https://www.prageru.com/videos/in-memory-of-charlie-kirk-9-12-25
In Memory of Charlie Kirk
First to Give Up His Life for Christ
Last time we watched the apostles and other believers receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirt – leading to the ability of the recipients to speak in the native tongues of others so that they could receive the Gospel. And the apostle Peter gave his first sermon and healed a crippled man. (See Age of the Holy Spirit).
The apostle John had accompanied Peter at that healing. Word spread of the preaching and the healing and reached the ears of the temple priests and the Sadducees. Enraged, they had Peter and John arrested and brought before them.
They had also summoned the healed cripple as well. The council asked John and Peter to tell them by whose authority was it that they were preaching and healing. The Holy Spirit filled Peter, and he boldly responds:
…if we are being put on trial today [to interrogate us] for a good deed done to [benefit] a disabled man, as to how this man has been restored to health, let it be known and clearly understood by all of you, and by all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you [demanded be] crucified [by the Romans and], whom God raised from the dead—in this name [that is, by the authority and power of Jesus] this man stands here before you in good health. Ac. 4:9, 10. AMP
Peter then quotes Old Testament Messianic prophecy to drive home the magnitude of who Jesus is and why He came:
“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you rejected has become the cornerstone.’
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Ac. 4:11, 12. NLT
The Sanhedrin realize that Peter and John had actually accompanied Jesus. With the healed man present, the council hesitated on what to do next. They couldn’t deny the healing because it was witnessed by the Temple congregants.
So, instead they forbade the apostles against preaching anymore about Christ. In the face of this, both Peter and John are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they undauntedly reply:
“Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” Ac. 4:19, 20. NLT
The council threatened them and let them go. When they returned to the church and shared their experience, the entire congregation prayed as one – asking for yet more boldness of speech and for additional healings to glorify Jehovah and Jesus. The Holy Spirit filled the church, and it began to shake…
Now, all the apostles are working miracles. Many people are bringing their sick to be healed. In fact, the Holy Spirit is working so powerfully in Peter, that people just standing in his shadow are being healed!
As you might expect, that put a bee in the bonnets of the high priests and Sadducees, and they had all the apostles jailed. However, during the night, an angel came and freed them. It told them to return to the Temple and preach ‘this message of life!’ [1]
The following morning, the high priest asked the jailor to bring forth the prisoners. He returned to the priest and informed him that the guards were still posted outside, the prison doors were still locked, but the prisoners had vanished.
At the same time, someone came and informed the council that the prisoners were presently preaching in the Temple. The high priest had the guards gather them before him – where he accused them of disobedience and for laying the blame on him for Jesus’ death.
Peter and John answered:
“We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witness of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.” Ac. 5:29 – 32. NLT
Now, the council wants to kill the apostles, but one lone Pharisee stays their hand, saying that if the apostles were not of God, nothing would come of them. But if they were, the council would be in opposition to Jehovah.
Again, the council forbids them to preach and has them scourged. Yet, this is a determined bunch:
The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” Ac. 5:41, 42.
As the church grew, the apostles began to be bogged down with administrative tasks that took them away from their ministry. So, they delegated those duties to five additional disciples.
One of them was named Stephen:
…a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit…Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Ac. 6:5 & 8. CSB
Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews approached Stephen and derided him for his faith in Christ. They brought forth false witnesses to the council, accusing him of blasphemy.
The high priest asked Stephen if the accusations were true. Stephen responded with an extended and emboldened speech. First, he recited a recap of Jewish history, from the point of God’s call to Abraham to illustrate His faithfulness. He also spoke of the Jews’ rebellion against Moses with the golden calf.
Lastly, Stephen threw his accusers’ charge of blasphemy right back into their own faces:
“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One – the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.
You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.” Ac. 7:51 – 53. NLT
The Sanhedrin were incensed; but Stephen wasn’t done! The Holy Spirit filled Stephen with a vision of Christ in heaven at His Father’s right hand. He proclaims this to the council:
“Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” Ac. 7:56 NLT
For his outburst of truth, the council had Stephen stoned to death. Yet even in his last breath, this first martyr for Christ, prayed to Jehovah that He would not hold their sin against them…
Finally, for today, let’s look at one more of the five additional disciples. This one is named Philip, who was also Holy Spirit-empowered. He journeyed to Samaria to preach the Gospel and perform healings. When the apostles heard about Philip’s works, Peter and John came to his side to bolster his ministry.
Philip water-baptized many. Afterwards, Peter and John would guide them in the Holy Spirit baptism.
Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching in many Samaritan villages along the way.
When Philip returned to Jerusalem, an angel told him to walk down a certain desert road that led to Gaza – where he came upon an official of the royal court of the Queen of Ethiopia.
The official was sitting in his chariot, reading aloud from the book of Isaiah, when the Holy Spirit told Philip to approach him. Philip asked the Ethiopian if he understood what he was reading. He responded by saying that he needed someone to guide him into further clarity about a particular Scripture: (Is. 53:7, 8.):
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” Ac. 8:32, 33. NLT
This prophetic Messianic prophecy is a clear and poignant description of the recent death of Christ. The official asked Philip who it was that Isaiah was referring to, which opened the door for the disciple to deliver the Gospel.
In response, the Ethiopian asked what he must do to be baptized. Philip answered:
[Philip said to him, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] Ac. 8:37 AMP
Philip baptized him and when they came out the water, the Holy Spirit translated Philip to a coastal town called Azolus. Wow! You know that Ethiopian went on his way a firm believer.
The Bible tells us: ‘he went on his way rejoicing.’ Ac. 8:39 AMP
Goodnight and God bless.
[1] Ac. 5:20
Building Better Americans 203
There is no diversity of thought on U.S. college campuses. Instead, the administrators themselves act as Leftist indoctrinators.
Age of the Holy Spirit
We have examined Christ’s death and resurrection of our Savior, and what He accomplished on the Cross. (See What Did Christ Accomplish on the Cross – parts one and two) – which culminated in Jesus’ ascension to heaven.
The Old Testament taught us about God’s creations. And we watched painfully as how humankind repeatedly turned away from Him. Yet, He always kept an outstretched arm – beseeching them with His love and the gift of His salvation coming through the Messiah, for 1500 years.
In the Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus shows up, the personification of Jehovah God. He laid down His life for our salvation – glorifying His Father, who in turn, glorified His Son. Subsequently, the resurrected Christ was elevated again to His rightful divinity at His Father’s right hand in Heaven. And Jesus was entrusted with the care of all God’s children, through the Holy Spirit.
For the remainder of the New Testament, we will explore the rest of what Christ wanted us to know. All of which is given to us by the apostles, through Holy Spirit inspiration.
We begin in the Bible book entitled The Acts of the Apostles, whose authorship is ascribed to the apostle Luke. It describes the formation of the early church when Jesus left. (He never really ‘leaves, He is always everywhere, like His Father), we are just referring to His body…)
After Jesus ascended, the 11 apostles returned to Jerusalem and stayed in an ‘upper room,’ that became their meeting place. Along with other disciples of Christ, this initial group numbered 120. It included the women who were at Jesus’ tomb, His mother, and His 4 brothers.
This new ‘church of Christ’ gathered in that upper room to pray. Peter addressed them, saying that Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Christ was a fulfilled prophecy pursuant to the apostle’s death. And he quoted a psalm to ask for divine retribution:
Pour out your rage on them, and let your burning anger overtake them. Make their fortification desolate; may no one live in their tents. Ps. 69:24 – 26. CSB
Peter also quoted another psalm about a mandate to replace Judas Iscariot’s vacancy left by his suicide, so that there would be twelve apostles once more. That new apostle was named Matthias.
Let his years be few; let someone else take his position. Ps. 109:8 NLT
On the day of Pentecost, (the 2nd annual harvest festival – celebrated fifty days after Passover), the church gathered in the upper room again:
Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:2 – 4. NLT
So, the church members are being empowered by the Holy Spirit to be able to speak in different languages – which they use, to praise God for His mighty works.
The commotion of the cacophony of different languages drew a curious crowd, many of whom were foreign travelers, amazed that these Hebrews spoke their language. Others thought that they were speaking gibberish, or that they were intoxicated.
Peter rebukes them, saying that it is far too early in the day to have been drinking. Then, he delivered his 1st sermon, beginning by declaring that this phenomenon is a fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. [1]
‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’ Acts 2:17 NLT
‘And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below – blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’ Acts 2:19 – 21. NLT
God is telling the crowd, through Peter, that the countdown has now commenced for the earth’s final days before the end of time, and for the redemption of His children.
And Peter says that this ‘speaking in tongues’ is the first manifestation of Jehovah’s power, through the Holy Spirit, to facilitate that end.
Peter continues his preaching, saying that God had sent His Son to perform miracles so that they might believe. But that they killed Him instead. He also informed them that some of the members of this first church had actually seen the resurrected Christ.
Finally, Peter said that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was proof that Jesus was now at the right hand of His Father. Then, he upbraids them again for their complicity in Christ’s crucifixion.
In response, the crowd grew sorrowful and regretful, and they plead to Peter to tell them how to right their wrong. He answers:
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away – all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38, 39. NLT
Three thousand people were added to the ‘first church’ that day:
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.
And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42 – 47. NLT
Now the adventures begin…
Peter and John went to the Temple to pray. As they arrived, they came upon a crippled man who was begging for alms. Peter answers:
“I don’t have any silver of gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Act 3:6 NLT
The man was healed! He followed Peter and John into the temple, leaping and praising God. Temple parishioners gathered around this ‘healer.’
Peter protests, saying that God did the healing, glorifying the Son. The healing was done in Jesus’ name through the recipient’s faith in it.
Then, he brings both the nature of Christ, as well as how this crowd had dealt with Him, into a sharp and telling focus:
“This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!’ Acts 3:13 – 15. NLT
Like any good preacher, Peter lets his audience feel their sin for a few moments, (to see their lack and their need). Then, he offers them salvation:
“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah – that he must suffer these things.
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.” Acts 3:17 – 21. NLT
“You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on the earth will be blessed.’” Acts 3:25 NLT
Peter is saying that Jehovah intended for the Jews to receive salvation first, so, he is re-extending His invitation.
And the number of the new congregants swelled to 5000…
Goodnight and God Bless.
[1] Jl. 2:28 – 32.