias (Vs 12.)

d) To receive his sight and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

First he would be healed of his blindness. Then he would be anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit.

The term "filled with the Spirit" is acquainted with Christian service in the New Testament.

7. Saul is healed and baptized: Vs 18

a) "Immediately there fell as it were scales from his eyes and he received his sight."

b) "And was baptized." Saul was then taken out and immersed. Nothing is said here about the place of baptism. The word baptizo means to immerse, so could not have been done in the house. Perhaps it was in the Barada River that runs through Damascus? The ancient city of Damascus was built upon its banks and Straight Street was the only straight street in the city and was close to the river. (Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia-Volume 7.)

c) We see here that healing came before baptism. Spiritual healing also comes before baptism. One is not baptized in order to be saved, but because they are already a recipient of salvation.

2. CONTINUED SERVICE: Vs 19-25

Someone has well said that the Christian is "saved to serve." This we can certainly see in the life and testimony of the Apostle Paul.

A. Preaching: Vs 20-23

1. Saul began preaching after only brief rest.

"And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples, which were at Damascus.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God" (Vs 20).

2. Remember, that Saul was already a well-educated man and would know the Scriptures.

Acts 22:3

"I verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye are all are this day."

3. He now saw and was able to make the connection between the prophecies of Messiah, and Jesus Christ. He knew Jesus to be the Son of God.

4. Saul's theme was "Jesus as the Son of God." He preached the deity of Jesus Christ. This term implies as well that Jesus is the Savior.

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Cf Matthew 1:23.

Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

5. Luke, here records the amazement of those who heard him preach. Saul the persecutor of Christians was now a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The persecutor had joined the persecuted!

6. The Jews in Damascus were now very confused by Saul's ability to persuade them concerning Jesus Christ. He was able to prove his point concerning Jesus being the Messiah. Vs 21-22

7. The Chief Priests in Jerusalem would receive no more Christians by the hands of Saul. They would indeed soon hear the same gospel message as the Jews of Damascus were hearing. Saul increased spiritually as he further connected the Scriptures concerning Christ with Jesus. He declared that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

B. Persecution: Vs 23-25

1. After some time had passed, the Jewish leaders worked out a plan to assassinate Saul.

2. News that the Jewish leaders planned to kill him reached Saul. God does not keep his ministers in the dark.

3. The Jewish leaders had guarded the gates of the city day and night. In order to kill him.

4. In the dark, the other disciples lowered Saul down from the city wall in a basket. In this way he Providentially escaped death.

5. God still had a work for Saul to do.

Vs 25 - "Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."

1 Corinthians 10:13

"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye might be able to bear it."

God takes care of His own people, and not always in the way we might expect. Sometimes, he uses a basket.

3. COUNCIL IN JERUSALEM: vs 26-30

A. Testimony to the Apostles:

1. In leaving Damascus, Saul went directly down to Jerusalem. Providence is often seen in closed doors of persecution. It was necessary for Saul to spend some time with his local church. The Damascus Church was where he was baptized.

We do not read of a special blessing on Saul by the Church, and most certainly this sending Church used a unique method of laying on of hands. I am certain they prayed for him and wished him well as they had to sneak him out of the city of Damascus.

2. In his attempt to join with the Church in Jerusalem, he found fear and uncertainty as to his true conversion. (Vs 26.)

This certainly is to be expected in the light of all of the persecution that Saul was responsible for in previous days.

3. Barnabus became the reference person and took charge of Saul and introduced him to the twelve (12) apostles.

4. It is good to have others who will testify to your faith.

Acts 26:26

Paul later told King Agrippa, " … For this thing was not done in a corner."

Barnabus explained how Saul had met with Jesus, been converted on the Damascus Road, was baptized and preached the gospel to the Jews in the city of Damascus.

5. Saul had preached "boldly" or fearlessly, without fear of death, and with real conviction, in the name of Jesus.

Saul's old record has been wiped clean by Jesus Christ. His new record was now laid out before the twelve apostles.

B. Testimony in Jerusalem: Vs 28-30

1. Saul was with the twelve apostles coming and going from the city of Jerusalem. This literally means throughout Jerusalem coming and going he was seen with the apostles. (Vs 28).

2. He preached in Jerusalem, the seat of Judaism.

3. He spoke boldly in the name of the Lord (reference is to Jesus)

4. He debated with the Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews) concerning Jesus being the Messiah

5. Here we see another attempt to kill Saul.

6. When "the brethren heard this" accompanied him to Caesarea, from where he then left for his home city of Tarsus in Cilicia.

Dr. John Gill has this to say about this verse:

Verse. 30. Which when the brethren knew, &c.] When the members of the church heard of it, by some means or another:

They brought him down to Caesarea; not that which was before called Strato's tower, the same as in #Ac 8:40 but Caesarea Philippi, mentioned in #Mt 16:13 the Syriac version adds, "by night", and some copies, "and sent him forth to Tarsus"; a city of Cilicia, his own native place, where he might be more safe, and also useful among his friends and acquaintance; #Galatians 1:21." -(John Gill Expositor)

CONCLUSION:

Verse 31 -Then had the Churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied."

There was now peace among the churches. They were able to concentrate on building themselves up spiritually in the fear of the Lord and were filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit. In this way, the churches grew in number as souls were saved and added to the Church by baptism.

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

Sunday morning, May 13^th 2001.

LESSON SEVENTEEN –

PREACHING THRU ACTS

THE EARLY MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLE PETER

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Text: 2 Peter 1:1

"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ."

INTRODUCTION:

Peter the fisherman, now a fisher of men! Peter who previously could not testify to the young woman at the fire, now a stalwart preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Peter, who at one time had a tendency to talk much without thinking, was now able to reason about Christ, and work miracles by the power of His name.

As we look at this chapter we get a good insight into the early ministry of this beloved apostle. We will look at it under three headings:

1. Rising from Death.

2. Revealing Christ to a Gentile.

3. Reasoning with Cornelius.

1. RISING FROM DEATH: 9:32-43

Here we see some of the miracles wrought by the hands of the apostle as predicted by Jesus Christ. These give evidence of the resurrected Christ who now sits on the right hand of authority in heaven. That is the purpose of apostolic miracles that took place until the completion of New Testament Scripture, except for Revelation, by the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

A. A Paralytic Healed:

1. Peter was preaching in several towns and cities and came to Lydda, close to Joppa near the Mediterranean Sea.

2. There Peter found a man who was a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. His name was Aeneas.

3. Peter's charge to the paralytic:

"Aeneas Jesus Christ makes you whole arise and fold up your bed roll."

a) We see here the authority of the name of Jesus.

b) The instant healing. God's work of grace is instant, we do not have to struggle through life and hope we can endure to the end and finally be saved.

Like the spiritual healing of Saul of Tarsus we see the instant healing of this paralytic.

4. The result of this miracle and the preaching of Jesus was that many turned to Christ and were converted.

This is the reason or purpose for the miracles of Jesus and the apostles.

B. A Pious Woman Raised From Death:

1. At Joppa there was a woman named Dorcas, who was a disciple of Jesus.

2. She was a servant in the Church there, who never tired of doing a good work and giving in charity.

3. The time came when she became ill and died. They washed her body according to custom and laid her out in an upstairs room.

4. Lydda is close to Joppa, and so when the disciples heard that Peter was there they sent two men with an urgent message for him to come and visit them as soon as possible.

The urgency appears to be due to the death of Dorcas.

5. Upon arrival in Lydda, Peter went straightway up to the room where Dorcas lay. The widows stood around her in tears. (The official mourning according to custom.) They showed Peter the things Dorcas had made when she was with them.

6. Peter sent everyone from the room and prayed.

Notice the order here:

a) Peter knelt in prayer. (Kneeling is a sign of humility.)

He needed the quiet of prayer away from the noise of the mourners and the unbelief of others.

b) He then turned to the dead woman and said, "Tabitha, stand up."

(Tabitha is her proper name, which interpreted means Dorcas or perhaps Doe.)

c) She opened her eyes, looked at Peter and sat up. Peter helped her to her feet.

d) He called in the saints and widows and showed that she was alive.

Notice that all of the disciples here are called "saints".

7. The result of this miracle was that all of Joppa heard about it, and many placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. This of again is the purpose of apostolic miracles.

2. REVEALING CHRIST TO A GENTILE: Vs 1-23

While this may be regarded as the first taking of the gospel to the Gentiles, it literally is not. The Ethiopian Eunuch was certainly a Gentile as most Africans are, but it is believed that he was a proselyte to Judaism, as he already had a copy of the Scriptures. This may be regarded as the official beginning of a New Testament Church among the African Gentiles. Here it involved the ministry of the apostle Peter.

A. Confirmed in a Vision: 10:1-8

1. The place was Caesarea; the man's name was Cornelius.

2. Cornelius was a centurion in the Roman army. A centurion is a noncommissioned military officer commanding between 50 and 100 men. (Vine). "A member of the Italian band," or regiment of soldiers from Rome.

3. Cornelius was a devout man who led his household to fear (respect and honor) God. He gave money to the poor and was a man who spent much time in prayer. Vs 2.

4. No doubt during a time of prayer, Cornelius saw a vision of an angel that spoke to him. Vs 3

5. The angel's message to Cornelius was first one of commendation for his prayer life and gifts to charity.

Vs 4. He was to send men to Joppa and call for Simon Peter who was staying in the home of Simon the Tanner. Peter would give him further direction as to what he needed to do. Vs 5-6.

6. Cornelius obeyed the words of the angel and sent two of his servants to Joppa. Vs 7-8.

Cornelius quickness to follow through on his vision and conversation with the angel shows the level of his faith at this point in his life. God was already working in his life by his sovereign grace.

We see here that God was at work in the heart and life of Cornelius to bring him closer to Himself.

C. Confirmation to the Apostle Peter: Vs 9-23

1. Peter too was a man of prayer, Vs 9. It is in prayer and in the Word that God speaks to the heart of His elect and we receive power with God.

2. Peter's time of prayer was the sixth hour or noon. The Jewish days were divided into twelve hours of day and twelve hours of night.

3. We ought to look a little closer at the situation as Peter received this unusual vision: Vs 10

a) Cornelius although a very pious man was not a Jew, nor was he a Christian. Up to this point, no actual non-Jewish people were added to the Church. Some who were proselytes to Judaism were added but none that were actual Gentiles. (Unless we consider the Ethiopian Eunuch as such.)

b) The house where Peter was lodging, that of Simon the Tanner. Of this man, Dr. G. Campbell Morgan says, "Prior to his coming to Christ, and his baptism of the Spirit, Peter, the Hebrew, would not have lodged in the house of Simon the tanner. The trade of the tanner was held in such supreme contempt that if a girl was betrothed to a tanner without knowing that he followed that calling, the betrothal was void. A tanner had to build his house fifty cubits outside of the city. But this man Peter's prejudices were so far broken down that he was content to lodge in the house of Simon a tanner; assuredly in the house of one who loved Christ, a fellow disciple. The first outworking of prejudice was gone, yet it was still in his heart." (The Acts of the Apostles-Dr. G. Campbell Morgan- Page 268.)

c) Peter was very hungry and would have eaten but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance (as he prayed.) This shows the extent to which Peter would not go if even to satisfy a deep hunger for food, as we look at the vision he was about to see.

4. In this trance Peter too had a vision. He saw a great sheet with four corners descending towards the earth. Vs 11-13.

a) Peter saw on this sheet all manner of things that to a devout Jew would be ceremonially unclean.

b) Peter heard a voice, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."

What he saw and what he heard was contrary to what he believed at this point in his life and ministry.

The extent of what Peter saw and heard was no doubt shocking to this Jewish Christian.

5. Peter's reply: "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." Vs 14

The word "common" means unhallowed. The words "unclean" refer to the Mosaic ceremonial law.

The things that Peter saw on the sheet, even though he was very hungry, were not to be eaten by a Jew.

6. Vs 15- The voice came to him the second time, "What God has cleansed, that call thou not common."

God was indeed trying to get through to Peter and lead not only him, but also Cornelius household to a deeper truth. This is not something new because the Jews were taught by the prophets to expect the "covenant and light to go to the Gentiles" (Isaiah 42:6-7.)

7. This happened to Peter three times. Was this an allusion to the rooster’s crow that Peter had heard earlier? I wonder how many times does God have to speak to us to teach us obedience to Him? Oh the measure of His patience and grace to us-ward!

8. We note that God backed up the vision with a bit of reality. We do not live in trances and visions, or by them alone.

"While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee." Vs 19.

a. Direct orders: "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." Vs 20.

b. Peter introduced himself to Cornelius servants and asked them the reason for their visit. Vs 21.

God does not always tell us everything at once.

c. Vs 22-23 -The two visions and two groups are here united and in response to his vision, Peter apparently had no quirks about housing the visiting Gentiles in this Jewish home.

"So here in one house slept a tanner, the apostle of Christianity, two household servants who are Gentiles, and a Roman soldier. They all stayed together that night, the unifying Spirit, breaking down the barriers and sweeping out prejudices, was at work more powerfully than those men knew." - (Morgan-ibid).

The next day he took some men of Joppa with him and they departed for the journey some thirty miles north to Caesarea.

3. REASONING WITH CORNELIUS: Vs 24-48

Here we deal with Peter's preaching or teaching in the house of Cornelius in Caesarea. Here we see the fulfillment of Bible prophecy regarding the light to the Gentiles and the coming together of two visions thirty miles apart that will establish a New Testament Church in this city on the Mediterranean coast.

Let us now look at Peter's message to Cornelius household.

A. Prelude to the Message: Vs 24-33

1. Cornelius was waiting for Peter's arrival having gathered together all of his household, kindred, and close friends. Vs 24.

Oh that we today could be as anxious as Cornelius to bring our friends and relatives under the sound of the gospel! This of course underlines Cornelius sphere of influence. All of us too influence others for good or for bad. I wonder which it is?

2. Upon Peter's entrance into his house this centurion leader of Roman soldiers fell at Peter's feet and worshipped him. Peter's response ought to be noted by those who would claim him to be the first Pope.

"But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man."

Vs 25-26.

3. As Peter talked with Cornelius he came on into the house and found many that were gathered there. The fact that this is mentioned twice here, underscores the importance of inviting others to come under the sound of the gospel. If Cornelius had of been taught by a Primitive Baptist, he would be all alone unless he could determine who the elect were. Vs 27.

4. Peter's Jewish response (vs 28) is overlaid by his revelation from God.

"God has shown me that I should not call any man common our unclean."

Peter got the connection and knew that the vision of unclean things had nothing to do with food, but rather with people of other nationalities. No man is therefore ceremonially unclean.

5. "Therefore I came unto you without gainsaying (objection or misgiving) as soon as I was sent for."

It appears from here that Peter still did not know the intent of Cornelius summons for him to come to his house. ""I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?" Vs 29.

6. 6. Vs 30-32 - Cornelius reply to Peter gives him an open door. This is the response that every preacher dreams about!

"Four days ago I was fasting and praying. About three o'clock in the afternoon I had a vision of a man in bright clothing. He said, Cornelius your prayer is heard and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send to Joppa for a man named Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with a man named Simon, a tanner who lives by the sea. When he is come here he will speak to you.

7. 7. I sent for you immediately and you have done well to come. All of my household and friends are here waiting to hear you tell us all that you know of God and what the Lord has told you to do. Vs 33.

"We want to hear all the things that are commanded thee of God."

B. Perception: Vs 34-41

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.

The word, which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:"

1. Peter's perception concerns the Word of God, which he is about to declare to these people. Vs 37.

2. The word is the good news, the gospel that was preached throughout all Judaea. (The reference here is to all of Israel or the Jews.

3. The beginning of the gospel was from Galilee after the baptism that John preached. We must note the place of John the Baptist and his baptism in the history of the gospel. John was the "man sent from God" (John 1:6.) This is the only baptism that Jesus and the apostles knew. This is the authority that Jesus would give to the Church and by which all New Testament Churches must operate. Vs 37

4. The basis of the gospel preached: Vs 38

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

This Peter declared was the ministry of Jesus, the prophet who came from Nazareth. He received authority from God and preached under that authority.

5. We are his witnesses: Witnesses of Jesus Christ, who did the same signs and wonders as he had done. He preached throughout the land of the Jews, and they slew him hanging him upon a tree. (Roman cross.) Vs 39

Peter would later write: 1 Peter 2:24

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

6. "Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly." Vs 40

He said he would rise (Matthew 12:40)

"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

See Matthew 20:17-19 and Peter's sermon on Pentecost Acts 2:24.

7. Further to Peter's perception here is that of the doctrine of election. Vs 41

"Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead."

Jesus Christ never appeared to any unsaved, non-elect, person after he rose from the dead. Unsaved men can never see the resurrected Christ. Repentance and faith are the prerequisites to this. Only those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world can and will come to Christ.

This does not mean that the resurrection was a thing done in a corner. Over 500 brethren saw the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:6.)

"even to us" is a reference to the apostles who had seen him and ate with Christ after he was risen from the dead.

"Jesus has a table spread where the saints of God are fed,

He invites His chosen people, Come and dine."

We today who have been regenerated by the power of the Spirit of God are witnesses of the resurrected Christ. We have seen Him by faith and experienced the change in our heart and life through the new birth.

C. Preaching and Response: Vs 42-48

"And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is

he which was ordained of God to be the judge of the quick and the dead."

1. Preach to the people: The meaning here is as in the Great commission. The gospel is to be preached to all people everywhere. That is the command of Christ! The gospel is for all people, not just for the elect. It is true that only the elect will respond and be saved, but we do not know who the elect are. However, there is a further reason why everyone should hear the gospel. Paul alludes to this in his letter to the Corinth Church.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.

15 For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

16 To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?"

The Gospel that saves the elect believer, judges the one who rejects Christ. To the elect it is unto life, to the non elect it is to "them that perish."

Jesus brings this out clearly in John 10:26-28

"But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

2. "And to testify"- The meaning of the word "testify" is to give or act as a witness. See Acts 1:8.

3. Notice that of which they were to preach.

a) Jesus was ordained of God.

b) To be the Judge of the quick and dead. Jesus Christ is the God-ordained Judge of the living and of the dead.

Death is not the end of living. It is only the end of living in this world.

Hebrews 9:27

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the

judgment:"

Acts 17:31

"Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world

in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath

given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the

dead."

4. The witness of the prophets: Not just one prophet, but several give witness to Christ that "whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission (the payment in full) of sins." Vs 43.

The remission of sins (Old Testament atonement merely covered sin for a year) is a New Testament term, which refers to the particular redemption of God's elect. Remission is here clearly limited to the believer.

Dr. J.R. Graves says-

"We must admit that not all of Adam's race were given by the Father to the Son to be saved, as the Universal redemptionists falsely teach." (Sermon on Particular Redemption-Seven Dispensations chapter seven.)

References to the prophets can be found in Isaiah 53:11; Jeremiah 31:34; Daniel 9:24; Micah 7:18; Zechariah 13:1; Malachi 4:2, etc.)

5. The witness of the Holy Spirit: Vs 44-46

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."

Apparently the Holy Spirit thought that Peter had said enough, for before he was finished or while he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit interrupted the message with a repeat of the Pentecostal phenomenal.

a) This was necessary because of the fact that these were Gentiles and God's Spirit had hitherto been poured out only on Jews. That is the reason for the astonishment of those who accompanied Peter.

"because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Dr. John Gill says-

"because that on the Gentiles also was poured out of the gift of the Holy Ghost; which they before thought was peculiar to the Jews; and this was according to their former notions, and the sentiments of the whole nation, that the Shekinah does not dwell without the land, and only in the land of Israel {o}; yea, they sometimes say, only upon the families in Israel, whose genealogies are clear {p}: the same they say of prophecy {q}, which is one of the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and was one of those which were now bestowed. They own, that before the giving of the law, the Holy Ghost was among the Gentiles, but from that time ceased to be among them {r}: hence even these believing Jews wonder at the pouring it forth upon them; which they needed not, had they known that the legal dispensation was now at an end, and the Gospel dispensation had taken place; in which it had been foretold the Spirit should be poured forth on the dry ground of the Gentiles."

b) The physical evidence that this was an act of God is seen in the words "for they heard them speak with tongues (languages) and magnify God."

In order for them to know that this was an act of God, it was necessary that the same outward phenomenon be seen.

Dr. John Gill says-

"For they heard them speak with tongues, &c.] With divers tongues, which they had never learned, and before did not understand: and magnify God; they spoke of the wonderful works of God in these languages, as the apostles did at Pentecost, #Ac 2:11 they spoke greatly in the praise of God, and gave thanks for his rich grace and mercy bestowed on them:"

6. Peter's response to what was taking place:

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

a) It was not just Peter's decision to baptize, but agreement was asked of the others. Baptism is a Church ordinance.

b) Baptism demands evidence of the moving of the Spirit upon the soul of the recipient. One must first be a believer before baptism can be authorized.

They had received the Holy Spirit in the same way as the apostles.

7. Peter then commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. They were baptized in and by the authority of Jesus Christ.

This is not the baptismal formula, for that we must go to Matthew 28:19.

And so, with the baptism of this man and all of his friends a new Church began in Caesarea.

CONCLUSION:

Has the Holy Spirit been at work in your heart and life? Have you responded to the Gospel, the call of God as these did?

If so, what hinders you from the same waters of baptism that Peter offered to the household of Cornelius?

Your obedience to the command of Christ is evidence of your true faith in Him as Lord and Savior.

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, May 16^th 2001

LESSON EIGHTEEN –

PETER DEFENDS PREACHING THE GOSPEL

TO THE GENTILES

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:21

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

INTRODUCTION:

As we have made our journey thus far through the Acts of the Apostles, we have observed some amazing facts of history. We have seen how that God used simple men and brought them through much persecution to bring the Gospel to multitudes of people. We have observed the use of the Word of God and how God uses preaching to reach the hearts of sinful men with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here in this eleventh chapter of Acts we see Peter, back in Jerusalem with the other apostles, defending the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles which led to their conversion, baptism and the establishing of a New Testament Church in the City of Caesarea.

There are some interesting things we can learn here and apply to our churches today.

1. The Story Rehearsed: Vs 1-11

2. The Spirit Bade Me Go: Vs 12-17

3. The Support of the Jerusalem Church: Vs 18

1. THE STORY REHEARSED: Vs 1-11

These verses find Peter coming back to Jerusalem where he rehearsed the

happening of his travels from Joppa to Caesarea.

A. Church Authority:

1. "The apostles and brethren" - It is important to note that the request for Peter to explain himself was not just that of the apostles. The apostleship was a special order set in place by Jesus Christ in the church before the Day of Pentecost.

1 Corinthians 12:28

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles…."

That this was done before the Day of Pentecost is one of many proofs of the existence of the Church before that day.

Luke 6:13

"And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles."

2. The brethren would be the church brethren in Jerusalem, especially those in place of leadership.

3. Peter appears to be held accountable to the Jerusalem Church for his actions in his mission to Caesarea. New Testament ministry is always accountable to the church that sends or authorizes their ministry. Not even Peter was above the authority of the local Jerusalem Church. This action certainly downplays any idea of Peter being the first Pope as erroneously taught by Catholicism.

B. Church Contending: Vs 3

"And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him."

1. It was not the whole Church that contended with Peter as to his actions in Caesarea. Rather it was a particular group within the Church, called here the "circumcision."

2. From the earliest times, there were some who had a difficult time in sorting out the Old Covenant from that which was fulfilled by the new. That this was not all of the Church is seen by the use here of the words "they of the circumcision." While all of the membership would be Jewish, not all were contending for circumcision being a part of the New Covenant. This issue later came to a head under the ministry of the apostle Paul and was strong in the Galatian Churches.

3. It appears that the issue being brought up was as much one of association as of doctrinal difference.

a) You had fellowship in the house of those who were not circumcised.

b) You actually ate with them, but there is no accusation that they ate anything ceremonially unclean such as pork.

4. In all fairness to these men at this point, all of this was rather new. It is hard to shed tradition which most of this was. We today as Baptists, still hold to much religious tradition brought over from other denominations and out of another age or culture, rather than clear Biblical teaching.

5. Today's contention runs the gauntlet from dress codes, to food and drink restrictions, to what we call secondary association. That is, that we cannot fellowship with those who fellowship with false doctrines, even though the one we fellowship with may be orthodox or conservative. For the most part this is often not over fundamental or orthodox doctrine.

6. I cannot help but notice that these of the "circumcision" were more concerned with the more minor things than the fact that a whole household had embraced the Doctrines of Grace. Was the fact that the "Gentiles had also received the Word of God" not the most important and overriding factor? It certainly was in this case.

C. Classified Rehearsal: Vs 4-11

"Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them…."

1. In other words Peter went into detail as to the Spirit's leading and in a very positive manner defended his actions.

2. Peter told them:

a) Where he was- Joppa.

b) What he was doing - praying.

c) The outcome of his prayer- a trance and vision.

d) The details of his vision - Vs 6

e) The command - "Arise Peter slay and eat" Vs 7. (The shortest grace on record.)

f) Peter's refusal on religious grounds. Vs 8.

g) The voice from heaven that came three times Vs 9-10.

The reason for the voice coming three times is perhaps two-fold.

1. Peter needed this because of his religious background.

2. 2 Corinthians 13:1 "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

3. Here we see God's order of things; Grace before works. "What God has cleansed, that call not thou common." We may not understand things we see, but we need to take heed as to what we call them.

4. Confirmation - "And immediately there were three men already come into the house from Caesarea."

The fact that it was an immediate thing, and not something that took place the next day enabled Peter to connect the three Gentiles with what he saw in the vision.

5. So we see, first the vision, secondly the three men, and now we will see thirdly, the command of the Holy Spirit in verse twelve.

2. THE SPIRIT BADE ME GO: Vs 12-17

"And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting…."

A. Witness of the Men: Vs 12-14

1. "These six brethren accompanied me." I did not go alone; there were witnesses to the fact.

In Acts 10:23 the number of men (certain brethren) was not important, but here in establishing a fact, Peter says "these six brethren." There were six witnesses, not three.

2. "The man's house" - Peter did not name him at this point. Why? Perhaps if he did name him and show him to be a Roman officer, it would detract from the fact Peter was trying to establish.

Our status in life or society means nothing when it comes to our personal salvation. The Bible places all men on equal ground as "lost." Our depravity is not lessened by our social status. A dead man is just as dead, whether he is rich or poor, educated or not.

3. The term "man's house" refers to the one who called for Peter. It also shows God's order of authority in the home.

4. The man's call for Simon Peter and to the place in Joppa where he was praying underscored the fact of witness. God knows where we are and only God could tell Cornelius where Peter was.

5. Finally, we see the need and call for salvation. "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved." Vs 14

"Words" not works lead to our salvation. (See Titus 3:5)

B. Witness of God: Vs 15-17

"….the Holy Ghost fell on them"

1. Literally, during the conversation or in the midst of my preaching. See Acts 10:44.

2. The Holy Ghost fell on them: They were overcome, covered and filled with the Holy Spirit.

3. The manner of this action is related to "as on us at the beginning." Peter relates this happening to that which took place on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:4.)

In other words, they were all filled with the Spirit and spoke in other languages by the Spirit's power.

4. Peter's remembrance: Vs 16 - "Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost."

Here we have proof that Peter associated the outpouring of the Spirit upon the Gentiles as an extension of that which happened at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit was extending to the Gentiles that which He began in the Jerusalem Church among the Jewish believers.

Vs 17 - "Forasmuch then as God gave to them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?"

Let us look at this closely:

a) Peter associated this with the "baptism with (in) the Holy Spirit." He did not say that this was another baptism of the Spirit. There is only one Pentecost as there is only one Calvary.

b) Peter called this, "the like gift" which he associated with what happened to them earlier.

c) He associates what happened to "those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ."

d) Finally, "what was I, that I could withstand God?" - This was an act of God's sovereign grace of which man can be but the recipient and not the author. (See Ephesians 2:8-9.)

3. THE SUPPORT OF THE JERUSALEM CHURCH: Vs 18

"When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

A. Realization:

"When they heard these things they held their peace…."

1. A sign of a good church is when we can accept the Word of God without further argument.

So we sing:

"I need no other argument, I need no other plea;

It is enough that Jesus died, and rose again for me."

2. Can we today hold our peace at the witness of others?

3. The basis of their acceptance was the moving of the Holy Spirit in the heart and life of the Gentiles.

Can or should we demand more than the Jerusalem Church accepted? It is evident that acceptance with God and with the New Testament Church ought not include a spiritual university degree.

They took them where the Lord had placed them and Caesarea became a good Church.

It is connected in Acts with several evangelistic efforts. Philip the evangelist lived here. Paul connected with this Church several times in his evangelistic travels. Paul spent two years here as a prisoner under Felix (Acts 23:23-26-32.)

B. Rejoicing: Vs 18b

"….and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

1. They worshipped and gave honor to God upon the realization of what God was doing.

How excited do we today get about what God is doing on the mission fields of the world?

Many today, instead of rejoicing, make excuse as to why it is not happening in their church or in their town.

2. We see here the necessity of rejoicing in what God is doing, even though it may appear to be new to us, or that it is not taking place where we now live.

Jesus told his disciples to "lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." (John 4:35.)

3. We see here that God does the drawing, not we ourselves.

Romans 10:12-13

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Romans 15:9,16

"And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy name."

Vs 16 - "And that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost."

See - John 6:37,44,63.

4. God grants repentance unto life:

a) The Holy Spirit at work in the sinner enables one to repent. -See Ephesians 2:1

b) Repentance is unto life: One cannot be saved (vs 14) without first repenting of his/her sin.

Salvation is all of grace and the dead sinner cannot exercise his will towards salvation until he is first regenerated by the work of the Holy Spirit. This happens in the one action of the Spirit, not over a process of several days or weeks. Seed may be sown but until it springs forth in repentance and faith, death is still present. Man's best effort to avail himself of salvation comes to nought, until he is quickened by the Holy Spirit. Dead men do not talk! They can only corrupt more.

c) There is definitely something wrong with a person who does not rejoice in the salvation of a lost hell-bound sinner.

d) The "life" that this council talked about was the eternal life given to those who trust in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.

John 6:68-69

"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."

CONCLUSION:

What an exciting time in the history of the Church! However, it can be just as exciting for us today as we see God's Spirit moving in the lives of others. Perhaps if we like Peter spend more time in praying, we too can be used of God to bring the good news of Jesus to others. We spend too much time at the shrine of materialism and are too easily led astray from the central theme of Christianity. Oh to be like Paul who gloried in the cross! Oh to be open like Peter to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. To this end, Peter and the others gave their lives. Can we offer less to our Savior?

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

Sunday morning, May 27^th 2001.

LESSON NINETEEN –

A CHURCH ESTABLISHED AT ANTIOCH

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Text: Acts 11:22

"Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabus, that he should go as far as Antioch."

INTRODUCTION:

Following the persecution at the time when Stephen was martyred, believers in Jesus Christ were scattered abroad. Many traveled as far as Phenice (Phoenicia) and Cyprus and Antioch preaching the Word of God to Jews only. The idea that the gospel was for all nations had not taken hold among strictly Jewish believers, even though Jesus had instructed them to the contrary. How true it is, that unless the Holy Spirit intervenes, we preach "all notions" rather than to all nations. Change was underway and the Jerusalem Church had now realized the magnitude of the evangel. The Gospel was for people of all nations, Jews and Gentiles.

We now go to the city of Antioch in Syria where a church is being planted that would become a great missionary church that would be responsible for sending the apostle Paul on his great missionary journeys.

1. THE PREACHING: Vs 19-21

2. THE PREPARATION: Vs 22-26

3. THE PROCLAMATION: Vs 27-30

1. THE PREACHING: Vs 19-21

The result of the persecution in Jerusalem was that the gospel was preached in other places and new churches were established. A close look at the New Testament shows us that the Biblical method of evangelism resulted in the planting of new churches. These were churches, not missions that hung onto the apron strings of their mother church for five to ten years or more, as is too often the case today.

Here we notice two things about the preaching of these early believers in Jesus Christ.

A. Scripture:

1. They preached the Word. As we look at the history of the church it is evident that they put a strong emphasis upon the preaching of the Word of God.

2. The fact that they preached only to the Jews is the result of their lack of revelation at this point as to the scope of gospel witness. This we will see is about to change.

3. Vs 20 - "Preaching unto them Jesus." They did not try to denominationalize believers, but simply preached the "person" of the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. Men and women today need to know this same person, Jesus Christ. It is the work of the church to introduce the world to this person, wherein is eternal life. It is the Biblical person who is alive and seated on the right hand of authority in heaven that needs to be introduced to lost sinners.

The main thrust of Biblical evangelism is the preaching of the Word of God.

B. Scope:

1. If you look at your map in the back of your Bible (or a good Bible Atlas) you will notice that those who were responsible for establishing the work in Antioch came from Cyprus and Cyrene. Cyprus is an island in the northeastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Cyrene is a city that was located in North Africa between Alexander and Carthage and was a Greek colony.

Phenice is a harbor on the south coast of the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Some translations give this word as Phoenicia, which while probably included Crete, was generally in the area of Lebanon. There was a strong Christian influence near to Tyre and Sidon, which the apostle Paul would later visit on his missionary journey. The Greek word used here is "Phenicia", which it seems to me would exclude the island of Crete as the place mentioned here in Acts 11:19.

2. These would be Greek speaking Jews (Hellenists) since at this point the gospel was only being presented to Jews.

3. The significance of this is that the gospel was now being strongly presented in the Greek language which the majority of people in the then known world understood. Today the main thrust of gospel presentation is through the English language, but of course is reaching to all languages and people.

The main thrust of Bible language is Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

4. Some of the believers who came to Antioch preached Christ to the Greeks as well. A great number of these people believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Vs 21) The meaning of the word "believe" here is that they learned to adhere to, trust in and rely upon the Lord Jesus Christ. They turned and surrendered themselves to Him.

2. THE PREPARATION: Vs 22-26

Evangelism is always a good preparation for the establishment of a New Testament Church. Another basic need is seen here in that of a sending church or authority for establishing another Church body.

A. The Missionary Arm: Vs 22-24

1. News of the Greeks in Antioch hearing and responding to the Gospel reached the Church (Assembly- Greek, ecclesia) in Jerusalem.

2. They (the Church not just the apostles) sent Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas was the missionary or one sent with authority. He was more than a delegate, as churches do not (or should not) delegate their authority. The idea of delegating means that the church gives over or gives up some authority to the one delegated. The authority here came directly from the Church. This among many other reasons is why Baptists believe in (local) Church authority.

3. We note that Barnabas was sent forth by the Jerusalem Church, and limited in his commission, to go to (or as far as) Antioch. The concern of the Jerusalem Church was with the report of Greeks coming to know the Lord in Antioch. Please note the words "in Jerusalem" refer to the local Church. It does not just say "when the Church heard." This is not a universal church operation, but rather one of the sovereign local church in Jerusalem. (Vs 22)

4. What Barnabas found in Antioch: Vs 23

a) That the grace of God had been at work in Antioch.

b) That they should be further exhorted to "cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart."

5. Barnabas is said to have been a good man and full of the Holy Spirit, which should be said of any missionary. (Vs 24.)

6. The result of his ministry was "much people was added unto the Lord."

The meaning of "added unto the Lord" is more than just coming to the knowledge of salvation, but brought into a New Testament Church order. They became a body of Christ in Antioch.

7. Barnabas had then fulfilled enough of the commission of his sending (sponsoring) Church. He was then free to go on to Cilicia, to the city of Tarsus to solicit the help of Saul.

C. The Mission Advance: Vs 25-26

1. With the establishment of the Church in Antioch, Barnabas was able to leave long enough to go to Tarsus for Saul.

2. Barnabus brought Saul with him back to Antioch and they tarried there for a whole year.

Three things happened here during this year in Antioch.

a) They assembled themselves (joined the Church) with the church.

b) They taught many people here in the Church and in the city of Antioch.

c) The disciples (followers or learning believers in Christ) were first called Christians in Antioch. We note here that they were called, not that they called themselves. When others see Christ in you, you will not have to identify yourself by any label. It was those outside of the Church that called them Christians. Many people today use this term, who know nothing of the Nazarene. It takes more than a few drops of water on one's head, or a cross around one's neck to make one a Christian. Jesus told the religious, moral rabbi, "Ye must be born again." (John 3:3.)

3. THE PROCLAMATION: Vs 27-30

It is noteworthy that from the place where the gospel would spread into Asia Minor, Europe and to the entire world, that the believers in Jesus Christ were called Christians. We might well ask, is anyone who does not obey the Great Commission worthy of this name? It is sickening to see the abuse of the name Christian today. It is sickening to see the abuse of the name "Baptist" today in the light of the great ministry of John.

However, let us look at the proclamation of this great missionary "Baptist" Church.

A. Prophetic Voice: Vs 27-28

1. "And in those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch."

While New Testament prophets were foretelling, their ministry was more forth telling. This is a ministry that along with that of apostles was limited to the apostolic age and was to disappear with the completion of the Bible, the Word of God. (Cf Acts 2:17; Acts 13:1; 15:32; 21:9; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11.)

1 Corinthians 13:10

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."

James 1:25

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (See- vs 21-22)

Isaiah 8:20

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to my word, it is because there is no light in them."

2. The ministry of the New Testament prophet was one of vision. To give light or point the way of direction. Please note that the prophets came from the Jerusalem Church. They came from one Church to another, and did not operate apart from the Churches. Those today who claim this ministry usually operate apart from any Church authority. Such visions and so-called prophetic word could well be cured by a good dose of alkazeltser.

3. "There stood up one of them (a prophet) by the name of Agabus, and signified (made it known) by the Spirit (of God) that there would be great dearth or famine throughout all of the world." The use of the word "world" here probably is reference to the Roman world. Josephus seems to restrict this to Palestine in AD 44-46. There were no known famines that covered the whole known world at this time, but there was one in Palestine, which began in August of 44 AD and lasted almost four years. (See American Commentary on the New Testament- Page 142.)

"which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar" - Claudius Caesar reined from AD 41-54 which give credence to the Palestine famine theory.

4. Agabus: Little is known of this man but according to the translation of some manuscripts, which reads, "one of us" rather than "one of them", he may have originally come from Antioch. He is spoken of again in Acts 21:10-11, and would probably be included with the prophets mentioned in Acts 13:1.

B. Purpose Driven: Vs 29-30

A sign of a good church is when they are purpose driven. Some churches seem to exist just for worship and never involve themselves in any outreach. The purpose of a New Testament Church is two-fold, first we gather to worship, and secondly, we go forth to serve. A church, which is not doing both, is not fulfilling her mandate (Matthew 28:19-20.)

1. "Then the disciples" - This is reference to the Church and not just to the 12 apostles. A disciple is one who follows with respect to learning. Are you a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ?

2. "according to his ability"- God never asks us to do more than we are able or gifted to do. That is why I never sing solos in Church! Every member within the body is gifted in some way as Paul explained to the Corinthian Church (1 Corinthians 12.) God has a purpose in His church, and that includes every member. When you came to Church today, you did not leave part of your body at home. Every member did its part in getting you out of bed, into your car and to this place of worship.

All of us differ in our gifts and circumstances of life, but everyone can do something. Please, don't do nothing simply because you are not able to do everything! In other words, "don't pass the buck to someone else."

3. "Determined" - That is the problem that most of us have. We lack determination when it comes to serving God. There are just too many priorities that push Jesus Christ and His Church down the list.

Matthew 6:33 means too little to most North American Christians.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

It is always good, and right to do what is good and right!

It was the disciples (plural) the whole Church that determined to send relief unto the brethren in Judea. This was a Church action, but remember that churches are made up of many members, like you and me. When it comes to the Church, we can say as President Truman said, "the buck stops here." As members of a local Church, we need to work together as one body in Christ.

What is our determination? What is your determination, when it comes to serving the Lord?

4. Not only did members work together within each church, but also churches worked together to bring relief and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Churches can work together, and we do not need a formal association or denomination to do it. We appreciate the help of sister churches in supporting our missionary work in the Philippines. This is how missionary work was accomplished in Bible times and is the Baptist way of doing mission work, then and now.

Romans 15:26

"For it pleased them (the churches) of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem."

1 Corinthians 16:1

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye."

See also - 2 Corinthians 9:1ff

The problem in Judea, and especially in Jerusalem was that many members had left due to the persecution. Such severe loss of membership resulted in a loss of church revenue. This was more likely the case here, and later the need was enhanced by the famine.

Churches ought to help one another out in such situations of life. This strengthens the brethren and the church to carry on their mandate from Christ in their area.

Churches that fail to do mission work will become a mission field themselves. Relief of the poor among our churches is also God's work.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26

"That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it."

5. "Which also they did" - They carried out the task they determined to do together.

"And sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabus and Saul." - The elders of the churches in Judea received the assistance sent from Antioch. This (assistance) was delivered to them by Barnabus and Saul.

So we see here the work of one sovereign, independent, local Church. It should be noted that this was still a new and very young church. In starting new Churches, we ought to teach them to be missionary minded from the beginning. The need is here and now and the lessons of mission work help to build strong churches. Building big and fancy buildings is not near as important as building up the local body of Christ.

Let us have this same determination for our church.

CONCLUSION:

Let me ask you, what is a body without hands, legs, and feet? What is our body without you? If you are a Christian, you ought to be a functioning one, within the framework of a local Church. It is sin to do otherwise.

Are you a Christian? Are you obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ? Have you been Scripturally baptized and joined a New Testament Church? This then is the body wherein you ought to function. Within the local Church, we ought to work together and as an independent church, work with our sister churches (those of like-faith and practice) to carry out the mandate that Jesus our Lord has given to us.

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, June 3^rd 2001.

LESSON TWENTY –

CHRISTIAN LIVING IN DIFFICULT TIMES

(James is Killed-Peter Imprisoned)

Scripture: Acts 12:1-25

Text: Acts 12:24

"But the word of God grew and multiplied."

INTRODUCTION:

About the same time when Barnabus and Saul went up to Jerusalem with the relief money for the church, there began a persecution by Herod Agrippa the first, son of Aristobulus, and grandson of Herod the Great. Herod ruled under Caligula Caesar, and from AD 41 under Claudius over all of Palestine (AD 37-44.) Herod Agrippa worshipped regularly in the Temple in Jerusalem and lived in accord with the strict Jewish law. He suppressed all attempts to bring pagan ceremonies or images into the synagogues. Agrippa's devotion to Judaism made him one of the first persecutors of Christianity, as we see here in this chapter. His death occurred suddenly in AD 44 as pointed out by Luke and also Josephus (Antiquities 18, 6, 7.) When the growing sect of the Nazarene began to grow and threaten Judaism, Agrippa intervened with the power of the state.

1. THE SWORD OF THE STATE: Vs 1-5

Persecution and opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ comes in many forms. Satan knows his work and sometimes it comes from within the Church. Other times it is found in either political or religious persecution from without the camp. Evidence of this is found throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. The end purpose of all opposition to the gospel is to hinder the cause of Jesus Christ. Many times such opposition is subtle, and then history also speaks to us of outright persecution by the Sword of the State, including State Religion. So here we see:

A. Persecution of Leadership: Vs 1-4

1. For various reasons, Satan's tactics come from different directions. Sometimes he works in the grass roots membership of the Church. In this instance he went directly to the leadership.

2. Herod is said to have been part Jewish, and had strong Jewish religious leanings. (G. Campbell Morgan calls him an Edomite and a Greek.) Unfortunately these leanings were more political and denominational than they were spiritual. This has been an underlining factor in all religious persecution against those who sought a pure New Testament Church of Jesus Christ down through the ages. Catholic Crusaders enroute back from the crusades in Palestine, slaughtered hundreds of Waldensians as they worshipped in their services in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Protestant fanatics, thinking they were doing God a favor imprisoned and slaughtered Anabaptists in Switzerland and Germany. Often drowning them in the baptismal waters of a local river. Protestants imprisoned beat and murdered Baptists in New England (USA) only because they sought to obey the scriptures as to immersion and refused to sprinkle their babies with so-called holy water.

3. James, the apostle and brother of John (the apostle) sons of Zebedee, (Matthew 4:21; 20:23) was a leader with the apostles in Jerusalem. There are at least four men known as James in the New Testament. James was put to death by the sword.

4. 4. This one verse (2) appears to be the answer of an earlier question of James and John:

"Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on Thy left hand in Thy glory."

Jesus answer: "Ye know not what ye ask, Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? Or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" Their answer was that they could. (Mark 10:35-40.)

John of course had a different "baptism" as he lived probably close to a hundred years of age and spent much time in exile on the Island of Patmos.

5. Because the murder of James pleased the Jewish leaders, Herod also had Peter arrested and imprisoned (Vs 3). One sin almost always leads to others, as was the case here.

6. This was during the days of unleavened bread or the festival of the Passover, which continued seven days, and was so named because during that time no leaven was allowed in the houses of the Jews.

7. Peter was therefore apprehended, imprisoned and kept under guard by "four quaternions of soldiers." That is four companies of four, which would relieve each other in guarding the prison. In other words it took sixteen soldiers to guard this one preacher! (I find that quite humorous, especially in light of the outcome.)

8. The intension was that after Easter, he would bring him before the common people, no doubt to instigate false charges against him as had earlier been done to Jesus. The word "Easter," is better read "after the Passover." The word Easter appears only once in the KJV It is used here as a translation of the Greek word "pascha" which is translated as "Passover" in 28 other places where it occurs in the New Testament. (See also Exodus 12) The English word "Easter" is thought to be derived from the name of a Teutonic goddess of spring, Eastre, and to have been adopted by the Roman Catholic Church to its present usage about the 8^th century. (Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia.)

Herod Agrippa did not want to have problems with the stricter Jews who would not want an execution during their holy days. However, history attests that Herod's end was much nearer than was Peter's.

9. The answer as to why God permitted James to be killed, and Peter imprisoned humanly speaking may not add up or make sense. However, God's ways are not our ways, and we have to believe that he knows what is best, for us, for the Church and for His work in our midst. The outcome, to say the least was a victory for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the Lord's Church. The rest we leave to God's sovereign will and grace. (See Psalm 2:1-6.)

B. Prayerful Defense: Vs 5

1. "Peter was kept in prison: but…."

Let me ask you; is the Church prayer meeting important? Not to too many Christians today.

However, it is wrong to underestimate the power of prayer.

James 5:13-16

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

2. There are two types of prayer, one is personal or private prayer, the other is communal (gathered) or group prayer. Both are necessary and important in the life of the Church and to Christian growth and spirituality.

3. Prayer was made "without ceasing" or continuously until some form of answer was given. God always answers the believer's prayer. Sometimes he says "yes" and sometimes he says "no." There are other times when he says, "wait." And still there are other times when he says, "come home to be with me, which is far better."

4. Samuel said that failure to pray for others is sin against God:

1 Samuel 12:23

"Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: …."

5. God uses people in His work, and especially the members of the New Testament Church. Let us think about this and maybe the attendance of our mid-week prayer and Bible study will increase. So will our spiritual health and the welfare of our Church, not to forget evangelism in our community.

We are the winners when we pray; and we are the losers when we neglect our prayer life.

2. SPIRITUAL POWER AGAINST THE ENEMY: Vs 6-19

Psalm 2:1

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?"

Opposition to God, His work, and His people is not a new thing. We find it in the heart of man from the beginning of time. Behind it all is the Prince of demons, Satan himself.

Acts 5:3

"….why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost…."

Zechariah 3:1

"And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him."

Satan stands behind all opposition to the Churches of Jesus Christ and the preaching of the gospel of sovereign grace.

A. The Powerful Chains: Vs 6

1. Then the time finally came (after the passover) that Herod wanted to bring him before the people. Herod never lost sight of his goal, and much more, neither should we.

2. Peter was sleeping without a worry even though the immediate circumstances were not good. We are not to live under the circumstances, but above them. This we can do if our trust and confidence is in the Lord.

Psalm 37:1

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity."

I heard an old missionary when I was in Bible school say, "if you worry you don't trust, if you trust you don't worry."

One of the seven steps to victory given in Psalm 37 is

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him…" (Vs 7)

Previously Peter was not a patient man, but this is the Spirit filled Peter.

3. They must have thought they had a rather dangerous criminal, this former fisherman, a preacher from Galilee. Bound with two chains, between two soldiers, behind the bars of a double locked jailhouse and other guards outside! There is no end to which those who oppose the truth will go in their opposition to God.

4. Peter was at rest, sleeping between the two soldiers, the guards were most likely awake. So was God awake and doing his work. Like Jesus who appeared to be sleeping during the tempos on the sea. Only that time the disciples were not resting, nor trusting in their Master.

5. When we can do something, do it. When we can do nothing, pray and just relax.

Ephesians 3:20

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…."

B. The Powerful Prayer Meeting: Vs 7-12

1. Behind the scenes, unknown to us is the mighty hand of God. God takes care of His elect, and most of the time we do not at least immediately see it. Then to our discredit, we often take the credit for a good outcome. (Or what we think is a good outcome.)

2. In this instance, the angel of the Lord came upon Peter, and a light shone in the prison.

Notice that only Peter saw the light. Unregenerate people cannot see the light unless God works in their heart to do so. The rest just kept on in their sleep like most do today.

3. The angel smote Peter on the side. This I also find rather humorous. The Greek word here translated "smote" is "patasso" which means to strike as with a weapon; or to quote W.E. Vine, "literally, of giving a blow with the hand, or fist or weapon."

Was Peter that hard to arouse or was this more like a Sergeant waking up a private who should be working? What does God have to do to get our attention, to wake us up to do His work?

Psalm 6:1

"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before Him."

Isaiah 60:1

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."

4. "And raised him up" It was the work of the angel that raised Peter up. It was the work of Jesus that raised Lazarus from the dead. It is the work of God's grace that raises us up and only His enabling power can bring us to response, "saying arise up quickly." It was then, that the chains, which bound him, fell off. This is a beautiful picture of God's Sovereign grace. We cannot respond to God in a saving way apart from His work within us. Mans will can only lead him to sin more until enabled by the power of God. Then, in that moment we can say "yes" and the chains of sin will fall off.

5. When one is awakened, as Peter was, then he is to follow God. Then he is able to "gird" himself by putting on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11.)

Peter was to dress himself to leave the place where he was imprisoned. He was told to put on his sandals and put his garment (cloak) around him.

Paul told the Ephesian Church to let their "feet be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15.)

6. "And follow me" - going our own way gets us into trouble. We must follow the one who frees us from the prison house of sin. We must follow Him who alone is able to free us from the shackles of sin and give us the freedom of life eternal.

Jesus in calling His disciples said, "Leave your nets, take up your cross and follow me."

Are you still doing your own thing, going your own way? Why not consider the way of the cross? Try God's way, the JESUS way. (John 14:6.)

7. Remember, that all of this is happening to Peter while the Church is on her knees.

Peter went out and followed the angel (vs 9) not realizing the reality of what was happening. He thought he was having another vision or in a trance. Isn't that quite the human thing to do?

We are so at home in this old body of ours that we cannot quite fathom the richness of walking in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:6-7

"Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8. Vs 10 - The angel stayed with Peter leading him right past the first and second wards, out through the gate (the first automatic remote gate in history) and for one block outside, after which Peter could make it on his own.

9. Vs 11 - "When Peter was come to himself" - When he woke up to the fact that this was not a vision but a very real deliverance from the jailhouse.

Do we realize what God has delivered us from? Do we too realize the pit from whence we have been dug?

"Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."

10 Vs 12 - "And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying."

Peter was here the result of the power of prayer, as well as a direct answer to it.

Whenever we will come to ourselves, we too will become an answer to the prayers of others.

This happened to me, as I was converted following the faithful praying of my father and a missionary (Bruce Brillinger) whose health would not allow him to return to Africa.

Open the door and look, the answer to your prayers may be just outside the door, knocking.

The Church in Laodicea was so backslidden that she did not realize that her head, Jesus Christ was outside of his own church, knocking and asking to be let in.

I am also reminded of the reason for the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept." This was because of the unbelief of those who gathered at the tomb of Lazarus.

Compare this with his words concerning Jerusalem:

Luke 13:34

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killeth the prophets, and stonest that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her brood under her wings, and ye would not!"

Again, Jesus is left outside the door, but waiting patiently for those who would bid Him enter.

11. John Mark was later to play an important part in evangelism with Paul and Barnabus. He is the author of the gospel of Mark.

C. The Peoples Response: Vs 13-19

1. Vs 13 - "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda."

Peter is knocking at the entrance to the house and a young lady by the name of Rhoda, answered.

2. Vs 14 - Rhoda recognized Peter's voice, but in her excitement, she did not unlock the gate, but ran to tell the others that Peter was at the door.

There are some, even today who over emphasize the emotional, and forget about the job they should be doing. We ought to be excited about the answers to prayer, but please, take time to open the gate for Peter, or your Pastor, or for some lost person, or person in need.

3. Vs 15 - "And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly

affirmed that it was even so. Then they said, it is his angel."

Notice the steps of unbelief in this verse-

a) You are mad or insane. You are crazy!

b) "It is his angel" - It is worse than we thought, he has been executed and his angel is at the door.

Isn't it amazing how we pray so hard for something, and then we are surprised when God answers our prayer? We can believe anything and everything but the truth.

Oh the unbelief that all of us possess! What is unbelief, but faith in reverse gear? Unbelief is faith going backwards. We are really saying, "I believe that I don't believe that it will really happen."

This is humorous, but sad to say it is a very real result to most of our prayers.

4. This young lady is a good example. She is no quitter! She has something to share and she just kept repeating it until they listened. Don't give up too easily in testifying to your friends and relatives about Jesus Christ. Keep on telling the good news! Not just Peter, but JESUS is at the door!

5. Vs 16 - "But Peter continued knocking-"

Peter had been to Jesus College, and he was a fisherman with some measure of patience. This he did not originally possess, but since learned.

I am here reminded of the story of the spider, "if at first you don't succeed, try, and try again."

Your loved ones are inside, and they are ignoring you, keep knocking. You are praying for their salvation, keep knocking. You may feel slighted but keep knocking.

6. "And when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished."

Closed doors reveal nothing! You need to open the door to see whom it is knocking. To some it is Peter, but he is representative of Jesus. Has Jesus been knocking on your door? Perhaps he wants to come in and live within you? Perhaps you have not obeyed him in baptism and need to follow him more closely. Perhaps he wants you to be a part of His body, the church? Please, open the door!

Churches sometimes get too social and become bless-me-clubs rather than a medium of evangelism.

Open the door, there is a missionary outside in need. It really is Peter!

"Astonished" - They were surprised, but why? Were they not praying for this to happen?

7. Vs 17- Peter beckoned them to hold their peace. In plain English, keep quiet!

Someone has said that we have only one mouth, but two ears, which means we should listen twice as much as we talk. If they wanted to hear of the blessing of God, they needed to shut their mouth and open their ears.

Did Jesus not say to the seven churches of Revelation, "he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches?" (Revelation 2-3.)

Peter told them to go and tell James and the other brethren of their spiritual victory against the enemy. Then Peter went elsewhere, to continue his ministry. He did not wait around to see the reaction of Herod, and neither should we. We are to concentrate on the ministry God gave to us.

8. Vs 18 - "Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter."

Can you imagine the commotion in the prison when the soldiers wiped the sleep from their eyes to find that Peter was not there? Unsaved people have such a hard time dealing with the miraculous. How do we explain the power of God to deliver His people? We see this in so many ways, such as the healing of the impotent man, the raising of Lazarus, and the resurrection of Jesus.

And most of all is the answer to the major question. What in the world do we tell Herod Agrippa?

9. Vs 19 - "And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode."

Such is the hatred of such men for the preachers of righteousness. The penalty for letting Peter escape (and they were innocent) was death. Such wickedness in the hearts of those who know not God and oppose His Son! This is the story of often repeated in history, as millions of Baptists have been put to death for the cause of Christ.

God's people are the winners; he who opposed Him is the loser, along with all who would follow in that train.

Herod was not only wicked, he was weak kneed and yellow. While his innocent soldiers were being put to death, he could not even stay to watch. He just left town. Oh the wickedness in the hearts of them that will not own Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Oh the wickedness in the hearts of them who would build their own kingdoms! Now let us learn of their end.

3. SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD: Vs 20-23

A. Voice of Blasphemy: Vs 20-23

1. Here we see the action of a tyrant! Here we see a picture of one who has no concern for others except they help him achieve his ungodly goal.

2. "Herod was highly displeased with Tyre and Sidon." Here Luke takes us away from Jerusalem to the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. He is about to give us a glimpse of God's retribution on a wicked king. Don't ever think that such wickedness will go unpunished.

Psalm 37:9

"For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth."

3. In verse 20 we see the playing of politics where what you know is not nearly as important as who you know. This sort of thing is sin and certainly should never be found in the Lord's churches. However, unfortunately that is too often far from the case.

4. Blastus was a chamberlain or the one in charge of the king's bedchamber. The deputies of Tyre and Sidon befriended him, because their country was nourished by that of Agrippa's. They depended upon him for food.

5. Vs 21 - On an appointed day Herod arrayed himself in his royal robes, took his seat upon his throne, and addressed an oration unto them.

Oh but hearken to the warning of Jesus to "beware of false scribes wearing long robes!"

(Luke 20:46; Matthew 7:15.)

6. Vs 22 - All of the assembled people shouted, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!"

Man in his depravity will call anything god but the one true God and accept anyone as Savior except Jesus Christ the Son of God.

7. Vs 23 - At once an angel of the Lord smote him and cut him down, because he did not give God the glory. He did not give God the preeminence and kingly majesty that belongs to him as the supreme ruler; and he was eaten by worms and died.

This is the end of all ungodly men. The heads of all the great empires went to the same end. History attests to this as fact with Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander, Caesar; Hitler, and Mussolini.

Historians declare that Herod Agrippa came to a bitterly painful and sudden death.

B. Victory Over Evil: Vs 24-25

1. The angel of the Lord took care of this persecutor of Christians, this enemy of the New Testament Church.

2. "But the Word of God grew and multiplied."

Who or what can withstand the decree of Providence?

God is able to turn the bad around for good. To turn the wrath of men about to praise him and declare His sovereign grace.

Genesis 50:20

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

Psalms 76:10

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."

Psalms 119:71

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

3. Vs -25 - Barnabus and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission of delivering the relief offering of the Church. They brought with them John Mark (the writer of Mark's gospel.

4. The hindrance and substitute being removed, the Churches were then free to preach the gospel to every creature as they had been commissioned.

CONCLUSION:

There is no hindrance to which God will not make us overcomers, or remove it for His own glory. Let us be sure that we are not in the way of God's work, but on the way to bring Him glory who is the Lord and Master, the Head of His true churches. Do you know this God and His Son Jesus Christ?

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, June 10^th 2001.

We interrupt our lessons here to insert some material that has recently (2002) been released. The following articles relate to the death of James, the Lord’s brother. The student will find the recent archaeological findings interesting to say the least. We insert these here for your information and further study, only. -DPTSr.

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The following article is from Christianity Today magazine, and is located at:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/141/11.0.html

Stunning New Evidence that Jesus Lived
Scholars link first-century bone box to James, brother of Jesus.
By Gordon Govier | posted 10/21/2002

Pilgrims who travel to Israel to walk where Jesus walked may soon have something new to connect them with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Scholars have recently examined a box carved out of soft limestone, made to hold the bones of a first-century Jew. On its side is carved an Aramaic inscription, "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus."

The bone box, known as an ossuary, is in the hands of a private collector in Jerusalem. But its existence, revealed in a news conference today in Washington, D.C., has already generated a buzz among archaeologists and biblical scholars.

The news conference was convened by Biblical Archaeological Review, which reports "an archaeological landmark" in its November-December issue. The ossuary was not uncovered in an archaeological excavation, but apparently surfaced on the antiquities market. This means that potentially important evidence for evaluating the box is missing.

But experts consulted by BAR and Christianity Today seem satisfied that it really is a 2,000-year old artifact. BAR editor Hershel Shanks asked for an analysis by the Geological Survey of Israel. Retired Wheaton College professor John McRay, author of Archaeology and the New Testament, says the survey's lab report was convincing. "Six different pieces of the patina of the stone were looked at through that laboratory," he said. "It was verified, by people who are not Christians, that the date on this is first century and there is no evidence of recent disturbances of the box."

"I have no question it is an ancient artifact from the first century," said Eric Meyers, the Bernice and Morton Lerner Professor of Judaic Studies and Director of the Graduate Program in Religion at Duke University. "It appears to be the oldest extra-biblical, non-literary mention of Jesus in the context of the nascent Christian church, and that's pretty significant."

Archaeological looting
Jews used ossuaries in their burial caves for a relatively short period in the first century. But archaeologists have found hundreds in recent years, including one that probably belonged to the high priest Caiaphas mentioned in the Gospels. Some have even been found inscribed with the name Yeshua (Jesus/Joshua) or with the inscription "James, the son of Joseph."

But could this ossuary really belong to the brother of Jesus of Nazareth? "You have to remember that the three names mentioned are equivalent to Tom, Dick, and Harry," says Meyers.

"They're everyday sort of names in the first century. What is most compelling to me is the use of 'brother of.' We don't have the designation of siblings common in the epigraphy of the Second Temple or early Roman period. That's kind of a clincher for me."

Meyers is an archaeologist who has excavated a number of sites in Israel. And even while marveling at this development, he cannot hide his repugnance at having to comment on a discovery of unknown provenance. "There was a whole tomb that was looted and this has been sold on the black market," he charges. "We're missing all of the rest of the stuff that could have filled in the blanks. That's very sad and that's why we don't want to encourage archaeological looting and this sort of activity."

Implications for Catholic doctrines:
Ben Witherington, professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary, believes that the bones stayed in the ossuary for a very short time. Noting that first-century Christians fled Jerusalem shortly before the Romans destroyed it in A.D. 70, Witherington thinks they took James' remains with them. "It's not likely they would take the ossuary with them, it's too heavy," he says. "They would probably have taken the bones because they wouldn't have wanted his grave to have been desecrated by Romans."

Witherington is intrigued as much by the beautiful Aramaic lettering of the inscription as by what it says. Handwriting analysis also helps date the ossuary to around A.D. 62, the traditional date of James' death.

"It certainly supports the view that Aramaic was still very much a living language amongst early Jews, including some of the followers of Jesus," he adds. He also sees implications for some Catholic doctrines in this discovery, especially the perpetual virginity of Mary.

"The dominant Catholic tradition is that the brothers of Jesus are actually cousins because Mary didn't have any more children, or they were step brothers in that they were Joseph's sons by a previous marriage," he said. "This inscription could call into question that doctrine."

Most Protestant scholars believe James was a younger brother of Jesus (one of four mentioned in Matthew 13:55) and not to be confused with the apostles, James the brother of John, or James the son of Alphaeus. James doesn't appear to have followed Jesus while he was alive, but Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:7, mentions that Jesus appeared to James after the resurrection. James then became the leader of the Jerusalem church.

Acts 15 records that James rendered judgment at a church council that met to adjudicate issues raised by Paul and Barnabas. He was also probably the author of the New Testament book that bears his name. The first-century Jewish historian Josephus says that around A.D. 62 the high priest Ananus arranged for the death of "one James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ/Messiah."

An important discovery
BAR editor Hershel Shanks told CT the ossuary had been in the private collection of an Israeli citizen for about 15 years. "I asked the owner why he didn't recognize it. He said, 'I never thought that the Son of God could have a brother.'"

Shanks became aware of its existence in June after the owner contacted French epigrapher Andre LeMaire to evaluate it for him. The owner "got it from an Arab antiquities dealer," he said. "He only paid a few hundred dollars for it. The antiquities dealer told him it was found in the section of Jerusalem called Silwan, just south of the Mount of Olives. It's an area that's pockmarked with burial caves. Some people have their basements in ancient burial caves."

McRay said he had anticipated a discovery like this when he wrote his book a few years ago. "Two thousand years have passed and you would expect something like this to be there. It could be, probably, the most significant archaeological discovery of this generation." Shank's calls it "the most important find in the history of New Testament archaeology."

"We're making arrangements right now to have it exhibited in North America," Shanks adds. "Next month there are 8,000 biblical scholars meeting in Toronto at their annual meeting. We'd like it to be there." After that, he's not sure what will happen with the ossuary.

The following article is from Christianity Today magazine, and is located at:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/141/22.0.html

Weblog: More Details Emerge on History of James's Bone Box
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 10/22/2002

Box holding the bones of Jesus' brother was stolen, then a steal
The discovery of an ossuary that provides the best evidence that Jesus truly existed makes the front page of many major newspapers today. Most recount basic facts and reaction also found in our story yesterday, but a few more details and reactions have emerged as well, especially regarding the bone box's history.

The discoverer and lead researcher, André LeMaire of the Sorbonne University in Paris, says the owner bought the ossuary 15 years ago from an Arab dealer who said it came from Silwan, a Jerusalem suburb with many ancient tombs. The owner paid between $200 and $700 for what is now being called "the most important find in the history of New Testament archaeology."

LeMaire told The Washington Post that the owner "didn't know about Christian traditions." The reason he asked LeMaire (whom he met by chance at a reception last spring) to take a look was because the inscription on the ossuary seemed extraordinarily long.

After translating the stone etching, LeMaire only told the owner that it was "interesting."

Actually, The National Post of Canada has a bit of a different story of the ossuary: "An Arab villager found the ossuary 16 years ago near Jerusalem...The villager brought the box to a dealer, who resold it to a collector for about $1,500."

"No one wants an ossuary in their home," says Simcha Jacobovici, a Canadian filmmaker who is making a documentary about the ossuary for the Discovery Channel. "People are creeped out."

While the documentary is due out around Easter, the ossuary may actually be on display in North America as early as next month, reports The Baltimore Sun. The first likely stop? A Toronto gathering of archaeologists.

Reaction among archaeologists not privy to the findings earlier (Ben Witherington, for example, got a sneak peek and is quoted in almost every news story) is generally very positive.

"'It will be extremely important if it's authentic," Harvard University archaeology professor Lawrence E. Stager tells The Boston Globe. "Everything that they've put in this non-technical article seems to point in that direction.…Of course you'll never prove or disprove the miracles, but to give [Jesus] an actual authentic setting of place and persons is no small accomplishment."

The New York Times says biblical scholars are particularly happy that the research was headed up by Lemaire.

"Since the research comes from André Lemaire, I take it very seriously," says James C. Vanderkam of the University of Notre Dame. "If it is authentic, and it looks like it is, this is helpful non-biblical confirmation of the existence of this man James."

James? Isn't the big deal that it's non-biblical confirmation of the existence of Jesus?

Eric M. Meyers, archaeologist and director of the graduate program in religion at Duke University, shrugs that the ossuary "doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know" about Jesus — namely, that he existed.

Still, there are nay-sayers. Or naysayer. The only one identified so far is Robert Eisenman of California State University, Long Beach, who tells the Associated Press the discovery is "too perfect" and was likely created by an "extremely clever" forger.

"Jesus' existence is a very shaky thing," Eisenman tells the AP, which rightly notes that "few other scholars would agree."

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

End of Inserts on the Apostle James – Please continue with Lesson 21

LESSON TWENTY-ONE:

THE ANTIOCH CHURCH AND MISSIONS

(The Story of a Missionary Baptist Church)

Scripture: Acts 13

Text: Acts 13:23

"And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

Thus far in our studies thru the Book of Acts, we have seen the results of Spirit filled men led of the Lord, in bringing the gospel from the First Church in Jerusalem to the Gentiles in Caesarea and then on to Antioch in Syria. The Antioch Church in that day became a great missionary Church.

Here we see how the Holy Spirit operated in leading the Church and Spirit filled missionaries in establishing New Testament Churches in many places. Here we see what we today call Baptist distinctives at work. These principles are a vital part of the backbone of Independent, Landmark, Sovereign Grace, Missionary, Baptist Churches down through the centuries, remaining unto our time.

1. THE MINISTRY: Vs 1-4

The ministry among the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ was somewhat different in apostolic times than it is today. The basic reason was that the Word of God, what we today call the New Testament was not as yet complete. By the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., all of the New Testament canon was complete with the exception perhaps of the Book of Revelation. Some seem to think that the last book of the Bible was complete about 62 A.D. but most conservative scholars hold out for a much later date, towards the end of John's life. John lived to somewhere close to one hundred years of age.

A. Church Ministry: Vs 1-3

1. These ministries were in the local Church, and no minister should ever function apart from a Scriptural New Testament Church. This is in clear evidence throughout the New Testament. This is a guard against error and moral corruption within the churches of Jesus Christ. There would be very few televangelists today if God's people would adhere to this principle.

2. The ministry of the prophet was more of a forth-teller than a fore-teller but the latter is certainly not ruled out. Again, the ministry of apostles and prophets was apostolic as to time and later we find only the ministry of pastors and deacons. There were no ministries over several churches in the Episcopal sense, and the bishop (pastor) was that of the local church only.

3. The Holy Spirit was, and still is the Divine administrator of the churches. He spoke then through the ministry of prophets and teachers.

It appears that the Holy Spirit worked through them collectively, the teachers as well as the prophets.

4. Saul is here included in this group, with the prophets and teachers.

5. The ministry here is strictly spiritual and they ministered or waited upon the Lord for direction. Their time of waiting no doubt involved prayer, but also included fasting. No coffee breaks as we know them today.

(Coffee is sometimes referred to in the south as "Baptist gasoline.)

We today spend too much time in the supper room, and avoid the upper room.

6. Here we see a call to separation for a specific task.

7. “Separate unto me." The separation is first and foremost unto God the Holy Spirit.

8. "For the work whereunto I have called them." This call was not something out of the blue, unknown to anyone. They were already called, and in fact ministering within the churches. This call then is more of confirmation or specialty call to a specific task.

Note that it is through the ministry, the men of the church that this call is made.

9. Following this call three things were done:

a) Fasted - It was not done in a hurry.

b) Prayed - For blessing, further guidance and spiritual support.

c) They laid their hands on them - This is not an ordinance, but a

simple blessing of what God had already done. They were agreeing with God. So the laying on of hands was simply a confirmation of God's leading, and adding their blessing to God's word.

Anything else would be "laying empty hands upon empty heads."

10. "They sent them away, on their journey." The meaning here is perhaps like a parent who says goodbye to their child going off to college. They know that things would be different now. The little one had grown up and was going out, very much on their own. Their parental relationship would now be different.

The Antioch Church would not have these good men to minister strictly to them as they had over the past year or more. Yes, the Church would sponsor them; stand behind them, and even support or help support them. Barnabus and Saul would return to report to their sending church (Acts 14:26-27) but they are now entering a broader ministry of mission work.

Note that Barnabus being the senior ministry here is referred to first. God respects calling and we ought to as well. We ought to respect the older ministries that have gone before us and paved the road. Pastors that start new churches should be respected for their labors by succeeding pastors. This is honorable and shows respect to our elders.

B. Christian Mission:

1. "So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost" - Vs 4

Who was it that sent them, the Holy Ghost or the Church? The truth of the matter is that it was first and foremost, the Holy Spirit, and then the Church confirmed the leading of the Spirit. The Church sent them under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. That is how it ought to be today.

2. There are three necessary things that we see happened here, and need to be in place within our churches today.

a) The Word of God: (The Holy Spirit said…)

b) The Church: (In this case it was the Antioch Church.) Missionaries need to be local church sent and sponsored.

c) The missionary call: (The Church does not need to be called to mission. Jesus already said, "GO" in the Great Commission.) Churches do need spiritual direction as to specific call to a particular field.

2. THE MISSIONARY JOURNEY: Vs 5-

Vs 4- "….departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus."

They left Antioch and went to the nearby seaport of Seleucia from where they sailed to Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea.

(Look these places up on the map in the back of your Bible.)

A. Message to Salamis: Vs 5

1. Salamis is a large city on the eastern side of Cyprus.

2. They preached the Word of God. That is what people needed then and still do today. There is a dearth in many churches of a preaching of the Word of God. Too many sermons on Sunday morning are simply devotionals or homilies that are empty of Biblical exegesis. The end result is that there is to say the least, a watered down gospel, and no real Bible teaching. There is a need for Biblical expository preaching of the Bible.

3. In the synagogues of the Jews. This was where they could get a hearing. It is a simple fact that in order to preach the gospel we need to go where the people are. They went to the synagogues, which came under the commission to "GO".

Jesus said, "Go" but many churches today are content to ring Church bells that they hope will attract people to come to Church. That is not the commission, the mandate given us by Jesus Christ.

4. John Mark (writer of the gospel of Mark) was also with them and assisting in this ministry.

B. B. Man at Paphos: Vs 6

"And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus."

1. They went overland through the island of Cyprus to Paphos, which was located on the western end of the island.

2. They came across a man who was a sorcerer, one who was caught up in witchcraft.

The Bible rejects the work of sorcery and Christians are taught to stay away from it. Sorcery is witchcraft that comes in various forms. Astrology is a form of sorcery or witchcraft. Satanism is the extreme of this practice. Forms of it are found in the works of Spiritualist mediums, some at least of the so-called faith healers, Christian Science which is neither Christian nor science.

The Greek word translated sorcerer is "magos" one of a Median caste, a magician.

Paul lists "witchcraft" as one of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:20.

3. This man was a Jew, named Bar-Jesus also called Elymas, which is an Arabic word meaning wise. (See Vine.)

4. A man named Sergius Paulus, a prudent man and deputy of the country was with this sorcerer, but desired to hear more from Barnabus and Saul. He called them aside for this purpose. However, the sorcerer sought to dissuade him and turn the deputy away from the faith.

The meaning here, is to hinder him from accepting the Christian faith by becoming a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ. (Vs 7-8)

C. Meeting with the Enemy: Vs 9-12

1. Paul faced this sorcerer who was hindering his presentation of the gospel to the deputy.

2. Notice Paul's accusation against this man: Vs 10

a) He was subtle as was also said of the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

b) He was full of mischief, a troublemaker.

c) He was a child of the devil.

f) He was an enemy of righteousness (God's standard of right living.)

g) A perverter of the right ways of the Lord.

3. Gods hand was on him, not in blessing but in judgment (Vs 11)

4. He was smitten blind for a season and needed someone to lead him by the hand in order to get around.

5. This act accomplished at least two things: Vs 12

a) God was in this way speaking to the sorcerer, that Paul's power of God was stronger than his Satanic power.

b) It caused the deputy to look towards Jesus Christ and salvation.

3. MISSIONARY JOURNEY CONTINUES: Vs 13-15

"Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem." Vs 13

At this point John Mark left the company and returned to Jerusalem. It does not state the reason, but apparently from what we read in Acts 15:38, it was not a reason of which Paul approved,

Here we have the first mention of Saul being called Paul. Hitherto, it has been Barnabus and Saul, but from now on the principle person is Paul. There is apparently a difference in the meaning of these two names. Saul was the destroyer, the one who sought to wreck havoc in the Church. Now he is Paul, the builder for God. Now he would lead men to Christ and establish New Testament Churches in two continents, Asia, and Europe.

A. Asia Minor to Hear the Gospel: Vs 14

1. Traveling from Cyprus, they arrived on the mainland of Asia Minor in what is now part of modern Turkey. They came to Perga in the Province of Pamphylia.

2. Perga: The capitol of the Roman Province of Pamphylia. Located on the Cestrus River on the southeast coast of Asia Minor. It was actually 12 miles inland from its port city of Attalia. Paul just passed through Perga at this time perhaps to get to the higher inland away from the Malaria conditions that were prevalent at that time of year, in this lowland area. He would stop and preach in Perga later on his return to his home Church in Antioch, Syria. Perga was never much influenced by the Greeks but remained oriental in character with worship centered in the Artemis of Perga.

3. It appears that they did not stay long in Perga but moved on into the mountains to Antioch in Pisidia.

C. Antioch in Pisidia to hear the gospel:

1. The Holy Spirit does not always lead one to stop in a certain place at any given time. Providence knows conditions most often unseen by our limited vision. Paul would come back to Perga, but for now the leading of the Spirit would take them to Antioch in Pisidia.

2. Antioch is a city in the Roman Province of Pisidia, located on the central tableland of Asia Minor. This city was built by the founder of the Syrian Antioch. Under Augustus it rose to the rank of a colony. Now as Paul visited it, it was an important city, with a mixed population of Greeks, Romans, Jews and natives.

3. This is a choice place to preach the gospel, and to plant a New Testament Church. We cannot help but notice as we read through these chapters that Paul went to central areas, chiefly to large cities and Metropolitan areas. From these places, the Churches planted there, would reach out in their own areas with the gospel. The missionary cannot go everywhere, but churches placed in strategic areas would do what one man could not.

4. Arriving in Antioch, they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. This would be the most favorable place and opportunity to meet people, get a hearing, and preach the gospel. It is noteworthy that both Jesus and the apostles always went out where the people are. If you go fishing, you need to know where the fish are. Some people can only go fishing in the fish market. We need to get out into the deep, let the shoreline go and cast our nets on the right side of the ship, to quote our Lord Jesus Christ.

5. "And sat sown." Sometimes our mouth gets us in big trouble. The apostles sat down and waited their opportunity to speak. Someone has rightly said, we have two ears and only one mouth, therefore, we should listen twice as much as we speak. Sometimes our mouth is running a mile down the road before our brain even gets in gear. God wants to bring that big fish in as much as you do, so give him a chance. Please be patient, the bigger the fish, the longer it takes to land him. Modern day Arminian evangelism has a lot to learn about soul winning by the Spirit. Arminian soul winning leaves fish rotting on the shore and the smell of flesh leaves much to be desired.

CONCLUSION:

The Antioch Church sent out missionaries and later we will see where they heard their mission reports. Their mission program was simple and local church authorized. God has not changed his way of reaching people, and modern evangelism ought to work the same way. There is a need today for churches who will become missionary. The question is, can a church be Baptist and not be missionary? Personally, I doubt it very much.

Remember that churches are made up of individual members who need to be obedient to the Head of the Church, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

Sunday morning, June 17^th 2001

LESSON TWENTY-TWO:

PAUL'S SERMON AT ANTIOCH, PISIDIA

(An Apologetic for the Christian Gospel)

Scripture: Acts 13:16-52

Text: Acts 13:26

"Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent."

INTRODUCTION:

One who reads through the Acts of the Apostles cannot help but notice the simplicity of the sermons, which the apostles preached. It goes to prove a point I have been making for 43 years now. It is not how complex and deep we make the simple truth, but rather how simple we make the deep truths of God. Truth is not built upon complexity, but upon the facts as given by God in his inerrant, infallible Word, and it rests upon faith, not our ability to understand it. Faith opens the door to the wells of salvation that God provides by His sovereign grace and not upon our religious achievements.

In laying the groundwork for the Christian gospel, Paul does not close the door to the Jews, nor do away with Mosaic Law. To the contrary, he shows that the Christian gospel is the fulfillment of that which came by Moses. Salvation in Jesus Christ is the answer to the demands of the law.

John 1:17

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Let us listen to Paul as he stands before the great crowd in the synagogue in Antioch.

1. HISTORIC BACKGROUND TO THE GOSPEL: Vs 16-26

Paul met the Jewish people where they were, in order to bring them to where he wanted them to be.

A. People of Israel Addressed: Vs 16

1. Men of Israel, or Israelite leaders there in the synagogue.

It was important to address the men, and particularly to recognize them as "men of Israel."

Women did not worship with the men in the synagogue or temple.

2. "Ye that fear God, give audience" -

Secondly Paul was addressing those who feared or showed respect for God. The meaning here is two-fold

a) To get the attention of those to whom he spoke, as probably all of them regarded themselves under this phrase as "God-fearing."

b) The truth of the matter is that the Holy Spirit would address a particular number, those who are the elect, and would come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We today have displaced the Holy Spirit in evangelism with hoping, hollering, begging and pleading.

Acts 10:35

"But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

3. Therefore Paul begins his address in a positive, rather than negative approach.

B. People of Israel, Their History: Vs 17-22

1. Paul begins with God, the God of the people Israel.

Hebrews 11:6

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

2. "chose" - God does the choosing. No man, no nation ever chose God before He chose them.

Arminianism puts a great emphasis upon "man's choosing." However, the fact of the matter is that no man ever came to God without God first taking the initiative and coming to him first.

Adam and Eve in their nakedness did not come looking for God. On the contrary they hid themselves behind some foolish leaves.

John 15:16

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

Ephesians 1:4

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

3. Israel was chosen as God's nation of people and declared to Abraham before the birth of Isaac. (See Genesis 17; Deuteronomy 7:6-7)

4. Vs 17 - Paul refers to the deliverance of the Hebrew people out of Egyptian bondage.

5. God was patient with Israel and suffered their stiff-necked rebellion for forty years as they wandered in the wilderness.

6. God destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, making room for Israel to have their own land and be a nation unto him. (Vs 19).

7. God divided the land of Canaan amongst the twelve tribes of Israel.

8. He allowed them to have judges to rule over them for 450 years until the time of Samuel the prophet. (Vs 20.)

9. During the time of Samuel, Israel desired a king. They wanted to be like the other nations around them. God permitted them to have this king and gave them Saul the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin. Saul reigned for 40 years. (Vs 21.)

10. God removed Saul and gave them David to replace him. Of David God said, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will." (Vs 22.)

11. David would be the one to fulfill God's will as to the prophetic promise given to Abraham, which promise was two-fold, first of grace, and then also of race. (Genesis chapters 12,17,18.)

C. Prophetic Promise to Israel: Vs 23

Isaiah 11:1

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots."

1. From the seed of David, according to His promise, God raised unto Israel, a Savior, by the name of Jesus. The implication of Israel does not mean that the Savior was only for Israel, but that the first offer of deliverance would come to that nation.

John 1:11-12

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

2. The angel declared that Jesus was indeed the Savior who would be born of Mary.

Matthew 1:21

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

3. Among many other things this Branch of David, named Jesus, would save his people from their sins.

D. Place of John the Baptist in God's Plan: Vs 24-26

1. The ministry of John the Baptist pointed to Jesus Christ.

2. The baptism of repentance. Literally, baptism based upon repentance.

Note that repentance comes before baptism and is not a product of it. Repentance is a step in the gospel process unto life, but in some places it represents the whole picture of faith. See for example, Acts 2:38-39. John's baptism, is New Testament Baptism, it is Christian Baptism. John's baptism is the only baptism that Jesus and His disciples knew. Those who make John's baptism as different from a so-called Christian baptism, err, in making the ministry of John dispensationally different from that of Paul. This is done for the most part upon a wrong understanding of the re-baptism of the "certain disciples" at Ephesus (Acts 19.)

Those in Ephesus were not baptized by John the Baptist, since John knew about and preached about the Holy Spirit. They were likely baptized by converts of John who had no New Testament Church authority. The line of authority went through John to Jesus, to the apostles and the Church instituted by Jesus Christ. (See Matthew 28:19.) That is the only reason for re-baptism, so called.

3. John's ministry was one of preparation for the coming of Jesus. Jesus would use the material prepared by John the Baptist to institute the New Testament Church. The Church was built upon Christ and Baptist baptism.

a) John's ministry was authorized by God.

John 1:6

"There was a man sent from God whose name was John."

b) Jesus endorsed the ministry of John by first submitting to his baptism, and by his high praise of John.

Matthew 3:13

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him."

Matthew 11:11

"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Only Jesus is greater than John.

c) Those who became the first members of the New Testament Church, along with Christ Himself, knew only Baptist baptism.

4. John pointed men to Christ and did not exalt himself above what he had received of God.

"I am not he (the Messiah) but behold there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet, I am not worthy to loose." (Vs 25.)

John 3:30

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

5. Paul makes a blanket statement (Vs 26) that this word of salvation is to the stock of Abraham, to whosoever feareth God. The ball is in their court now, what will they do with it? This is what we call in theology, a general call. To some it would be a particular and effectual call, for they would be true believers, those that truly feared God, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.

2. HISTORIC PROVISION OF GOD IN CHRIST: Vs 27-37

Paul explains the purpose to which the Jews in rejecting Christ and crucifying him fulfilled, the plan of God in bringing salvation to sinners.

Read the story of Joseph and his hypocritical brothers in selling him into Egypt.

Genesis 50:20

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

God in His sovereign grace turns that which is often meant for evil around to work for good in the lives of others. So it was in the life of Joseph, and most certainly, in the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

A. Rejection and Death of Christ: Vs 27-29

1. Verse 27 tells us that those who were responsible for the crucifixion of Christ did not know him, neither did they hear the voices of the prophets they claimed to follow.

Jesus said the same thing to the scribes and Pharisees:

John 6:64-65

"But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."

2. There are two ways in which the scripture is fulfilled, first in acceptance, and secondly by the rejection of others.

2 Corinthians 2:15-17

"For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."

The hymn writer wrote:

"There's a line that is drawn by rejecting the Lord.

Won't you let him come in?"

3. The wickedness and depth of human depravity is seen in the fact that even though they found no fault in Jesus, they still sought out Pilate to have him slain, or put to death. (Vs 28)

Again, Jesus said:

John 8:44

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

4. When they had fulfilled all that was written (prophetically) of him, or crucified him, he was taken down and buried in a sepulcher, or tomb.

Matthew 27:59-60

"And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed."

The question is often brought up of the responsibility for the crucifixion of Christ. Who was responsible for His death? True, the Romans carried out the dirty work and it was a Roman cross upon which our Savior died. Some of the Jews (about 500 -according to 1 Corinthians 15:6) believed on Christ and were saved. When we say, the Jews crucified Him, we mean that it was the leadership, those that represented the nation of Israel. However, the real truth of the matter is that you and I crucified Jesus, for it was for our sins that he died (1 Corinthians 15:3.) The purpose of His coming into the world was "to seek and to save that which was lost."

B. Resurrection and Witness of Christ to His Church: Vs 30-31

"Low in the grave He lay - Jesus my Savior!

Waiting the coming day - Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

1. He died a Lamb but He arose a Victor!

2. He died a Savior of all who would believe, but He rose again for

our justification.

Romans 4:25

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

Here we see the importance of the twin cardinal doctrines of the vicarious death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3. It was God that raised Jesus from the dead. While Jesus is indeed God, He is also man and as a man he died. He is our representative, referred to by Paul as the second Adam.

Salvation is indeed all of grace! Salvation is of the Lord! (Jonah 2:9.) Man can never save himself; he does not have the ability, nor the will to do so apart from God's work in his life. The term "God raised Him from the dead" is vital to our understanding of the doctrine of sovereign grace.

4. Vs 31 -The witnesses of Christ's literal bodily resurrection.

"He was seen many days of them that came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people."

This number would include:

a) The apostles who witnessed to His resurrection.

b) The 120 including the women, who saw him, were ministered to, by him. These later met in the Upper Room, as recorded in Acts chapter one.

c) Over 500 brethren at once - 1 Corinthians 15:6.

If it were just a few women and apostles, one might say that they made up the story of his resurrection. However, 500 brethren could not have accomplished that.

(Have you ever tried to get five hundred Baptists to agree on anything?)

Then the fact of the enthusiasm following Pentecost, speaks of the fact that they had indeed seen the Lord alive and were carrying out his commission to them.

Changed lives are a powerful testimony to the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

C. Realization of Prophetic Scriptures Fulfilled: Vs 32-37

1. Here is the good news; the Scriptures have been fulfilled concerning God's promise to the fathers of Israel!

2. God has fulfilled the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to us, the children of Israel, by raising Jesus from the dead. (Vs 33.)

3. Paul quotes from Psalm 2:7

"Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee."

4. Concerning the resurrection from the dead, Paul quotes Isaiah 55:3.

"I will give you the sure mercies of David."

5. Paul quotes another (Psalm 16:10)

"Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."

Paul's argument is that David served his own generation by the will of God and then died, being buried with his fathers and saw corruption. (Vs 36)

6. Vs 37 - "But he whom God raised again, saw no corruption."

David therefore was not speaking of himself but of one of His seed, which of course Jesus was.

Paul came to his conclusion here on the basis of Scripture. This was the same Scripture that these Jews in the synagogue in Antioch, claimed to believe.

3. HISTORIC AND BIBLICAL CALL TO SALVATION: Vs 38-52

A. Word of Warning: Vs 38-43

1. This then is Paul's summation of the gospel to these people.

"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:"

This is the great need of men everywhere. Man that is alienated from God by Adamic sin and the breaking of God's law, is in need of forgiveness.

2. Notice the order here:

a) The need for forgiveness from sins penalty.

b) The vehicle used to reach men is "preaching."

c) The answer to the need for forgiveness is Jesus.

3. Vs 39 - Particular redemption - all that believe.

Through Jesus Christ, the believer is justified from all things that could not be justified by the law of Moses.

The law can only condemn us; it does not pay the penalty.

Have you ever known of a judge or policeman who paid as much as a traffic ticket for a guilty party?

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23.)

4. Grace does not oppose the law, it fulfills it and pays its demands.

Christianity does not oppose Judaism, it fulfills it. The New Testament is not anti Semitic; it is its answer, producing the Jewish Messiah.

5. Paul's warning, Vs 40-41 - "Beware lest that spoken of the prophets comes upon you personally."

Habakkuk 1:5

"Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you."

6. Vs 42 -Following this meeting with the Jews in the synagogue, the Gentiles of the city sought out the apostles and asked to hear the gospel as well, on the following Sabbath (Saturday.)

7. After the meeting in the synagogue was finished, many of the Jews and those Gentiles who were proselytes to Judaism, followed Paul and Barnabus. The apostles persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. That is to accept God's of grace through Jesus Christ.

B. Witness to the City of Antioch: Vs 44

"And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God."

There are some important things for us to know, as found in this verse.

1. You can preach the gospel on Saturday as well as Sunday.

2. You can preach the gospel to masses as well as to a few. Mass evangelism is scriptural.

3. The preaching of the gospel is not just to and for the elect. Paul and Barnabus were not "Hardshell Baptists."; Or hyper-Calvinists.

4. Hearing the gospel is no sign of election. One must make his/her calling and election sure, by repentance, faith, and perseverance.

5. The preaching of the gospel will separate the sheep from the goats. No man is able to do that.

C. Work of the Apostles turned to the Gentiles: Vs 45-52

1. Here we see the result of gospel preaching. Some responded positively, while others responded negatively.

2. Notice the Jewish response: (Vs 45)

They took the downward steps to hell rather than the upwards ones to heaven.

a) They saw the multitudes (of mostly Gentiles.)

b) They were filled with envy. Sin will keep you from the Word of God, which is used to bring you to Christ.

c) They spoke against what Paul and Barnabus taught.

d) They contradicted the gospel and blasphemed.

3. The apostle's bold declaration:

Vs 46 - "It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."

4. Vs 47 - The reason for their turning to the Gentiles was two-fold:

a) Because of the Jewish rejection of the gospel.

b) Because of the Scriptures-

"I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth."

Cf Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Luke 2:32.

5. Vs 48 - We then see the Gentile reception of Paul's declaration.

a) They were glad to hear the good news.

b) As many as were ordained to eternal life, believed.

The word ordained is (Greek-tasso) used also in Romans 13:1 -

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

The meaning here is "to order" as "those ordered by God to eternal life became believers."

John Gill in his Bible Expositor says:

"faith is not the cause, or condition of the decree of eternal life, but a means fixed in it, and is a fruit and effect of it, and what certainly follows upon it, as in these persons: some would have the words rendered, "as many as were disposed unto eternal life believed"; which is not countenanced by the ancient versions. The Arabic renders it as we do, and the Syriac thus, "as many as were put, or appointed unto eternal life"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "as many as were pre-ordained"

The reference then is to election and predestination.

6. Vs 49 - "And the Word of the Lord was published throughout all the region."

The Word of the Lord needs to be published. We have more ways of publishing the Word of God today than ever before, but we do less.

7. Vs 50 - Again, the blessing of God brings persecution from unbelieving religionists. It is noteworthy their use of women. What would our churches be without women? However, when they get out of their Biblical order we see, as here and in the case of many cults the problems that can arise. Paul and Barnabus were driven from their coasts.

"The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world."

8. Vs 51 -"But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium."

Iconium: (means coming) It is the capital of the Province of Lyaconia in Asia Minor.

9. Vs 52 - The result of Bible evangelism left the disciples filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION:

What an amazing story of the preaching of the gospel and the results of the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of people! You may well ask; what does this mean to me? That depends on what we will do with the message received here. Will we receive this Christ as our own personal Savior? Will we honor this message as the apostles and those who received it did then? Will we allow ourselves to be filled with joy and of the Holy Spirit, by working toward the spreading of this good news everywhere?

There is no reason why what happened in Antioch and elsewhere in our journey through Acts, couldn't be the reality for us today.

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, July 8^th 2001.

LESSON TWENTY-THREE:

FACING TRIALS IN GOD'S WORK

(Paul and Barnabus in Iconium and Lystra)

Scripture: Acts 14

Text: Acts 14:19

"And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead."

INTRODUCTION:

No true mission work is without trial and often time's great opposition. Sometimes the opposition is subtle but often it is outright and openly against those who would preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul and the other apostles bore in their bodies, the marks of such persecution. However, they gladly continued until death, the work that their Savior had given them to do. We too can see a great example of Bible living in the ministry of Paul and others. Let us too carry the torch for Jesus to our generation and pass it on to the next.

1. DIVIDED BY THE GOSPEL: Acts 14:1-6a

This may seem a strange thing to say, but the gospel divides. It divides the believers from the unbelievers, the sheep from the goats. It places children against their parents and vice versa.

Matthew 10:21-22

"And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth unto the end shall be saved."

While I believe that this is primarily a reference to the Great Tribulation, I think it also pictures the church age as we near the time of the rapture as well as much tribulation throughout. The enduring refers to the perseverance of the true saints of God. God's elect will always persevere in any age, if even unto death.

Such persecution as this is not uncommon in church history.

A. The Power of Preaching: Vs 1

1. It is generally a good thing for gospel workers to work in pairs. They both went into the synagogue.

2. They went where there was a hearing. Always go fishing where the fish are most likely to be.

3. The result of this preaching was that a great multitude of Jews and also Greeks became believers.

4. The Greeks of course would not likely be in the synagogue unless the reference is to Hellenist or Greek speaking Jews. Possibly this was the case since in the next verse the word "Gentiles" is used and not the word "Greeks." Horatio Hackett in, An American Commentary on the New Testament so translates this verse as "Greek proselytes."

B. The Persuasion of Unbelief: Vs 2

1. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles. Religion is always opposed to the truth of the gospel. Those who refuse the gospel often will go out of their way to ridicule and stir up others against the truth. There is an ongoing battle between truth and the devils lie. The depraved soul does not want to be moved from its coffin of religious pretense.

2. Innuendoes, and half-truths make better than an outright lie in opposing the truth.

3. The Jews sought to turn the Gentiles against Paul and the gospel by poisoning their minds against their doctrine.

Today this is much the same as Arminians seeking to poison the minds of others against those who hold to the truth of sovereign grace. They use such words as "Calvinist" and "Hyper-Calvinist" as synonymous. They accuse us of being anti-mission, and against the preaching of the gospel to every creature. This is a Satanic tactic as used against Adam and against Christ himself in the wilderness. "Hath God really said that?" The answer ought to come back, "it is written!"

C. The Purpose of Extended Study: Vs 3-6a

1. "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord"

Because of this opposition to the truth, Paul and Barnabus stood their ground and remained in Iconium, speaking boldly in the power of the name of Jesus.

2. The power of their speech gave testimony to the grace of God. However, the power was not so much in their oratory as in that which backed up their lives, the power of the Spirit of God.

3. There were apostolic miracles wrought by the hands of Paul and Barnabus. This gave further witness to the truth they spoke of Christ.

These Apostolic miracles were more or less phased out by the time the Bible was completed. They certainly were by the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. (Cf Micah 7:15)

4. Notice the connection between the terms "boldly in the Lord" and "the word of His grace." God's Spirit and power always connect with the grace of God.

5. God's grace does divide between the sheep and the goats, the saved and the lost. Here it is spoken of in terms of the apostles and the Jews. (Vs 4.)

6. Vs 5 - The teaching of the word of God brought things to a head and the division was made resulting in persecution. The leaders of both the Jews and the Gentiles stirred up the people against Paul and Barnabus and urged them to be stoned. It is amazing the extent to which degenerate hearts will go in their resistance to the truth.

7. Vs 6a -The apostles were made aware of the plan and fled from the city to Lystra and Derbe. Apparently the sheep of that city had been gathered in with no time to fight against the goats; it was time to move on. The stones from the enemies of God would be spared for another day as the apostles were led by the Providence of a sovereign God.

2. DELIVERANCE THROUGH THE GOSPEL: Vs 6-18

A. Preaching the Gospel: Vs 6-7

"….and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lyaconia, and unto the region that lieth round about. And there they preached the gospel."

1. In the Providence of God, Asia Minor continued to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. They preached the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ. There is no distinguishing those to whom they preached. Who the elect are is God's business. Our business is to preach the gospel. There is an efficient or effectual call that only the sheep can hear. They are the believers who will hear and respond; for it is to them that the gospel is effective positively.

3. Some may block their ears and throw stones, but the gospel must be preached and the sheep will hear His voice.

B. Potential of the Gospel: Vs 8-10

(The healing of the impotent man, a cripple from his mother's womb.)

1. This story of the healing of the impotent man is most interesting as a picture of salvation.

a) He pictures human depravity in that he was crippled from his mother's womb.

b) He pictures man's inability to help himself in that he had never walked.

c) He heard Paul preach about Jesus Christ. This was the general call.

d) Through the preaching of the gospel, he received faith, the ability to respond to the gospel. Faith according to Ephesians 2:8-9 is a gift from God. It comes through hearing the Word of God.

e) He was instantly healed; He stood, leaped, and walked!

Notice that he stood before he leaped. Pentecostalism would leap first and try and figure out the basics later. Faith is built upon fact, not emotionalism. You get the facts straight, and I don't care how high you jump, just as long as you walk straight when you land!

2. There is no free will leading to the healing of this man until he had first received faith from God through the preaching of the gospel. The potential of the preaching of the gospel is that men are confronted with their need and the elect are brought to Christ.

C. The Power of Deliverance from Religious Superstition: Vs 11-18

1. 1. We see here the power that religion has on people. Superstition is a terrible thing and leads one into severe bondage.

2. Instead of attributing the miracle to the God of heaven, they thought that the pagan gods Murcurius and Jupiter had come down to them.

3. These people sought immediately to worship Paul and Barnabus as gods. How quick people are to fall into false worship in the face of the truth, and while ignoring the God of creation.

4. 4. They were ready for a sacrifice while the Christ that Paul and Barnabus preached had "offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:12.)

5. 5. The response of Paul and Barnabus was deeply Christian. "They rent their clothes" when they heard what the people were doing.

6. Vs 15 - How unlike Paul and Barnabus are many today. We put our preachers up on a pedestal and call them reverend. Listen to the words of Paul and Barnabus:

"Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God. Which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:"

7. In times past the true God allowed the nations to walk in their own ways. But he left himself a witness: (Vs 16-17)

a) He did good.

b) Gave us rain from heaven.

c) Gave us fruitful seasons.

d) Filling our hearts with food and gladness.

This old world has all that we need to sustain us. In our spiritual darkness we cannot comprehend this.

8. Vs 18 -Even with these words it was hard to restrain the people who wanted to make a sacrifice for them. (I've never had anyone want to make a sacrifice for me; but I've had a few who wanted to make one "of" me.)

9. There is an ever-present danger that preachers get puffed up or swelled heads or egos and think more of themselves and their ministries than they ought to. Christ must receive all of the glory!

3. DEFIANT RELIGION AND CHRISTIAN VICTORY: Vs 19-28

As we close out this chapter we see the length to which the enemies of the cross are willing to go in defiance of the living God.

A. Opposition: Vs 19

1. Opposition sometimes travels with you. It is amazing how the word so quickly got back to Antioch concerning the preaching of Christ in Asia Minor.

Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium were probably following them as they continued their journey preaching the gospel. Such is the dedication of those who oppose Christ, and in doing so, oppose themselves as well.

2. They were able to persuade the people against the ministry of Paul and Barnabus. It really does not take a lot to persuade the unregenerate mind against the gospel.

John 3:19

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

3. "Having stoned Paul" - This was likely because he was the chief speaker, and perhaps also because of his background in the Jewish Sanhedrin, and that he had been a very powerful and convincing speaker.

4. "Drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead" - This is interesting, in that they being Jews were willing to leave him dead, and apparently not dispose of his body according to Mosaic Law. This shows us that the Law of Moses was not the primary factor in their opposition, but rather their opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Man in his frenzy to oppress the light is ever willing to overlook even what little truth they might already possess. Such is the darkness and totality of human depravity. They would break the law in order to free themselves of any blame as to the death of Christ, or to accept the fact of his resurrection.

5. The height of their emotional frenzy is seen in that they did not check him too closely to see if he were actually dead. However, Providence no doubt played a strong part here. Paul still had a work to do for Christ.

B. Overcomers: Vs 20-22

1. "Howbeit as the disciples stood around him"- This looks like teamwork to me. To what extent the disciples were involved in his reviving, we do not know. However, we should never underestimate the power of teamwork. Stick with your preacher even if he appears to be dead. A good team of assistants will go a long way in keeping the preacher going for God. Moses needed elders to lift up his arms; Jesus had a basic group of 12 apostles. Pastors today need Godly men and women to hold them up before God in prayer. They too face the onslaught of Satanic opposition. Please pray for the pastor, leaders and missionaries of your church.

2. "He arose up, and came into the city" - In God's providence and by the assistance of Godly co-workers, Paul rose up, and went right back into the city. They tell us that if you fall off a horse, to get right back up on him again. Paul went right back to the place he was stoned; the city where the sinners were that opposed him. What happened there, we do not know, but Paul kept going for God.

3. "The next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe."

(Look this city up on the map in the back of your Bible.)

4. Vs 21 - They preached the gospel in Derbe and taught many. They then returned to Lystra where Paul had been stoned. They were not about to be deterred by the opposition. They then went back to Iconium and on to Antioch in Pisidia. How long this took we cannot be sure, but by the use of the words, "taught many" and later "ordaining elders" it seems that they were not in any big hurry and probably spent several days in each place.

5. Vs 22 - "Confirming the souls of the disciples" - Confirmation is not a rite, but rather strengthening the faith of believers through in depth teaching of the word of God. It takes much more than the laying on of empty hands on empty heads to confirm the Christian believer, and much more today.

6. "Much tribulation" This is not the Great Tribulation of which church age saints will be spared. This is the fiery trials that in varying degrees every child of God must go through on their pilgrim journey through this life, enroute to heaven.

1 Peter 4:12-14

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."

7. "Enter into the Kingdom of God" - This is reference to the final resting place or state of happiness in heaven. It is not a reference to "works" that we must do in order to be saved. The new birth is based upon the sovereign grace of God, not in works of righteousness that we have done, or the amount of suffering which we endure. If this is the case, then most of us will never make it.

These to whom the apostles addressed this message were already members of Christ's visible kingdom. The perseverance to which he would incite them has reference to a kingdom, which they are yet to enter.

C. Ordination of Elders: Vs 23

1. "When they had ordained them elders in every Church" -

This verse is either overlooked by some or misunderstood by others. There really ought not be a problem to Baptists today. Our larger churches at least, have a plurality of elders. That is simply what they did; they ordained "elders" (plural.)

Does this undermine the authority or leadership of the Pastor? To this I say no, not in the scriptural sense at least. Those who would have a problem with this text might be Plymouth Brethren or Baptist pastors who assume more authority than they ought to. Authority, by the way is in the Church, not in the Pastor. Pastors get only one vote and if they are smart, will use it only to break a tie. (Even then they better pray well before using it. They could divide the church.)

2. The term "elders" refers to pastors or bishops. In His letter to Titus, Paul appears to use these terms interchangeably.

(See Titus 1:5 and 7 and Acts 20:28)

3. Baptists traditionally have referred to ordained ministers by the term "elder." The term "Reverend" comes from the Catholic and Protestant Churches and is not Scriptural. The word reverend is used only once in the Authorized Version (KJV.) -.

Psalm 111:9

"He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name."

This title belongs to God and should never be used of men.

4. "Prayed with fasting" - The ordination of elders was not done in a hurry. It involved the serious business of prayer and fasting.

5. Concerning this ordination, the Greek verb used here to "to extend the hand", signifies properly to elect or vote by extending the hand, but also in a more general sense, to choose, appoint, without reference to that formality. (American Commentary on the New Testament.)

6. The question asked, "Did the apostles ordain church elected elders?"

While admittedly it cannot be proven from here, the general sense of New Testament scripture is, that they did.

Dr. John Gill says:

"Vs. 23. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, &c.] As soon as ever any number of disciples were made, or souls were converted to Christ in any place, they were at once formed, by the apostles, into a church state; and as the gifts, as well as the grace of the Holy Ghost, attended the ministry of the word, so among those that were converted, there were some that were honored with ministerial gifts, qualifying them to preach the Gospel, and take upon them the care of the churches: these the apostles directed the churches to look out from among themselves, as in the case of deacons, an inferior office, who by joint suffrages declared their choice of them by the stretching out, or lifting up of their hands, as the word here used signifies, and not the imposition of them; and the apostles presiding in this affair, they were installed into the office of bishops, elders, or pastors over them; which expresses the great regard the apostles had to the order, as well as to the doctrine of the Gospel, and the concern they had for the welfare of souls converted under their ministry, by making a provision for them when they were gone."

7. "They commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." The reference is to both the elders and their churches.

8. Since the Great Commission is clearly given to the Church. Scriptural authority is in the churches. Churches carry out ordination or the appointment to ministry. The number on the ordination council is not really important (it appears only two were here) but that the need be met and the ministry carried out. The general practice in ordinations is for the local ordaining church to invite other churches to send their pastors and others to the ordination. This is not a hard fast rule and is not always possible to the full extent.

D. Order of Preaching and Mission Report: Vs 24-28

1. Paul and Barnabus then passed throughout various parts of Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. They passed through the bandit-infested mountains to the coastal plains.

2. Preaching the Word of God in Perga where they previously passed through without stopping long. Now the season was perhaps safer from Malaria and other diseases. More people would also be here leaving the colder mountain climate of approaching winter behind.

3. How long they stayed in Perga we do not know, but they then went down to the seaport of Attalia on the Mediterranean coast.

4. Vs 26 - From Attalia they sailed to Antioch in Syria. It was here that the Antioch Church had sponsored their missionary journey.

"From whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled."

They had fulfilled the work to which the Antioch Church had given them authority to carry out.

5. Vs 27 -They gathered the Church together so that she could hear their Mission Report.

"They rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles."

6. Vs 28 - "And there (with the Antioch Church) they abode a long time with the disciples."

CONCLUSION:

Through many trials, the Lord had brought these missionaries back to their sending (home) church. Here they reported of all that the Lord had done. Good things and bad, that which the Lord in His Providence permitted.

Paul later would write to the Corinth Church:

2 Corinthians 11:23

“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches."

Vs 30

"If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities."

And you and I, in what do we glory?

What suffering do we find ourselves in for the sake of Christ? Do we have the scars of battle, of fiery trial?

Let us determine to be faithful to the cause of Christ, and His kingdom.

In the words of the hymn writer:

"Some through the waters, some through the flood,

Some through the fire, but all through the blood;

Some through great sorrow, but God fives a song,

In the night season and all the day long."

Hang in there my friend, persevere and don't you dare give up!

 “Greater is He that is in you, than He which is in the world!”

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

Sunday morning July 15^th 2001

END OF VOLUME TWO