Acts Chapter 6

THE NEED FOR DEACONS, OFFICERS IN THE EARLY CHURCH

Acts 6:1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

• Communal living works for a moment, until carnality comes in, which is inevitable and unavoidable
• Persecution would also add to the number of widows
• The selling of all things and distribution to make it even is apparently not a good idea...
• There is also always the flesh calling for "fairness"
• Helenists were Greek speaking Jews

Acts 6:2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

• Full time ministers
• Deacons, really
• Restaurants...first century.

Acts 6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

• Honest report-had in good reputation
• Full of the Holy Ghost-submissive, obedient, which would be the reason for the reputation
• The only wisdom that counts is the wisdom from God, not worldly wisdom like being a business man,good at organizing, or inspirational, organizer, promoter, manager, administrator, etc.
• The wisdom from God only comes from studying the Word of God and prayer

Acts 6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

• The apostles took their mission very seriously, understanding the need and counting the cost.
• Today instead of prayer we have programs, conferences, speakers. Instead of the Word of God we have books by "great Christian authors".........who do not even believe the Bible

Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

• This is seven men
• Pleasing the multitude was not the goal, nor should be, and rare as it is, and never really good
• Their qualifications, again, are full of honesty, full of good report, full of (controlled by) the Holy Ghost, prayer, studying the Word of God (possessing Godly wisdom)
• They have important responsibilities, so this is necessary

Acts 6:6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

• Partnership, fellowship, working together was the purpose here in Acts
• Praying for them is one thing, but today we do not need to "lay hands" on someone.
• It is prayer that is communication, not the laying on of hands
• Laying the hands on in the Old Testament was for the purpose of transferring sin to that sacrifice (sin offering), bulls, rams, scapegoats

Leviticus 4:15
And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.

Leviticus 8:22
And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

Leviticus 16:21
And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

• Jewish leadership was getting saved......."The Way" is not going away.
• It is threatening the words of men, the religion of men, the organization set up by men-their seat of power
• The Word of God is decreasing today in America
• The number of DISCIPLES multiplied
• They were still in Jerusalem......IMPORTANT!

Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

• Wonders and miracles, again in Jerusalem, for Jews
• It does not not say, "full of the Holy Ghost"
• It does not say further, "BY faith" and not "BY his own power

Acts 6:9
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

• Alexandria was in Egypt, a place for them never to return to (including Alexandrian mss., the LXX)
• Egypt is a picture of the World
• They were of the synagogue, not atheists, not of the Greek religion

Acts 6:10
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

• Truth trumps error, always. God's Word trumps false witnesses, always
• Stephen's qualifications included devotion to the wisdom of the Word of God (v.3)
• They resisted the Holy Spirit, but could not resist the Holy SPirit..............because they resisted Him, TO NO AVAIL

RESIST, v.t. rezist'. [L. resisto; re and sisto, to stand.]

1. Literally, to stand against; to withstand; hence, to act in opposition, or to oppose. a dam or mound resists a current of water passively, by standing unmoved and interrupting its progress. An army resists the progress of an enemy actively, by encountering and defeating it. We resist measures by argument or remonstrance.
   Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his will? Rom 9.
2. To strive against; to endeavor to counteract, defeat or frustrate.
   Ye do always resist the Holy Spirit. Acts 7.
3. To baffle; to disappoint. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. James 4.

3. RESIST', v.i. to make opposition.

Acts 6:11
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

• These "blasphemous words" would include, to their ears, the Resurrection and claim of Deity of Jesus Christ from it
• The "against Moses" would be Christian living outside of the Law, bound to the spirit of a higher law, written on men's hearts

Acts 6:12
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

• Numbers are very much necessary where truth is not held to
• With numbers, come threats and intimidation of mob rule

Acts 6:13
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

• Man calls places on earth, "sacred", "holy", "shrines"......it is no longer the case like the Old Testament, where Moses stood "on holy ground".
• It will all burn, every building

Exodus 3:5
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:12
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Acts 6:14
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

• Their customs were not delivered by Moses,; they were adding to the Law of Moses with their traditions
• We have a different set of traditions, being the Church, unique
• We have the Word of God to live by; traditions are to be more familial, not "Christian"

THE TRADITIONS OF THE ELDERS

Matthew 15:2
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Matthew 15:6
And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Mark 7:8-9
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Galatians 1:14
And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Acts 6:15
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

• They were literally staring, seeing something they never saw in any man who held to the traditions of the elders, the priests, the high priests, the Roman leaders, or anyone else
• It was a man filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom, proven by the fact that they "were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake"

Acts Chapter 5

Acts 5:1
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

• A particular person, who married someone like himself, as we shall see soon
• Again, they were not required by God to do this; it was purely voluntary

CERTAIN, a.

1. Sure; true; undoubted; unquestionable; that cannot be denied; existing in fact and truth.
   The dream is certain and the interpretation sure. Dan 2.
2. Assured in mind; having no doubts; followed by of, before a noun.
   However I with thee have fixed my lot,
   Certain to undergo like doom of death,
   Consort with thee.
   To make her certain of the sad event.
3. Unfailing; always producing the intended effect; as, we may have a certain remedy for a disease.
4. Not doubtful or casual; really existing.
   Virtue that directs our ways
   Through certain dangers to uncertain praise.
5. Stated; fixed; determinate; regular.
   Ye shall gather a certain rate every day. Exodus 16.
6. Particular.
   There came a certain poor widow. Mark 12.
   In the plural number, a particular part or number; some; an indefinite part, number, or quantity. Hanani came, he and certain men of Judah. I mourned certain days. Nehemiah 1:2. 6. In the latter sense, it is used as a noun; as, certain also of your own poets have said. Acts 17.

Acts 5:2
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

• God looks on the heart, no matter what we do. It is our motives, not actions
• She was "privy to it".......Privately knowing; admitted to the participation of knowledge with another of a secret transaction.
• This is even so when we are not necessarily doing something we were asked to do. It is EVERYTHING we do

PRIV'Y, a. [L. privus. See Private.]

1. Private; pertaining to some person exclusively; assigned to private uses; not public; as the privy purse; the privy confer of a king.
2. Secret; clandestine; not open or public; as a privy attempt to kill one.
3. Private; appropriated to retirement; not shown; not open for the admission of company; as a privy chamber. Ezek 21.
4. Privately knowing; admitted to the participation of knowledge with another of a secret transaction.
   He would rather lose half of his kingdom than be privy to such a secret.
   Myself am one made privy to the plot.
   His wife also being privy to it. Acts 5.
5. Admitted to secrets of state. The privy council of a king consists of a number of distinguished persons selected by him to advice him in the administration of the government. A privy verdict, is one given to the judge out of court, which is of no force unless afterward affirmed by a public verdict in court.
PRIV'Y, n.
In law, a partaker; a person having an interest in any action or thing; as a privy in blood. Privies are of four kinds; privies in blood, as the heir to his father; privies in representation, as executors and administrators to the deceased; privies in estate, as he in reversion and he in remainder; donor and donee; lessor and lessee; privy in tenure, as the lord in escheat.

6. A necessary house. Privy chamber, in Great Britain, the private apartment in a royal residence or mansion. Gentlemen of the privy chamber are servants of the king who are to wait and attend on him and the queen at court, in their diversions, _c. They are forty eight in number, under the lord chamberlain.
   1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Acts 5:3
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

• This is an action from inspired by enemy
• This shows that the Holy Ghost is a person who can be lied to
• This is lying to God (next verse)
• It is not the keeping back, but as will be shown, it is the lying part
• As is shown when Sapphira is interrogated, they CLAIMED it was sold for less than it was

Acts 5:4
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

• Personal possession, using their own free will and discretion to say how much it was sold for, no pressure, voluntarily offered by them.
• "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?" indicates that this was voluntariy, this action. No one had asked them to do this...
• However Peter knew, it was the Holy Ghost who would confirm this shortly
• (v.3)"to lie to the Holy Ghost,".........(v.4)"thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."
• They lied to God, the Holy Ghost
• You do not have to worry about us

Acts 5:5
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

• The Death Penalty for lying to God........this is unique to this time
• If this happened today, most Christians would be dead by the end of the week
• God is simply trying to show that they need to carry themselves in a Christlike manner

1 Corinthians 5:3-5
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 5:6
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

• If not, someone else will carry them out
• No televangelist or charlatan, or snake oil salesman today would live for seconds

Acts 5:7
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

• She was presumably away counting money, buying some more property, something like that
• The only reason to come back would be to get recognition for the donation, presumably

Acts 5:8
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

• This is only a test. An integrity test.
  
  "For the next five seconds this apostle will be conducting a test of the Emergency Fatal Decision System"

Acts 5:9
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

• And she fails the test.......one question!
• In their lying, they tempted the Holy Spirit of God
• This is a true plot, conspiracy
• The same pallbearers, back from the burial, Round Two
• As was written earlier, few if any could ever pass such a test today, at all levels of the hierarchy in the Church
• This COULD be the sovereignty of God, knowing that this would spread to the Church, removing it like a cancer before it could fester

Deuteronomy 6:16
Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

Acts 5:10
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

• Now, this had to be saved people, because God allows the wicked to be wicked, but of the righteous He expects more
• Again, this is not doctrine happening, but history
• They "found her dead"...........wonder if everyone just left her there and walked away in disgust

Psalms 31:17
Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

Revelation 22:11
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Acts 5:11
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

• This of course was always God's reason for capital punishment
• It is certain that the word spread quickly about this throughout the church

Ecclesiastes 8:11
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Deuteronomy 13:10-11
And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.

Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

• By the hands of the apostles...
• They are still in Jerusalem
• There is no mention that only those with enough faith were healed. No mention of an offering taken, a special service for these healings; all were simply healed (v.16)

Acts 5:13
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

• No one dared because of the fear of man.
• They also feared messing up and winding up like Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

• The word "LORD" is used here, making it synonymous to the church
• Women are not usually numbered with the totals in biblical Jewish culture

Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 5:15
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

• Peter's shadow overshadowed them; it did not heal them.
• Nevertheless, people believed they could heal, and wanted some o that action!

Acts 5:16
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

• People simply had the idea that seeing them, seeing their shadow, being touched by them would heal them
• Whatever the reason, this was signs and wonders of the LORD, not the apostles

Acts 5:17
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

• Some people are filled with the Holy Spirit; these were filled with indignation
• The Sadducees did not believe in the spiritual realm in any way, including heaven, hell, the Holy Spirit, etc.

Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Mark 7:6-7
He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. .

Acts 5:18
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

• There is religion and truth. They are not compatible.
• Religion always wants to stifle truth. Nothing ever changes.

Acts 5:19
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

• But God.....
• Spiritually and physically, God still opens doors for the lost and the found

Acts 5:20
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

• The purpose is always to Glorify Himself, through our witness
• "this life" is the life of Jesus Christ, and the life given to us from that life

Acts 5:21
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

• As soon as the sun was up, people stirred, the Word went forth
• In god's timing, they would eventually flee the persecution and spread to "Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth", but until then, "to the Jew first"
• The enemy was not done with his persecution though ,and was bringing reinforcements this time. Going up the chain of command might prove a point in the world, but not with God........He is never impressed.

Acts 5:22
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

• First the empty tomb and now THIS!
• You can't keep a Good Man down and now, it seems, you can't even keep a Good Man's people in jail!

Acts 5:23
Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

• This is a conundrum, a catastrophe and possibly even a conspiracy!!

Acts 5:24
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

• Knowing Peter and his "cohorts", they knew that they would tell the people (THEIR PEOPLE!) that God let them out.
• They further knew that the people would believe them, making themselves look bad for either trying to stop the plan of God or simply and stupidly allowing them to escape
• The most important things to them are both their reputation and stopping the bleeding of the spread of the Gospel

Acts 5:25
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

• Their worst nightmare is now added.........they are back at it!
• This will show the people that they are fearless (true) and "disrespectful" (false)

Acts 5:26
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

• Time to regain their power and influence back, albeit a little more carefully
• Fear of man is never a good thing
• The reason they came without violence is simply a lack of fear of man, because GOd has their back and they know it

Acts 5:27-28
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

• Again, nearly all "councils of man" are against God and His Plan
• They have a Gospel doctrine, contrary to the Law of the Jews
• The council knows that they are responsible for Jesus's death, but do not want to take the heat for it
• No place in the Law does it say not to proclaim God's truth

Psalms 68:11
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

• They went through this earlier with the lame man from his birth being healed
• It is the same answer-
  "Um, no. God sent us to do this, you have no way to stop it."

Acts 1:8
s But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 4:18-20 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Acts 5:30
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

• This again is a direct charge of murder, they themselves being the guilty party
• In the spiritual realm, it is all of our sin that caused the death of Jesus of Nazareth, but in the people realm, it was both the Jews and the Romans who directly caused it, with Judas.

Acts 5:31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

• Yeah, He died. Yeah, you killed Him. Nevertheless yeah, He willingly let you do that to pay for your sins
• It is your only collective way out of this world to Heaven

Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Acts 5:32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

• Again, the Holy Ghost declared to be a person, not an "it".
• "To them that obey him".........is in believing in His Son the LORD Jesus Christ
• He is further indicating by this that they are NOT obeying God because they did not receive the Holy Ghost and, therefore, do not get it.

Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

John 5:23-24
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Acts 5:33
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

• There goes the "counsel from the council" again
• Two reactions, same hearts, but really different hearts. Here it is utter rejection
• Either it is a question about what to do, or it is, "Let us figure out how to kill them right now!"
• There is "pricked in their hearts" or "cut to the heart" (sword)

Acts 2:37
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Acts 16:30
And brought them out, and [the jailer] said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Acts 5:34
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

• If he were not a doctor of the law, he would have zero pull here
• If he also did not have a reputation, he also would be ignored, brushed aside and accused of being "with them" and "one of them".
• Mankind always loves to appeal man's authorities and majorities

Acts 5:35
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

• Once again, we see the audience is a purely Jewish one, "ye men of Israel"
• The only for this man to know their intentions is to be in counsel with them and have the same intentions, at least up to this point

Acts 5:36
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

• False Christs, false apostles, false teachers-prevalent in Jesus's day, prevalent today

Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Acts 5:37
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

• These men all died, claiming to be the Messiah, God Himself, and proved they were not
• When the false ones die, there is nothing left
• The very existence of the apostles in Jerusalem, together, bold, still shows their Messiah is real and living

Acts 5:38
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

• Man's work will burn, perish, always and forever

Acts 5:39
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

• A word of wisdom, to save their skin, their reputation, their venture
• They should have seen fighting against God did not work with the entire Old Testament, the Resurrection, the escape from prison of the apostles

Acts 5:40
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

• They got the message..........and beat the apostles anyways!!
• Speak in any name you want to, but not in the Name of JEsus. Exact same thing today. A generic god, one size fits all

Acts 5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

• This is the opposite reaction we expect from beaten people
• Now think about our society today, how easy and convenient life is and all we do is complain

Acts 5:42
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

• After threats, after beatings, after warnings, after prison, knowing the dangers, counting the cost, putting God's direct commandments (Matthew 28:19-20 over man's laws, they plod on, fearlessly.
• This is why the church grew and why we ourselves heard the Gospel with our ears.

Acts Chapter 4

Acts 4:1
And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

• And then there are the religionists
• They were still in the process of bringing them to Christ

Acts 4:2
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

• The Sadducees did not believe in the Resurrection, angels, devils, the afterlife, anything non-material-like today's evolutionists
• The idea is that no one was to teach the people but they themselves
• Leaders of organized religion never want "the people" to hear or see the truth, so they suppress it by threatening those who carry it. This has been true for 2,000 years of church history
• The resurrection from the dead comes only through Jesus Christ
• The preaching itself is via the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ

Matthew 22:23
The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

Mark 12:18
Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

1 Corinthians 15:12
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Acts 4:3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

• You are under arrest for preaching Jesus Christ.
• Coming to a location near you soon.

Acts 4:4
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

• Perhaps there were woman and children
• The culture of the day was to count men only, often
• An instantaneous 5,000 member, local body of Christ
• No speaking in tongues, not even a baptism right now

Matthew 14:21
And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. Acts 4:5
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

• The Trial starts now........
• Political and religious leaders, plus keepers of the Word of God

Acts 4:6
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

• They brought in the big guns
• This is a huge "problem" to them, obviously. The Christians have overturned their apple cart
• Caiaphas earlier prophesied that the Messiah should die for the people (John 11:50-51)
• It must be mentioned that these same exact men heard and/or saw people raised from the dead, leprosy healed, lame people walk, demons cast out, Jesus turning water into wine, walking on water
• The miracles were unquestioned and unquestionable-it was the "AUTHORITY" that was the issue now

ANNAS/CAIAPHAS

John 11:49-51 [CAIAPHAS]
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

Luke 3:2
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

John 18:13
And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

John 18:24
Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

Matthew 26:3
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

Matthew 26:57
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

Luke 3:2
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

John 11:49
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

John 18:13
And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

John 18:14
Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

John 18:28
Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

Acts 4:7
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

• This is a purely earthly question, regarding the laws
• They are really getting at the AUTHORITY issue, in another way
• Previously, with elders, rulers, scribes, Pharisees and the High Priest show up, it is about authority
• Truth always trumps higher education, even from fishermen
• As can be plainly seen, they could care less about the lame man being healed!
• Did they even bother to tell the lame man they were happy he was now finally able to walk?
• Today we say, "What seminary did you attend?" or "Who ordained you?" or "Where did you get your degree?" and "Are they an accredited school?" or "What kind of a degree is it?" or "What is your degree in, anyways? Theology?" or "Do you have a badge?" or "What denomination are you" or "How many books have YOU written on this subject?" or "How come most mainstream people do not believe that?"

Matthew 21:23
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Matthew 21:24
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Matthew 21:27
And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Mark 11:28
And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

Mark 11:29
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Mark 11:33
And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Luke 20:2
And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

Luke 20:8
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Acts 4:8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

• Filled...meaning controlled,
• The people and Israel-all Jews still.

Acts 4:9
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

• You want to check us out?
• He also tells them about the "authoritative good deed" they are complaining about

Acts 4:10
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

• "Whom ye crucified"....This is a direct charge of murder, to their collective faces, again, but this time to the leadership

Acts 4:11
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

• This is the exact same verse Jesus quoted to them, the man they killed!
• Peter even quoted this later in his first epistle

Psalms 118:22-23
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Mark 12:10-11
And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Luke 20:17
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

1 Peter 2:7
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

• To materialists, there are many problems with saying this
• There is a denial of an actual salvation, a denial of heaven, a denial of Jesus Name having any authority (the very issue at hand), a denial of a need for salvation in the first place

Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

• These men had no seminary training, no Greek or Hebrew concordances, no bookshelves of Christian commentaries, charged no speakers fees, did not go on book signing tours, made merchandise of no man.
• These fishermen who had been with Jesus, however, "turned the world upside down" with their doctrine, much more than anyone since.
• They saw the boldness, not the clothing, the polish, the finish, the sheepskin on the wall, the love for each other, not their smile, not their suit and tie, not their knowledge of the "original Greek and Hebrew", not that they went to Bible college, not their fancy programs or their Sunday school rooms, or their nice clean sanctuary or even their worship team
• The boldness came after the resurrection, and they would have seen or heard before the resurrection that they were utter cowards, so they saw the result of the eyewitness to the resurrection

Acts 4:14
And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

• In the end, the result is indisputable. Like it or not, they knew this was a genuine miracle in Jesus Name.
• It is an "infallible proof" (ch. 1)
• It is further harder to deny because it is so public, so blatantly obvious because everyone there knew the man did not walk just hours before!

Acts 17:6
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Acts 4:15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

• A little talk in the corner to decide how to quell the outbreak of faith
• The council................nearly always opposed to right
• They were forewarned of the councils, but were told what happened would-the Holy Spirit would take over (v.8)
• These same councils did the same thing to Jesus
• This counsel appears more in Acts than any other word in Scripture, and they nearly always opposed the work of the believers

Matthew 10:17-20
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Mark 13:9
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Mark 14:55
And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

Matthew 12:14
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Mark 15:1
And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

Luke 22:66-67
And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

THE COUNCIL, IN ACTS

Acts 4:15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

Acts 5:21
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Acts 5:27
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Acts 5:34
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

Acts 5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 6:12
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

Acts 6:15
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Acts 22:30
On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Acts 23:1
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 23:15
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

Acts 23:20
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

Acts 23:28
And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

Acts 24:20
Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

Acts 25:12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

Acts 4:16
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

• "We won't believe in Jesus, even though we know this miracle was done in His Name, so then.......?"
• They had no precedent, and no law against thee men, so they would have ot act fast and invent one

Acts 4:17
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

• To the people: "Since we're not gonna believe, YOU'RE not gonna be allowed to, either!"
• Persecution makes Christianity spread, and they will unknowingly, unintentionally and quite accidentally help the process along

Acts 4:18
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

• Apparently, when they asked, "By what authority?" they were upset that it was not their authority. That said, they now wanted to exercise theirs
• Certainly not under the authority and name of Jesus!!

Acts 4:19
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

• The apostles were only worried about "in the sight of God"............the direct opposite of the Sadducees, Pharisees, elders, priests

Acts 4:20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

• "You cannot force us to be false eyewitnesses"

Acts 4:21
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

• This is the "In the sight of men" side of the coin. Had the people not been there, the reaction and punishment would have been much, much worse.
• They had a fear of man

Psalms 56:11
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Acts 4:22
For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

• There were forty years times every eye that saw this man was lame, so no excuse to deny a miracle, which they did not do.

Acts 4:23-24
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

• Fellowship and people to share in their sufferings. IF not today............soon

Acts 4:25
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

• This is the beginning of Psalm 2
• The Psalm itself says, "Why DO the heathen rage", so this may point to a particular event

Acts 4:26
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

• Fighting against God Himself...........the ultimate foolishness.
• This includes God's people, Jews and Christians, Old and New Testament

Acts 4:27
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

• Herod failed in killing the Christ child
• Pilate washed his hands, thinking he was innocent of the Blood of Christ, not understanding it all
• Peter said, "GUILTY!"

Matthew 2:16-18 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Acts 4:28
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

• This was all pre-ordained, from Genesis on.

Acts 4:29
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

• Did they pray to stop the persecutions?
• They prayed that it would glorify God Himself, that they would still speak loudly the truth of the Gospel

Acts 4:30
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

• It is God's Hand that heals-not ours
• They even acknowledged this then, so how much more so now, 2,000 years later?

Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

• In this case..........no tongues
• Today, we pray, the house is not shaken-but we had better be filled by the Holy Ghost if we want to do God's work!

Acts 4:32
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

• Again, this was not necessarily ordained and we do not practice this sort of shared living today
• This is a transitional period, a unique time in world history, the time of the Acts of the Apostles
• If the sign gifts are for today, why does the church not live like this?

Acts 4:33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

• Because they were filled with the Holy Ghost, they had power-not their own power
• Again, the result was witnessing, not signs, wonders, tongues

Acts 4:34
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

• Once again, this is not how the church was ordained to operate by any commandment
• It is a good attitude, perhaps, but not something God asked of them

STRANGERS, PILGRIMS
Hebrews 11:10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1 Peter 2:11, 13
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; evertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Acts 4:35
And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

• Again, this does work, to a certain extent, that extent being the honesty of the Church members
• This was not only not ordained, it did not work for long, nice and generous as it was not long before the collection upon for Jerusalem was called for again by Paul

1 Corinthians 16:1-3
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

Acts 4:36-37
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

• This man would be the opposite of the son of perdition, Judas, whose things, whose money only belonged to himself
• The opposite of greed is charity=love.........

John 13:29
For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Matthew 27:5-10
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

Acts 1:18-19 Now this man (Judas) purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

Acts Chapter 3

Acts 3:1
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

• This is around three o'clock in the afternoon
• They went "up" because Herod's Temple is on Mt Moriah.

Acts 3:2
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

• The "Beautiful Gate" was facing east, also perhaps called "the gate of Nicanor", fifteen cubits high
• It was made of "Corinthian Brass" or "Corinthian Bronze", even thought to be copper mixed with gold or silver
• "from his mother's womb is not an accident, not due to an accident either"
• Answers the old complaint of ours, "Why ME, LORD?"
• This here is his purpose, but there is always one, even if we never discover it
• He had friends who carried him here, meaning he also asked alms elsewhere the rest of the day, every day

Acts 3:3
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

• Probably heard of them both, but maybe not
• Either way, he has to ask

Acts 3:4
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

• "I need your attention here, this is important"
• There is a difference between looking at someone and "fastening" ones eyes on them

Acts 3:5
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

• This is because whenever anyone interacted, he probably got something
• Most others would probably have walked by, ignoring him. Same as today

Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

• Congratulations, it's your day today!
• For all of eternity, he will be alive, walking, with Jesus
• Gold, silver-things to steal, things that you can't take with you, things that will burn one day

2 Peter 3:10-12
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Acts 3:7
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

• Again, they had the gift of healing
• A touch is personal, a lift is icing on the cake
• Today, we pray and lay hands..........it is not a guarantee of healing, but it is a guarantee of God hearing and answering-YES, NO, WAIT FOR LATER

Acts 3:8
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

• Walking and leaping, not limping and walking slowly
• He was a good as new!
• He wanted to now stay with Peter and John, as well as let anyone and everyone in that temple know what just happened
• Peter and John with him means validation and an explanation to skeptics

Acts 3:9
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

• Further testimony, and it was not even why he was doing it!

Acts 3:10
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

• This was the reason for being lame..............so he could be healed
• Not everyone is healed; not everyone finds out why they are born the way they are.
• It is all part of the curse, lifted at the Cross, removed when we die, or earlier...........up to God

Acts 3:11
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

• They are seeking "the sign guys", not just the healed man.
• They seek sings, and a wondering......."signs and wonders"

Acts 3:12
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

• They are about to find out the source of the miracle.............a surprise!
• Again, this is a sign for "ye men of ISRAEL"!!

Acts 3:13
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

• To emphasize that this is for Israel, the mention of the three original fathers here.
• Declaration of Deity, "God of our fathers"...."his Son Jesus"

Acts 3:14
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

• In the end, our sin crucified Jesus, but in the earthly realm, the chief priests delivered Him over to be crucified.
• Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18

Matthew 10:33
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

John 9:29
We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

Acts 3:15
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

• Death, Resurrection, Witnessing

Acts 3:16
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

• It is not by any man's gift, any man's special powers, nor by the filling of the Holy Ghost.
• It is by the Name above all names. Jesus Christ

Acts 3:17
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

• Spiritually dead people are often unaware of their own sin, as are all of us at times
• Because they did not know that this was their Messiah, they had Him crucified in ignorance
• The suggestion may be that, had they known...........

Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Acts 3:18
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

• This was in their own Scriptures in Genesis 3, Genesis 22, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Daniel 9:26, Zechariah 12:10, etc.
• As Gentiles are without excuse for believing in evolutionism (Romans 1), so too the Jews are without excuse for not recognizing the Messiah

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;

• The "times of refreshing" is disputed, but most surely the most obvious would be the return of Christ to reign on the earth
• The next verse seems to clinch it

Acts 3:20
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

• The Return, the Millennial Kingdom reign
• Again, the fore-knowledge is what told them to seek the for-giving

Acts 3:21
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

• "Must receive" is part of the overall plan, the Sovereign plan of God
• No prophet of the Old Testament failed to reference the Messiah in some manner

Acts 3:22
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

• "Like unto me"..............like unto God, made in the image of mankind
• The Jews today, as then, thought that the Messiah was to be a man, not the God-Man

Philippians 2:7-8
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Acts 3:23
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

• This rejection of the true Messiah will lead them very soon, sadly, to accept the anti-Christ
• That will be a fulfillment, ironically of a prophecy given, none other, by the MESSIAH HIMSELF!!

John 5:43
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Deuteronomy 18:19
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

Acts 3:24
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

• "These are your prophets, O Israel, in a continuing succession, an unbroken line"
• "As many as have spoken, when speaking spoke of these days"

Acts 3:25
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

• These who spoke were your own forefathers
• The blessing in your seed was Jesus, not what you thought it was

Acts 3:26
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

• Everything was to the Jew first, then the Gentile (Romans 1:16, 2:9, 2:10)
• The way to be truly blesses is to repent from their iniquities

The Lesson From The Text

1. We are all born helpless
2. His mother and ours are alike (Job 25:4, Genesis 3)
3. We are outside the temple of God
4. We are all spiritual beggars
5. We expect something from Christians
6. We do not know our REAL need
7. Salvation and Jesus Christ are more precious than silver and gold
8. We can pass this salvation on to others via our words
9. Salvation is instantaneous
10. New believers stand, then walk, then can stand FOR-in that order
11. We can worship publicly
12. Our testimony can lead others to Jesus Christ

Acts Chapter 2

1 Corinthians 13:5
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

1 Corinthians 1:22-25
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Deuteronomy 4:2
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Proverbs 30:5-6
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

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Acts chapter 2 is the most controversial chapter today, probably in the entire New Testament, among American Christians. Two claims are made from this chapter:

• You are not saved (or perhaps not sanctified) unless and until you have the "Baptism of the Holy Ghost"
• The evidence of this "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" is speaking in tongues

PENTECOST
PEN'TECOST,n. [Gr. fiftieth.]

1. A solemn festival of the Jews, so called because celebrated on the fiftieth day after the sixteenth of Nisan, which was the second day of the Passover. It was called the feast of weeks, because it was celebrated seven weeks after the Passover. It was instituted to oblige the people to repair to the temple of the Lord,there to acknowledge his absolute dominion over the country, and offer him the first fruits of their harvest; also that they might call to mind and give thanks to God for the law which he had given them at Sinai on the fiftieth day from their departure from Egypt.
2. The word Pentecost is never actually found in the Old Testament.
3. Whitsuntide, a solemn feast of the church, held in commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. Acts 2.
4. They baked two loaves for a wave offering
5. Pentecost was a one time, non-repeatable event in history, like the Exodus, Virgin Birth, Resurrection, Creation

• Shavuot in Hebrew means "weeks", ie. "The Feast of Weeks".
  Pentecost comes from the Greek word, "penteconta", meaning "fifty". The Jews then start "The Counting of th Omer", or the forty nine days after this, to reach the 16^th of Nisan. They count until the 50^th day.
• The name today given is Shavout, or the "Feast of Weeks", as it was called in the Old Testament
• Seven weeks is 49 days, the fiftieth being Pentecost, after the giving of the Law
• This was the giving of the law written on our hearts
• Signs and wonders were there with the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, and also at the giving of this new law, written on our hearts
• It is a sign of unbelief to look for them, to us (John 4:48)
  John 4:48
  Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
• Pentecost comes yearly and it is just that in this particular year, God was showing the Creation of a new Dispensation called the Church Age.
• This "One Baptism" was accomplished in Acts WITH tongues(v.4) and WITHOUT tongues (v.41), with the laying on of hands and receiving the Holy Ghost and tongues (19:1-5), with the laying on of hands and receiving the Holy Ghost and no tongues (8:17)
• In Acts 4:31, disciples are "filled with the Holy Ghost, and "speak the word of God with boldness", not in tongues
• The filling of the Spirit is a command to all Christians (Ephesians 5:18); the tongues is not and is actually the LEAST of the gifts whenever it is presented
• We are all baptized with the Holy Spirit, but not all are filled, and not all spoke in tongues

Deuteronomy 16:16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

Leviticus 23:16-17
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.

2 Corinthians 3:3
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
Psalms 51:11
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

Isaiah 63:11
Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?

Luke 11:13
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 4:8
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 1:20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Matthew 12:32
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mark 1:8
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Mark 3:29
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Mark 12:36
For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Mark 13:11
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:15
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:41
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke 1:67
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

Luke 2:25
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Luke 2:26
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke 3:16
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Luke 3:22
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Luke 4:1
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke 12:10
And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

Luke 12:12
For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

John 1:33
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

John 7:37-39
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

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

John 20:22
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Acts 1:2
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Acts 1:5
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:16
Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:33
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 4:8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 5:3
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Acts 5:32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Acts 6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

Acts 7:51
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Acts 8:15
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Acts 8:17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:18
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Acts 8:19
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17
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 thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Acts 10:38
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.

Acts 10:44
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 10:45
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:47
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Acts 11:15
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

Acts 11:16
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.

Acts 11:24
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Acts 13:2
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Acts 13:4
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 13:9
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 15:8
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

Acts 15:28
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 16:6
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Acts 19:2
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 20:23
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Acts 21:11
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

Acts 28:25
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Romans 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:16
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.

1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1 Corinthians 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

2 Corinthians 6:6
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 1:5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

2 Timothy 1:14
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Hebrews 2:4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Hebrews 3:7
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Hebrews 6:4
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Hebrews 9:8
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Hebrews 10:15
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

1 Peter 1:12
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Genesis 41:38
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Exodus 31:3
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

Exodus 35:31
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

Numbers 24:2
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

1 Samuel 10:10
And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

1 Samuel 11:6
And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

1 Samuel 19:20
And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

1 Samuel 19:23
And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

2 Chronicles 15:1
And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:

2 Chronicles 24:20
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

Job 27:3
All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;

Job 33:4
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Ezekiel 11:24
Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.

Matthew 3:16
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 15:19
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 7:40
But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 John 4:2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. Could be taken from Old Testament believers (Psalms 51:11)
2. Was rebelled against and was then against Israel (Isaiah 63:10)
3. Was indwelling Moses (Isaiah 63:11)
4. Given freely for the asking (Luke 11:13)
5. A promise Who Sealed us until our Redemption (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30)
6. A gift from God (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
7. Gave Mary her baby Jesus (Matthew 1:18)
8. Told Joseph that this was how it happened and not to worry (Matthew 1:20)
9. Baptism by the Holy Ghost and with fire was promised the apostles (Matthew 3:11)
10. The Holy Ghost can be blasphemed against (Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10)
11. This sin was unforgiven for those present, then, who did it (Matthew 12:32)
12. We are to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20)
13. The apostles and disciples would be Baptized by the Holy Ghost (Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16)
14. David spoke by the Holy Ghost (Mark 12:36)
15. The Holy Ghost was promised to give them words when persecuted (Mark 13:11)
16. Jesus was to be filled (empowered, led) by the Holy Ghost from Mary's womb onward (Luke 1:15)
17. Mary was told the Holy Ghost would come upon her and give her a son (Luke 1:35)
18. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and John leapt in her womb (Luke 1:41)
19. Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied (Luke 1:67)
20. Simeon, who held Jesus, was filled with the Holy Ghost (Luke 2:25-26)
21. The Holy Ghost was present when Jesus was baptized in the form of a dove (Luke 3:22)
22. John the Baptist was foretold this would happen (John 1:33)
23. Jesus would baptize them with the Holy Ghost (John 1:33, Acts 1:5)
24. The Father will send the Holy Spirit in Jesus name (John 14:26)
25. The Holy Ghost led Jesus into the wilderness forty days (Luke 4:1)
26. Those that believe on Jesus would receive the Holy Ghost (John 7:39)
27. The Holy Ghost was not yet given in the Gospels because that Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:39)
28. The Holy Spirit would be poured out upon Israel (Isaiah 44:3)
29. He is the Comforter (John 14:26)
30. The Holy Ghost shall teach you all things (John 14:26)
31. The Holy Ghost will bring all things to your remembrance (John 14:26)
32. Jesus breathed on the disciples in the Upper Room after the Resurrection and told them to receive the Holy Ghost (John 20:22)
33. Jesus gave the disciples commandments through the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:2)
34. The disciples would get their power from the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8)
35. The apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost and spake in tongues at Pentecost (Acts 2:4)
36. Was announced as "promise fulfilled" by Peter (Acts 2:33)
37. Peter told the Jews to repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38)
38. Peter was filled by the Holy Ghost and preached to the Jewish leaders (Acts 4:8)
39. The disciples prayed, the room shook, they were filled by the Holy Ghost and spoke the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31)
40. The Holy Ghost was lied to by Ananias (Acts 5:8)
41. The Holy Ghost was witness to the Resurrection (Acts 5:32)
42. The disciples chose seven men full of the Holy Ghost for full-time missions (Acts 6:3, 5)
43. Stephen told the Jews they resisted the Holy Ghost and was stoned, looking up to Heaven via the same Holy Ghost (Acts 7:51, 55)
44. Believers received the Holy Ghost by Peter and John laying hands on them in Samaria (Acts 8:15, 17)
45. Simon tried the buy the Holy Ghost's power (Acts 8:18, 19)
46. Ananias layed hands on Paul to be filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:17)
47. After Paul was saved, the churches had rest through the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:31)
48. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:38)
49. The Holy Ghost fell on the Gentiles after Peter preached the Gospel to them(Acts 10:44)
50. This cause them to speak in tongues in front of astonished JEWS, for the first time recorded (Acts 10:45)
51. The Jews acknowledged from this that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost like them (Acts 10:47)
52. The Holy Spirit bade Peter to go with Gentiles HE had sent (Acts 11:12)
53. Peter recounts this to defend his preaching to Gentiles-before the Jews (Acts 11:16)
54. Barnabas was said to be "full of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 11:24)
55. The Holy Ghost called the disciples to separate Paul and Barnabas for ministry full time (Acts 13:2)
56. The Holy Ghost then sent the duo out to the missions field (Acts 13:4)
57. When Barjesus, a JEW, wanted to get saved, a sorcerer named Elymas interfered, so Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, made him blind (Acts 13:11)
58. Upon seeing this sign, the JEWISH Barjesus got saved (Acts 13:12)
59. The disciples were joyous and filled with the Holy Ghost after persecution, and turning finally to the Gentiles completely (Acts 13:52)
60. Peter acknowledged before the Pharisees that the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost, as did the Jews, (Acts 15:8)
61. The apostles and elders wrote a letter to the Gentiles saying that the Holy Ghost was pleased that they keep from idolatry, eating things strangled, and fornication (Acts 15:28-29)
62. Paul and company were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to enter Asia (Acts 16:6)
63. Twelve (JEWISH) believers baptized to John's baptism received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:2)
64. These same spoke in tongues after that (Acts 19:6-7)
65. The Holy Ghost told Paul about his future imprisonment by the Jews (Acts 20:23)
66. Paul said that the leaders were given oversight of the flock by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28)
67. The Holy Ghost told Paul again through a prophet names Agabus about his future imprisonment by the Jews (Acts 21:11)
68. Paul cites Isaiah, saying that the Holy Ghost inspired Isaiah to write that the Jews would reject the Christ (Acts 28:25)
69. The Holy Ghost is a gift to us (Romans 5:5)
70. The Holy Ghost enables us to witness to the truth (Romans 9:1)
71. The Holy Ghost gives us joy (Romans 14:17)
72. The Holy Ghost gives u power to have hope, joy, peace through belief (Romans 15:13)
73. The Holy Ghost sanctifies the Gospel message (Romans 15:16)
74. The Holy Ghost gives us godly wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:13)
75. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19)
76. The Holy Ghost enables us to say Jesus Christ is LORD, and not curse Him (1 Corinthians 12:3)
77. All of our proven and true ministry is approved by the Holy Ghost (2 Corinthians 6:6)
78. The Holy Ghost communes with us (2 Corinthians 13:14)
79. The Gospel was delivered to us via the Holy Ghost (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
80. We received the Word of God with joy of the Holy Ghost (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
81. The Holy Ghost allows us to keep all good things spiritually given us (2 Timothy 1:14)
82. The Holy Ghost renews our spirit (Titus 3:5)
83. The Holy Ghost gives gifts according to HIS OWN GOOD AND PERFECT WILL (Hebrews 2:4)
84. The Holy Ghost inspired the Old Testament, specifically Psalms 95 (Hebrews 3:7)
85. Unbelievers can be blessed, benefit from and partake in the Holy Ghost (Hebrews 6:4)
86. The Holy Ghost told the Jews in the Old Testament that the road to salvation was not in the tabernacle (Hebrews 9:8)
87. The Holy Ghost spoke of a new covenant to the Old Testament people (Hebrews 10:15)
88. The Holy Ghost came down from Heaven with the Gospel for us (1 Peter 1:12)
89. The Holy Ghost moved men in the Old Testament to write the Word of God (2 Peter 1:21)
90. The Holy Ghost bear record and is part of the Trinity (1 John 5:7)
91. We are to pray in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20)
92. The Holy Spirit was there at the Creation (Genesis 1:2)
93. Pharaoh saw that Joseph had the Holy Spirit in him (Genesis 41:38)
94. God moved His Holy Spirit from Moses and gave it to seventy elders, and they prophesied (Numbers 11:25)
95. The Holy Spirit was in Joshua the son of Nun (Numbers 27:18, Deuteronomy 34:9)
96. The Spirit moved from Elijah to Elisha (2 Kings 2:15)
97. Moses was told that Bezaleel the son of Uri had the Spirit of God in him (Exodus 31:3, Exodus 35:31 )
98. The Spirit of God came upon Balaam (Numbers 24:2 )
99. Saul got the Holy Spirit, another heart and prophesied when Samuel anointed him king of Israel (1 Samuel 10:10)
100. The Holy Spirit came upon Saul again in anger, when told that Nahash the Ammonite would not make a covenant with Israel and take their eyes out (2 Samuel 11:6)
101. Saul's messengers had the Holy Ghost come on them and prophesied when they saw Samuel's men prophesying (1 Samuel 19:20)
102. Saul followed, doing the same, naked all night (1 Samuel 19:21)
103. The Holy Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded (2 Chronicles 15:1)
104. The Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest (2 Chronicles 24:20)
105. Job had the Spirit of God (Job 27:3)
106. Job acknowledged that he was made through the Holy Spirit (Job 33:4)
107. The Holy Spirit gave Ezekiel a vision of Israel in Babylonian captivity (Ezekiel 11:24)
108. The Spirit of God came upon Jesus as a dove at His baptism (Matthew 12:28)
109. Jesus cast devils out by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28)
110. The indwelling Spirit of God is proof of our salvation (Romans 8:9)
111. The Spirit of God leads us, guides us (Romans 8:14)
112. By the Spirit of God Paul preached to the Gentiles (Romans 15:19)
113. Only the Holy Spirit really knows us (1 Corinthians 2:11)
114. The natural man cannot receive things from the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14)
115. We are the Temple of God, and HE dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16)
116. Paul thought he was in agreement with the Spirit of God concerning women remarrying as widows (1 Corinthians 7:40)
117. We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30)
118. We know the Spirit of God when saved, and can confess Jesus Christ through Him, as proof (1 John 4:2)

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD
119. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother and he judged Israel(Judges 3:10)
120. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon (Judges 6:34)
121. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jepthah, and he voeed to kill whoever first came though his door if God would utterly let him destroy the Ammonites (Judges 11:29)
122. Samson was moved by the Spirit of the LORD (Judges 13:25)
123. The Spirit of the LORD allowed Samson to rend a lion in two (Judges 14:6)
124. The Spirit of the LORD allowed Samson to slay thirty Philistines of Ashkelon(Judges 14:19)
125. The Spirit of the LORD allowed Samson to break his bonds of flax and the bands on his hands (Judges 15:14)
126. Samuel told Saul the Spirit of the LORD would come upon him and he be turned into another man, and would prophesy (1 Samuel 10:6)
127. Samuel anointed David as king, and the Spirit of the LORD came upon him (1 Samuel 16:13)
128. The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, replaced by an evil one(1 Samuel 16:14)
129. David said on his deathbed that the Spirit of the LORD was upon him, and gave him words (2 Samuel 23:2)
130. (1 Kings 18:12)
131. Obadiah thought that Elijah would be carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to be saved from Ahab (1 Kings 18:12)
132. Micaiah was smacked on the cheek by Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah and asked which way the Spirit of the LORD went, when Micaiah told him his (Chenaanah's) own prophets were all liars(1 Kings 22:24, 2 Chronicles 18:23)
133. (2 Kings 2:16)
134. The sons of the prophets asked Elisha if Elijah was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD (2 Kings 2:16)
135. (2 Chronicles 20:14)
136. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the congregation (2 Chronicles 20:14)
137. The Spirit of the LORD would rest upon Jesus, according to Isaiah (Isaiah 11:2)
138. The Spirit of the LORD blows on the creation and it withers and fades (Isaiah 40:7)
139. No one can counsel or direct the Spirit of the LORD (Isaiah 40:13)
140. The Spirit of the LORD will protect Israel (Isaiah 59:19)
141. The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Jesus, in Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1)
142. The Spirit of the Lord GOD anointed Jesus to preach the good news to the meek (Isaiah 61:1)
143. The Spirit of the Lord GOD sent Jesus to bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1)
144. The Spirit of the Lord GOD sent Jesus to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1)
145. The Spirit of the Lord GOD sent Jesus to open the prison and release the bound captives (Isaiah 61:1)
146. Israel Vexed His Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10)
147. The Spirit of the LORD cause Israel to rest(Isaiah 63:14)
148. The Spirit of the LORD fell upon Ezekiel (Ezekiel 11:5, 37:1)
149. Israel was asked if the Spirit of God was too narrow (Micah 2:7)
150. God is able to pronounce judgment, declare sin in Israel by His Holy Spirit(Micah 3:8)
151. Sapphira conspired with Ananias to tempt the Spirit of the LORD (Acts 5:9)
152. The Spirit of the LORD caught Phillip away after he baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:39)
153. The Spirit of the LORD brings liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17)
154. By the Spirit of the LORD we will be changed into our glorified bodies (2 Corinthians 3:18)

THE GENTILES SPEAK IN TONGUES: IN FRONT OF JEWS

Acts 10:44-46
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

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THE FILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST IN ACTS: NO TONGUES

Acts 4:8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 5:9-10 |
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Acts 9:17
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 thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

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PROLOGUE

• The sign gifts are an important issue for today
• They stopped for nearly two millennia; and have been "revived" today
• Further, there was no prophecy stating that they would be revived; only that they would cease
• There is, however, Scriptural support for the fact that, in the last days, false teachers, prophets and signs and lying wonders would occur (Matthew 7:22-23; Matthew 24:11, Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
• In fact, during the Tribulation, neither Jewish nor Gentile believer will be performing any miracles-only the two witnesses and the anti-Christ, with the angels as well
• Those miracles done in Revelation by the two witnesses are along the lines of the Old Testament miracles, not the ones in Acts or after.
• "Latter rain" (Hosea 6:3, Joel 2:23) in Israel is a spring set of rains (beginning of the Church), not summer, fall or winter
• It comes down to BIBLICAL DOCTRINE vs. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
• It is OBJECTIVE vs. SUBJECTIVE
• Personal experiences should never trump the Bible in any way or any area
• Either these "spiritual experiences" are from biblical truth or they are not
• IF false, it is then dangerous, since this is personal experience directly contacting supernatural forces, spiritual entities
• The truth is not determined by how many believe something, use something, experience something, reject something, nor by who does believe it or how enthusiastic people are about something
• It must always also be acknowledged that, in the last days, the Scriptures establish in many places that spiritual activity will increase, there are to be false prophets with false signs and wonders who will deceive many (Matthew 24, Luke 21, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 Timothy 4:1)
• Modern day Christianity is not the only belief system that is today experiencing tongues, miracles, signs, wonders, revivals
• Biblically, it is not enough to claim that these things COULD be happening today from the Holy Spirit; they must be established as biblical and time-appropriate for these last days
• The answer can only and must only come from a Final Authority, One True Source-THE SCRIPTURES THEMSELVES
• Not one single book of the Bible contains exactly only one entire subject at all. Doctrines come from reading all of the Bible

Isaiah 28:9-13
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue (the conquering Assyrians) will he speak to this people.
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Acts 2:1
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

• This is fifty days after Firstfruits-Christs' Resurrection
• These are all either Jews or Gentile proselytes here, from every peoples group represented
• This is evident from verses 1, 5, 8, 10, 11, 14, 22, 36
• The very word "Christian" does not even appear until chapter 11:26

Leviticus 23:15-26
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 2:2
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

• This was a sound as of a rushing wind, not a rushing wind
• This sound is for the EARS
• Today, this rushing wind and sound is absent when people claim to speak in tongues
• This is the only time in Church where the Holy Ghost is known from Scripture to have completely filled an entire room and, in this case, it happened in the exact room where the apostles and disciples met to wait, on express verbal instructions from the LORD Jesus Christ Himself, for this to occur.

Acts 2:3
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

• It says, "like as of fire"; therefore it cannot be "The Holy Ghost and with fire"
• This appearance is for the EYES
• No one is "Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire" (Luke 3:16); they already had the Holy Ghost
• The "and with Fire" was either their future persecution (which came to pass and which today we call, literally, "Baptism By Fire") or, directly speaking either about, or directly to, Judas at the time, signifying his future after death and burning in hell
• Only twelve of them get the tongues of people languages, out of a possible 120 present
• No one practiced this after getting saved in Acts 4:4

Luke 3:16
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Acts 4:4
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Acts 17:34 (Paul at Thessalonica)
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

• Filled is controlled by, not Baptized by
• The law of first mention is an important rule of Bible interpretation, so that this first occurrence shows that this was a people language, esp. Jewish people
• Using Inductive Bible Study, we must always form any biblical doctrines on any subject by basing it solely on the clearest reading from (not reading into) the clearest Scriptures with the most weight by sheer number; the more unclear Scriptures will handle themselves.
• Baptized by the Holy Ghost is the moment of salvation, the indwelling and initiation into the Body of Christ
• This is why Jesus said in (Mark 16:16 below) that we must believe and be baptized (not water)
• The order of events in us is:
  
  1. Regenerated (John 3:5)
  2. Indwelt (Romans 8:9)
  3. Sealed (Ephesians 4:30)
  4. Baptized-placed them into the Church (Acts 1:5)
  5. Filled (Ephesians 5:18)-in that order
  6. Other non-Christian cults and religions have the same sign gifts today. (Mormons, witch doctors in Africa, spiritistic mediums. Muslim dervishes, and Indian fakirs)
  7. Other non-Christian cults and religions had "sign gifts" in the past. The Oracle at Delphi, ecstatic speech, worshipped false gods. It was around long enough for the Corinthians to know about it
• This is the official commissioning of the Church for the work God gave her-unique in time, decidedly Jewish and the fulfillment of the prophecy of Christ building the foundation for His Church today.
• No one relays a foundation once it is done. They build on top of it.
• We are not commanded to be baptized by the Holy Spirit, but we are commanded to be filled
• These other tongues were languages of people, spoken to Jewish people
• We know this because all of the tongues are listed and none is "an unknown tongue"
• No one prays for the gift of tongues or the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
• There is no Gospel salvation message here at all, and the only saving is from "this untoward generation" (v.40)
• These men did not speak these languages; they were not their own language
• VERY IMPORTANT- "AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE" "

NOTE:
The false teachers take exactly the opposite approach. They will form a pet doctrine, search for obscure and unclear Scriptures to back it up, and then ignore the clear passages (often numerous, as is the case here). Charismatics will hang their doctrine of a “private prayer language” composed of "unintelligible utterances" upon 1 Corinthians 14:15, even though that the concept of a "private prayer language" or "angelic tongue" is a stretched interpretation at best, while ignoring the very clear and prevalent teaching of Scripture that tongues were Jewish people languages, supernaturally spoken as a sign to the nation of Israel, either by Jews, or to Jews or in front of them. It was a purely JEWISH PHENOMENON

Mark 16:16-18
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

JESUS CHRIST THE FOUNDATION

1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Matthew 12:39
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Matthew 16:4
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Luke 11:29
And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

Acts 2:5
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

• Everyone (Jews) was here for the Jewish Pentecost, from everywhere
• Again, this is a sign to Jews, devout Jews, not Gentiles

Acts 2:6
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

• Jewish people groups, and their languages
• The confusion is because these people did speak a known tongue/language, not because of them speaking in an unknown tongue
• The miracle: Speaking? Or Hearing?

Acts 2:7
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

• Galilaeans were not considered high on the totem pole among the Jews of that day
• It is obvious from the reaction that no one expected this event to occur, and as a sign, as it was not even ever once prophesied in the Old Testament
• This means that it did not happen as a result of their faith at all, but it was given by the Holy Spirit according to His divine pleasure.
• 1 Corinthians 12-14 seems to indicate that Paul was concerned that they were TOO interested in the sign gifts, not too little.
• First, according to Pentecostals and Charismatics, this is a sign of the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” to both the believer himself and the audience ("public tongues")
• Second, it is a means whereby God communicates to His Church. This allegedly occurs as the messages of the tongues speaker is interpreted by someone else.
• Third, it is an angelic, heavenly “private tongues” or "private prayer language" (tongues of angels) wherein the speaker of tongues in this "angelic language" edifies himself. This is claimed to mean getting some sort of encouragement from the LORD, solace during spiritual attacks or test/trials, lead to physical healing, used for spiritual guidance
• We are never to edify ourselves in any way, but rather others
• Besides, 1 Corinthians 14 is all about understanding the tongues, which would be impossible if it were unknown
• Men and angels in the Bible spoke the same exact language, always!
• Today, NO ONE goes to the missions field any place without either a translator or learning the language-they do not understand a so-called "private prayer language" or the "tongues of angels".
• Many people have gone to the missions field thinking that they would automatically be able to "speak in tongues" (the language of the natives).........they returned disappointed, unable to communicate without a translator.
  (Robert Mapes Anderson, Vision of the Disinherited: The Making of American Pentecostalism).
• The Bible never says to “try tongues”
• The Bible never says "seek after a prayer language"
• There is no mention of speaking in tongues outside of a group, alone
• The Bible never describes how one could "learn how to speak in tongues".
• In the Bible, speaking in tongues is always a supernatural activity, according to the will of the Holy Spirit, sovereignly given as a gift by God, for a sign to Jewish people, even if Gentiles spoke in them.
• Those who do not have a "prayer language" are not "holding back the Spirit" or "Stifling the Spirit of God" or "Not allowing God the Freedom to give you all He has for you", but rather reading, believing and obeying the plain reading Scripture.

1 Corinthians 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

THE TONGUES OF ANGELS

Genesis 16:7-12
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

Genesis 21:17-18
And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

Genesis 22:11-12
And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Genesis 22:15-18
And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Genesis 31:11-13
And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

Numbers 22:32
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

Numbers 22:35
And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Judges 2:1-3
And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

Judges 5:23
Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.

Judges 6:12
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Judges 6:20
And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Judges 13:3-5
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

Judges 13:13-14
And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

Judges 13:16
And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.

Judges 13:18
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?

Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

2 Samuel 24:16-17
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

1 Kings 13:18
He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.

1 Kings 19:5, 7
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.....And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

2 Kings 1:3-4
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.

1 Chronicles 21:15
And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he (GOD) repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1 Chronicles 21:18
Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Zechariah 1:9
Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.

Zechariah 1:11-17
And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1:19-21
And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. And the LORD shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

ANGEL TO ANGEL!
Zechariah 2:3-5 (even after that)
And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

Zechariah 3:6-7
And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

Zechariah 4:1-5
And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Zechariah 5:5-11
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

Zechariah 6:4-8
Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.
And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

Matthew 1:20-21
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 2:13
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Matthew 2:19-20
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

Matthew 28:5-7
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Luke 1:19-20
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Luke 1:28-37
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:30
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

ANGELS TALKING AND SINGING
Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Acts 5:19-20
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Acts 7:38
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Acts 8:26
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

Acts 10:3
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

Acts 10:22
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Acts 11:13-14
And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Acts 12:7-8
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

Acts 27:23-24
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Revelation 8:13
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Revelation 9:13-14
And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

Revelation 11:1-10 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying,

Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Revelation 14:6-12 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 14:15
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Revelation 14:18
And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Revelation 16:5
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

Revelation 17:7-18
And the angel said unto me,
Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Revelation 18:1-2
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Revelation 18:21-24
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying,
Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

1 Kings 13:18
He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.

John 12:29
The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

****************

Acts 2:8
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

• Jewish people group languages, confirmed once again

Acts 2:9-11
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

• This is three continents, Africa, Asia, Europe
• The "tongues" we need today is to preach the Gospel in the language of America, here, or the native tongue of wherever we are!

Acts 2:12
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

• Asking, "How on earth can this be?"

Acts 2:13
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

• The word "mocking" appro pos, since drunk people never speak other languages, they stutter, slur their speech
• The fact is, they were being sarcastic, since "new wine" does not get you drunk anyways. It is sort of like saying, "They are stoned on Pepsi!"

Acts 2:14
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

• Ye men of Judaea and those that dwell at Jerusalem, (JEWS)
• This is the crowd, this is who Peter is speaking to
• The first church was 100% JEWISH, not Gentile
• They were commanded first to GO TO Jerusalem and wait..............now they will LEAVE Jerusalem to bring the Gospel out to Judaea, Samaria, then to the uttermost part of the earth

Acts 2:15
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

• "Come on now! It's 9:00 AM!"
• As ye suppose shows that they really thought that these men were drunk

Acts 2:16
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

• He is simply switching subjects and telling them about Joel's prophecy
• "We have prophecy, talking about future events"
• "This is not the fulfillment of that"

JOEL

Joel 2:28-32
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Acts 2:17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

• This was not fulfilled that day

Acts 2:18
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

• This was not fulfilled that day either

Acts 2:19
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

• This is still future
• The Tribulation

Acts 2:20
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

• The moon did not turn blood red, the sun did not turn dark that day
• This is the Tribulation and the end of the Tribulation

Acts 2:21
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

• During the Tribulation, many will turn to the LORD-and lose their heads

Joel 2:32
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

• "Ye men of Israel"
• They were all eyewitnesses to the things Jesus did before their eyes

Acts 2:23
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

• The religious rulers and the Romans, and our sins is why Jesus was crucified
• God delivered Him up, not men. It is because of men, allowed of God, done by men
• The Resurrection, first sermon to the Church
• This is no longer Joel
• The "counsel" of God simply means design and purpose

COUNSEL, n. [L., to consult; to ask, to assail.]

1. Advice; opinion, or instruction, given upon request or otherwise, for directing the judgment or conduct of another; opinion given upon deliberation or consultation.
   Every purpose is established by counsel. Prov 20.
   Thou hast not hearkened to my counsel. 2 Chr 25.
2. Consultation; interchange of opinions.
   We took sweet counsel together. Psa 55.
3. Deliberation; examination of consequences.
   They all confess that, in the working of that first cause, counsel is used, reason followed, and a way observed.
4. Prudence; deliberate opinion or judgment, or the faculty or habit of judging with caution.
   O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honor.
   Ecclus. 25.
   The law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients. Ezek 7.
5. In a bad sense, evil advice or designs; art; machination.
   The counsel of the froward is carried headlong. Job 5.
6. Secresy; the secrets entrusted in consultation; secret opinions or purposes.
   Let a man keep his own counsel.
7. In a scriptural sense, purpose; design; will; decree.
   What thy counsel determined before to be done. Acts 4.
   To show the immutability of his counsel. Heb 6.
8. Directions of Gods word.
   Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel. Psa 73.
9. The will of God or his truth and doctrines concerning the way of salvation.
   I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God. Acts 20.
10. Those who give counsel in law; any counselor or advocate, or any number of counselors, barristers or sergeants; as the plaintiffs counsel, or the defendants counsel. The attorney-general and solicitor-general are the kings counsel. In this sense, the word has no plural; but in the singular number, is applicable to one or more persons.

COUNSEL, v.t. [L.]

1. 1. To give advice or deliberate opinion to another for the government of his conduct; to advise.
   I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire. Revelations 3.
2. To exhort, warn, admonish, or instruct.
   We ought frequently to counsel our children against the vices of the age.
   They that will not be counseled, cannot be helped.
3. To advise or recommend; as, to counsel a crime. [Not much used.]

John 10:18
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 19:10-11 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Acts 2:24
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

• "The pains of death" is an eternal one, removed at Jesus's Resurrection

Acts 2:25-28
For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Psalms 16:8-10
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 2:29
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

• He could and probably did point his finger from there at Mt. Zion, which is a tourist attraction today
• They knew David was buried there and his bones were all that was left

1 Kings 2:10
So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

Acts 2:30
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

• Jesus Christ is in the Davidic line in succession to the Eternal Throne, His Throne

Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Luke 3:23-38
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,
Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,
Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,
Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,
Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,
Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,
Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,
Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,
Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,
Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,
Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,
Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,
Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,
Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Acts 2:31
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

• Pretty self-explanatory, and prophecy fulfilled in Christ!

Acts 2:32
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

• They were pretty much all cowards, especially Peter
• They were direct eyewitnesses and immediately after seeing the Risen Jesus became unstoppable lions, turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6)
• They will nearly all die for being eyewitnesses, very soon

Acts 2:33
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

• "Because this is to be the birth of the Church, hence these signs and wonders to accompany it"
• Jesus now sits on the right hand of God (

Acts 2:34-35
For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

• David's body was still in the ground and so was not talking about himself
• David knew that the Messiah would ascend though

Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

• This Jesus is the One
• Peter reminds them they had Him killed

Acts 2:37
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

• This is definitely the Holy Spirit conviction
• There is such a conviction that they see the need by themselves
• There is such a close timeframe to the actual death, burial and Resurrection that many were direct eyewitness to the scene of the crime

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• Repent and be baptized.........the gift is automatic at salvation, free
• No laying on of hands because they were not baptized unto John's baptism

Acts 2:39
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

• "To all that are afar off" means that the Gospel is universal

Acts 2:40
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

• From the dictionary definition and the context of all of Scripture, he is saying to get saved from a-------perverse-------line of descendancy--------from Adam down

UNTO'WARD, a.

1. Froward; perverse; refractory; not easily guided or taught. Acts 2.
2. Awkward; ungraceful; as untoward words.
3. Inconvenient; troublesome; unmanageable; as an untoward vow.

GENERA'TION, n. The act of begetting; procreation, as of animals.

1. Production; formation; as the generation of sounds or of curves or equations.
2. A single succession in natural descent, as the children of the same parents; hence, an age. Thus we say, the third, the fourth, or the tenth generation. Gen 15:16.
3. The people of the same period, or living at the same time. O faithless and perverse generation. Luke 9.
4. Genealogy; a series of children or descendants from the same stock. This is the book of the generations of Adam. Gen 5.
5. A family; a race.
6. Progeny; offspring

Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

• Right after the written Law was given to Moses, they rebelled and about 3,000 died after the golden calf incident.
• Now, a new law, the Law written on their hearts was given, 3,000 got life.
• Israel had been born through the gift of the Law; the Church through the gift of the Holy Spirit
• No one is "Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire" (Luke 3:16)
• This is baptism by immersing into water

Luke 3:16
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Exodus 32:28
And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

• The doctrine of the apostles would be that which they were taught by Jesus Christ Himself for three years, and which is revealed in all of their epistles
• "Stedfastly", whose meaning is below

STEADFAST, STEDFAST, a. [stead and fast.]

1. Fast fixed; firm; firmly fixed or established; as the stedfast globe of earth.
2. Constant; firm; resolute; not fickle or wavering.
   Abide stedfast to thy neighbor in the time of his trouble.
   Him resist, sted fast in the faith. 1 Pet 5.
3. Steady; as stedfast sight.

Acts 2:43
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

• Fear is lacking today, of God, in all of us, because we are so blessed with our comfortable little world, without persecution
• The signs and wonders were again for the early JEWISH Church, not the Gentiles
• The Gospel to the Jews involved signs and wonders, since they asked to see them, saw them throughout the entire Old Testament
• The Gentiles got Creation Evangelism (Acts 27, Romans 1)

Acts 17:22-24
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Acts 2:44-45
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

• This is not practiced today in Christianity, but it is by hippies and cults
• This was not even something ordained of God, but rather an outward expression of an inward change of no longer caring about the things of this world, which would happen under religious persecution

Acts 2:46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

• This is eating, studying the Word, fellowship and prayer-church
• The building does not matter, it does not need official programs, huge numbers

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

• Both the result of their work and their work itself is worship
• This does not always bring favour, but it is certain that they were a sweet savour to all
• Daily added in one city, area.
• "Such as should be saved"=God's sovereignty