Category Archives: Topical

Acts, Prayer, Sovereignty of God

Acts 12:1-24 – The church must be out of its mind to pray! (v5,9,15)

Context

The book of Acts is attempting to describe the spread of the good news that Jesus is Lord. The expansion of the gospel is taking place in many directions now, in Jerusalem and surrounding towns, to the north of Jerusalem as far now as Antioch, and to the south-west where Philip had baptised an Ethiopian.

The story has bounced between Peter’s experiences and Saul’s experiences. We return to Jerusalem now and to Peter and the others. There has been a great explosion of faith since Acts 2 but also scattering of believers through persecution. Jerusalem was experiencing a time of strengthening and peace and growth (Acts 9:31). But then King Herod acts. This is the Herod who had arrested and beheaded John the Baptist. In Mark 14:1-12 we learn that Herod was aware of prophets and their public influence. We also learn that he is influenced by the whims of the people and of the moment.

Observation

Structure

  • 1-5 Herod’s attack and the church’s defence
  • 6-11 Peter is rescued by God’s messenger
  • 12-17 The church is astonished
  • 18-19 Herod executes his own soldiers
  • 19-24 Herod is executed by God’s messenger

1-5 Herod’s attack and the church’s defence

“who belonged to the church…” Once the followers of Jesus were called disciples, then believers, then people of “The Way”, and then Christians. Now, they are recognised as the church. This word means “gathering” or “assembly” or “congregation”. Many will use it to describe a building used for religion but it is undeniably used here to refer to the people gathering together for a common purpose. It is used as a synonym for all the previous titles given to the followers of Christ.

“Herod” – This is Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great. See ‘Context’ for more.

“Persecute” – The greek says something like: to mistreat in the hands of Herod. As the mistreatment of is aimed at the church, ie, a specific people group, it is persecution.

“James, the brother of John” – these are the two sons of Zebedee, disciples of Jesus. At the end of this narrative, another James, probably the brother of Jesus, is told of Peter’s rescue. This second James is likely the writer of the epistle by the same name.

“…death with the sword…approval among the Jews.” Most of the Jews who had turned to Christ had been scattered out of the area under Saul’s persecution. While there was peace in Jerusalem post Saul’s conversion, apparently many Jews still viewed the Christian church as a nuisance and abomination. Herod’s dislike or hate for the church was embraced by the Jews. The approval encouraged Herod to arrest Peter, the leader of the church.

“Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.” The Festival of Unleavened Bread is a seven day annual event amongst the Jews in preparation for the Passover. Both festivals are memorial celebrations of the Exodus, especially the night when God passed over all the houses marked by blood. This was the same festival coinciding with Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion. Jesus had told Peter that he would die a similar death (John 21:18019). Perhaps Peter felt like this was the moment!

“…but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” This was the church’s line of defense – to take their concern to God and plead with Him to intervene. Against a King who has successfully executed one believer and assigned 16 soldiers to guard Peter, the church prays. Perhaps Herod conceived a remote possibility that the church would muster a rescue plan by force? But he did not expect a rescue mission from the Almighty!

It must be noted that the church prayed ‘earnestly’. I wonder if there really is a different type of prayer? Of course you can say that you’ll pray and you can throw a light-hearted suggestion to God for something (like someone to believe, healing to happen, peace to be reached). But if it’s not earnest prayer, is it actually prayer? Of course I need to answer yes. Prayer is prayer whether it is described as earnest or casual. These are just adjectives. But this verse describes the focus of their gathering – they desired for God to help Peter in some way. They prayed deliberately, decidedly, thoughtfully, intentionally. The actual word here means: eagerly, fervently, constantly. They were still together at the end of the rescue – still in prayer! (v12) And the answer to their prayers even took them by surprise! It is so good when God answers our prayers so vividly. And it is a shame that we don’t pray like this. Individually and as a body of believers, it would be good to cultivate our prayer habits.

6-11 Peter is rescued by God’s messenger

“Then Peter came to himself…” The account of Peter’s rescue is mixed with physical action and mystical illusion. On the one hand, Peter is physically struck by the angel in order to get him to wake up, he is ordered to dress himself and chains and doors are removed or opened. On the other hand, Peter doesn’t feel like it is really happening, the guards are mysteriously avoided, doors and chains are dealt with magically and the rescuer is an angel. It all happens, in Peter’s mind, as if it is a dream or a vision. But when he comes his senses, he sees that this has actually happened. God has answered the prayers of the church and intervened miraculously.

All of the intentions of the government and the religious enemy have been thwarted by God. Everything was stacked against Peter. But God was against the will of men in this instance.

12-17 The church is astonished

“John, also called Mark.” This new character becomes very significant in the early church and the work of God. He became a travelling partner with Saul and Barnabas (v25), he was a cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10), remained in service of the apostles and described as a son to Peter  (1 Peter 5:13). He is recognised as the writer of the gospel in connection with Peter.

“You’re out of your mind!” It’s amazing how Peter’s arrival was met with doubt. They had been praying for God to act but even this was beyond their expectations. The episode of the arrival of Peter is comical. But when they realised that Peter was saved, they celebrated and sent word to James to encourage and relieve him too. Our Christian growth will include a growing confidence in the ability of God to act. He will not always give us exactly what we ask, but when we pray fervently for things that God has promised to do, we must dismiss the temptation to doubt He can do it!

“It must be his angel.” This could be understood as Peter’s spirit (like Matthew 14:26) or as a guardian angel of Peter’s (see Matthew 18:10 and Hebrews 1:14).

“But Peter kept knocking” – He didn’t intend to go in and stay with the believers in Mark’s home since he immediately “left for another place” (v17). But he was intent on showing his brothers and sisters that he was alive and free and that James be told as well. Peter’s persistent knocking may remind us of the persistence needed sometimes in prayer. This is a shallow link, I know, but his unstopping approach is paralleled by the unstopping prayer of the church. It’s a small illustration of persistence when the initial prayers are not answered, don’t give up.

18-19 Herod executes his own soldiers

“no small commotion…thorough search…cross-examined…” The aftermath of the escape was extreme. With no answers found, Herod executes the guards. Perhaps his only explanation was that the guards were hiding the truth from him. How else could the escape be explained? It reminds me of when illnesses are mysteriously removed – unexpectedly – but doctors will just shrug their shoulders rather than concede that someone divine has intervened. Herod knew that the Christian church was surrounded by stories of miracles – even an empty tomb. But rather than examining the truth and conceding Jesus as Lord, he orders and execution on his own men.

19-24 Herod is executed by God’s messenger

“…because Herod did not give praise to God…” These verses describe the unique way that Herod the Tetrarch died. Although he was bringing a kind of unity in the region, according to these verses, he did not rebuke the people for praising him as a god. He had been exposed to enough of the work of God to know better and this was the final straw. A messenger of the Lord struck him down. He wasn’t instantly killed but bizarrely he was eaten by worms and died.

It’s a fitting conclusion to this section which began with Herod’s attack on the church. The church had prayed for the situation with Peter. Not only was the prayer answered by delivering Peter to freedom but it was further answered by delivering Herod over to death by worms!

Meaning

The church might appear out of their mind to pray – but we would be out of our minds not to!

Application

  1. Prayer of course! Prayer must be understood as a request or plea to the Almighty to take action. It is not a demand or a ‘name it and claim it’ practice. But neither is it a social pleasantry aimed at closing a Christian gathering or wishing someone good luck. When we pray, we enter the council of the Lord our God and we ask him to save, to restore, to renew, to protect or to reveal. Christians have turned their life to Christ and admit that God is supreme over their lives, which they are failing to live properly. Prayer is this faith speaking. The community of saints must be a community of prayers. If we are to be a “Christian community devoted to maturing in Jesus”, then let us devote ourselves to prayer!
  2. Reflect on your prayers and consider what you pray for. Do you bring to God the things that you believe he would want you to want?
  3. Pray for the persecuted church. opendoors.org.au, vom.com.au, and barnabasfund.org are three ways to be informed in your prayers – to pray specifically.
Acts, Mission

Acts 11:19-30 – Antioch – a great city saved by grace

Context

In chapter 7, Stephen was martyred with Saul overseeing the execution. As a result, the disciples in Jerusalem fled to many parts of the world. Saul was since converted to believe that Jesus is Lord and has shown himself to be a true convert to the disciples. Barnabas was a great man of faith and an encourager who believed Saul was converted and initiated the meeting between Saul and the disciples.

Peter had been taught by God to expect the gospel to extend beyond the Jews and to all the Gentiles. He was shown that God shows no favouritism.

We now return to the scattered disciples, to Barnabas and to Saul as the gospel finds a stronghold in the large Greek city of Antioch.

Observation

Structure

  • 19-21 – The gospel spreading to Antioch
  • 22-26 – Saul and Barnabas working together in Antioch
  • 27-30 – Christian charity work

19-21 – The gospel spreading to Antioch

Antioch – this town is in modern Turkey. Jesus travelled as far north as Tyre during his ministry. Although Tyre was part of the promised land, it bordered Gentile country and had been populated with Gentiles for many centuries (since the fall of the Northern Kingdom). Antioch is much further still. As you look at a bible map, you will see that the gospel is heading to the northern corner of the Mediterranean Sea.

Antioch was a major city in Asia minor. We’ll see in this story how significant the city became for the early church. Antioch was as far as people travelled in escaping the persecution in Jerusalem. Ironically, the people who fled Saul’s persecution will be taught the faith by Saul.

“Spreading the word only among Jews.” The theme of God not showing favouritism is continued as we see the disciples break out of their exclusiveness and share the gospel with Greeks, of whom the entire city was filled.

“The Lord’s hand was with them.” The gospel was received because the Lord was active.

People came to Antioch because of persecution and then did one amazing thing: they spoke to people about Jesus. In a land that is foreign to Judaism and the ministry of Jesus, they spoke about Jesus as Lord and a great number of people believed! There is no other name! And people who have lived generations without knowing God must be prepared to meet Him by learning about Jesus.

22-26 – Saul and Barnabas working together in Antioch

“They sent Barnabus to Antioch”. Notice that Jerusalem is the headquarters for the gospel. This is just pragmatics. It’s not that it is a holy place but that this was the seed from which the gospel has come. The disciples in Jerusalem heard what was happening in this major city to the north and they sent a man who had proven to be an encourager, a good man and full of faith. He was the man who spent time with Saul when he was converted (Acts 9:27), believing that he had been saved before the other disciples did. What a perfect fit to send him to a large city which is responding so quickly and rapidly to the gospel.

Barnabas means encouragement (Acts 4:36) and this man was named because this was his gift. He did as God had gifted him to do in 11:23. Barnabas appears to be a man used by God to take the planted seed which is showing life and encourages it to grow and remain true to the faith. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” Not only does Barnabas encourage the believers, however, his presence and work enables the believers to grow in number (Acts 11:26).

27-30 – Christian charity work

“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.” Amazingly, Barnabas thought that Saul was the right man to bring in on this mission in Antioch. He was the one who drove the first believers out of Jerusalem toward Antioch because of his persecution on the followers of Jesus. But Barnabas has seen that God has called Saul to the work of evangelism.

“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Saul and Barnabas spent a year in Antioch and again, we are told that great numbers of people were responding to the gospel. The impression is that this large city was a harvest field for a large number of believers. When we are told that the word Christian was first used in Antioch, we must see that this was no small revival taking place. A movement had occurred which attracted a new name. Christ is the Greek word for Messiah which was used in the Old Testament to point forward to the chosen one of God. The believers in Antioch were known for their belief in – Jesus the Christ. They followed, not a lifestyle or method of religion, but a person.

“Some prophets came down from Jerusalem.” Coming down must refer to the terrain rather than the compass direction. But what about the ‘prophets’? Of course, many prophets appeared in the Old Testament to declare what the Lord has said to the people of Israel or to their kings. The entire Old Testament is described as the Law and the Prophets. Prophecy was still present in the time of Jesus (Luke 2:36) and was expected in the church in the first century (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 14:3). Prophecy is not only limited to unveiling what will happen in the future. It is a matter of revealing the truth about God and what he has declared to the world. The completion of the bible, with the words of the apostles testimony and teaching, has done away with the need for prophecy. Someone may argue that God still uses prophecy today and that may be so. But it is made insignificant next to the brightness of the gospel news written in the scriptures. The Spirit is given to the church to be able to discern right from wrong and to grow in godliness and maturity. The Son has been declared to the ends of the earth and there is no new word from God. There is no need for a new word. God has spoken, in these last days, by his Son (Hebrews 1). And prophecy was prophesied by Paul to come to an end (1 Corinthians 13). Has it ended? I’m not sure. But I do believe that it is not necessary.

The Christian movement displayed their love for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem by aiding them through the famine. Here, in Antioch, people who believed in the name of Jesus were known as Christians and demonstrated their Christian charity across the known world. Note that the church is growing in the knowledge of Jesus as Lord and that he is Lord of all – this is the universal or ‘catholic’ church. One body.

Meaning

A new hub of the Christian faith was built in Antioch. The gospel is no longer spreading out from one centre which is Jerusalem – it is now forming a network from which the gospel can be spread further. The disciples of the Disciples are now making disciples. The gospel of Jesus is growing from strength to strength.

Application

  1. Barnabas was known as an encourager and sort for Christian aid to help aid the Christian church. Check out the Barnabus Fund and discuss their method, aims and beliefs https://barnabasfund.org/About/who-we-are
  2. What part of the work are you doing in growing the Christian community? There are planters and waterers and encouragers. Where and how has God gifted you?
  3. The disciples in Jerusalem targeted Barnabas to go to Antioch. Likewise, Barnabas targeted Saul to join him on the mission. These are deliberate strategies for growing the kingdom. The gospel spread initially in Antioch when the Jewish-Christians opened their mouths to talk to the Greeks. What strategies are you aware of by Campbelltown Anglican Churches to further the gospel and to strengthen the kingdom? Discuss.
Acts, Church

Acts 10:1-11:18 – I see now that God shows no favouritism

Context

After a chapter describing the conversion of Saul (chapter 9), the account in Acts has returned to Peter and his work in following Jesus’ mission into the world. He healed a man and raised a woman from death in the name of Jesus and many turned to the Lord at that time.

The mission of Christ through the Holy Spirit continues to drive the narrative of the book and Peter remains in the narrative, staying in Joppa, a coastal town and Gentile populated.

Observation

Structure

  • 1-8 – The vision for Cornelius – God has come to you
  • 9-23 The vision for Peter – God has come to the Gentiles
  • 24-48 Peter sees the Spirit delivered to Cornelius
  • 11:1-18 Peter defends his decision to baptise the Gentiles

1-8 – The vision for Cornelius – God has come to you

Cornelius was a non-Jew. Living in Caesarea where Philip had reached back in Acts 8:40, he was the leader of an Italian army. If you could think of the gospel as a kind of plague (a very good and helpful plague) then it is spreading to the shores of the Mediteranean Sea and has the potential to travel to another continent.

But Cornelius is described as a “God-fearing” man. He loved his neighbour by giving generously to those in need and he loved God, demonstrated by his regular prayers. These are both received by God as a ‘memorial offering’. Psalm 20:3 describes God remembering the offerings offered to him. The same sense may be applied here – the Lord sees what the man has done and keeps it in mind.

One issue to grapple with here is the notion that God seems to be responding to the good religion of a man, while the doctrine of grace and sin tells us that we are all hopeless until God first approaches us. The man’s faith is quite basic – he showed love for other people as himself and he revered God. The wisdom books say that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But the man did not know Christ. He does not know God and how He has acted in this world for salvation – this is what will enrich the man’s life. Without the gospel, he is a man fumbling in the dark. With the gospel of Jesus, he can confess Him as Lord and receive the Holy Spirit.

The man received a vision from God and responds with immediate obedience. The main point of these verses (1-8) is that God blessed Cornelius – God called Cornelius – God has come to Cornelius.

9-23 The vision for Peter – God has come to the Gentiles

“As they were on their journey…” – the next stage of this narrative occurs while the servants of Cornelius were approaching. This means that God had not prepared Peter first and then sent for Cornelius. Rather, God called Cornelius for action knowing that Peter still needed to be prepared. God is confident about the outcome and is acting in the lives of two men in parallel. While He is working on moving the heart of one man to call Jesus Lord, he is working on the heart of another to call Jesus Lord of ALL!

“I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” (Dt 14:3-20; also Lev 11:4-8; 13-20; Eze 4:14). The description that Luke gives of the animals are not specific enough to conclude if they were actually unclean but the response from Peter and the point seems clear. Although Peter is preaching the new gospel of Jesus, he is still thinking like a Jew. This is not a bad thing. The New Testament unravels the ramifications of the gospel over time. Peter needs to learn something for the first time that we have been brought up to know.

“While Peter was still thinking about the vision…” – verse 17 and 19 both describe a long thought by Peter about this vision. The vision and message happened three times (v16), giving him time to soak it in and ponder what he saw. The timing is perfect for the visitors to arrive and teach Peter about the implications of the gospel to the whole world.

“The next day Peter started out with them…” – this will be the second day since Cornelius received the vision and a day after that (v24) Peter will arrive to give Cornelius life. These “third day” events are no coincidence. Cornelius is about to be reborn on the third day just as Saul received his sight again on the third day. We shouldn’t look for some application for us along the lines of only doing good on the third day or whatever, but we should observe what the bible is showing us – that these all occur as planned acts of God with echoes of Jesus’ resurrection – the very reason we can all be born again.

24-48 Peter sees the Spirit delivered to Cornelius

“Cornelius met [Peter] and fell at his feet in reverence.” – this helps us to see the primitive understanding that Cornelius has of God. When he falls at the feet of Peter, he treats him as a revered man rather than a simple servant of the Most High.

“Against the Law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.” – These “laws” are reflected in Jn 4:9; 18:28 and Acts 11:3. Although the Old Testament did teach the people of Israel to have nothing to do with the foreigner, it also commends Israel for welcoming the stranger. It seems like the laws of the Jews had overlooked the spirit of the law. But this is why Peter needs to be taught to love the Gentiles rather than to do it naturally.

“I now realise how true it is that God does not show favoritism…” – Peter begins a short speech here to clarify what this current passage is about – Peter has been taught that God does not show favoritism.

“But accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” This is a true gospel statement. God absolutely does accept people from every and any nation who fear him and does what is right. And what is right is to respond to Jesus with acceptance and repentance. So, Peter does the logical thing of inviting Cornelius to know Jesus. This is an important point: the ‘good man’, Cornelius, needs to know Jesus. Peter describes the gospel next and it’s worth bullet-pointing what elements he includes…

  • God sent the good news to the people of Israel
  • The good news is about peace through Jesus Christ
  • Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
  • Jesus ministered in the area of Judea.
  • Jesus was baptised by John and commenced his mission.
  • He healed and did good
  • He worked against the power of the devil
  • God was with him.
  • The apostles are witnesses of all that Jesus did.
  • Jesus was killed by the Jews on a cross
  • But God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day
  • Jesus was seen by the witnesses whom God chose to see him.
  • These chosen witnesses were the disciples who ate and drank with Jesus after the resurrection.
  • These disciples were commanded to preach and to testify that Jesus is the one God had appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
  • The Old Testament prophets testified about this Jesus.
  • They said that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

That is the gospel that Peter preached to Cornelius: God sent Jesus to the Jews. The Jews killed Jesus but God raised him from the dead. Chosen witnesses of God have been commanded to preach and testify in the same vein as the prophets: that all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. This is the same format Peter followed when he preached in Acts 2. That sermon occurred on the day that the Holy Spirit was poured out on all who believed. This sermon in Acts 10 occurred on the day that the Holy Spirit was given to Cornelius, a Gentile. Verses 44-46 are reminiscent of the day at Pentecost.

“baptised with water.” After the Holy Spirit had been clearly given (speaking in tongues was a clear sign to Peter and his company that the Spirit was given – it doesn’t follow that no gift of tongues shows no Spirit given), Peter had no reason to refuse the water ritual – a merely human act which invites people into the shared community of believers. This little passage helps us to have a sober view of baptism. It is overshadowed by the real transaction which is the giving of the Holy Spirit. It is still performed as a sign of unity in the faith.

11:1-18 Peter defends his decision to baptise the Gentiles

I won’t write about these verses. Peter clearly convinces his brothers in Jerusalem that God is inviting the Gentiles to eternal life with them. This will be a sticking point for many pages of the New Testament. It is a hard thing to grasp, that God loves the world and is saving sinners for eternity. While I am technically a Gentile, I catch myself sometimes wondering how God can love so and so or such and such. They are very brief thoughts but they hark back to my self-righteousness – this is not the gospel. We need to learn with Peter and the Jews that God does not show favouritism (James 2).

Meaning

The one gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the same gospel across the globe. Across the globe, there is no other gospel.

Application

  1. Know the gospel – it’s all about Jesus. Peter’s recital of the gospel was fluid yet full. Fluid because he didn’t stick to the same practiced words each time. Full because it was more than Jesus dying for sins. It was an ancient promise fulfilled by God that Jesus is Lord and eternal life can be found in his name. Do you know the gospel fluently? Confidently? Can you articulate it in your own words so that it makes sense and is true to the name of Jesus?
  2. A good man who loves his wife and kids and neighbourhood still needs to hear that Jesus is Lord. God saw that Cornelius was a good, God-fearing man, and he worked everything out so that he would hear the gospel.
  3. God does not show favouritism. Any race. Any mental state. Any gender. Any religion of origin. God desires all to hear and respond to the name of Jesus. How does this impact you? Do you shy away from some people and favour others? How can you work on that? How can we improve as a church in reaching everybody for the gospel?