Hi Symone63. You must be referring to some other teaching (e.g. Roman Catholicism) which maintains Mary's perpetual virginity. If you are, then the Scriptures are replete with verses to show that after Jesus was born to Mary, then Mary gave birth to other children (sons & daughters), but Mary was indeed a virgin when the Holy Spirit placed this Godly Seed into her, so that God could appear unto men in the flesh in the Person of Jesus, as only God could make the full, acceptable, & permanent payment for mankind sins ( 1 Timothy 2:16; 1 John 3:16; John 15:13).
You can look at the following Scriptures to show that Jesus did have siblings, albeit half-siblings now by both Joseph & Mary. Matthew 12:46,47; Matthew 13:55,56; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; John 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:19.
Thank you for continuing the discussion, I also tremble at His word we are just a spec compared to our God. Deuteronomy 18:15-19 This to me is fulfilled in John 1:1 the word of God in Jesus the Messiah. When Jesus was anointed the Messiah every word that Jesus said was the word of God the word of God in the flesh of His Son. Everything that was created was created by the word of God, not His Son. God said let there be, and it was.
If we read Isaiah 66:1 we cannot imagine how large God can be. He can overwhelm all of what we can imagine. In my human mind, I see His Spirit cover the earth like a dome, omnipresent, it is like an electrical grid that believers plug into, I know that may sound weird.
John 17 I will do my best to show my understanding, this is just before Jesus was going to be nailed to the cross. Verses 1-5 Jesus is praying to the Father about Himself, the Father is God, when we pray, we pray to our Father, and we relate to God as Father, through the Bible Father means God and Jesus said to His Father He is the only true God. In and through Jesus Christ we become sons and daughters of God, so we cry out Abba, Father, Galatians 4:6.
Jesus said He had finished the work the Father had given to Him and Jesus glorified His Father on earth. Jesus is now ready to face death on the cross and fulfilling the law and the prophet's, all of what Scripture had said what He would become, and Jesus was ready to take His place on the right hand of His Father, Isaiah 53:12Jeremiah 23:5-62 Samuel 7:12-13Psalm 110:4Psalm 16:10, these are just a few verses that Jesus would have known about Himself.
In Daniel 7:13-14 Daniel had a prophetic vision of Jesus's ascension and God the Father giving His Son Jesus dominion and glory overall and giving Him the kingdom. God showed Daniel this was with God in the beginning, in God's plan but did not come to fruition until Jesus ascended in Acts 1:9.
1Come,and let us return unto the Lord:for He hath torn,and He will heal us;He hath smitten,and He will bind us up.
2After two Days will He revive us:in the 3rd Day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.(Combined with Philippians 3:20-21)
3Then shall we know,if we follow on to know the Lord:His going forth is prepared as the morning;and he shall come unto us as the rain,as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
John:2:13-16&18-19 -The Word is GOD, self-executing
13 And the Jews' passover was at hand,and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14And found in the Temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves,and the changers of money sitting:
15And when he had made a scourge of small cords,He drove them all out of the Temple,and the sheep,and the oxen;and poured out the changers' money,and overthrew the tables;
16And said unto them that sold doves,Take these things
18Then answered the Jews and said unto Him,What sign shew thou unto us,seeing that thou does these things?
19Jesus answered and said unto them,Destroy this Temple,and in three Days I will raise it up.
2Pe.3:8 -But,beloved,be not ignorant of this one thing,that one Day is with the Lord as a thousand years,and a thousand years as one Day.
Acts 1:9-11
9And when He had spoken these things,while they beheld,He was taken up;and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,two MEN stood by them in white apparel;
11Which also said,Ye men of Galilee,why stand ye gazing up into heaven?this same JESUS,which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.
1The.4:16
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,with the voice of the archangel,and with the Trump of GOD:
Dan.12:1 -And at that time shall Michael stand up...and there shall be a time of trouble,such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:
It will be awesome but there will be horrible times before He returns. If we are still living, we must be strong in our faith to resist the hour of temptation that is coming. When He returns it will not be some silent secret event, Revelation 1:7 and Matthew 23:39. He will return to the same place from where He ascended, Acts 1:10-11. When He touches His feet back on earth on the Mount of Olives the earth will split with the power and glory that has been given Him by God, Zechariah 14:4.
There will be the chosen and faithful, Revelation 17:14 who have been grafted into the vine in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:5-6 that will be a part of this kingdom and reign for one thousand years.
Without JESUS it is IMPOSSIBLE to exist peace not only in the Jerusalem, but in the nation of Israel as a whole. By the way, the Holy City, where also our Lord was crucified, is now spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. You know that JESUS prophesied the Temple would be destroyed, saying: "There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"- Matthew 24:2- , and it LITERALLY fulfilled in the year 70AD, and Israel was scattered around the world until 1948, i.e.1878 years of severe punishments and curses in LITERAL fulfilment of Deusteronomy 28:15-68, 53 verses of terrible chastisements-Take a look. The dispersed people of Israel have never had peace in the last two millennia. And NOW? The WORST will come now, even now, from now on, because the Day of Vengeance arrived, understand? 2Thes.1:7-9; combined with Matthew 24:15-25.
7 ... the Lord JESUS shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, (angels? Luke 20:35-36.Take a look)
8 In flaming FIRE taking VENGEANCE on them that know not GOD, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord JESUS Christ:
9 Who shall be PUNISHED with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;
Remember: Pilatos asked to the Jews: John 18:39-40
39 Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the KING of the JEWS?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
JESUS said: John 5:43-I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if ANOTHER shall come in his own name(an IMPOSTOR, a FALSE MESSIAH), him ye will receive. (This prophecy of our Lord JESUS will LITERALLY be fulfilled in days ahead)
2 Do ye know that the saints shall Judge the world?
Re.1:7 Behold,JESUS cometh with clouds( Acts 1:9-11-take a look)and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Firstly, I dind't understand reading your reply-part 1- why you have started it running away from the main focus of my post, I did not write anything about crucifixion and resurrection of JESUS, so, what you wrote has nothing to do with Matthew 24.
Your spirit tried to justify this undesirable behavior mentioning Acts 1:6-7. But the worst is that you surreptitiously said that "cannot see-the disciples- ASKING JESUS for a SIGN of His second coming, the wording of Matt. 24:3:
Now, now, then you confess you BELIEVE NOT in the Holy Scriptures, in what is written in the Book of the Lord- Matthew 24:3-4KJV:
-3...the disciples came unto JESUS privately, literally saying,"Tell us...what shall be the SIGN of THY COMING, and of the END the WORLD?"
-4 JESUS answered and said unto the disciples(AND TO ME TOO),Take heed that no man deceive you. As you can see, you did not deceive me with your words, actually it is impossible you deceive me.
In your third sentence you confess that years ago was like a dog studing end-time prophecies, and reading Matthew 4 "the words looked like they were 20 times larger it was like they were jumping off the page" , I must say i don't believe in cunningly devised fables.
You said "that a warning we need to take to heart, your studies changed from then on you still can say you have much to learn", ok in fact you "have much to learn" as you said, you have lamp but it already went out then your spirit tries to feed you with chaff and tares according to your reply.
My Lord JESUS left very very clear,saying: Matthew 12:35-37KJV
35 ... an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36But I say unto you,That every IDLE WORD that men shall speak,they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment(that is the seventh and last Day,or seventh and last millennium).
37For by thy words thou shalt be justified,and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
The Word is GOD- John 1:1,self-executing.Take care or get ready
Scripture is clear the crucifixion and resurrection were hidden from the disciples. They were devastated and undecided on what to do when Jesus rose from the dead as the Scripture tells us. Jesus' first coming was for the lost sheep of Israel only, the mystery had not been revealed it was hidden from Satan. All were looking for the Messiah to deliver them from Rome and set up the kingdom when He first came.
The disciples as we see in Acts 1:6-7 After His resurrection the disciples asked Him "wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel"? With this, I cannot see them asking Jesus for a sign of His second coming, the wording of Matt. 24:3 is the completion of this age, they had on their minds, setting up the kingdom not the end of the world.
Years ago, I was deep in the end-time prophecies, and I got to the point where I was like a dog chasing its tail. I put those studies up and I opened the Bible and was just reading, and I came to those words you have as 4 Take heed that no man deceive you. When I got to those words, they looked like they were 20 times larger it was like they were jumping off the page.
That is a warning we need to take to heart, my studies changed from then on I still can say I have much to learn. "Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many". This has been going on since Jesus ascended to heaven, the Scriptures have a few but there were many. Revolts were started by those saying they were the Messiah and would deliver them from Rome and there will be false prophets until Jesus returns.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
The Word is GOD, self-executing. Believest thou this?
Could not this man -JESUS- which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
Take ye away the stone. Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of GOD?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will GOD bring with Him.(GOD is Life)
15 For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the Trump of GOD: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:(According Daniel 12:2-3)
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds(the same cloud that was seen by the disciples- Acts 1:9-11), to meet the Lord in the air(in the 3rd heaven that will be established from now on): and so shall we ever be with the Lord.(in he 3rd heaven, which will last a thousand years- Revelation 11:15).
The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely- Revelation 22:17.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
We also see Lebanon and the wicked in Israel described; likely part of the 2/3 perishing in chapter 13. (verses 1-4). The forest could symbolically represent people; also of course there will be literal burnings of one third of the trees in the Trumpet judgments. Verses 5 and 6 of course could be speaking of the Diaspora and mass starvation during the Roman invasion and massacre of AD 70. The king mentioned in verse 6 could be the final Antichrist. Verses 9-10 show destruction coming to the land; and Verse 11 shows how the poor understand about the covenant being broken. This would imply the new covenant under Christ perhaps with shades of Isaiah 61:1 with the Good News to the poor. Symbolic terms are used here for the old covenant (Beauty and bands). Of course we also see the prophetic 30 pieces of silver which is sarcastically mentioned as what was considered Christ's worth. The field of a potter was determined for "blood money" once Judas repented of what he did (which was to avoid consequences not to seek forgiveness from God Himself), He hung himself; and later his bowels fell out. (verse 12-13; Acts 1:18). We must keep in mind that later verses describe God dealing with Israel then judging the nations that attacked them at the end of the Book of Zechariah.
Clearly the final Antichrist is mentioned here as well as the injury to his right arm and eye. (verses 15-17). This is the "worthless shepherd" and reminds us of verses in John 5:43 of another coming in his own name who they will worship.
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our GOD, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord GOD omnipotent reigneth( Revelation 11:15 to 18. Take a look).
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed IN FINE LINEN, CLEAN AND WHITE: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of GOD.
Revelation 11:12-13
12 And they (the two candlestlicks /two Churches-Gentile and Jewish Church)heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud (like JESUS- Acts 1:9-11-Take a look); and their ENEMIES beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake(Resurrection???), and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the GOD of heaven.
1Thes. 4:15-16 ->15 We say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Daniel 12:12- Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.(Oh yes, blessed is he that waiteth,and cometh to the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, unspeakable day, the day 1.335, Hallelujah!!!, by the way, 45 days after the period of 1290 days- Daniel 12:11.
One of the most if not the greatest warnings from JESUS for exactly these current days is Matthew 25:6: -> 6 And at midnight(isn't it a NEW TURN turn of GOD's Day, 2Peter 3:8?) there was a cry made; Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.
Are you really going although your lamp is trimming? By the way, the beginning of sorrows is already running- Matthew 24:3-8.
The bridegroom will came very soon and the door will be shut, therefore, those which are ready will go in with Him to the marriage- Revelation 19:7-9 , take a look. The door will be shut for ever.
By the way, all GOD's people must remember Acts 1:11 - Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven(into the 3rd heaven), shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen Him go into heaven(3rd heaven, that is the next world- Luke 20:35-36. Take a look). JESUS was on Mount called Olivet in the day when He was taken up, right? It was around year 33AD and now shall COME in like manner, right? after two Days, right? Hosea 6:2-3 and John 2:19-Take a look- , and the SAME CLOUD that received Him will again be there in His return, understand? For better understand, compare with Matt.17:5 and Isaiah 4:5.
What does the Word of GOD say? The Word is GOD, self-executing, understand? The Word says: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan.12:v.12 - Yeah, day 1335, the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable day, the day 1.335. Hallelujaaah!!! It means: 45 days after the period of 1290 days. Get ready you all as JESUS WARNED: Matt. 25: 6-13.
May our Lord GOD bless and keep us, and give us His protection, now, and for ever.
IN FACT, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 is a revealing letter from Paul the Apostle.
By the way, all GOD's people must remember Acts 1:11 - Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into HEAVEN(into the 3rd heaven. HEAVEN? Ephesians 1:3 combined with Philippians 3:20-21 among other biblical references. Take a look.), shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen Him go into heaven(3rd heaven, that is the next world- Luke 20:35-36. Take a look). JESUS was on Mount called Olivet in the day when He was taken up, right? and shall COME in like manner( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and the SAME CLOUD will be there in His return, understand? For better understand, compare with Matt.17:5 and Isaiah 4:5.
What does the Word of GOD say? The Word is GOD, self-executing, understand? The Word says: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan.12:v.12 - Yeah, day 1335, the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable day, the day 1.335. Hallelujaaah!!! It means: 45 days after the period of 1290 days. Get ready you all, as JESUS WARNED: Matthew 25: 6-13.
Hope your weekend went well brother, if I may give my understanding of Ephesians 4:8-10. As He Ascended up on High, Acts 1:9 He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.
He led captivity captive; we see this also in Judges 5:12 which has a meaning to take captive your captors. When Jesus rose from the grave, he took power over what held Him captive. Death and the grave were what held Him, but because He was without sin, they could not hold Him Acts 2:24. Since the garden, Satan had the power of death and the grave, and when Jesus rose from the grave, He took that power which are the keys, Revelation 1:18.
Gifts unto men, we see this in Psalms 68:18. These gifts are also for the rebellious. These gifts are for all people in Acts 1:8 Jesus gave the commission to the Apostles just before He ascended to heaven. The gifts are in Ephesians 4:11-12 He gave apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; all for the ministry for the perfecting of the saints. For the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ for all people. It is the gift to mankind for their salvation, no better gift can be given to man.
He that descended, when Jesus died, He was dead for three days. Jesus descended into death, and the grave, and because He had no sin, they had no power over Him. The first Adam through his disobedience brought sin and death to mankind, Jesus the second Adam through His obedience brought life.
If there were those whom Jesus brought with Him when He resurrected, I would think it would be David but in Acts 2:29 and Acts 2:34 David is dead and buried and has not ascended to heaven. This earth is our home and our reward we do not go to heaven. We are heirs according to the promise, Galatians 3:26-29, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:5 it is forever, and Romans 4:13 the whole earth.
Rev. 5:10Psalms 37:9,22,34 This earth is where we will be not heaven.
It's impressive, but it has been two thousand years since JESUS came here, think well about it, passing two thousand years is a gigantic space of time, in fact a huge gap or interval in space and time, but it passed, but will continue to pass. The time is infinite, like the space is infinite too.
And now JESUS WILL RETURN AGAIN HERE IN THE SAME PLACE from where He ascended to the third heavenly environment and a cloud RECEIVED Him ( Acts 1:11) , yes, He will again return now to the same place from where He ascended, and He will reign and lead us in new celestial environment ( Ephesians 1:3) by His power, for a period of 1.000 years(the cloud also will appear again, understand?) , as it is revealed in Philippians 3:20-21: -->20 For our conversation is in heaven (heaven? Ephesians 1:3. Take a look.)-; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself. By the way, He made it very clear when He said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth- Matthew 28:18.
Get ready, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him- Matthew 25:6 - .
Lets pray
Unfortunately , there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In Greek, the name is literally Judas. He wrote the book of Jude.
Judas is mentioned 44 times in the New Testament, representing the name of a person, as well as the name of the territory of Judah in Israel. Both are the same words.
There are 8 people named Judas in the New Testament, but only 3 are prominent and worth consideration. Two of these three are named in Luke 6:16.
They are Judas Iscariot (the one who betrayed the Lord). And Judas Thaddeus is presented as an apostle. Neither is the author of this letter.
This Jude is not an apostle. In fact, he says that he is the brother of James, and he is the servant of Jesus Christ. The author of this letter is Judas, the brother of James, and half-brother to the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 1:25 tells us that Mary and Joseph did not have the normal physical relationship between husband and wife until after Jesus was born. Matthew tells us that she was a virgin up to the birth of Christ. After the birth of Christ, they had a normal physical relationship. After Jesus was born, it is recorded in Matthew 13:55-56 that Mary and Joseph had other children who are listed as the brothers and sisters of Jesus.
During the Lord's public ministry, John 7:5 states that his brothers did not believe in Him. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that after Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to James and to the others. That would be the other of His brothers. It was at this time His brothers believed in Him.
In Acts 1:14, we find Mary and the brothers of Jesus assembled in the Upper Room waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
I Corinthians 9:5, Paul relates that the Lord's brothers served as missionaries in service to Christ as they traveled. James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem according to Acts Chapter 15.
The letter of Jude is the second letter in the New Testament written by a half-brother of Jesus. And of course, the other being James himself.
So, when Peter was called PETROS, or Cephas in Aramaic, and remember in John Chapter 1, Jesus said you will be called Cephas. Well, at this particular time in Matthew 16:18 is when Jesus named him PETROS. It's a spiritual name. It's a rock. But it's not a foundation stone. That's PETRA, and that's Jesus.
Simon Peter, Andrew, and their father were from the village called Bethsaida, on the Northeastern side of the Sea of Galilee. They later moved to Capernaum to continue their fishing business, as recorded in Mark 1:21, and Mark 1:29. The reason for the move was because Capernaum was the Lord's home during much of his public ministry.
Luke 4:38-39 tells us that Peter was married. In this account, Jesus heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law who was sick with a fever. Simon Peter's wife also accompanied him on some of the missionary journeys as told to us in I Corinthians 9:5.
Simon Peter also appears to be the leader of the Apostles. In all four lists of the Apostles in the New Testament, Simon Peter is named first. Matthew 10:2-7; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13.
In Acts Chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples, Peter was the one who gave the first sermon.
In Acts Chapter 4, Peter is the one answering to the Sanhedrin (the religious council of the Jews). They pulled the disciples in and said you cannot preach the resurrection anymore in the name of Jesus. It was Peter who responded and spoke for the disciples.
In Acts Chapter 5, Peter is the one administering discipline in the Church. So, he's a leader.
Your message is very interesting,it caught a lot of my attention where you said that"a graveyard of times created".Lord JESUS said the Father has put the time in His own power- Acts 1:7.When Lord said "all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John"-around 1.500 years- this period was to the "graveyeard",so was reset a different period called New Testament,which is also about to the"graveyeard"very soon.But there was before these two periods,a period of time from Adam until Noah around 1.656 years,and from Noah until Moses-Exodus-that lasted around 857 years.Before Adam there was an Eternity in the garden of Eden,all the above commented periods were, one by one, to the "graveyeard",except the current period which is just now to the "graveyeard" too.
Well, and now? Luke 20:35-36 combined with Rev.20:1-4 -a period of 1000 years,after this will finish into the"graveyeard".
GOD's six Days of creation and one Day of rest(total of 7 days) Scriptures teachs that one Day is with the Lord as a 1000 years (2Pet.3:v.8),so MANKIND would go through six GOD Days of 1,000 years each(total of 6,000 years)plus a Millennium of 1,000 years rest (now 7,000 years).
According to the biblical Chronology, starting by Genesis 5:
Adam lived .................................130 yrs and begat Seth
It is given to us in Acts 1:8. Jesus told the disciples that you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is come upon you. And you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem (there's your first section), and in all Judaea and Samaria (your second section), and into the uttermost part of the earth. That term "uttermost part" or the extremities, or the ends of the earth is an idiom. It means from the nearest city to the farthest village.
Acts Chapter 1 Verses 1 through 11 is the Prologue, the introduction for us. It is actually an overlap to Luke Chapter 24. I don't know of anybody that spends a lot of time reviewing like Luke does. There's a lot of overlap there! But he wants to bring over that information from Luke Chapter 24 as he begins this second part of his gospel.
And then from there, Acts Chapter 1 Verse 12 through Chapter 7 Verse 60, is the proclaiming of the gospel in Jerusalem. All of our focus will be on the ministry in Jerusalem, as the Lord told the disciples in Acts 1:8.
In Chapters 8 through 12, it will be the proclaiming of the gospel in Judaea and Samaria.
And lastly, in Acts Chapters 13 through 28, we have the proclaiming of the gospel in the uttermost part of the earth. And again, if you take the apostles that are prominent, you see that after the prologue, the proclaiming of the gospel in Jerusalem, the proclaiming of the gospel in Judaea and Samaria come under Peter's prominence.
And then the proclaiming of the gospel to the uttermost, or ends of the earth, Chapters 13 through 28, is when Paul is emphasized and is the most prominent.
So that is the introduction to the book of Acts. I will share my introduction to Romans next. Blessings in Christ Jesus!
At first, the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were one document on two separate scrolls. Luke and Acts were originally circulated as the gospel of Luke Volumes 1 and 2. Later the two books were divided. And you can see why Acts would not have a title because it's the second half to the first scroll. The first scroll had a title, but the second scroll didn't. Around the second century, they decided to give it a name too, and separate them!
VI. WHY IT WAS WRITTEN:
Luke was written to present what Jesus did and taught through His human body. In Acts 1:1, it says that this was written to present what Jesus continues to do and to teach through His Spiritual body, the church. It's still the Lord. One through His human body, and now He has sent His Spirit to continue His work through his Spiritual body the church.
VII. TO WHOM WAS IT WRITTEN:
It was written specifically to the most excellent Theophilus, probably a Roman governor, and in general to all Gentiles (non-Jews), to understand the scriptures.
Now there are actually 2 outlines for the book. There are 2 apostles that are prominent. They aren't the only ones, but they are the prominent ones. From Acts Chapter 1 Verse 12, all the way to the end of Chapter 12, the prominent apostle is Peter. And from Chapters 13 through 28, the second half of the book, the prominent apostle is Paul.
Peter was the apostle to the Jews. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. It also tells you the timing when Saul of Tarsus was saved, and he became known as Paul. He's the one that went on the missionary journeys and took the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. Those are the Gentiles. So, the timing all the way through the book is very accurate and I'll mention that to you as we go through.
In Acts Chapter 12, Peter gets thrown in jail. So, they get together for a prayer meeting. I would hope that if I got thrown in jail for preaching Christ that my brothers and sisters would get together and pray. You might be praying "please keep him locked up as long as possible!" But at least you'll be praying.
So, they were praying "Lord, please deliver Peter." Well, Peter was delivered. He was walking down the streets of Jerusalem and he was looking for the fellowship to meet and he comes and knocks on the door. And the gal that's in charge of the door, she goes, and she says, "who is it?" And he says, "It's me Peter." She goes back in, and she tells the prayer group "Peter's at the door." They said "It can't be. He's in prison. Lord, please deliver him." He can't be at the door, he's in prison!
Look at the faith they had. They had no faith at all! They didn't believe it was Peter. And in spite of what they believed or didn't believe, in spite of what they were aware of or not aware of, God's Spirit just used them! In fact, they were so clueless, that they didn't get in the way!
Why did I even bring that up? The title to the book as I'm relating it to you, should be, and is according to Acts 1:1, the theme is the ministry of the Lord, what He continues to do and to teach. The apostles are just vessels. It's not what they do. It is the ministry that the Lord continues to do and teach.
If you look at it from that perspective, you realize that as you read through, there are things that happened through the apostles that they didn't plan or weren't even expecting. God just did it! There's no formula.
This is very interesting. If you take the title, in most English bibles, it will say "The Acts of the Apostles." Originally, this letter had no title whatsoever. So whatever title you have in your English bibles, it is not inspired. It had no title.
But the word Acts comes from the Greek word PRAXEIS that means practices. They added the word apostles from Acts 1:13 because they said this is all about the apostles. So, they called it the Acts, or the Practices of the Apostles.
But this is very misleading. If I had any influential weight to change the title of the book of Acts, I would try to do it. And I think that a lot of people in their approach to the book of Acts, and in their approach to the teachings in the book of Acts, they do so because they say here are the Acts of the apostles.
It's not the Acts of the apostles. It doesn't record what the apostles did. It records what Jesus did through the apostles. There's a difference. Many people will look at the book of Acts and they'll say "Well, now that Jesus is gone, look at all the stuff they did for Him!"
No! As a matter of fact, if you take my challenge, as you read through Acts, start reading through the chapters and you will find out that they did not have a clue as to what to do. They had no "committee meetings," nothing! Even when they were waiting in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit, they didn't know when He was coming.
The Lord had a specific day and a specific time. They didn't know that! After His ascension, they waited for 10 days before the Holy Spirit came upon the believers. I say all of this because everything that's done in the book of Acts is the Acts of Jesus Christ, by His Spirit, through the apostles.
The record of the Lord's ministry, from Luke Chapter 1, all the way through to the end of Acts Chapter 28, if you put those two books together, it is the most detailed account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Again, Luke is an educated man. Luke 1:1-4 tells us that he gathered in manuscript. He gathered in all the writings that he could find about Jesus Christ. He interviewed eyewitnesses. And being an educated man, he used a lot of detailed words. He wanted to be accurate and detailed about his presentation.
II. THE RECIPIENT TO THE BOOK OF ACTS:
We are told that the man's name to whom it is written is Theophilus, which literally means "Lover of God," THEOS for God, and PHILEO for love. He's a God lover. It's either his name or his title. Theophilus was a common name at that time. Some people believe it might have been used as a title in order to hide his identity.
But in Luke Chapter 1, he's called "the most excellent Theophilus." The title "most excellent" is either a title of an officer in the Roman military or the title of an official in the Roman government, especially a governor. The title is used three times in Acts, once it's for "most excellent" Governor Felix, "most noble" Felix, and "most noble" Festus, addressing the governors of the Roman government.
So Theophilus was a Roman official. Tradition says that he was from Antioch of Syria. Apparently, Luke and Theophilus knew each other. Luke and Acts, both of them were written to Theophilus. We're told in Acts 1:1-2 and Luke 1:1-4 that they were written to the same person.
Luke is written specifically to Theophilus, but in general to all Gentiles. Theophilus means "lover of God," THEOS for God, PHILEO for love. It's either a name or title. It was a common name at the time. Many parents named their children Theophilus hoping their kids would love God. It was also used as a title and may have been used in order to hide his identity.
In Luke, he's not just called Theophilus, but "most excellent Theophilus" which means that he was either in the Roman military or Roman government, and he's getting the gospel about Jesus Christ. So, Theophilus could be a title or a code name for someone so that their real identity is not revealed.
His title "Most excellent" is one Greek word. It's found to be a title of an officer in the Roman military and also found as a title for an official in the Roman government. Both are called "most excellent" or "most honorable." The title is used three times in Acts. In Acts 23:26, we see "most excellent governor Felix."
These are all governors of Rome. Acts 24:3, "most noble Felix," and Acts 26:25 "most noble Festus," same word. They held these titles in the Roman military and in the Roman government. He was either a government official or in the military. Tradition says he was from Antioch of Syria. Apparently, Luke and Theophilus knew each other.
Acts was written to Theophilus. Acts 1:1 says, the former treaties (that would be the gospel of Luke), the former treaties that I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. So, the book of Acts would be to the same person. And what he's saying is that Luke (the first Volume I gave you), was what Jesus began to do and teach. Now here's what He continues to do and teach, and that would be the book of Acts.
It's also interesting that Acts 1:1-11 is a summary statement of Luke Chapter 24. So, they overlap. He goes back and summarizes Luke 24 in Acts Chapter 1:1-11.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5KJV combined with Revelation 5:10
It's impressive, but it has been two thousand years since JESUS came here, think well about it, passing two thousand years is a gigantic space of time, in fact a huge gap or interval in space and time, but it passed, but will continue to pass. The time is infinite, like the space is infinite too.
And now JESUS WILL RETURN AGAIN HERE IN THE SAME PLACE from where He ascended to the third heavenly environment and a cloud RECEIVED Him ( Acts 1:11) , yes, He will again return now to the same place from where He ascended, and He will reign and lead us in new celestial environment ( Ephesians 1:3) by His power, for a period of 1.000 years(the cloud also will appear again, understand?) , as it is revealed in Philippians 3:20-21: -->20 For our conversation is in heaven (heaven: Ephesians 1:3. Take a look.)-; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself. By the way, He made it very clear when He said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth- Matthew 28:18KJV.
Get ready, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him- Matthew 25:6KJV - .
Lets pray
Unfortunately , there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Hey brother, I don't mean to intrude between you Hemorlan, and Texsis on this but my understanding is at this time the apostles had not been told the Gospel will also be given to the Gentiles, the time had not come. There were another 3.5 years after Jesus's ministry before the apostles were told the gospel of Christ will be given to the Greeks/Gentiles, the mystery, Rom. 16:24-25.
The Apostles stayed in Jerusalem and surrounding Jewish communities until after Stephen's death, and the persecutions. Philip the evangelist was the first to carry the gospel to the Samaritans, Peter had his dream, and Paul's conversion. To me, it is a fulfillment that Jesus had told them but they did not understand, it like they did not understand He was going to die on the cross, Acts 1:8.
He told them the Comforter would come John 14:25-26 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 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.
They were learning from the Holy Spirit as we see in Acts 15, a learning curve, not a transition from the old to the new but a fulfillment and teaching of Jesus through the Holy Spirit same as we learn today.
Christ has already come & that in Spirit, He told His disciples; Mark 9:1; Matt 16:28; over 2000 yrs ago, which came in full power at Pentecost.
I will not leave you comfortless, but you will see me again, that your joy maybe full, & Christ doesn't come alone, He brings His Father within Him, They became Ephesians 2:22; John 17:21-23; & they Micah 4:3;
Hebrews 9:28; is Titus 2:11; diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in every heart. 2Cor 4:6 This is Titus 2:13; describing His 2nd appearance in Spirit. Who continually gives of Himself that Titus 2:14;
As for this son of perdition; it's the old Adamic nature that is rule by Ephesians 6:12; who's coming 2Thessalonians 2:9; this spirit works even deceive the very elect, who, we all must engage with within 2 Cor 10:3-5; Jesus says; Matt 15:18,19; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, so their within us. Think about this, we all have these thoughts spring up within us, 1 Pet 4:3; thus Jesus commands; Luke 14:27; The ones, Satan does deceive is explain, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; they refuse to believe the Witness, whom God has place within conscience. John 16:8; John 12:47-50; Jesus says, 8:24; Therefore were He has gone one cannot go.
Both seeds are spiritual, both kingdoms are within mankind.
This rapture theory John 17:11:15 "not to take them out of the world". But describes receiving 1Pet 1:5-9;The cumulation is the Baptism of the Holy Spirt, describing 2 Cor 10:6; resulting from Titus 3:5; by 1Pet 1:23; unto John 3:3; the chaff, ( old man sin nature is thoroughly purges out without a trace, Daniel 2:34,35; these earthen vessels, 1Cor 15:48,49; ) the wheat (new man created in the image of Him that created him) is gather unto the Gardener, we're His & He's ours, Acts 1:9-11; Daniel 7:13;
It's a spiritual encounter & habitation with the One true God, John 17:24; here & now, Acts 4:32,33;
Do you perceive the wonderous honor & glory of God's Great Salvation, on earth as it is in heaven.
I would agree with all except, for the last sentence, beginning with "Absolute Purity". Luke 6:40; 1John 4:17; Rom 12:1; the plain write of the words used denotes we're still living in this world.
Hypocrites; I don't believe you intentionally imply this, yet the results of your statement implying this. They did not speak of the new birth, but from the new birth, 2Cor 5:17; Ezekiel 36:25,26,27; heart of flesh; denotes our life now in the flesh. Eph 4:24; you put Him on, here; Col 3:10; The apostles lived, enjoy & possessed what they preached; Philippians 3:15,16; Again, what God required of us is to live according to the measure of the Truth that He has revealed, the apostles received Acts 1:8' Eph 1:19; Eph 3:20; Col 1:29; to do so.
You stated "has sin left them or ever leave them: Never, but they can have victory over sin; this is an oxymoron. Being born again of His Spirit alias; Matt 3:11-12; the threshing floor of the heart is thoroughly purge of the chaff. (sin nature), the spiritual old man of sin, the Adamic nature that animates the flesh. He's deny, mortify & final crucify, he's dead & self is seen no more. All by the Grace appearance within our hearts.
Friend,,,,your covering yourself, but not with the Spirit of the Lord, but with; Gen 3:7;
Your the understanding is veiled, for only the spirit of darkness would plead for sin to remain within one, after all that God has wrought & revealed to us through His Son. For he (Satan) knows that despite one's profession, though maybe ever so high or lofty, & profess with elegant words, it what one does that defines him, Rom 6:16; John 8:34; Rom 2:6;
Hebrews 9:11,12,13,14,15; do you hear what the Spirit is saying here? The flesh purified, OT, now in NT even our conscience cleanse, the heart. Eternal inheritance Roman 8:17; 2 Pet 1:4; John 17:21-23;
The questions I posted and the scripture after them were in my understanding were answering the questions, sorry if that did not make sense or if they do not answer them for you.
Was Jesus baptized with the Spirit during His water baptism or before? It was not before it was after Jesus was water baptized and come up from the water He was then anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 4:1 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit led, meaning to lead, bring, carry so the Spirit led or carried Jesus to the wilderness. It may be similar to when Philip was whisk away, Acts 8:39
John 3:34 "for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" Measure means limited so Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit with no limits like what we see in 1 Cor. 12 the diversities of gifts no one received them all, with Jesus there was no limit to the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:32-33 My understanding is this part of Peter's explanation of what people were seeing. Jesus made the promise that when He went back to the Father He would ask the Father to send the Holy Ghost/Spirit to them, Luke 24:49John 14:26Acts 1:4-8. They were seeing God's answer to Jesus's request to send the Holy Ghost/Spirit. I hope that makes sense.
The Father could not send the Holy Ghost/Spirit until Jesus was glorified John 7:39 and that was after He was resurrected, Jesus did not need the Holy Ghost/Spirit after He received His glorified body. When the Holy Ghost/Spirit left Jesus and went back to God in heaven if it was at Jesus's death or when, I do not know.
I hope this all made sense thank you for your reply.
When Jesus first came it was for only the lost sheep of Israel the same for the prophecy of Dan. 9:25-27Matt. 15:24. Jesus instructed the disciples/apostles not to go unto the Samaritans or Gentiles Matt. 10:5-7. He also told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:4-5.
And we see they stayed in Jerusalem because they had not yet been told it was time to carry the gospel to the Gentiles and we see the confusion of it in Acts. This did not happen for another 3.5 years. We see in Acts 7 Stephen was in front of the high priest and the other leaders, the same ones who called for Jesus's crucifixion and what they said in Acts 7:54-57 (they cried out and stopped their ears) and killed Stephen. They fully rejected Jesus as the Messiah the Son of God.
Stephen's death as the first Martyr 34-35 AD is 3.5 years after Jesus's crucifixion this would end the 70th week. Jesus confirmed the covenant Himself for the first 3.5 years and Jesus through His apostles for the last 3.5 years.
Then the persecution by the Jews Acts 8:1-4 After this Philip the Evangelist was the first to go to Samaria, and when the apostles heard, Peter and John went to see Acts 8:14-25. Then Saul/Paul's conversion, Acts 9. Peter had his dream in Acts 10 and the mystery of the gospel goes to the Gentiles.
I hope this all though brief will give enough to show my understanding and enough you can study it if you want. Thank you again for having this peaceful and respectful discussion on this important subject.
You can look at the following Scriptures to show that Jesus did have siblings, albeit half-siblings now by both Joseph & Mary. Matthew 12:46,47; Matthew 13:55,56; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; John 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:19.
Part one.
Thank you for continuing the discussion, I also tremble at His word we are just a spec compared to our God. Deuteronomy 18:15-19 This to me is fulfilled in John 1:1 the word of God in Jesus the Messiah. When Jesus was anointed the Messiah every word that Jesus said was the word of God the word of God in the flesh of His Son. Everything that was created was created by the word of God, not His Son. God said let there be, and it was.
If we read Isaiah 66:1 we cannot imagine how large God can be. He can overwhelm all of what we can imagine. In my human mind, I see His Spirit cover the earth like a dome, omnipresent, it is like an electrical grid that believers plug into, I know that may sound weird.
John 17 I will do my best to show my understanding, this is just before Jesus was going to be nailed to the cross. Verses 1-5 Jesus is praying to the Father about Himself, the Father is God, when we pray, we pray to our Father, and we relate to God as Father, through the Bible Father means God and Jesus said to His Father He is the only true God. In and through Jesus Christ we become sons and daughters of God, so we cry out Abba, Father, Galatians 4:6.
Jesus said He had finished the work the Father had given to Him and Jesus glorified His Father on earth. Jesus is now ready to face death on the cross and fulfilling the law and the prophet's, all of what Scripture had said what He would become, and Jesus was ready to take His place on the right hand of His Father, Isaiah 53:12 Jeremiah 23:5-6 2 Samuel 7:12-13 Psalm 110:4 Psalm 16:10, these are just a few verses that Jesus would have known about Himself.
In Daniel 7:13-14 Daniel had a prophetic vision of Jesus's ascension and God the Father giving His Son Jesus dominion and glory overall and giving Him the kingdom. God showed Daniel this was with God in the beginning, in God's plan but did not come to fruition until Jesus ascended in Acts 1:9.
See part 2.
1Come,and let us return unto the Lord:for He hath torn,and He will heal us;He hath smitten,and He will bind us up.
2After two Days will He revive us:in the 3rd Day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.(Combined with Philippians 3:20-21)
3Then shall we know,if we follow on to know the Lord:His going forth is prepared as the morning;and he shall come unto us as the rain,as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
John:2:13-16&18-19 -The Word is GOD, self-executing
13 And the Jews' passover was at hand,and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14And found in the Temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves,and the changers of money sitting:
15And when he had made a scourge of small cords,He drove them all out of the Temple,and the sheep,and the oxen;and poured out the changers' money,and overthrew the tables;
16And said unto them that sold doves,Take these things
18Then answered the Jews and said unto Him,What sign shew thou unto us,seeing that thou does these things?
19Jesus answered and said unto them,Destroy this Temple,and in three Days I will raise it up.
2Pe.3:8 -But,beloved,be not ignorant of this one thing,that one Day is with the Lord as a thousand years,and a thousand years as one Day.
Acts 1:9-11
9And when He had spoken these things,while they beheld,He was taken up;and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,two MEN stood by them in white apparel;
11Which also said,Ye men of Galilee,why stand ye gazing up into heaven?this same JESUS,which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.
1The.4:16
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,with the voice of the archangel,and with the Trump of GOD:
Dan.12:1 -And at that time shall Michael stand up...and there shall be a time of trouble,such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:
It will be awesome but there will be horrible times before He returns. If we are still living, we must be strong in our faith to resist the hour of temptation that is coming. When He returns it will not be some silent secret event, Revelation 1:7 and Matthew 23:39. He will return to the same place from where He ascended, Acts 1:10-11. When He touches His feet back on earth on the Mount of Olives the earth will split with the power and glory that has been given Him by God, Zechariah 14:4.
There will be the chosen and faithful, Revelation 17:14 who have been grafted into the vine in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:5-6 that will be a part of this kingdom and reign for one thousand years.
God bless,
RLW
Without JESUS it is IMPOSSIBLE to exist peace not only in the Jerusalem, but in the nation of Israel as a whole. By the way, the Holy City, where also our Lord was crucified, is now spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. You know that JESUS prophesied the Temple would be destroyed, saying: "There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"- Matthew 24:2- , and it LITERALLY fulfilled in the year 70AD, and Israel was scattered around the world until 1948, i.e.1878 years of severe punishments and curses in LITERAL fulfilment of Deusteronomy 28:15-68, 53 verses of terrible chastisements-Take a look. The dispersed people of Israel have never had peace in the last two millennia. And NOW? The WORST will come now, even now, from now on, because the Day of Vengeance arrived, understand? 2Thes.1:7-9; combined with Matthew 24:15-25.
7 ... the Lord JESUS shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, (angels? Luke 20:35-36.Take a look)
8 In flaming FIRE taking VENGEANCE on them that know not GOD, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord JESUS Christ:
9 Who shall be PUNISHED with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;
Remember: Pilatos asked to the Jews: John 18:39-40
39 Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the KING of the JEWS?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
JESUS said: John 5:43-I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if ANOTHER shall come in his own name(an IMPOSTOR, a FALSE MESSIAH), him ye will receive. (This prophecy of our Lord JESUS will LITERALLY be fulfilled in days ahead)
2 Do ye know that the saints shall Judge the world?
Re.1:7 Behold,JESUS cometh with clouds( Acts 1:9-11-take a look)and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Firstly, I dind't understand reading your reply-part 1- why you have started it running away from the main focus of my post, I did not write anything about crucifixion and resurrection of JESUS, so, what you wrote has nothing to do with Matthew 24.
Your spirit tried to justify this undesirable behavior mentioning Acts 1:6-7. But the worst is that you surreptitiously said that "cannot see-the disciples- ASKING JESUS for a SIGN of His second coming, the wording of Matt. 24:3:
Now, now, then you confess you BELIEVE NOT in the Holy Scriptures, in what is written in the Book of the Lord- Matthew 24:3-4KJV:
-3...the disciples came unto JESUS privately, literally saying,"Tell us...what shall be the SIGN of THY COMING, and of the END the WORLD?"
-4 JESUS answered and said unto the disciples(AND TO ME TOO),Take heed that no man deceive you. As you can see, you did not deceive me with your words, actually it is impossible you deceive me.
In your third sentence you confess that years ago was like a dog studing end-time prophecies, and reading Matthew 4 "the words looked like they were 20 times larger it was like they were jumping off the page" , I must say i don't believe in cunningly devised fables.
You said "that a warning we need to take to heart, your studies changed from then on you still can say you have much to learn", ok in fact you "have much to learn" as you said, you have lamp but it already went out then your spirit tries to feed you with chaff and tares according to your reply.
My Lord JESUS left very very clear,saying: Matthew 12:35-37KJV
35 ... an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36But I say unto you,That every IDLE WORD that men shall speak,they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment(that is the seventh and last Day,or seventh and last millennium).
37For by thy words thou shalt be justified,and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
The Word is GOD- John 1:1,self-executing.Take care or get ready
Part 1
Scripture is clear the crucifixion and resurrection were hidden from the disciples. They were devastated and undecided on what to do when Jesus rose from the dead as the Scripture tells us. Jesus' first coming was for the lost sheep of Israel only, the mystery had not been revealed it was hidden from Satan. All were looking for the Messiah to deliver them from Rome and set up the kingdom when He first came.
The disciples as we see in Acts 1:6-7 After His resurrection the disciples asked Him "wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel"? With this, I cannot see them asking Jesus for a sign of His second coming, the wording of Matt. 24:3 is the completion of this age, they had on their minds, setting up the kingdom not the end of the world.
Years ago, I was deep in the end-time prophecies, and I got to the point where I was like a dog chasing its tail. I put those studies up and I opened the Bible and was just reading, and I came to those words you have as 4 Take heed that no man deceive you. When I got to those words, they looked like they were 20 times larger it was like they were jumping off the page.
That is a warning we need to take to heart, my studies changed from then on I still can say I have much to learn. "Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many". This has been going on since Jesus ascended to heaven, the Scriptures have a few but there were many. Revolts were started by those saying they were the Messiah and would deliver them from Rome and there will be false prophets until Jesus returns.
See part two.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
The Word is GOD, self-executing. Believest thou this?
Could not this man -JESUS- which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
Take ye away the stone. Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of GOD?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will GOD bring with Him.(GOD is Life)
15 For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the Trump of GOD: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:(According Daniel 12:2-3)
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds(the same cloud that was seen by the disciples- Acts 1:9-11), to meet the Lord in the air(in the 3rd heaven that will be established from now on): and so shall we ever be with the Lord.(in he 3rd heaven, which will last a thousand years- Revelation 11:15).
The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely- Revelation 22:17.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
We also see Lebanon and the wicked in Israel described; likely part of the 2/3 perishing in chapter 13. (verses 1-4). The forest could symbolically represent people; also of course there will be literal burnings of one third of the trees in the Trumpet judgments. Verses 5 and 6 of course could be speaking of the Diaspora and mass starvation during the Roman invasion and massacre of AD 70. The king mentioned in verse 6 could be the final Antichrist. Verses 9-10 show destruction coming to the land; and Verse 11 shows how the poor understand about the covenant being broken. This would imply the new covenant under Christ perhaps with shades of Isaiah 61:1 with the Good News to the poor. Symbolic terms are used here for the old covenant (Beauty and bands). Of course we also see the prophetic 30 pieces of silver which is sarcastically mentioned as what was considered Christ's worth. The field of a potter was determined for "blood money" once Judas repented of what he did (which was to avoid consequences not to seek forgiveness from God Himself), He hung himself; and later his bowels fell out. (verse 12-13; Acts 1:18). We must keep in mind that later verses describe God dealing with Israel then judging the nations that attacked them at the end of the Book of Zechariah.
Clearly the final Antichrist is mentioned here as well as the injury to his right arm and eye. (verses 15-17). This is the "worthless shepherd" and reminds us of verses in John 5:43 of another coming in his own name who they will worship.
Revelation 19:5-9
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our GOD, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord GOD omnipotent reigneth( Revelation 11:15 to 18. Take a look).
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed IN FINE LINEN, CLEAN AND WHITE: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of GOD.
Revelation 11:12-13
12 And they (the two candlestlicks /two Churches-Gentile and Jewish Church)heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud (like JESUS- Acts 1:9-11-Take a look); and their ENEMIES beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake(Resurrection???), and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the GOD of heaven.
1Thes. 4:15-16 ->15 We say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Daniel 12:12- Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.(Oh yes, blessed is he that waiteth,and cometh to the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, unspeakable day, the day 1.335, Hallelujah!!!, by the way, 45 days after the period of 1290 days- Daniel 12:11.
GOD BLESS. Get ready
One of the most if not the greatest warnings from JESUS for exactly these current days is Matthew 25:6: -> 6 And at midnight(isn't it a NEW TURN turn of GOD's Day, 2Peter 3:8?) there was a cry made; Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.
Are you really going although your lamp is trimming? By the way, the beginning of sorrows is already running- Matthew 24:3-8.
The bridegroom will came very soon and the door will be shut, therefore, those which are ready will go in with Him to the marriage- Revelation 19:7-9 , take a look. The door will be shut for ever.
By the way, all GOD's people must remember Acts 1:11 - Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven(into the 3rd heaven), shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen Him go into heaven(3rd heaven, that is the next world- Luke 20:35-36. Take a look). JESUS was on Mount called Olivet in the day when He was taken up, right? It was around year 33AD and now shall COME in like manner, right? after two Days, right? Hosea 6:2-3 and John 2:19-Take a look- , and the SAME CLOUD that received Him will again be there in His return, understand? For better understand, compare with Matt.17:5 and Isaiah 4:5.
What does the Word of GOD say? The Word is GOD, self-executing, understand? The Word says: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan.12:v.12 - Yeah, day 1335, the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable day, the day 1.335. Hallelujaaah!!! It means: 45 days after the period of 1290 days. Get ready you all as JESUS WARNED: Matt. 25: 6-13.
May our Lord GOD bless and keep us, and give us His protection, now, and for ever.
Amen
IN FACT, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 is a revealing letter from Paul the Apostle.
By the way, all GOD's people must remember Acts 1:11 - Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into HEAVEN(into the 3rd heaven. HEAVEN? Ephesians 1:3 combined with Philippians 3:20-21 among other biblical references. Take a look.), shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen Him go into heaven(3rd heaven, that is the next world- Luke 20:35-36. Take a look). JESUS was on Mount called Olivet in the day when He was taken up, right? and shall COME in like manner( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and the SAME CLOUD will be there in His return, understand? For better understand, compare with Matt.17:5 and Isaiah 4:5.
What does the Word of GOD say? The Word is GOD, self-executing, understand? The Word says: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan.12:v.12 - Yeah, day 1335, the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable day, the day 1.335. Hallelujaaah!!! It means: 45 days after the period of 1290 days. Get ready you all, as JESUS WARNED: Matthew 25: 6-13.
Hope your weekend went well brother, if I may give my understanding of Ephesians 4:8-10. As He Ascended up on High, Acts 1:9 He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.
He led captivity captive; we see this also in Judges 5:12 which has a meaning to take captive your captors. When Jesus rose from the grave, he took power over what held Him captive. Death and the grave were what held Him, but because He was without sin, they could not hold Him Acts 2:24. Since the garden, Satan had the power of death and the grave, and when Jesus rose from the grave, He took that power which are the keys, Revelation 1:18.
Gifts unto men, we see this in Psalms 68:18. These gifts are also for the rebellious. These gifts are for all people in Acts 1:8 Jesus gave the commission to the Apostles just before He ascended to heaven. The gifts are in Ephesians 4:11-12 He gave apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; all for the ministry for the perfecting of the saints. For the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ for all people. It is the gift to mankind for their salvation, no better gift can be given to man.
He that descended, when Jesus died, He was dead for three days. Jesus descended into death, and the grave, and because He had no sin, they had no power over Him. The first Adam through his disobedience brought sin and death to mankind, Jesus the second Adam through His obedience brought life.
If there were those whom Jesus brought with Him when He resurrected, I would think it would be David but in Acts 2:29 and Acts 2:34 David is dead and buried and has not ascended to heaven. This earth is our home and our reward we do not go to heaven. We are heirs according to the promise, Galatians 3:26-29, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:5 it is forever, and Romans 4:13 the whole earth.
Rev. 5:10 Psalms 37:9,22,34 This earth is where we will be not heaven.
God bless you, brother,
RLW
Luke 24:47,48 Jesus said!
Mark 16:16,17 Jesus said!
Acts 2:38,39 Peter preached what Jesus said!
Acts 4:12 No other name!
John 3:1-6 Must be born again of the water & Spirit!
1 Peter 3:21 Baptism saves us!
Acts 10:44-48 Can't be good enough without Jesus!
Acts 8:1-6 Ethiopian Eunic gets baptized in Jesus name and starts a 2000 plus year revival still going on today !
Acts 19:1-6 have you received the Holy Ghost since you been a believer?
Acts 5:32 gotta obey Him!
1 Corinthians 14:2,22,39 tongues are for a sign!
Acts 2:4 The Spirit gives the utterance!
Acts 1:8 Receive power !
John 21:15 Jesus loves you dearly!!!!!!!
Greetings in Christ JESUS
It's impressive, but it has been two thousand years since JESUS came here, think well about it, passing two thousand years is a gigantic space of time, in fact a huge gap or interval in space and time, but it passed, but will continue to pass. The time is infinite, like the space is infinite too.
And now JESUS WILL RETURN AGAIN HERE IN THE SAME PLACE from where He ascended to the third heavenly environment and a cloud RECEIVED Him ( Acts 1:11) , yes, He will again return now to the same place from where He ascended, and He will reign and lead us in new celestial environment ( Ephesians 1:3) by His power, for a period of 1.000 years(the cloud also will appear again, understand?) , as it is revealed in Philippians 3:20-21: -->20 For our conversation is in heaven (heaven? Ephesians 1:3. Take a look.)-; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself. By the way, He made it very clear when He said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth- Matthew 28:18.
Get ready, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him- Matthew 25:6 - .
Lets pray
Unfortunately , there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
In Greek, the name is literally Judas. He wrote the book of Jude.
Judas is mentioned 44 times in the New Testament, representing the name of a person, as well as the name of the territory of Judah in Israel. Both are the same words.
There are 8 people named Judas in the New Testament, but only 3 are prominent and worth consideration. Two of these three are named in Luke 6:16.
They are Judas Iscariot (the one who betrayed the Lord). And Judas Thaddeus is presented as an apostle. Neither is the author of this letter.
This Jude is not an apostle. In fact, he says that he is the brother of James, and he is the servant of Jesus Christ. The author of this letter is Judas, the brother of James, and half-brother to the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 1:25 tells us that Mary and Joseph did not have the normal physical relationship between husband and wife until after Jesus was born. Matthew tells us that she was a virgin up to the birth of Christ. After the birth of Christ, they had a normal physical relationship. After Jesus was born, it is recorded in Matthew 13:55-56 that Mary and Joseph had other children who are listed as the brothers and sisters of Jesus.
During the Lord's public ministry, John 7:5 states that his brothers did not believe in Him. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that after Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to James and to the others. That would be the other of His brothers. It was at this time His brothers believed in Him.
In Acts 1:14, we find Mary and the brothers of Jesus assembled in the Upper Room waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
I Corinthians 9:5, Paul relates that the Lord's brothers served as missionaries in service to Christ as they traveled. James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem according to Acts Chapter 15.
The letter of Jude is the second letter in the New Testament written by a half-brother of Jesus. And of course, the other being James himself.
So, when Peter was called PETROS, or Cephas in Aramaic, and remember in John Chapter 1, Jesus said you will be called Cephas. Well, at this particular time in Matthew 16:18 is when Jesus named him PETROS. It's a spiritual name. It's a rock. But it's not a foundation stone. That's PETRA, and that's Jesus.
Simon Peter, Andrew, and their father were from the village called Bethsaida, on the Northeastern side of the Sea of Galilee. They later moved to Capernaum to continue their fishing business, as recorded in Mark 1:21, and Mark 1:29. The reason for the move was because Capernaum was the Lord's home during much of his public ministry.
Luke 4:38-39 tells us that Peter was married. In this account, Jesus heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law who was sick with a fever. Simon Peter's wife also accompanied him on some of the missionary journeys as told to us in I Corinthians 9:5.
Simon Peter also appears to be the leader of the Apostles. In all four lists of the Apostles in the New Testament, Simon Peter is named first. Matthew 10:2-7; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13.
In Acts Chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples, Peter was the one who gave the first sermon.
In Acts Chapter 4, Peter is the one answering to the Sanhedrin (the religious council of the Jews). They pulled the disciples in and said you cannot preach the resurrection anymore in the name of Jesus. It was Peter who responded and spoke for the disciples.
In Acts Chapter 5, Peter is the one administering discipline in the Church. So, he's a leader.
Greetings in Christ JESUS
Your message is very interesting,it caught a lot of my attention where you said that"a graveyard of times created".Lord JESUS said the Father has put the time in His own power- Acts 1:7.When Lord said "all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John"-around 1.500 years- this period was to the "graveyeard",so was reset a different period called New Testament,which is also about to the"graveyeard"very soon.But there was before these two periods,a period of time from Adam until Noah around 1.656 years,and from Noah until Moses-Exodus-that lasted around 857 years.Before Adam there was an Eternity in the garden of Eden,all the above commented periods were, one by one, to the "graveyeard",except the current period which is just now to the "graveyeard" too.
Well, and now? Luke 20:35-36 combined with Rev.20:1-4 -a period of 1000 years,after this will finish into the"graveyeard".
GOD's six Days of creation and one Day of rest(total of 7 days) Scriptures teachs that one Day is with the Lord as a 1000 years (2Pet.3:v.8),so MANKIND would go through six GOD Days of 1,000 years each(total of 6,000 years)plus a Millennium of 1,000 years rest (now 7,000 years).
According to the biblical Chronology, starting by Genesis 5:
Adam lived .................................130 yrs and begat Seth
Seth lived ..........105 yrs " begatEnosh;
Enosh lived ....................................90yrs" begatKenan;
Kenanlived....................................70yrs" begatMahalalel;
Mahalalellived ...............................65yrs" begatJared;
Jaredlived ...................................162yrs " begatEnoch;
Enochlived ....................................65yrs" begatMethuselah;
Methuselahlived............................187yrs" begatLamech;
Lamechlived.................................182yrs" begatNoah;
FromNoahs birthuntilthe Flood.....600 yrs.
FromAdam tothe Flood =.............1656 yrs.
VIII. SECTION OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS:
It is given to us in Acts 1:8. Jesus told the disciples that you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is come upon you. And you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem (there's your first section), and in all Judaea and Samaria (your second section), and into the uttermost part of the earth. That term "uttermost part" or the extremities, or the ends of the earth is an idiom. It means from the nearest city to the farthest village.
Acts Chapter 1 Verses 1 through 11 is the Prologue, the introduction for us. It is actually an overlap to Luke Chapter 24. I don't know of anybody that spends a lot of time reviewing like Luke does. There's a lot of overlap there! But he wants to bring over that information from Luke Chapter 24 as he begins this second part of his gospel.
And then from there, Acts Chapter 1 Verse 12 through Chapter 7 Verse 60, is the proclaiming of the gospel in Jerusalem. All of our focus will be on the ministry in Jerusalem, as the Lord told the disciples in Acts 1:8.
In Chapters 8 through 12, it will be the proclaiming of the gospel in Judaea and Samaria.
And lastly, in Acts Chapters 13 through 28, we have the proclaiming of the gospel in the uttermost part of the earth. And again, if you take the apostles that are prominent, you see that after the prologue, the proclaiming of the gospel in Jerusalem, the proclaiming of the gospel in Judaea and Samaria come under Peter's prominence.
And then the proclaiming of the gospel to the uttermost, or ends of the earth, Chapters 13 through 28, is when Paul is emphasized and is the most prominent.
So that is the introduction to the book of Acts. I will share my introduction to Romans next. Blessings in Christ Jesus!
V. THE RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER BOOKS:
At first, the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were one document on two separate scrolls. Luke and Acts were originally circulated as the gospel of Luke Volumes 1 and 2. Later the two books were divided. And you can see why Acts would not have a title because it's the second half to the first scroll. The first scroll had a title, but the second scroll didn't. Around the second century, they decided to give it a name too, and separate them!
VI. WHY IT WAS WRITTEN:
Luke was written to present what Jesus did and taught through His human body. In Acts 1:1, it says that this was written to present what Jesus continues to do and to teach through His Spiritual body, the church. It's still the Lord. One through His human body, and now He has sent His Spirit to continue His work through his Spiritual body the church.
VII. TO WHOM WAS IT WRITTEN:
It was written specifically to the most excellent Theophilus, probably a Roman governor, and in general to all Gentiles (non-Jews), to understand the scriptures.
Now there are actually 2 outlines for the book. There are 2 apostles that are prominent. They aren't the only ones, but they are the prominent ones. From Acts Chapter 1 Verse 12, all the way to the end of Chapter 12, the prominent apostle is Peter. And from Chapters 13 through 28, the second half of the book, the prominent apostle is Paul.
Peter was the apostle to the Jews. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. It also tells you the timing when Saul of Tarsus was saved, and he became known as Paul. He's the one that went on the missionary journeys and took the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. Those are the Gentiles. So, the timing all the way through the book is very accurate and I'll mention that to you as we go through.
TALK ABOUT A LACK OF FAITH, I LOVE THIS ONE:
In Acts Chapter 12, Peter gets thrown in jail. So, they get together for a prayer meeting. I would hope that if I got thrown in jail for preaching Christ that my brothers and sisters would get together and pray. You might be praying "please keep him locked up as long as possible!" But at least you'll be praying.
So, they were praying "Lord, please deliver Peter." Well, Peter was delivered. He was walking down the streets of Jerusalem and he was looking for the fellowship to meet and he comes and knocks on the door. And the gal that's in charge of the door, she goes, and she says, "who is it?" And he says, "It's me Peter." She goes back in, and she tells the prayer group "Peter's at the door." They said "It can't be. He's in prison. Lord, please deliver him." He can't be at the door, he's in prison!
Look at the faith they had. They had no faith at all! They didn't believe it was Peter. And in spite of what they believed or didn't believe, in spite of what they were aware of or not aware of, God's Spirit just used them! In fact, they were so clueless, that they didn't get in the way!
Why did I even bring that up? The title to the book as I'm relating it to you, should be, and is according to Acts 1:1, the theme is the ministry of the Lord, what He continues to do and to teach. The apostles are just vessels. It's not what they do. It is the ministry that the Lord continues to do and teach.
If you look at it from that perspective, you realize that as you read through, there are things that happened through the apostles that they didn't plan or weren't even expecting. God just did it! There's no formula.
IV: NOW ABOUT THE THEME OF THE BOOK:
This is very interesting. If you take the title, in most English bibles, it will say "The Acts of the Apostles." Originally, this letter had no title whatsoever. So whatever title you have in your English bibles, it is not inspired. It had no title.
But the word Acts comes from the Greek word PRAXEIS that means practices. They added the word apostles from Acts 1:13 because they said this is all about the apostles. So, they called it the Acts, or the Practices of the Apostles.
But this is very misleading. If I had any influential weight to change the title of the book of Acts, I would try to do it. And I think that a lot of people in their approach to the book of Acts, and in their approach to the teachings in the book of Acts, they do so because they say here are the Acts of the apostles.
It's not the Acts of the apostles. It doesn't record what the apostles did. It records what Jesus did through the apostles. There's a difference. Many people will look at the book of Acts and they'll say "Well, now that Jesus is gone, look at all the stuff they did for Him!"
No! As a matter of fact, if you take my challenge, as you read through Acts, start reading through the chapters and you will find out that they did not have a clue as to what to do. They had no "committee meetings," nothing! Even when they were waiting in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit, they didn't know when He was coming.
The Lord had a specific day and a specific time. They didn't know that! After His ascension, they waited for 10 days before the Holy Spirit came upon the believers. I say all of this because everything that's done in the book of Acts is the Acts of Jesus Christ, by His Spirit, through the apostles.
HERE IS A GENERAL STATEMENT FOR YOU:
The record of the Lord's ministry, from Luke Chapter 1, all the way through to the end of Acts Chapter 28, if you put those two books together, it is the most detailed account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Again, Luke is an educated man. Luke 1:1-4 tells us that he gathered in manuscript. He gathered in all the writings that he could find about Jesus Christ. He interviewed eyewitnesses. And being an educated man, he used a lot of detailed words. He wanted to be accurate and detailed about his presentation.
II. THE RECIPIENT TO THE BOOK OF ACTS:
We are told that the man's name to whom it is written is Theophilus, which literally means "Lover of God," THEOS for God, and PHILEO for love. He's a God lover. It's either his name or his title. Theophilus was a common name at that time. Some people believe it might have been used as a title in order to hide his identity.
But in Luke Chapter 1, he's called "the most excellent Theophilus." The title "most excellent" is either a title of an officer in the Roman military or the title of an official in the Roman government, especially a governor. The title is used three times in Acts, once it's for "most excellent" Governor Felix, "most noble" Felix, and "most noble" Festus, addressing the governors of the Roman government.
So Theophilus was a Roman official. Tradition says that he was from Antioch of Syria. Apparently, Luke and Theophilus knew each other. Luke and Acts, both of them were written to Theophilus. We're told in Acts 1:1-2 and Luke 1:1-4 that they were written to the same person.
II. ABOUT THE RECIPIENT:
Luke is written specifically to Theophilus, but in general to all Gentiles. Theophilus means "lover of God," THEOS for God, PHILEO for love. It's either a name or title. It was a common name at the time. Many parents named their children Theophilus hoping their kids would love God. It was also used as a title and may have been used in order to hide his identity.
In Luke, he's not just called Theophilus, but "most excellent Theophilus" which means that he was either in the Roman military or Roman government, and he's getting the gospel about Jesus Christ. So, Theophilus could be a title or a code name for someone so that their real identity is not revealed.
His title "Most excellent" is one Greek word. It's found to be a title of an officer in the Roman military and also found as a title for an official in the Roman government. Both are called "most excellent" or "most honorable." The title is used three times in Acts. In Acts 23:26, we see "most excellent governor Felix."
These are all governors of Rome. Acts 24:3, "most noble Felix," and Acts 26:25 "most noble Festus," same word. They held these titles in the Roman military and in the Roman government. He was either a government official or in the military. Tradition says he was from Antioch of Syria. Apparently, Luke and Theophilus knew each other.
Acts was written to Theophilus. Acts 1:1 says, the former treaties (that would be the gospel of Luke), the former treaties that I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. So, the book of Acts would be to the same person. And what he's saying is that Luke (the first Volume I gave you), was what Jesus began to do and teach. Now here's what He continues to do and teach, and that would be the book of Acts.
It's also interesting that Acts 1:1-11 is a summary statement of Luke Chapter 24. So, they overlap. He goes back and summarizes Luke 24 in Acts Chapter 1:1-11.
Greetings in Christ JESUS
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5KJV combined with Revelation 5:10
It's impressive, but it has been two thousand years since JESUS came here, think well about it, passing two thousand years is a gigantic space of time, in fact a huge gap or interval in space and time, but it passed, but will continue to pass. The time is infinite, like the space is infinite too.
And now JESUS WILL RETURN AGAIN HERE IN THE SAME PLACE from where He ascended to the third heavenly environment and a cloud RECEIVED Him ( Acts 1:11) , yes, He will again return now to the same place from where He ascended, and He will reign and lead us in new celestial environment ( Ephesians 1:3) by His power, for a period of 1.000 years(the cloud also will appear again, understand?) , as it is revealed in Philippians 3:20-21: -->20 For our conversation is in heaven (heaven: Ephesians 1:3. Take a look.)-; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself. By the way, He made it very clear when He said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth- Matthew 28:18KJV.
Get ready, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him- Matthew 25:6KJV - .
Lets pray
Unfortunately , there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Hey brother, I don't mean to intrude between you Hemorlan, and Texsis on this but my understanding is at this time the apostles had not been told the Gospel will also be given to the Gentiles, the time had not come. There were another 3.5 years after Jesus's ministry before the apostles were told the gospel of Christ will be given to the Greeks/Gentiles, the mystery, Rom. 16:24-25.
The Apostles stayed in Jerusalem and surrounding Jewish communities until after Stephen's death, and the persecutions. Philip the evangelist was the first to carry the gospel to the Samaritans, Peter had his dream, and Paul's conversion. To me, it is a fulfillment that Jesus had told them but they did not understand, it like they did not understand He was going to die on the cross, Acts 1:8.
He told them the Comforter would come John 14:25-26 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 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.
They were learning from the Holy Spirit as we see in Acts 15, a learning curve, not a transition from the old to the new but a fulfillment and teaching of Jesus through the Holy Spirit same as we learn today.
God bless,
RLW
Christ has already come & that in Spirit, He told His disciples; Mark 9:1; Matt 16:28; over 2000 yrs ago, which came in full power at Pentecost.
I will not leave you comfortless, but you will see me again, that your joy maybe full, & Christ doesn't come alone, He brings His Father within Him, They became Ephesians 2:22; John 17:21-23; & they Micah 4:3;
Hebrews 9:28; is Titus 2:11; diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in every heart. 2Cor 4:6 This is Titus 2:13; describing His 2nd appearance in Spirit. Who continually gives of Himself that Titus 2:14;
As for this son of perdition; it's the old Adamic nature that is rule by Ephesians 6:12; who's coming 2Thessalonians 2:9; this spirit works even deceive the very elect, who, we all must engage with within 2 Cor 10:3-5; Jesus says; Matt 15:18,19; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, so their within us. Think about this, we all have these thoughts spring up within us, 1 Pet 4:3; thus Jesus commands; Luke 14:27; The ones, Satan does deceive is explain, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; they refuse to believe the Witness, whom God has place within conscience. John 16:8; John 12:47-50; Jesus says, 8:24; Therefore were He has gone one cannot go.
Both seeds are spiritual, both kingdoms are within mankind.
This rapture theory John 17:11:15 "not to take them out of the world". But describes receiving 1Pet 1:5-9;The cumulation is the Baptism of the Holy Spirt, describing 2 Cor 10:6; resulting from Titus 3:5; by 1Pet 1:23; unto John 3:3; the chaff, ( old man sin nature is thoroughly purges out without a trace, Daniel 2:34,35; these earthen vessels, 1Cor 15:48,49; ) the wheat (new man created in the image of Him that created him) is gather unto the Gardener, we're His & He's ours, Acts 1:9-11; Daniel 7:13;
It's a spiritual encounter & habitation with the One true God, John 17:24; here & now, Acts 4:32,33;
Do you perceive the wonderous honor & glory of God's Great Salvation, on earth as it is in heaven.
Rom 5:12-14
I would agree with all except, for the last sentence, beginning with "Absolute Purity". Luke 6:40; 1John 4:17; Rom 12:1; the plain write of the words used denotes we're still living in this world.
Hypocrites; I don't believe you intentionally imply this, yet the results of your statement implying this. They did not speak of the new birth, but from the new birth, 2Cor 5:17; Ezekiel 36:25,26,27; heart of flesh; denotes our life now in the flesh. Eph 4:24; you put Him on, here; Col 3:10; The apostles lived, enjoy & possessed what they preached; Philippians 3:15,16; Again, what God required of us is to live according to the measure of the Truth that He has revealed, the apostles received Acts 1:8' Eph 1:19; Eph 3:20; Col 1:29; to do so.
You stated "has sin left them or ever leave them: Never, but they can have victory over sin; this is an oxymoron. Being born again of His Spirit alias; Matt 3:11-12; the threshing floor of the heart is thoroughly purge of the chaff. (sin nature), the spiritual old man of sin, the Adamic nature that animates the flesh. He's deny, mortify & final crucify, he's dead & self is seen no more. All by the Grace appearance within our hearts.
Friend,,,,your covering yourself, but not with the Spirit of the Lord, but with; Gen 3:7;
Your the understanding is veiled, for only the spirit of darkness would plead for sin to remain within one, after all that God has wrought & revealed to us through His Son. For he (Satan) knows that despite one's profession, though maybe ever so high or lofty, & profess with elegant words, it what one does that defines him, Rom 6:16; John 8:34; Rom 2:6;
Hebrews 9:11,12,13,14,15; do you hear what the Spirit is saying here? The flesh purified, OT, now in NT even our conscience cleanse, the heart. Eternal inheritance Roman 8:17; 2 Pet 1:4; John 17:21-23;
Therefore, 2Cor 7:1;
In Love & Truth
Frankie J
My understanding
The questions I posted and the scripture after them were in my understanding were answering the questions, sorry if that did not make sense or if they do not answer them for you.
Was Jesus baptized with the Spirit during His water baptism or before? It was not before it was after Jesus was water baptized and come up from the water He was then anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 4:1 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit led, meaning to lead, bring, carry so the Spirit led or carried Jesus to the wilderness. It may be similar to when Philip was whisk away, Acts 8:39
John 3:34 "for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" Measure means limited so Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit with no limits like what we see in 1 Cor. 12 the diversities of gifts no one received them all, with Jesus there was no limit to the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:32-33 My understanding is this part of Peter's explanation of what people were seeing. Jesus made the promise that when He went back to the Father He would ask the Father to send the Holy Ghost/Spirit to them, Luke 24:49 John 14:26 Acts 1:4-8. They were seeing God's answer to Jesus's request to send the Holy Ghost/Spirit. I hope that makes sense.
The Father could not send the Holy Ghost/Spirit until Jesus was glorified John 7:39 and that was after He was resurrected, Jesus did not need the Holy Ghost/Spirit after He received His glorified body. When the Holy Ghost/Spirit left Jesus and went back to God in heaven if it was at Jesus's death or when, I do not know.
I hope this all made sense thank you for your reply.
God bless,
RLW
Part 2
When Jesus first came it was for only the lost sheep of Israel the same for the prophecy of Dan. 9:25-27 Matt. 15:24. Jesus instructed the disciples/apostles not to go unto the Samaritans or Gentiles Matt. 10:5-7. He also told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:4-5.
And we see they stayed in Jerusalem because they had not yet been told it was time to carry the gospel to the Gentiles and we see the confusion of it in Acts. This did not happen for another 3.5 years. We see in Acts 7 Stephen was in front of the high priest and the other leaders, the same ones who called for Jesus's crucifixion and what they said in Acts 7:54-57 (they cried out and stopped their ears) and killed Stephen. They fully rejected Jesus as the Messiah the Son of God.
Stephen's death as the first Martyr 34-35 AD is 3.5 years after Jesus's crucifixion this would end the 70th week. Jesus confirmed the covenant Himself for the first 3.5 years and Jesus through His apostles for the last 3.5 years.
Then the persecution by the Jews Acts 8:1-4 After this Philip the Evangelist was the first to go to Samaria, and when the apostles heard, Peter and John went to see Acts 8:14-25. Then Saul/Paul's conversion, Acts 9. Peter had his dream in Acts 10 and the mystery of the gospel goes to the Gentiles.
I hope this all though brief will give enough to show my understanding and enough you can study it if you want. Thank you again for having this peaceful and respectful discussion on this important subject.
God bless,
RLW