Some call the first book of the new church as chronicled by the writer Luke, the acts of the church. There are others that call the book acts of the holy ghost. I think either one really fits, but I lean towards the church. This is a book showing us the birth of the New Testament church of which we are still a part of. This week I want to point out a few observations I have mad of Luke’s retelling of our beginnings, and the fulfilling of Jesus’ promise of holy spirit. Then there are a few points I would like to make with a few questions for those who struggle with holy spirit manifestations.
If we take Luke’s account of everything in the book of Acts to heart I feel we need to admit a few things. First, it needs to be understood that this book is not a complete history of the beginning of the church. It comes from one writer and focuses on just a few people and events that were important to the transition of ministry to the gentiles. That is how many of us have been given this wonderful privilege of knowing the gospel message and being born again in baptism of holy spirit. Let’s start at the beginning.
(Acts 1:1-3 NIV) In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach {2} until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. {3} After his suffering, he showed himself to these men 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
Notice here that nowhere is there a mention to how many people saw Jesus alive. None of the writers of the gospels give an account of how many people saw Jesus after the resurrection. Yet it is Paul who later gives us some ideal of how many witnesses there were to Jesus being alive.
(1 Cor 15:5-8 NIV) and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. {6} After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. {7} Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, {8} and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Paul tells us that one time Jesus appeared to over five hundred before he was taken to the Father. This is also giving us an indication that it was some time during those forty days before he was taken. The five hundred were not on the mountain when he was taken. The only record we have is Luke’s and he does not tell us but gives us some kind of ideal. That it was the apostles and maybe a few others who are mentioned in verse 14. Mary, Jesus’ mother and his brothers, there is no indication to any others.
Why is what I am pointing out important? I want to make a point here that nobody really knows how many were in that room when God gave the gift of holy spirit. Yes, in verse 15, Luke mentions about a 120, but there is no time line given from that verse to chapter 2. Some could have been added or for some reason some could have left, we just don’t know. I know we have heard the massages telling us there were 120 that day that received the holy spirit, but they just did not read the account right. So what, you may say. It does make a difference when coming to truth and trying to understand what God was doing and still doing in His church.
You see for those who say that the manifestations and tongues was just for the Apostles or just for then, miss understand Luke’s account and the rest of the scriptures. One should notice how Luke starts Acts and then how it finishes. It is like he is continuing from his gospel Luke into Acts, but never gives it a finish or real end. No salutation, farewell or mentioning of continuing thought. He does not even mention the end of Paul’s life of whom he was giving an account of at the closing. The book is left open like it is to be finished. That brings me to a point I want to make.
A number of years ago I heard a well known Bible teacher say that the days of the Apostles, signs and wonders, tongues, and the manifestations were over because we had a completed Bible today. I may not be saying it exactly like he did but basically this is what he said. Since then I have heard him say it on a number of times and have also heard others say basically the same. Before I go any further, I want you to know I do believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and is complete cannon of scripture. Then there is where I draw the line. I do not think it was an accident that Luke did not finish the book of Acts. It is still being written. The acts of the church are not over until Jesus returns.
Where do we find in scripture that it is all over, done and God does not need the church to be filled with holy spirit? Where does God say he stopped needing the gospel preached with signs following? Where does He tell us we don’t need tongues anymore? If God is no longer working through the gospel message with power of holy spirit, what’s the point of us gathering, worshiping, or praying. Why should we bother God with our prayers if He does not do any of those things today? If I need a miracle, I don’t want to ask any of you who think God doesn’t operate in the manifestations to pray, you’re not going to believe for answers to your own prayers. Then what would be the point in believing for anything if those days are over.
My point is this, I truly believe what God started in Acts chapter 2 was just the beginning. The birth of His glorious church was done, but the church is not complete, or finished. Yes, God has given us His word; we call it the Bible, but he has not stopped talking to and operating through His church. The gift of holy spirit was given to us to bring us to completion, the day of resurrection, and the return of our Lord Jesus. In the book of Acts, the writings of Paul and the others we can conclude this also includes all the manifestations.
Another thing I observed is, this was not just to a select few. We can also see it was not just to leadership, but all those who were faithful to the gospel message. Acts chapter 3, 4, 8, 10, I could go on an on. Paul in chapter 19 found a few that where just baptized in Johns gospel and he laid hands on them and the spoke in tongues. Even in chapter 2 everyone who was in that room spoke in tongues. Now this is the only recorded time that what they spoke was understood by those who heard. Yet, in that same account we may be able to say that not all of them spoke an actual language. (Acts 2:13 NIV) Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." With this statement, that some considered them drunk, maybe there was some just babbling in tongues. Luke gives no other account of understandable language being spoken. He does however give witness to many other accounts of people speaking in tongues upon receiving holy spirit.
Another thing I noticed was the first eleven chapters is about the growth of the church in Jerusalem
Then the rest of the book of Acts is primarily devoted to the ministry of Paul. Yet we find God using many others in the manifestations as well. Paul did not back down or give any indication that the holy spirit was different for the gentile believer. I will say this, Luke shows us that Paul never claimed everyone he prayed for was healed or spoke in tongues, yet we can see he expected it to happen every time he prayed. Paul’s ministry was that of a delivery of the gospel message to the nations in which he did have signs following and that brings me to my next observation.
There seemed to be a close connection to with the gospel message and the manifestations of the holy spirit. Maybe that is why today we are not seeing the manifestations like they had. We have stopped preaching the true message of the gospel and the coming kingdom; therefore there is no power or true manifestations. I know there are those who will say they have it all working in their church, or point out their favorite evangelist. My question is, are they true manifestation or embellished stories, emotional frenzies, or just something that happens now and then.
Upon close reading you will find that many of the signs and wonders happened, not in a group of believers, but before unbelievers. From the beginning it was the speaking in tongues that got the crowds attention. There was not a church service going on when people put their sick loved ones in the street, hoping that the shadow of Peter would fall on them and be healed. Paul did more in adverse situations than many of us do in ideal church conditions.
The point I want to make is we need to get the gospel message back. We need to seek for the true message of Jesus and the coming kingdom. Jesus himself was moved to obey his Father and stick to the message he was given. The people in Acts did the same. They were faithful to the message and like Jesus, had real compassion on those who were lost. They used the scriptures to show God’s love and fulfillment of promises. They never made claims that God was done or that was all there was. They preached with expectation, of God’s promises and the return of Jesus. They understood why the gift of holy spirit was given and had expectations for its manifestations. God worked through and on anyone who would believe, and I say he still does today.
(Mat 9:35-38 NIV) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. {36} When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. {37} Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. {38} Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
No comments:
Post a Comment