Witnesses of These Things - Acts 5:32

The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree. Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter and the other apostles said they were, “witnesses of these things” where we read:

And we are his witnesses of these things;

and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him.

The verse begins, “And we are his witnesses of these things;” Luke began with the words, “and we are his witnesses” which means “and we apostles exist as Jesus' recorders, testifiers and martyrs” “of these things” or “pertaining to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus”. Luke shared how “Peter and the apostles” told the “high priest” and the other religious leaders they were the ones who “testify” of the validity of Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, exaltation and provision for “salvation” from sins.

The verse continues, “and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him.” Luke added words, “and so is also” which means “and indeed exists even so” “the Holy Ghost” or “the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”, “whom God has given to them” which means “who the Heavenly Father God has bestowed, granted, furnished and supplied to the people” “that obey him” or “who hearken and conform to Jesus”. Luke shared how “Peter and the other apostles” told the “high priest” and the other religious leaders that the “Holy Spirit” was also “furnished and supplied” to anyone who “complies with, listens to and obeys” Jesus.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Peter and the other apostles” stood firm in their “witness” of Jesus' death on the cross, resurrection from the dead, exaltation to the right hand of God and His provision of “salvation” from sins to all who believe and trust in Him. They added that the “Holy Spirit” of God is also “given” to every person who “obeys” Jesus by submitting themselves to Him. God loves people, and His blessings of forgiveness, eternal life and His Holy Spirit await all who will surrender to His Son Jesus. Let everyone reading these words carefully examine “Peter and the other apostles'” testimony, and yield their life to Jesus who alone has the provision and power to forgive sins and grant everlasting life.

Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders, “were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Jesus Exalted to be a Prince and Savior - Acts 5:31

Luke the physician wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter and the other apostles said God, “has exalted with his right hand” Jesus “to be a Prince and a Savior” where we read:

Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior,

for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

The verse begins, “Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, ...” Luke began with the words, “Him has God exalted” which means “Him, Jesus, the Heavenly Father God lifted up on high and raised to dignity, honor and happiness” “with his right hand” or “by using his, God's, right hand of authority and rule” “to be a Prince” which means “to be Christ, the chief leader and captain” “and a Savior” or “and a deliverer and preserver”. Luke shared how “Peter and the apostles” told the “high priest” and the other religious leaders that “God” raised Jesus up by His authority to be “the chief ruler and captain” as well as a “deliverer and preserver” over people.

The verse goes on to say, “... for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Luke continued the words, “for to give repentance” which means “so He might grant, bestow, furnish and supply a change of mind, reversal and compunction for guilt including reformation” “to Israel” or “to the nation of Israel which means he shall be a prince of God and refers to the family or descendants of Jacob whose name was change to Israel”, “and forgiveness of sins” which means “and release from the bondage and penalty of errors, wrongs, mistakes and missing of the mark”. Luke shared how “Peter and the other apostles” told the “high priest” and the other religious leaders the reason God “exalted” Jesus was for all the people in “Israel” to have provision of a “change of mind” and “release from the bondage and penalty” of their errors, wrongs and violations against the law of God.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover the purpose for Jesus coming to the world. The “sins” of people kept them in “bondage “ and they would pay a “penalty of death” for those sins without a “Savior”. (See Romans 6:23) Jesus died on the cross, was raised by God from the dead and exalted to the “right hand” of God, so anyone who believes and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” may obtain forgiveness of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will carefully study these words about Jesus and submit themselves to Him to live eternally with God.

Next time Luke shares how Peter and the other apostles said they were, “witnesses of these things” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

God Raised Up Jesus - Acts 5:30

The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men”, and in chapter five and verse thirty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter and the other apostles continued to answer by saying, “the God of our fathers raised up Jesus” where we read:

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree.

The verse begins, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, ...” Luke began with the words, “the God of our fathers” which means “the Heavenly Father God belonging to our, the people of Israel's, progenitors and ancestors” “raised up Jesus” or “caused to arise, stirred up and resurrected Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. Luke shared how “Peter and the other apostles” told the “high priest” and the religious leaders with him that “the Heavenly Father God”, who was their nation's God, resurrected Jesus from the dead.

The verse continues, “... whom you slew and hanged on a tree.” Luke added the words, “whom you slew” which means “who you religious leaders slayed and killed” “and hanged on a tree” or “and suspended and hung upon a cross”. Luke shared how “Peter and the other apostles” told the “high priest” and the other religious leaders with him that they “killed” Jesus and “hung” Him on a cross.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how bold “Peter and the other apostles” were in their response to the “high priest”. They not only told them they needed to “obey” God rather than men, but also that they “killed” Jesus by hanging Him on a cross. We can imagine the ire that was rising up in these religious leaders as “Peter and the other apostles” blamed them for Jesus' death. Though they “killed” Jesus, God raised Him from the dead, and this provided salvation from sins for every person who believes and trusts in Him. God loves people, and His message of the “gospel” was to be preached throughout the world. This beginning served to be start of the spread of God's “good news” of forgiveness and provision for everlasting life with Him. Let all who read these words understand, anyone who is a “sinner” killed Jesus, “all have sinned”, and He died so they might live forever in relationship with Him.

Next time Luke shares how Peter and the other apostles said God, “has exalted with his right hand” Jesus “to be a Prince and a Savior”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Obeying God Rather than Men - Acts 5:29

The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter and the other apostles answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men” where we read:

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The verse begins, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ...” Luke began with the words, “then Peter” which means “at that time Peter whose name means a little rock or stone” “and the other apostles” or “and Jesus' other delegates, messengers and sent forth ones” “answered and said” which means “responded and began to speak and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how “Peter and the other apostles” began to respond to the “high priest” who questioned them about teaching in Jesus' name and blaming the religious leaders for His death.

The verse goes on to say, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Luke continued with the words, “we ought to obey God” which means “we apostles have a duty and need to hearken and conform to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “rather than men” or “to a much farther degree and more willingly, readily and sooner than people whether male or female”. Luke shared how “Peter and the apostles” told the “high priest” they needed to “conform” to the advice of “God” rather than the commandments of people.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter and the other apostles” told the “high priest” they needed to “obey God” to a greater degree than people. Although the “high priest” an the other “religious leaders” were in positions of “authority”, they were not “greater” than “God”. All authority is given by God, and no one would have positions “over” others unless He gave them rule. (See Psalms 75:6-8) God is to be “obeyed”, and when He said through Jesus that His “gospel” or “good news” of “salvation” from sins is to be declared to all people, it is to be proclaimed regardless of what men may think or do. Many people have suffered greatly for sharing the “gospel” of Jesus, and some have died, but those who have caused these things will stand before the “God of the Universe, the Ultimate Authority” and give an account for what they did with the message and messengers of Jesus Christ. Let all who read these words surrender to Jesus, share His “gospel” and speak His name regardless of the results for doing so.

Next time Luke shares how Peter and the other apostles said, “the God of our fathers raised up Jesus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Jerusalem Filled with the Apostles Doctrine - Acts 5:28

The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted and interrogated them, and in chapter five and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how the high priest asked the apostles, “did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name?” where we read:

Saying, Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

The verse begins, “Saying, Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name?” Luke began with the word, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking”, “did we not straightly command you” or “ did not we religious leaders mandate and charge you apostles” “that you should not teach” which means “that you apostles are not to hold discourses, instruct or deliver didactic instruction” “in this name” or “in everything Jesus' name was used for and covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”? Luke shared how the “high priest” rhetorically asked the “apostles” whether they instructed them not to “teach” in Jesus' “name”.

The verse continues, “and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” Luke added the words, “and, behold” which means “and look, lo, consider and observe”, “you have filled Jerusalem” or “you apostles have made and completely rendered full the city of Jerusalem which means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine” “with your doctrine” which means “with your, the apostles', teaching and instruction”, “and intend to bring this man's blood upon us” or “and purpose, deliberately will, are minded and willing to superinduce and inflict this male human being's bloodshed on us, the religious leaders”. Luke shared how the “high priest” told the “apostles” they not only “filled” the city of “Jerusalem” with their teachings and instruction, but they also desired to “blame” the “religious leaders” for killing Jesus.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “apostles” were being interrogated for “teaching” in Jesus' name. They were “commanded” by the “religious leaders” not to “speak or teach” in Jesus' name, but they did so anyway. God is the ultimate judge, and obedience to Him is more important than any man. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person who will believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, and those who submit to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Let all who read these words be like these “apostles” who not only believed in Jesus, but also “filled” their city with His teachings regardless of what men may say.

Next time Luke shares how Peter and the other apostles answer, “We ought to obey God rather than men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".