Acts
Bible Study
Lesson 9
Indications that early Acts
is a continuation of GodÕs dealing with Israel:
¥ There is a continuation of the teachings of Jesus in the
gospels.
Acts 1:3 Éspeaking
of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
¥ The Disciples were focused on the coming Kingdom.
Acts 1:6 Éthey were asking Him,
saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are
restoring the kingdom to Israel?"
¥ Jesus reiterated the ÒGreat CommissionÓ.
Acts 1:8 but you
will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My
witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the
remotest part of the earth."
¥
They were looking for the Second Coming and not the Rapture.
Acts 1:11 ÉThis Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."
¥ They
needed to select a replacement Disciple because God was continuing His work
with Israel.
Acts 1:26 they drew lots for them,
and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added
to the eleven apostles.
¥ Pentecost was a Jewish feast related to Israel only.
¥ All these things were prophesized and related to Israel.
- Pentecost looked forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit.
- John predicted that Jesus would
be baptizing with the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:8
- The Old Testament has a number of references to the Holy Spirit coming to Israel.
Joel 2:28—29; Isaiah 32:15; 44:3;
Ezekiel 37:14; 39:29; 36:26—27.
¥ Peter spoke only to Jews and excluded Gentiles. This is in
line with the Gospels.
Acts 2:36 Élet all the house of Israel
know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ
Matthew 10:6 but rather go to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel.
¥ PeterÕs sermon concerned promises made only to Israel concerning the Millennial Kingdom and their Messiah. Acts 2:30, 36
¥ PeterÕs call to repentance and baptism fits in with John
the BaptizerÕs message, not PaulÕs.
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 1:4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
¥ They continually devoted themselves to the ApostleÕs teaching which concerned IsraelÕs future Kingdom. These are all the things Jesus taught them for 3 years and 40 days. Acts 2:42
¥ Miracles, sign and wonders abound, all done for IsraelÕs belief and related to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:42
¥
Having all things in common was demanded in the Gospels, never by Paul. Luke 12:32—33; Matthew 19:21
Luke 14:33 "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.
¥ When they were baptized WITH the Holy Spirit, they were completely identified with Him and therefore exhibited the gifts of the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized INTO Christ, we are fully Identified with Him so much so that we are seen to have died, been buried and were resurrected with Him. We are even called His body. (Romans 6:3—5)
- Israel had
many different washings (baptisms)
Hebrews 9:10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
- Paul made it clear that there are
no longer many baptisms. There is now only one.
Ephesians 4:4—6 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
- This is one indication that the baptism in early Acts at Pentecost is different from being baptized onto Christ when we become members of His Body.
ACTS 3:1—10
Healing the blind beggar
¥ Healing and miraculous signs would accompany believers under the ÒGreat CommissionÓ.
¥ The healing here is a foretaste of the coming Millennial Kingdom.
- Just as there will be a foretaste of the coming Tribulation (birth pangs) there was a foretaste of the Millennial Kingdom.
¥ This particular healing was also a picture of Israel.
- Israel was crippled spiritually
from her inception. (Jeremiah 31:32)
- It was only through Jesus
Christ that Israel will be made whole and perfect.
Ezekiel 36:27 "I will put My Spirit
within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful
to observe My ordinances.
Hosea 6:1
Come, let us return to the LORD For He has torn us, but He will heal
us;
He has wounded us, but He will bandage
us.
Jeremiah
30:17 'For
I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the
LORD, 'Because they
have called you an outcast, saying: "It is Zion;
no one cares for her."'
Acts 3:11—21
PeterÕs second sermon
¥ Peter continues to address only Jews.
- Strange if this is the Church, the Body of Christ!
¥ Peter once again points out that the Jesus the Jews killed
was both Deity and Messiah.
2:13 Jesus
is the Servant of God—completely obedient to the Father.
2:15 Jesus
is the Prince of Life—It was through His death that He gave us all life.
2:18 Jesus is GodÕs Anointed One (Messiah)
Verse 16
¥ It was faith in Jesus that healed the lame beggar and faith in Jesus that will heal Israel.
¥ This was a faith in Jesus as Messiah, not mustering up enough faith that you will be healed.
- The object of faith is not on your healing, but on Christ.
Verse 17
¥ They are given another chance because they and their rulers killed Jesus in ignorance.
- Now that the Holy Spirit had been given there was no more excuses for their rejection of Jesus.
¥ Notice how Peter splits Israel into two groups, the leaders and everyone else.
- Parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28—32)
One son represents the rulers, the other the little flock.
- Parable of the Marriage feast (Matthew 22:1—14)
The leaders will not come to the wedding so the remnant (little flock of Luke 12:32) is invited.
¥ This relates to the cities of refuge in the Old Testament. Numbers 35:6—28
- If someone killed someone unintentionally they could find refuge in one of these cities.
- If that person left the city the avenging family of the victim could kill them.
- If someone intentionally kills someone and tries to find refuge in one of these cities, they would be extradited and killed.
- When the Jews intentionally murdered Jesus, they had no hope and should have been put to death.
- However, Jesus asked that the conviction be changed from first-degree murder to manslaughter giving Israel an opportunity to run to the City of Refuge—Christ.
- By abiding in Christ, each believing Jew would be saved from spiritual death.
- If they left their refuge (Jesus Christ) they would then be sentenced to death. John 15:5—6
Verse 18
¥ Prophesy was fulfilled through Jesus. He is the Messiah that had to suffer.
Verse 19, 20
¥ Since prophesy has been fulfilled through Jesus Christ, the next thing to be fulfilled on the prophetic time-line is the Tribulation and setting up of the Kingdom.
¥ Israel could now legitimately be offered the Kingdom.
¥ They needed to repent of killing their Messiah and return to God.
¥ By doing that, the times of refreshing (Millennial Kingdom) could come.
- If Israel did accept the Kingdom offer, there is nothing more they needed to do. It would all be in GodÕ hands and He would bring in the tribulation to purify Israel, making her ready for the Second Coming.
¥ Things that will be refreshed (restored) in the Millennial kingdom include:
1.
Government will be virtuous. Jeremiah 23:5
2.
No more war. Micah 4:3
3.
The land will be delivered from the curse. Isaiah 35:1—7
4. The animal creation will be tamed. Isaiah 11:6—8
5.
Physical infirmity will be removed. Isaiah 35:5—6; 65:20
6.
Trouble and poverty will be done away. Isaiah 65:19, 21—22
7.
People will hunger for the Word of God. Isaiah 2:3
8.
Christ will be honored and exalted.
Isaiah 2:11
9. The prayers of God's people will be answered without delay. Isaiah 65:24
10.
No more sorrow.
Isaiah 35:10
See Acts Dispensationally Considered by C. R. Stam Page 83
Verse 21
¥ Jesus has gone to heaven and is sitting at the right hand
of God the Father.
Matthew 22:44 ' THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,
"SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET"'?
Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him, "
You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE
SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF
HEAVEN."
Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him
from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Acts 7:56 and he said, "Behold, I
see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand
of God."
- In every other case Jesus is seen sitting. In this case it seems He is preparing to come in power and might and in vengeance.
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