1 Corinthians 1: 18

PRAYER THOT: Help me, dear Lord, to be your witness to a lost and dying world where I am, in Jerusalem and then to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Acts 2 vs.22 - Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: For further study - Acts 2:1-24

As we approach a very controversial passage of scripture for our devotional reading today I would like to share several thoughts with you that may help each of us to understand better what actually did happen on that "Day of Pentecost" almost 2,000 years ago.

"Pentecost" is one of the seven Jewish feast days that God gave the Jewish people, the last of the four spring feasts. It was the day that the promise of Jesus was fulfilled as He said it would be, the Holy Spirit would come to the new converts of Christ, those who would be called Christian, John 16:7-13.

I would like for you to think about several thoughts I have gleaned in my study of this portion of scripture. On this particular "Day of Pentecost" there were Jews from "every nation under heaven", verse 5, in Jerusalem.

Pentecost was a "pilgrim feast day" and the Jews were required to come to Jerusalem to observe the "feast". This meant that all twelve tribes were in Jerusalem, no "ten lost tribes" were missing.

Also, please notice that on Pentecost there was no such thing as people speaking in "unknown tongues or languages". The passage gives us a list of all the languages spoken that day, verses 6-11.

By the way, notice what they were speaking in the language of the peoples gathered there that day, verse 11, "the wonderful works of God". That phrase is interpreted in verses 22-24 where Peter, the preacher on the "Day of Pentecost", gave the Jews gathered in Jerusalem, the "gospel", the death of Jesus Christ, verse 23, and the resurrection, verse 24.

On this day "about 3,000 souls", verse 41, were saved. There is one more controversial item to deal with, Peter's reference to the Prophet Joel's prophecy, found in Joel 2:29-32.

I want you to know that whatever Peter was saying, he was not saying that Joel's prophecy was being fulfilled that day. It's interesting to note that nowhere in Joel's prophecy does it call for speaking in tongues.

It does, however, call for marvelous signs in the heavens to happen, verses 19-20, and none of those things happened that day. What did happen, as Joel said, was that those "who called upon the name of the Lord", verse 21, did get saved.

One other thought about Joel's prophecy, verses 15-21, it could not have been fulfilled on that "Day of Pentecost" because the ancient Jewish prophet Joel said that this prophecy would be fulfilled during the "Day of the Lord".

That period, "The Day of the Lord", does not begin until after the Rapture of the Church and takes place during the lead-up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, during the Tribulation Period. That's what Joel's prophecy is describing in Joel 2, "the Day of the Lord", this is a prophecy yet to be fulfilled. (Please see my audio series on "Joel".) The "Day of Pentecost" was a great day for me as a Gentile, it marked the beginning of the "Church Period", verse 47. From that day, until the Rapture, both Gentiles and Jews who come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour are part of the "body of Christ", the Church, His bride.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for that special group, the Church, of which I am a part and whom You will call to be with You in heaven at the Rapture of the Church, which could happen today

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Acts 3 vs21  Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

For further study - Acts 3:12-26

This extended devotional reading for today is the record of Peter's second sermon given after the Lord had gone back to heaven. This sermon has great prophetic significance and it is important for each of us to realize what the sermon is saying to the Jews and thus to the church as well.

This sermon, by the way, is an excellent proof text that the Lord has not finished with the Jewish people. He has a program for the Jews that will play out in the last days. This is a great argument against "replacement theology" which states that the Church, the body of Christ, has replaced the Jews in God's program for today.

Peter's sermon is given to the Jews, "ye men of Israel," verse 12. Peter tells the Jews that God has given His Son as the fulfillment of promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and they had killed the "Prince of Life" but God had raised Him from the dead, verses 13-15.

Peter tells the men of Israel that Jesus, because of His death, burial, and resurrection, was indeed the long-awaited for Messiah and Savior of the world.

God the Father sent His Son to die and fulfill all Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. He also stated that Jesus would return to the heavenlies for a period of time before He would "fulfill all things which God had spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began," verse 21.

To fulfill all promises or prophecies given by God to the Jews would be a part of the end time scenario that would unfold, leading up to and, at the return of Jesus Christ back to the earth. The Lord has given four covenants to the Jews that must, and will be fulfilled at that time.

The four covenants include the “Abrahamic Covenant”, a promise that there would be a Jewish nation with a piece of real estate that would belong to them forever, Genesis 12 and 15. The “Land Covenant”, Deuteronomy 30, would guarantee land in the Middle East, 10 times the amount of land that the Jews now have in their possession.

The “Davidic Covenant”, II Samuel 7, is God's promise of a king on a throne in a temple in Jerusalem, forever. The King of that kingdom who will be seated on the throne will be Jesus Christ in an earthly kingdom yet to come. The last covenant to be fulfilled is the "New Covenant," Jeremiah 31:31 that is given to the Jewish people. It will be a forever covenant and will include all of the other covenants, as the Jewish people become His people and He becomes their God.

These covenants must be fulfilled; therefore, God does have a plan and program for the Jewish people that is in the process of being played out in our world today.

It is because He keeps these covenants, these promises to the Jews, that we can trust the Lord to keep His promise to us - His promise of eternal life.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you, Lord, for being a covenant-keeping God and giving me the proof of that truth in the Jewish people.

Acts 4 vs11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. For further study - Acts 4:1-20
The book of Acts is not a book of doctrine but instead a record of the events of the "first century church." Acts 2 records the beginning of the "church" when on the "Day of Pentecost" those who believed were "added to the church," those whose belief led them to salvation in Jesus Christ.
As we come to Acts 4 we see a detailed account of the first persecution to come upon the church. This persecution would come from the people in Jerusalem, the priest, the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees.
It would be focused on Peter and John, two of the Lord's close disciples, who had healed a forty year old lame man as they went up to the Temple to pray.
The "big wheels" at the Temple, the High Priest and those of the kindred of the High Priest, these Temple leaders wanted to know how Peter and John had healed this "lame man".
Notice, the response to the official question of the healing. Peter, verse 8, had been filled with the Holy Spirit and that allowed him to developed into a man who was not only "inspirited" but also "innocent", verse 10.
Peter told the Temple leadership it was not him that healed the man, but Jesus, the one who they had crucified and who God raised from the dead, that's how the man was healed.
Not only were these two disciples "inspirited" and "innocent," of self-glory, but they were 'ignorant" as well. Verse 13 describes the two disciples as "unlearned and ignorant men." However, they also recognized that Peter and John had "been with Jesus", verse 13.
The Temple leadership, fearing that the fame of these men might spread, told Peter and John not to preach in the name of Jesus anymore.
Now, verse 20, I love this verse. Peter said to the High Priest and his kindred that they “could not but speak” the things which they had seen and heard, they were "spiritual can't-help-its".
Peter and John took "opposition" and through the "omnipotence" of God turned "opposition" into "opportunity" to preach the gospel when they had been told not to preach about Jesus Christ.
There is some great practical truth in our passage for today. There is also a prophetic significance in this account as well. Peter told the Temple leadership that Jesus was the "cornerstone", verse 11.
This is the "cornerstone" as foretold by the Psalmist, Psalm 118:22 ; by the prophet, Isaiah, Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16; and the apostle, Peter, I Peter 2:6-8. Jesus is the "cornerstone" of our faith and has been the "stone of stumbling" for the Jewish people and some Gentiles, both of which have not been saved.
Jesus will continue to be the "stone of stumbling" until He returns to the Earth to set up His eternal, earthly Kingdom.
PRAYER THOT: Help me to be a "a spiritual can't-help-it" and speak the things I've seen and heard to the lost, for their salvation.

Acts 5 vss38-39 - And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to thought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Further study Acts 5:29-42 As we come to the fifth chapter of Acts we see recorded here, continuing persecution of the early church, in fact a church less than one year old was being persecuted.

In Acts 5:17-28 we see the record of the "second persecution," with the apostles being placed in jail for teaching about Jesus Christ and "The Way". It was while the apostles were in a "common prison" that an angel of the Lord released them and told them to "go, stand and speak", verse 20. The High Priest and the captain of the Temple gathered the apostles together and told them, "you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine", verse 28. What a testimony it was for these men who were following the directions of Jesus Christ, given to them before He ascended into heaven.

Peter answered these Temple leaders, "we ought to obey God rather than man", verse 29. That's our call as well today, obey God rather than men. Notice the wisdom of the one member of the council overseeing this incident, verses 34-39.

The man, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, had watched the entire proceedings and told the other Temple leaders, verse 38, "If this work is of men, it will come to nought". Gamaliel's next statement shows his great wisdom, verse 39, "but if it be of God you can not overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God."

What a profound statement. The statement was also prophetic, Isaiah 46:9-10. In retrospect we now know it was not of men but of God as Gamaliel said. That statement was also prophetic.

The last three verses of Acts 5 reveal how these handful of apostles spread the message of the gospel, the story of Jesus, around the world. First of all, they rejoiced in the fact that they were to be found worthy of suffering shame for the name of Jesus, verse 41. Verse 40 reveals to us that the apostles were actually beaten for preaching the gospel.

Their response to this persecution was that, as recorded in verse 42, these men went out "daily", not just on Sunday, but daily they went out to teach or preach Jesus. They also went into the "marketplace", in fact, onto the Temple Mount, to teach and preach Jesus. These men not only went "public" but they went "private" as they went to "every house" to talk to the people about the Lord.

Let me remind you once again of the message. They would "teach and preach Jesus Christ". They weren't teaching politics, social issues, war or no war, presidential elections, or any other issue except Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and what that meant to the Jews they were contacting.

This plan must have worked, look how the gospel has spread over these two thousand years. But wait a minute, the work is not done yet. We must work until He comes. We must today go out and follow the plan and preach Jesus to all people.

PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord, to be focused on the job of winning people to You and doing it in the way that You said, one by one.

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

For further study - Acts 7:54-8:4

Our extended reading for today's devotional is the record of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, and the very first mention of the one who would be known as the Apostle Paul.

Stephen had been chosen as one of the first deacons, Acts 6:5, and was a man "full of faith and the Holy Spirit", verse 5.

Because the "Synagogue Council" was unable to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke, Acts 6:10, the Council brought this newly appointed deacon to address them with His own defense.

By the way, Dr Luke records that even the "Council" saw Stephen's "face as though it had been the face of an angel", Acts 6:15. Not only were the members of the Council present for Stephen's address but the High Priest at the Temple was there to hear Stephen speak as well, Acts 7:1.

What Stephen had to say, Acts 7:2-53, was so powerful that it "cut to the heart", verse 54, of those in the Council so that they rushed forward and "gnashed upon him with their teeth", verse 54.

Verse 55 has long been a puzzle to me, however, I think I figured out what was going on that day of Stephen's death. The verse tells us that Stephen, "just before he was cast out of the city and stoned", verse 58, looked up into heaven and saw the "glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God", verse 55.

My confusion was because I read in Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, and 12:2 that Jesus is now "seated" at the right of God in the heavens, Stephen saw Him "standing". I am not dogmatic but I believe that Jesus may well have stood up to greet Stephen, the first Christian martyr, as he entered heaven.

This record of Stephen seeing Jesus, whether "seated or standing", He is at the right hand of the Father, not seated on His throne, His "promised throne", since Jesus is not now "King" of His coming Kingdom. God the Father will give the throne and the Kingdom to His Son after the Tribulation Period, at His Second Coming. Bible prophecy reveals that the time of His Second Coming is quickly approaching.

Verse 58 introduces us to an enemy of God. This is one who was fierce in his attacks on the Christians, the members of the Church at Jerusalem,8:1. It was a man named "Saul" who would one day be a leader of these Christians.

Until that time Saul would bring about "great persecution" against the Church, 8:1, making "havoc of the Church", 8:3. Notice the positive aspect of persecution, verse 4, the Christians were "scattered abroad, going everywhere preaching the Word".

We can rejoice when persecution comes, it will allow us to change "opposition into opportunity".

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for being there at the right hand of God the Father as my special provider, help me to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit as Stephen was, and to turn opposition into opportunity.

Acts 15 vs.15 - And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written.

For further study - Acts 15:1-18

Our extended portion for today's reading is a record of a meeting of the church council at Jerusalem about 15 years after Jesus had gone back to heaven.

Remember, just before He left earth from the Mt of Olives in Jerusalem, Acts 1, our Lord told His disciples that they were to stay in Jerusalem until they had received Power and then they were to give the people of Jerusalem the gospel message of how they could be saved, and prepared for here and after death.

After Jerusalem they were to go to Judea and Samaria and then to the uttermost parts of the earth with this message.

Peter, the preacher on the Day of Pentecost and a disciple of Jesus Christ, saw many results to his ministry and many Jews did get saved.

But also remember, that it was Peter who went to Cornelius in Ceasarea and led this first Gentile to Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

Once converted, Paul also traveled around that region of the world and led many Gentiles to a salvation experience.

With the conversion of these many Gentiles, some in the church in Jerusalem were concerned. They believed that a Gentile must first become a Jew and then a Christian. Therefore, the church council in Jerusalem, with James, the head of the church, not Peter by the way, James called everyone together for this council. James had both Peter and Paul rehearse the exciting stories of Gentile conversions to Christ that they had witnessed and participated in during their traveling ministries.

The bottom-line result of this council meeting was that James stood and said, verses 13-18, that the scriptures agreed with what was happening. Salvation was, and is, for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. In fact, this is God's special program for today, "visiting the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His names sake", verse 13.

Then Jesus said, after God's plan for reaching Gentiles is complete, the Lord will return to build the house of David with Jesus returning to build His temple and then to rule and reign from it in fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant.

Romans 11:25 says this is God's program, "until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in". When the last Gentile gets saved, a number that only God knows, then Jesus will come back.

What an opportunity for each of us today, to witness to Gentiles as well as Jews. Just think, you could lead that last Gentile to Jesus, and then Jesus would come.

PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord, to be a witness of my faith for you, Jesus, to all people both Gentiles and Jews.


Acts 17 vs6 - And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

For further study - Acts 17:1-14

This passage in Acts, "The Action Book" of first century Christianity is a record of Paul's visit to Thessalonica and also to Berea. This second missionary journey of Paul would result in a number of Greeks and Jews coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The trip also relates the story of how young Timothy got involved in Paul's ministry, Acts 16:1-5.

Paul arrives in Thessalonica and goes to the synagogue for three weeks straight to reason with the Jews about Jesus Christ. This method of evangelism is one that Paul used very effectively.

As a result of Paul's reasoning with the Jews from the scriptures in the synagogues, there were a number who trusted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. We must "reason from the scriptures" when we work at the ministry of evangelism.

It is also interesting that Paul went into the synagogue, "as his manner was", verse 2. The synagogue system was not developed until the Babylonian Captivity when the Jews were out of the land, without a Temple, thus the need for a "worship center".

All along God had a plan to use the "synagogues as centers of evangelism". God's plan always works best. We need to find out what His plan is and join Him as a partner in that ministry plan.

By the way, notice that Paul was only there for three weeks and with the converts he started a church. It was to these "young Christians" that Paul wrote a letter, I Thessalonians, explaining the "Rapture".

This was "real meat "for young Christians. The "towns fathers" did not like what was happening under Paul's ministry and they called together some of the new converts to try and down-play the working of God.

I love the phrase in verse 6, "these that have turned the world upside down are come hither also". Oh, that we could be referred to as those who are turning the world upside down.

The motivation of these "world turners" was their understanding that the return of Jesus Christ could happen at any moment, thus they went forward with intensity to serve Him before He did return.

This is evident by what Paul wrote these new converts in Thessalonica about the Rapture, I Thessalonians 4:13-18. As we become more aware of the soon return of the Lord we will go forth to do ministry as those who were turning the world upside down.

Just one last thought from Paul's sojourn in Berea. He preached there and the Bereans heard the Word and then searched the scriptures to see if Paul was correct, verse 11.

This is a great principle, hear the Word preached and study the Scriptures for yourselves to see if the preacher is Biblically correct. Please apply this principle to my teaching.

PRAYER THOT: Help me dear Lord, to understand the Scriptures, in particular the prophetic Scriptures, and then to apply them to my daily life as I await Your call at the Rapture to join You in the heavenlies.

Amos 3 verse 7 - Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
For further study - Amos 3:1-8

Amos the Prophet is also Amos the herdman of Tekoa, Amos 1:1. This book, written by Amos, reveals that this prophet was also a cattle breeder and a farmer. Amos was a substantial, and respected man in his community, 10 miles south of Jerusalem in Tekoa.

I have been to Tekoa to visit the former mayor of the city who has also served with several Prime Ministers of the State of Israel. I bring this to your attention to show you that substantial and respected men today live in Tekoa, one of the Jewish communities, i.e. a Jewish settlement, in the “disputed territories” of modern-day Israel.

My friend and his family, along with a number of other families in Tekoa, have been told that the Israeli government is one day in the near future going to evacuate their community as part of the “Peace Process” and the return of the lands to the Palestinian people.

These Jewish families of Tekoa today, including my friend, believe they are living on land that the Lord promised to give them in the last days.

They believe these are the days of the coming Messiah and they have claimed the land He said He would give them.

Writing about my friend and his personal experience goes right along with what the passage for our reading today is all about. God gives Amos a prophecy for the "whole family", the Jewish people, who He brought up from the land of Egypt, Amos 3:1.

God had “chosen” this people, Amos 3:2, for a special purpose but because of disobedience and unbelief, they would go through hard times before their coming Messiah would become their God, and they His people. This scenario has been written down by many of the ancient Jewish prophets, including Amos.

Remember, the Lord does nothing to the Jews before He warns them through their prophets, Amos 3:7. However, after the warning, the prophecy will come to pass, Amos 3:8.

In John 13:19, Jesus reminded His disciples that He had prophesied of His death and resurrection before that night in the Upper Room. There was a purpose for the Lord revealing this information to His disciples before it happened. He wanted them to know, "I am who I said I am and can do what I said I will do."

That is the theme of Amos, Amos 3:7. When you see these prophecies coming to pass you can know that the Lord is Who He said He is and will do what He tells us He will do. Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.