Acts 11:1-18 Enter the Gates of Salvation By the way of Jesus Christ

Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.  And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him,  saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began speaking ^[and proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence, saying,  “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me, and when I had fixed my gaze on it and was observing it saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air.  I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter kill and eat.’  But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’  But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’  This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky.  And behold, at that moment three men appeared at the house in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings.These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’  And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’  Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”  When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”

If you recall, the mission of Saul also called Paul was to be an apostle to the gentiles.  Yet, when it came time for the granting of the Spirit, Peter, a zealous Jew was sent on that mission.  I am convinced if he had not heard it with his ears and seen it with his eyes, he would't have believed and neither would the brethren.  He became wise enough not to stand in God's way.  Later on Paul will take charge by planting churches and he will need the support of Paul when it comes to interactions with the Judaizers.  The gate of salvation has been opened and those trusting in Jesus will enter.

Acts 10:44-48 The Holy Spirit Given To The Gentiles

 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.  All the ^[b]circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.  For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,  “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?”  And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

The giving of the Holy Spirit was not a part of the Old Testament.  In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon certain individuals but did not indwell people.  Now in the New Covenant, the period of grace, Jesus said to His disciples and followers that I will not leave you as orphans.  I will send to you a Helper, One who will stand aside you and guide you.  Not another kind of helper, but the same kind of helper that I have been to you.  The giving of the Holy Spirit is an irrevocable gift to the saved believer because the Holy Spirit is an earnest for fully payment of their soul awaiting the second coming of Christ.  

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I am thankful for Your sending the Holy Spirit to me to help me live my life and transform it so that in addition to my salvation found in you, that I may be sanctified in the Helper you sent to me.  And I know His work will not be thwarted because since He started a good work in me He will complete it awaiting the time of Your coming. In Your holy name I pray Amen.

Acts 10:34-43 Gentiles Hear Good News

Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,  but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.  The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—  you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed.You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.  We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.  God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.  And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.  Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

In the times long ago, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation.  And this nation will be a blessing, shedding God's grace to all people and offer salvation to all to come to Him by faith.  Today, the Christian faith has spread to about six billion persons and we anxiously await the blessed hope that comes with the return of the True King in the Person of Jesus Christ.  By the Holy Spirit, we are convinced that our faith is not in vein because He imparts new life to all who await the return of their Savior, Christ Jesus.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, I am aware that You create us again, not of flesh and blood, but of spirit and truth.  Continue to guide us and our inner-man so that our life is recognizable as on who belongs to Jesus.  In His holy name I pray Amen.

Acts 10:23-33 Simon Peter Goes To Caesarea

And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.  On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.  When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and ^[a]worshiped him.  But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.”  As he talked with him, he entered and *found many people assembled.  And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man^[b]unholy or unclean.  That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.”Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ^[c]ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your ^[d]alms have been remembered before God.  Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’  So I sent for you immediately, and you have ^[e]been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

This meeting between Peter and Cornelius was a divine meeting.  Its origin was not from man.  Peter opens his mouth and makes it clear than in the years past, this kind of association for forbidden among the Jews.  Jews were to have no social contact with the gentiles.  In these days following the ascension of Jesus Christ to the right hand of the Father, the cords that bound the gentiles have been broken and relations between holy Jews and holy gentiles were permitted and the throne of God the Father was opened to men because of the blood of his Son who died for them.

Daily Prayer:  Holy Savior, Your sacrifice is an everlasting one.  Now, every day I can pray to You and to the Father and my petitions are heard is heaven.
No, I am not a Jew, but a man who trusts in the Son of Man who opens the doors to me to the Kingdom of Heaven.  This I pray in Jesus name Amen. 

Acts 10:1-22 Cornelius Vision, Peter's Vision and the Angel of the Lord

Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.  About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!”  And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter;  he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.”  When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants,  and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the ^]sixth hour to pray.  But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; and he saw the ^[sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground,  and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air.  A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!”  But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.”  Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate;  and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there.  While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, ^[q]three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.”  Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?”  They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.”

The holy text is coming into a transition.  The People of God, the Jews, will be united with the Gentiles as the People of God.  No longer does one need to be a Jew to seek reconciliation with God because Jesus died and arose again for the salvation of all people groups who like Cornelius fear God and love the Son of God. Jesus acknowledged that He came to find the lost sheep of Israel, but be a light to the Gentiles bringing reconciliation to the world.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, years ago my heart was pricked.  Your word penetrated my soul and I became was I was destined to be which is a child of God.  Reach out to those who hear this message who like Cornelius will receive Your Spirit. In Jesus name I pray Amen. 

Acts 9:36-43 Peter Raises Dorcas From the Dead

 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas; this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.  And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.  But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

The key to the passage and the key to the time of the apostles is that many things, including signs and wonders were done through the apostles so that people would believe in the Risen Christ Jesus.  Note that people did not credit Peter with this miracle, but instead Jesus who Peter was representing and praying to.  And these works were not for Peter along, but all of the apostles and deacons sent to serve Jesus and the assembly of believers in the early church.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, it is not miracles that I ask, but instead faith in You knowing that through faith, You can move mountains if only I believe with a whole heart.  Let this be according to Your will Amen.

Acts 9:23-31 Saul Is Changed & Preaches the Gospel Boldly

When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,  but their plot became known to Saul.They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;  but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.  But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.  And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.  And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.  But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

You can imagine how hard it was for the disciples in Jerusalem had made such a change from obtaining letters to put Jesus' followers to becoming the leading preacher of the Gospel in places where the gospel wasn't being preached.  In Saul's case, it took the credible testimony of Barnabas, the beloved Son of Encouragement to stand up for him, being an eye-witness to the bold proclamations of Saul, doing things that so far the disciples had not done, which is preach the gospel outside of Jerusalem boldly.  They were very suspicious of him, but in the days to come would see first hand what a changed man can look like.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, anyone who comes to know You will undergo change. Change as in the transformation of the inner man is a good thing because it results in trust in You for all things.  Let each who comes into contact with You have that change so that they may be useful to Your Kingdom.  Amen.

Acts 9:17-22 The Gospel Reveals the Truth About Jesus

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.  At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.  All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” ²² Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

Saul had an encounter with the Risen Jesus Christ.  This proved to him that Jesus was the Christ testified about in the Scriptures.  Saul was a zealous man about correct religious interpretation.  He could now see clearly the error of his way and committed his life instantly to make Christ's name known. The people were confused in his turn-about, but instead of seeking understanding,
their hearts were hardened and they attempted to kill him. Although they failed to take his life, he learned what Jesus said that he will suffer much for Christ's name sake.


Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I don't like in a culture that seeks my life for making your's known, but most don't understand.  The kind a transformation Saul experienced can be brought about by the Holy Spirit who gives new life.  When  
we do our lessons at this site, reach out to those of your own will, to partake in this new life and make Jesus Christ name know in my day.  In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Acts 9:1-16 Saul Is A Chosen Instrument of Christ Jesus

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,  and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;  and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,  but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”  The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.  Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.  And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,  and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.”  But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;  and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”  But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;  for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

General revelation of God is when we witness the work of God in His creation.  Special revelation is when there is some form of first hand knowledge of God.  Special revelation was given to Adam in the garden, Abraham in his calling, Noah in the building of the ark and now a New Testament example where the Risen Christ appears to someone who He has chosen to bring the gospel to the gentiles.  This sort of revelation is overwhelming because it is first person knowledge of Jesus and His awesome power.  It is life-changing.  Yet all of us have this opportunity to be with him if we don't close our hearts to the truth.  And like with Saul, it is awesome and life life changing, so if you haven't already, open your heart to the Living Jesus Christ so that He can radically change you and use you.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, I have believed for sometime now.  I have experienced radical change for the better, but by Your work, continue to purify my heart so that I don't have any other desires apart from You.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.

Acts 8: 26-40 How Can People Believe The Gospel Is Not Told?

But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.)  So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship,  and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.  Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.”  Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:

“He was led as a sheep to slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He does not open His mouth.
 “In humiliation His judgment was taken away;
Who will relate His generation?
For His life is removed from the earth.”

 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?”  Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”  [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.  When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.  But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

In evangelism, Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian is considered to be a divine appointment.  Throughout the text, we see the leading of the Angel of the Lord guiding and prompting Philip to welcome all nations into the Kingdom of Heaven, because it is not for Jews alone, but for all the peoples of the world.  It so happens that the text he was studying was of the prophet Isaiah.  The New Testament was not yet written, but in this book of prophecy it was revealing his present day of Jesus Christ.  Once the gospel was explained, he believed and desired unity with Christ by being baptized

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, all believers should be baptized into your death and raised according to Your saving power.  Once we have, we can enjoy a newness of life and walk in Your light and not stumble in the darkness of this world.  Renew our life, day by day, so like Philip, we can tell someone else. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Acts 8:5-25 Simon the Sorcerer

 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.  When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.  For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.  So there was great joy in that city.Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,  and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”  They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.  When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them;they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money  and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!  You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.  Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.  For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

One of the big challenges about being a Christian is to fully realize that life is not about us, it is about God.  Who were the Jews to think that they were dearer to the heart of Christ than the Samaritans.  God showed his love for them with the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on the Samaritans and the Jews alike.  Although the deacons were not apostles, the Holy Spirit bestowed spiritual gifts on them as they were followers of Jesus and introducing the Kingdom of Heaven and the New Covenant.  But Simon, a sorcerer,  coveted these gifts and asked not that they be given to him, a follower of Jesus Christ, but instead offered to pay for them.  Peter rebuked him because he did not understand the simple truth that gifts of the Spirit are indeed gifts and are not for sale.  Peter diagnosed the fowl in his heart and spoke to him about repentance. 

Daily Prayer:  Lord God, the truth of the matter is this, "Hallowed by Your name.  Thy kingdom come and thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  May the glory be to Your holy name Amen.