What Does This Mean?

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

January 11, 2021

What Does This Mean?

” . . . we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Acts 2:11b-12

Read: Acts 2:5-13 

In Genesis 11, we learn the whole world spoke one language, and the people purposed to build a tower to heaven. God thwarted their plans by confusing their language so they couldn’t understand each other or work together. On the Day of Pentecost, the Lord reversed that curse so that the mass of people gathered that day each heard the Apostle’s speaking in their own language. What does this mean?

It was the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, “. . . and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Of course, not everyone on the Day of Pentecost, or today, received the promise: “Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” (Acts 2:13)

When I read today’s passage, I remember when I was preaching in a house church in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. The room in the house was overflowing with people onto the front porch and into the street. People were standing three deep looking in the windows. Their worship was joyful and included dancing. A man and a woman, neighbors from down the street and out for an evening walk, stopped in front of the house and gazed with wonder at the sights. They stayed as I began preaching through an interpreter. When I gave the invitation, they were the first to respond and made their way through the crowd to the front room and there received Jesus as their Savior.

My Takeaway: I long to be a part of a church where Luke’s statement at the end of chapter two is a present-day reality: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b).

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

All of Them

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

January 8, 2021

All of Them

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:4

Read: Acts 2:1-4   

Passover marked the day that God delivered his people out of bondage in Egypt. Fifty days after Passover, the people came to Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments. God gave his redeemed people the way of life by which they could now carry out his purposes.

On Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus provided for our redemption from sin and death. Fifty days later, God gave the people the Holy Spirit, the way of life by which they can carry out his purposes.        

Can you see Acts is written so that we can see that the plan of God to redeem the world is a continuing story? Here, in the year of our Lord 2021, we, the people of God, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out our part of the story.

Luke tells us the wind came from heaven. For the biblical writers, heaven was God’s abode. Earth was the abode of the people of God. God’s plan is for His New Creation to completely redeem heaven and earth as one. This will be completed when Jesus comes again in final victory. Jesus ascended to heaven, then heaven sent the Holy Spirit to those gathered in the name of Jesus.

My Takeaway: The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is unique to God’s plan and purpose for the individual. There is one common trait. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to bring glory to God. By the way, all of them, means all of us too: “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

A Witness

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

January 7, 2021

A Witness

For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.

Acts 1:22b

Read: Acts 1:15-26

A group numbering about a hundred and twenty had gathered in the upper room. Through their prayer and worship, they were led to select a replacement for the 12th Apostle. To qualify, one had to have been with Jesus from his baptism to his resurrection. Two names were put forth, and Matthias was selected. As I read today’s passage, two things stand out, and both are associated with the word witness.

We read in verse eight that Jesus called the apostles to be his witnesses, and here Peter affirms that a 12^th witness is needed. Twelve apostles is associated with the twelve tribes of Israel, and it seems Peter is still focused internally on restoring the nation of Israel. The last few words of Jesus’ commission have not yet registered with him: “and to the ends of the earth.”

The second reference to witness is in the absolute core of our Christian faith: “For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” I am again thinking of the words in the Apostles’ Creed, “was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.”

Jesus told his followers to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirt came to them. As they prayed and worshipped together, their main thought was how they could be witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection.

My Takeaway: The apostles walked with the resurrected Jesus. They ate with him. They talked with him. They listened to him. For forty days, they were in the presence of the resurrected Jesus. More and more in our culture, the literal resurrection of Jesus is decentralized from the Christian faith, remembered only as a curious relic from antiquity. As for me, to paraphrase the Apostle Paul, I resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him resurrected from the dead. (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

January 6, 2021

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:11

Read: Acts 1: 9-14

The historic confession of faith, the Apostles’ Creed, affirms Jesus’ ascension to heaven and his promised return. Both of these articles of the Christian faith are included in today’s reading.

“On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

The ascension took place on the Mount of Olives, which is above the Garden of Gethsemane, and approximately one-half mile, a Sabbath day’s walk, from the walled city of Jerusalem. When the Apostles returned to their ‘upper room’ “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (verse 14).

It seems the Apostles got accustomed to being with Jesus after his resurrection. They talked with him, asked him questions and listened as he spoke to them about the Kingdom of God. I don’t think that prepared them for Jesus to be taken up before their very eyes. Or for two angels to explain to them what they were seeing. They responded in the only appropriate way: prayer and worship.

My Takeaway: My faith includes large portions of mystery and the mystical. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Old Habits

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

 January 5, 2021

Old Habits

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Acts 1:6

Read:           Acts 1:6-8   

The prevailing view, for the people of Israel, was that the Messiah’s focus would be on restoring the Kingdom of Israel. They expected, hoped, the Messiah would cleanse the Temple and restore it as a sanctified place for worship. They expected, hoped, the Messiah would rid Israel of the oppressive forces occupying Israel and restore their land as a place of prominence. Then, perhaps the Messiah would establish his worldwide reign. Jesus responded in two ways.

First, he didn’t completely disavow their Messianic hopes, he just pointed out the answer to their question was above their pay grade. Secondly, he redirected their attention to the task at hand. This reminds me of the axiom,

The Main Thing

is to Keep the Main Thing

the Main Thing.

A pastor I know likes to remind his congregation that they are called to be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium. Too often, church programs and ministries are internally focused on the existing congregation. Jesus calls us to be externally focused as his witnesses to all people, everywhere.

My Takeaway: Like the disciples I also tend to take my attention away from the ‘Main Thing.’ Jesus’ response to the disciples is a reminder to be intentional in my focus so that as I am empowered by the Holy Spirit, I can be his witness, telling people about Jesus everywhere I go.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

January 4, 2021

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:3

Read: Acts 1:1-5   

In this first passage, there are three points that I believe will chart our course in reading the Book of Acts. In the opening verse, Luke ties the Book of Acts to his Gospel account of all that Jesus began to do and to teach. For me, this means the Book of Acts is a continuation of Jesus doing and teaching, this time in and through his followers. This is the first point.

Secondly, in this opening passage, Luke makes it abundantly clear that the disciples were in the presence of the resurrected Jesus – Jesus was and is alive! The resurrected Jesus was the cornerstone, no, actually the entire foundation of the First Century Church, and the resurrected Jesus is the foundation of my faith as well.

The third point is how the followers of Jesus, resting on their belief in the resurrected Jesus, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the work Jesus began.

My Takeaway: Jesus told his followers to wait for the Holy Spirit. I believe that is a word for me, and the church today. In an era where instant gratification reigns, we need patience to wait on the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

You Will Find Rest For Your Souls

 January 1, 2021

You Will Find Rest For Your Souls

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Jeremiah 31:3

Let this thought be your guide for 2021:

“But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit” (Romans 7:6).

God’s love for us is based 100% on His choice to love us unconditionally, just as we are, not as we should be. If His choice to love us were based on anything else, we would be in trouble. What if God chose to love us based on some measure of our faithfulness? What would happen if we didn’t measure up?

The truth of God’s love for us is that we don’t deserve it; we can’t earn it and we can’t justify it. God’s choice to love us is seemingly contradictory. God’s sets a very high bar of expectations for us:

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

But when we fail to meet His expectations, we hear:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

When we accept God loving us so completely, we can move toward that liberating day when, because we passionately believe in God’s love for us, we truly love ourselves for God’s sake.

Perhaps on this first day of the New Year, you are still a bit weary from striving to justify your place with God, still battered and bruised from the game of life. If so, today is a great day to renew your faith in God, who loves you unconditionally, just as you are, not as you should be. Because no one is as they should be. (Brennan Manning)

My Takeaway: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 Emphasis mine).

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.