Devotion for Friday, 17 June 2011 Anno Domini (Acts 6)
“1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:1-15)
“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” In government (including church government), nothing stirs resentment more than a feeling of unfair or unequal treatment. Even at times when it was not intended, the very perception of it has led to mischief in the civil arena as well as the division of churches. Sensitive wisdom and consideration must be applied in our dealings with others. In the case related in this verse, the perception is aggravated by a difference in cultures and perhaps languages. It seems that while the assembly was quite small in number, they were of one mind; but when they grew into a multitude, division entered in.
“Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” The trifling squabbles in church often detract from the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. This must not be allowed! The Apostles had attempted to follow the very letter of Christ’s teaching on ministry: “…….whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” (Matt 20:27) God will always provide for the smaller things of the church. If a child can perform a task, why ask an adult to do it? The child learns in doing the small tasks, and the adult learns by performing the more challenging, but all have a role in the House of God to perform. Certainly, the Apostles needed to care for the more pressing task of preaching the Gospel (which they had both heard and seen) since none other knew that role. So it is reasonable that others be designated to perform the more menial task of serving tables. The Apostles may serve the spiritual bread while the disciples serve the physical.
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” This counsel is directed to the ‘multitude.” Search out for the best in character and wisdom. Seek out men whose hearts are filled, not with gifts, but the Holy Ghost itself to serve the people. Church service of every kind requires spiritually endowed members, not just those who can perform the task itself. The assembly nominated the men for the business, but the Apostles ‘appointed’. This bears testimony to our own Episcopal government of Apostolic Succession in the Anglican Orthodox Church. This done, the Apostles would be made free to devote their complete focus to the preaching of the Gospel.
“And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” God calls and his clergy recognize the call. The wisdom of recognizing God’s call upon these men is revealed in their life and works which we will see shortly, especially that of Stephen and Philip. The multitude was quite pleased at the governance presented, and the men ordained apostolically were full of faith and the Holy Ghost! The succession was expressed outwardly by the laying on of hands of the Apostles, but received doctrinally in the inward hearts of those ordained. Apostolic Succession is nothing worth without a corresponding Doctrinal (of the Apostles) Succession. The matter was concluded by prayer of the people, and laying on of hands of the Apostles.
“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” When service is performed according to truth and good order, the results will be pleasing to God. The Word of God increased in an environment of reverence and faith. If the priests are not obedient to the faith, of what good are they to God and man? These priests must have recognized the nature of sacerdotal service being vested in God and not the individual priest otherwise they could not have been ‘obedient in faith’.
Stephen, a deacon with uncommon faith and courage, wastes no time in satisfying his overwhelming burden to preach the Gospel. He may have, indeed, served tables, but that did not (or perhaps COULD not) restrain him from allowing himself to be a channel whereby the Holy Ghost might work to the conviction of many souls. “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” One of the foremost of miracles we may observe in life is the birth of a child. Stephen, too, was led to perform miracles of new birth to men and women of less tender age. Moreover, wonders followed in his shadow as they had done with the Apostles.
The devil cannot abide competition coming into his camp. Stephen was so strong in his conviction and wisdom, and effective at communicating the same, the devil’s minions were aroused to action. “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.” There is no word that will gather greater opposition than the Word of God. It causes the wicked to writhe in the sun and salt of their sins. They disputed with Stephen, but not having the advantage of faith and truth on their side, they were failing in their meager arguments. “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” No they could not because that Spirit and Wisdom was of God!
“Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.” This is the fruit, still, of the sickest religion on the face of the earth – Islam. They instigated false witnesses to come forward and bear false witness against Stephen. Shari'at Law of the Shi’a Islamic sect requires only the word of two witnessed, regardless the circumstantial evidence, to convict a man to stoning in our modern day! The words of Christians are not acceptable among this brood of vipers. So these Judaizers will stoop to any extreme to win – truth is of no concern to them.
“And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council; And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” Stephen never preached this. He preached, perhaps, that Christ fulfilled the Law, and Grace had entered in to the saving of souls of the Elect of God. When truth and common sense prevails against the wicked of this world, they resort to lies and mob violence. Just as they had stirred the people up to call for the Crucifixion of Christ, they now return to a familiar modus operandi that has worked so well for them in the past in spilling the blood of the innocent.
“And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” The child and servant of God has the peculiar quality of calm comfort and even joy under affliction. Though his face appeared as that of an angel, innocence will garner no sympathy from the wicked. Even though they sat, focused on his innocent face, they would not relent in their plans of murder. Though his countenance may have taken on the appearance of an angel, this would not stop those who did not blink at the murder of the very Son of God! The lesson for us is that the world will never treat a child of God with fairness and justice. Do not be surprised when they drag you before courts and tribunals to accuse you falsely, and then commit you to a final punishment which is far more severe than the crime for which you were falsely accused. This is becoming more and more of a possibility in our beloved land of America today. Will you have the conviction and faith of Stephen at that hour they call?
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Thursday, June 16, 2011
Devotion for Thursday (of Whitsun Week) 16 June 2011 Anno Domini (Acts 5:29)
Devotion for Thursday (of Whitsun Week) 16 June 2011 Anno Domini (Acts 5:29)
“29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to bea Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:29-42)
The 29th verse is a very profound Commandment. The word used ‘ought’does not bear the connotations we usually ascribe in the modern vernacular. In fact, it is a contraction of the phrase “Owe it” in old English. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” This is not something we SHOULD do, but represents the LEAST we must do! It is an echo of an earlier verse positioned at the exact center (the very center verse) of the Holy Bible: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalms 118:8) God so positioned this verse that it is the most unique in Scripture. Psalms 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible. Psalms 119 is the longest, and the center verse, at the heart of the Bible in Psalms 118, tells us we must obey God and not men. It is reinforced, powerfully, here by Paul! In every government, there is an hierarchy of authority. In the United States, we have local government, superseded by state government, and state government superseded by Federal government. And then three equal branches within the Federal head. We are to obey the local governmental laws unless they conflict with state law. And we obey state law unless it conflicts with Federal law. And we are to obey Federal law unless it conflicts with the Law of God. His Law is at the apogee of all laws. It is, again, vested in a Tripartite Head – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – all equal in power, authority, and purpose.
Paul is responding to the interrogatories of the chief priests and Sadducees. He again convicts them of their sin in the crucifixion of Christ. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” We see the working of the Holy Ghost always with ministers of righteousness – both through them and with them. Note also that obedience is the qualifier in the gift of the Holy Ghost to an individual or a church. Obedience is the principle Paul lays out in verse 29, and he reinforces it here.
How do the unrepentant wicked respond to Gospel truth? “When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.” Yes, they were cut to the heart by the teachings of Christ, and now they are cut to the heart by the teachings of His apostles. These wicked are likened to the snails made mention of in Psalms where David compares the sinner to the snail: “As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: likethe untimely birth of a woman, thatthey may not see the sun.” (Psalms 58:8) If you are a gardener, as my wife surely is, you may go out early before the sun of day has arisen and find the snails fleeing from the garden where they have eaten that for which they have not labored. They seek the shelter of a rock or crevice whereby the sun cannot find them. If caught in the sun, they will melt. Two things a snail cannot abide: 1) strong sunlight (the Light of the World) and 2) salt (the salt of the earth – Christ’s disciples). So they seek to destroy the messenger if they cannot brood the message!
“Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space.” Gamaliel was a sage scholar of the law and a well-respected Pharisee. He is doubtless the same Gamaliel to whom Paul refers as his teacher in Acts 22:3. This man of wisdom will offer advice once the Apostles are put out of earshot. Being a Pharisee, Gamaliel probably perceives that the Pharisaical doctrine of the resurrection is being challenged by his fellows, the Sadducees (who do not accept the resurrection of the dead), and intervenes on that account.
Gamaliel’s advice: “And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”Splendid advice coming from one not intimate with the Gospel. Better not to make martyrs of these men. Let God sort out the matter and, of course, God certainly did! The work of the Gospel could not be overthrown, and no man could fight against it with success.
“And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” Yes, they took the politically safe route and freed the Apostles rather than to provoke the ire of the people. But they did not do so prior to having them BEATEN of course. It would be too much to simply release such innocent men without an attention-getter… and they appended the usual unheeded advice – “commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus Christ!”Though they averred no belief in Him, they had a curious fear of His name.
As we note in the next two verses, the Apostles were incorrigibly inclined to disobey man and to, instead, obey God! “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” These not only suffered shame and torment in the name of Christ, they also rejoiced in the privilege. Please note here how well they heeded the commandments of the council not to preach in the name of Christ: “ And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” How hopeless must the Temple rulers have felt at this disregard on the part of the Apostles. When Christ has opened your eyes for the first time, or made the lame to walk, or healed the incurable leper, such ones cannot hold their peace even if commanded to remain silent. Christ often told those whom He healed to “go and tell not man.” Of course He knew it to be an impossibility. But He was establishing the principle in our own hearts that we cannot remain silent in the face of such great mercy and grace. Our hearts being so full of the joy of salvation, they will overflow like a river filled with the melting snows of Spring. Have you told NO ONE?
“29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to bea Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:29-42)
The 29th verse is a very profound Commandment. The word used ‘ought’does not bear the connotations we usually ascribe in the modern vernacular. In fact, it is a contraction of the phrase “Owe it” in old English. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” This is not something we SHOULD do, but represents the LEAST we must do! It is an echo of an earlier verse positioned at the exact center (the very center verse) of the Holy Bible: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalms 118:8) God so positioned this verse that it is the most unique in Scripture. Psalms 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible. Psalms 119 is the longest, and the center verse, at the heart of the Bible in Psalms 118, tells us we must obey God and not men. It is reinforced, powerfully, here by Paul! In every government, there is an hierarchy of authority. In the United States, we have local government, superseded by state government, and state government superseded by Federal government. And then three equal branches within the Federal head. We are to obey the local governmental laws unless they conflict with state law. And we obey state law unless it conflicts with Federal law. And we are to obey Federal law unless it conflicts with the Law of God. His Law is at the apogee of all laws. It is, again, vested in a Tripartite Head – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – all equal in power, authority, and purpose.
Paul is responding to the interrogatories of the chief priests and Sadducees. He again convicts them of their sin in the crucifixion of Christ. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” We see the working of the Holy Ghost always with ministers of righteousness – both through them and with them. Note also that obedience is the qualifier in the gift of the Holy Ghost to an individual or a church. Obedience is the principle Paul lays out in verse 29, and he reinforces it here.
How do the unrepentant wicked respond to Gospel truth? “When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.” Yes, they were cut to the heart by the teachings of Christ, and now they are cut to the heart by the teachings of His apostles. These wicked are likened to the snails made mention of in Psalms where David compares the sinner to the snail: “As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: likethe untimely birth of a woman, thatthey may not see the sun.” (Psalms 58:8) If you are a gardener, as my wife surely is, you may go out early before the sun of day has arisen and find the snails fleeing from the garden where they have eaten that for which they have not labored. They seek the shelter of a rock or crevice whereby the sun cannot find them. If caught in the sun, they will melt. Two things a snail cannot abide: 1) strong sunlight (the Light of the World) and 2) salt (the salt of the earth – Christ’s disciples). So they seek to destroy the messenger if they cannot brood the message!
“Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space.” Gamaliel was a sage scholar of the law and a well-respected Pharisee. He is doubtless the same Gamaliel to whom Paul refers as his teacher in Acts 22:3. This man of wisdom will offer advice once the Apostles are put out of earshot. Being a Pharisee, Gamaliel probably perceives that the Pharisaical doctrine of the resurrection is being challenged by his fellows, the Sadducees (who do not accept the resurrection of the dead), and intervenes on that account.
Gamaliel’s advice: “And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”Splendid advice coming from one not intimate with the Gospel. Better not to make martyrs of these men. Let God sort out the matter and, of course, God certainly did! The work of the Gospel could not be overthrown, and no man could fight against it with success.
“And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” Yes, they took the politically safe route and freed the Apostles rather than to provoke the ire of the people. But they did not do so prior to having them BEATEN of course. It would be too much to simply release such innocent men without an attention-getter… and they appended the usual unheeded advice – “commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus Christ!”Though they averred no belief in Him, they had a curious fear of His name.
As we note in the next two verses, the Apostles were incorrigibly inclined to disobey man and to, instead, obey God! “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” These not only suffered shame and torment in the name of Christ, they also rejoiced in the privilege. Please note here how well they heeded the commandments of the council not to preach in the name of Christ: “ And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” How hopeless must the Temple rulers have felt at this disregard on the part of the Apostles. When Christ has opened your eyes for the first time, or made the lame to walk, or healed the incurable leper, such ones cannot hold their peace even if commanded to remain silent. Christ often told those whom He healed to “go and tell not man.” Of course He knew it to be an impossibility. But He was establishing the principle in our own hearts that we cannot remain silent in the face of such great mercy and grace. Our hearts being so full of the joy of salvation, they will overflow like a river filled with the melting snows of Spring. Have you told NO ONE?
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Devotion for Ember Day in Whitsun Week, 15 June 2011 Anno Domini
Devotion for Ember Day in Whitsun Week, 15 June 2011 Anno Domini
“12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” (Acts 5:12-28)
In many ways, God allows us to be His Hands in earth. “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.” If we ever abuse our crown rights, we shall suffer loss in this life, and in the life to come: “and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.).” These Apostles follow, in every point, the example of Christ – even in walking where He walked, and preaching where He preached. They are here gathered on Solomon’s Porch – a place to which Christ also resorted often. “And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.” (John 10:23) And when the unbelievers back away, it clears the approach for those who will truly believe to come forward in faith.
“Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. ” Men flocked to here the Apostles and to see wonders wrought at their hands. As is often the case, it was the signs and wonders to which many were drawn (that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them) rather than the marvelous truth of the Gospel preached. Now, it is not possible for Satan to stand idly by while many flock to Christ. He must act to silence the voices of the faithful – ALWAYS! “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees.)” Yes, these Sadducees who taught there was no resurrection from the dead. Here they stand in opposition to a proven fact of which all of Jerusalem is aware: that Christ rose from the dead! “and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” It seems that Satan also practices the “laying on of hands” but to hurt and not heal! Now the Apostles are put in a safe and secure place where their voices will not hurt the sensibilities of these guilty sinners, or are they?
“ But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” The Lord will brook no enemies of His Word: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17) If the granite walls of a Tomb cannot hold in the Son of God, neither can prison bars restrain His servants from speaking out. He sends us back to the place of His choosing. “And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.” Not delaying for fear, but coming at first light, early in the morning!
“But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.” Poor impotent little toads! No matter their efforts, they cannot frustrate the works of God. They could neither keep Christ in the Tomb with their Roman seals, nor shut the mouths of His Apostles with their steel bars! Do not smile! The same is happening today in our own beloved nation. We have expelled Christ from school, from every public forum, from our textbooks, and from our Judiciary. But the effort is failing as courageous young people are speaking out despite the threats of sanctions.
“Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.” Doubt and suspicion is the food upon which these scoundrels feed. They even doubt reports of their own representatives.
“Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.” So what will you say now, Caiaphas? “Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.” The people themselves usually have more sense than those placed in charge over them. No exception with the Temple staff, and no exception with our country today. So all actions must be subdued and carried out with an appearance of harmlessness when murder is the intent.
“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?” This account is reminiscent of a sixteenth century event in the Netherlands involving a Mennonite lady named Maeyken Wens who publicly quoted scripture everywhere she went. The Roman church tried to, at first warn, and then stop her, but she persisted. Finally she was burned at the stake. As she was going to the stake, she constantly shouted out the promises of God to all who could hear. The guards then placed a screw through her tongue into the roof of her mouth to silence her. Her sons later sifted through the ashes and found the tongue screw used on their mother. Strangely, we remember the name of Mrs. Maeyken Wens, but not the names of those her tormentors. I believe this holds true with the nature of God in counting names worthy of remembrance. The Sadducees and chief priests further charged the Apostles: “and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” Sorry, we only intended to fill the Whole World with it! And, at last, they accuse the Apostles of bringing to pass the words from their own mouths: “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matt 27:25) And so it is! If they only knew that the blood of Him whom they crucified was sufficient for the covering of their own sins in redemption! But they had hardened their prideful hearts and would not now, or ever, admit wrong. Sound familiar?
“12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” (Acts 5:12-28)
In many ways, God allows us to be His Hands in earth. “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.” If we ever abuse our crown rights, we shall suffer loss in this life, and in the life to come: “and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.).” These Apostles follow, in every point, the example of Christ – even in walking where He walked, and preaching where He preached. They are here gathered on Solomon’s Porch – a place to which Christ also resorted often. “And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.” (John 10:23) And when the unbelievers back away, it clears the approach for those who will truly believe to come forward in faith.
“Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. ” Men flocked to here the Apostles and to see wonders wrought at their hands. As is often the case, it was the signs and wonders to which many were drawn (that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them) rather than the marvelous truth of the Gospel preached. Now, it is not possible for Satan to stand idly by while many flock to Christ. He must act to silence the voices of the faithful – ALWAYS! “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees.)” Yes, these Sadducees who taught there was no resurrection from the dead. Here they stand in opposition to a proven fact of which all of Jerusalem is aware: that Christ rose from the dead! “and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” It seems that Satan also practices the “laying on of hands” but to hurt and not heal! Now the Apostles are put in a safe and secure place where their voices will not hurt the sensibilities of these guilty sinners, or are they?
“ But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” The Lord will brook no enemies of His Word: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17) If the granite walls of a Tomb cannot hold in the Son of God, neither can prison bars restrain His servants from speaking out. He sends us back to the place of His choosing. “And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.” Not delaying for fear, but coming at first light, early in the morning!
“But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.” Poor impotent little toads! No matter their efforts, they cannot frustrate the works of God. They could neither keep Christ in the Tomb with their Roman seals, nor shut the mouths of His Apostles with their steel bars! Do not smile! The same is happening today in our own beloved nation. We have expelled Christ from school, from every public forum, from our textbooks, and from our Judiciary. But the effort is failing as courageous young people are speaking out despite the threats of sanctions.
“Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.” Doubt and suspicion is the food upon which these scoundrels feed. They even doubt reports of their own representatives.
“Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.” So what will you say now, Caiaphas? “Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.” The people themselves usually have more sense than those placed in charge over them. No exception with the Temple staff, and no exception with our country today. So all actions must be subdued and carried out with an appearance of harmlessness when murder is the intent.
“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?” This account is reminiscent of a sixteenth century event in the Netherlands involving a Mennonite lady named Maeyken Wens who publicly quoted scripture everywhere she went. The Roman church tried to, at first warn, and then stop her, but she persisted. Finally she was burned at the stake. As she was going to the stake, she constantly shouted out the promises of God to all who could hear. The guards then placed a screw through her tongue into the roof of her mouth to silence her. Her sons later sifted through the ashes and found the tongue screw used on their mother. Strangely, we remember the name of Mrs. Maeyken Wens, but not the names of those her tormentors. I believe this holds true with the nature of God in counting names worthy of remembrance. The Sadducees and chief priests further charged the Apostles: “and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” Sorry, we only intended to fill the Whole World with it! And, at last, they accuse the Apostles of bringing to pass the words from their own mouths: “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matt 27:25) And so it is! If they only knew that the blood of Him whom they crucified was sufficient for the covering of their own sins in redemption! But they had hardened their prideful hearts and would not now, or ever, admit wrong. Sound familiar?
Monday, June 13, 2011
Devotion for Tuesday in Whitsun Week, 14 June 2011 Anno Domini
Devotion for Tuesday in Whitsun Week, 14 June 2011 Anno Domini
“23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 4:23-37)
The Temple officials were forced to release the two Apostles, Peter and John, for fear stirring up the public opinion against them. As we have often said earlier, we are soldiers of Christ and, therefore, are in the Army of God. In an Army, intelligence must be shared fully and promptly. These two returned forthwith to their “own company” and reported all that had been said by the chief priests and elders. “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.” Now this news was worthy of much thanksgiving. Here follows the beautiful prayer, given in one accord (communal) to God for His salvation:
“24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Please note in the above prayer that the first five verses were employed in praising God. The last two included a petition on the part of the body. But look at the character of the petition: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.” Not request here for a personal favor or enrichment, but a petition to grant them boldness in proclaiming the Word of the Lord! And to accomplish this petition: “By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” That the Lord Himself be given glory by His outstretched arm of healing and magnifying of His Wonderful Name!
Please observe now the heavenly powers marshaled together when a host of God’s people pray in common prayer: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” First of all, there was a great Presence in the shaking of the place where they were assembled, they were FILLED with the Holy Ghost, and there greatest petition of boldness was answered without delay. Why? Because they prayed the Will of the Father by the Name of His only Begotten Son! It is always God’s will that we speak boldly for our Savior. Further note: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” ALL of that company was of one heart and SOUL. That Soul was Christ. When we put on the Mind that was in Christ, we are inseparable in our souls with His. Common Prayer is the means whereby we may achieve Oneness and unity of purpose. And, lastly, note that all selfish wants were dissipated. They shared all they had in common – not just common prayer, but common living as well.
The happy results continue to flow from this moment of praise and prayer: “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” The testimony and faith of the company was greatly increased and they bore testimony thereof to the Apostles. They received, additionally, great grace from God in the stillness of the glory.
Praise, prayer and testimony will always bear fruit of many varieties: “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” These Christians truly loved their neighbors as themselves, and their actions bore out the truth of that love. As a result, none lacked. This capsule event may be enlarged to include an entire nation: “Blessed in the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalms 33:12)
“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” What a great benefit to have the pillars of such support within the church assembly! The monies given by Barnabas was in no way intended, or resulted, in lining the pockets of the Apostles, but “distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” That was, by today’s standards, a very peculiar church. The money was not employed in building a cathedral, or in lucrative staff salaries, but used to satisfy the needs of the less privileged in the congregation. Where may we find such a church today? I hope the AOC (Anglican Orthodox Church) is such a church for our record suggests that it is just so!
“23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 4:23-37)
The Temple officials were forced to release the two Apostles, Peter and John, for fear stirring up the public opinion against them. As we have often said earlier, we are soldiers of Christ and, therefore, are in the Army of God. In an Army, intelligence must be shared fully and promptly. These two returned forthwith to their “own company” and reported all that had been said by the chief priests and elders. “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.” Now this news was worthy of much thanksgiving. Here follows the beautiful prayer, given in one accord (communal) to God for His salvation:
“24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Please note in the above prayer that the first five verses were employed in praising God. The last two included a petition on the part of the body. But look at the character of the petition: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.” Not request here for a personal favor or enrichment, but a petition to grant them boldness in proclaiming the Word of the Lord! And to accomplish this petition: “By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” That the Lord Himself be given glory by His outstretched arm of healing and magnifying of His Wonderful Name!
Please observe now the heavenly powers marshaled together when a host of God’s people pray in common prayer: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” First of all, there was a great Presence in the shaking of the place where they were assembled, they were FILLED with the Holy Ghost, and there greatest petition of boldness was answered without delay. Why? Because they prayed the Will of the Father by the Name of His only Begotten Son! It is always God’s will that we speak boldly for our Savior. Further note: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” ALL of that company was of one heart and SOUL. That Soul was Christ. When we put on the Mind that was in Christ, we are inseparable in our souls with His. Common Prayer is the means whereby we may achieve Oneness and unity of purpose. And, lastly, note that all selfish wants were dissipated. They shared all they had in common – not just common prayer, but common living as well.
The happy results continue to flow from this moment of praise and prayer: “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” The testimony and faith of the company was greatly increased and they bore testimony thereof to the Apostles. They received, additionally, great grace from God in the stillness of the glory.
Praise, prayer and testimony will always bear fruit of many varieties: “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” These Christians truly loved their neighbors as themselves, and their actions bore out the truth of that love. As a result, none lacked. This capsule event may be enlarged to include an entire nation: “Blessed in the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalms 33:12)
“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” What a great benefit to have the pillars of such support within the church assembly! The monies given by Barnabas was in no way intended, or resulted, in lining the pockets of the Apostles, but “distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” That was, by today’s standards, a very peculiar church. The money was not employed in building a cathedral, or in lucrative staff salaries, but used to satisfy the needs of the less privileged in the congregation. Where may we find such a church today? I hope the AOC (Anglican Orthodox Church) is such a church for our record suggests that it is just so!
Devotion for Monday in Whitsunday Week, 13 June 2011 Anno Domini
Devotion for Monday in Whitsunday Week, 13 June 2011 Anno Domini
“13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. (Acts 4:13-22)
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Boldness goes a good distance in convincing of reasons for believing and acting. If we believe without boldness, we do not believe enough. The Sadducees and Captain of the Temple Guard perceived that these men were common and unlearned. It reminded them of the One whom they had believed they were rid of – the Lord Jesus Christ whom they crucified. But, alas, now they see that same Christ in these two witnesses. They remembered, too, that Christ did not seek out learned theologians to surround Him, but the common men of the land – the fishermen, the tax collectors, and the publicans. It seems to me that Christ chose men to be Apostles whom the churches today would never employ! We have grown far too sophisticated to receive the common and uncredentialled into our midst. I speak, of course, to our great shame and arrogance!
“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.” ‘Res ipsa loquitur’ – let the facts speak for themselves! When faced with the plain evidence of a miracle, these unrighteous men were speechless. It was abundantly clear that a miracle of healing had occurred, and only God could work such miracles, yet these men did not believe – not because they COULD not, but because they WOULD not. We have many in our midst of the same cut today. If they admit to the fact of God, they must be held to a different standard, a new authority is brought to bear in their lives. This, they cannot abide for they wish to continue to live just as they please.
“But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.” Please notice that evil people will always resort to political correctness in their dealings. Being far more political than Godly, they seek to act in darkness rather than arouse public sentiment against them. Their intention has not changed at all, only their mode of action. They, too, admit to the miracle, but miracles of God are never so important as pride and power to such men.
“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.” You may do all the works of Christ you wish; however, omit HIS Holy Name! We can endure every religion except that of Christ. How true this is today! “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” We are now even punishing military chaplains for praying in that Holy Name of Christ!
How should the Christian layperson or clergy respond when ordered not to preach or pray in the Name of their Lord? “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” We cannot be duplicitous in our witness. We are soldiers of Christ. We must not only bear our armour for battle, but fly our colors openly. This Banner under which we march must be the most openly displayed in designating our lines on the battlefield. And we never call the colors back to a point of retreat, but move our lines UP to the colors.
“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.” The principle of justice itself never entered the minds of these hypocrites, for justice, in their eyes, was an alien principle to all they held foremost in their hearts. They let Peter and John go, not because of their innocent, but because they could not appease the people by punishing them. When God is strongly present in the hearts of many citizens of a nation, even the wicked among them will be rendered helpless to work their mischief.
“For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.” Natural science also lent testimony to the veracity of the miracle. Being forty years of age, everyone in the vicinity knew the man to be lame from birth. They could be no subterfuge in this miracle, or even a grounds for questioning it. This is the doing of God!
“13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. (Acts 4:13-22)
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Boldness goes a good distance in convincing of reasons for believing and acting. If we believe without boldness, we do not believe enough. The Sadducees and Captain of the Temple Guard perceived that these men were common and unlearned. It reminded them of the One whom they had believed they were rid of – the Lord Jesus Christ whom they crucified. But, alas, now they see that same Christ in these two witnesses. They remembered, too, that Christ did not seek out learned theologians to surround Him, but the common men of the land – the fishermen, the tax collectors, and the publicans. It seems to me that Christ chose men to be Apostles whom the churches today would never employ! We have grown far too sophisticated to receive the common and uncredentialled into our midst. I speak, of course, to our great shame and arrogance!
“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.” ‘Res ipsa loquitur’ – let the facts speak for themselves! When faced with the plain evidence of a miracle, these unrighteous men were speechless. It was abundantly clear that a miracle of healing had occurred, and only God could work such miracles, yet these men did not believe – not because they COULD not, but because they WOULD not. We have many in our midst of the same cut today. If they admit to the fact of God, they must be held to a different standard, a new authority is brought to bear in their lives. This, they cannot abide for they wish to continue to live just as they please.
“But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.” Please notice that evil people will always resort to political correctness in their dealings. Being far more political than Godly, they seek to act in darkness rather than arouse public sentiment against them. Their intention has not changed at all, only their mode of action. They, too, admit to the miracle, but miracles of God are never so important as pride and power to such men.
“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.” You may do all the works of Christ you wish; however, omit HIS Holy Name! We can endure every religion except that of Christ. How true this is today! “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” We are now even punishing military chaplains for praying in that Holy Name of Christ!
How should the Christian layperson or clergy respond when ordered not to preach or pray in the Name of their Lord? “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” We cannot be duplicitous in our witness. We are soldiers of Christ. We must not only bear our armour for battle, but fly our colors openly. This Banner under which we march must be the most openly displayed in designating our lines on the battlefield. And we never call the colors back to a point of retreat, but move our lines UP to the colors.
“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.” The principle of justice itself never entered the minds of these hypocrites, for justice, in their eyes, was an alien principle to all they held foremost in their hearts. They let Peter and John go, not because of their innocent, but because they could not appease the people by punishing them. When God is strongly present in the hearts of many citizens of a nation, even the wicked among them will be rendered helpless to work their mischief.
“For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.” Natural science also lent testimony to the veracity of the miracle. Being forty years of age, everyone in the vicinity knew the man to be lame from birth. They could be no subterfuge in this miracle, or even a grounds for questioning it. This is the doing of God!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sermon Notes, WhitSunday, 12June 2011
Sermon Notes, WhitSunday, 12June 2011
St Andrews Anglican OrthodoxChurch
PRAYER
“ 1 And when theday of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenlythere came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled allthe house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, andit sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speakwith other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at JerusalemJews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when thiswas noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, becausethat every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they wereall amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all thesewhich speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we wereborn? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers inMesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, andPamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers ofRome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues thewonderful works of God. (Acts 2:1-11(KJV)
This text today is aboutprayer as much as it is about Pentecost, for the matter is all wrapped uptogether in the wonderful manner of working of God, the Holy Ghost.
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with oneaccord in one place.” This is an example to us of how a church shouldbe – one accord, one place.
The common prayers of theApostles were joined together as one voice, and that voice was also the Voiceof God for, if we pray in His Will, the prayer is a repeat of His Word for us.Common prayer is strong in its effect and reception by God.
Prayer is not unlike an echo.It rises to Heaven and, if it be a Godly prayer, is resounds from Heaven with athunderous echo.
Prayer truly is an echo, onlythe echo is not God’s. It is our spirits echoing, in humble prayer, the will ofthe Lord. He thunders and we echo that thunder in our hearts.
Our truestprayers are but the echo of God’s promises. And our echoed prayer is answeredwith echo after echo from God – very much like two mirrors facing so that theresulting image advances into infinity.
We are nowabout to witness in the text an illustration of the working of that Spiritcalled Holy – the Holy Ghost! Please note from whence the sound of His Voiceoriginates:
“Andsuddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and itfilled all the house where they were sitting.”
From Heaven. No will of God originates onearth, but from heaven. That is why our prayers must ‘echo’ the will of God forus.
A rushing might wind: A symbol of the Holy Ghost,almost always working in the silent chambers of the heart, here is sopowerfully present in its coming that it resembles a mighty gushing wind oftremendous force. There is no corner of the house that is not filled with it.
It is likethe wind in at least four particulars:
In His —
1. Secret coming.
2. Powerful shaking.
3. Purifying blowing.
4. Soft refreshing.
Like themorning dew, no one can observe its coming, but the evidence of its presenceoverwhelms the company.
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and itsat upon each of them.”
Notice theHoly Ghost is like a FIRE!
In His —
1. Bright shining.
2. Genial warming.
3. Destructive burning.
4. Rapid spreading.
As MatthewHenry notes: “The Spirit, like fire,melts the heart, burns up the dross, and kindles pious and devout affections inthe soul; in which, as in the fire on the altar, the spiritual sacrifices areoffered up.”
Pentecost began with ferventprayer in the Wilderness, and so does the same occur here at our day ofPentecost following, by forty-nine days, the events of Holy Week.
“And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after thesabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; sevensabbaths shall be complete: 16 Evenunto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and yeshall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.” (Lev 23:15-16 (KJV)
This isthe seventh week (or 49 days of the morrow) following the Sunday ofResurrection! Once again, fervent prayer is offered and the Holy Ghost answersthat call.
We note inthe events of this moment that the Holy Ghost had the efficacious benefit tochange the hearts of men instantaneously to believe on Him whom they hadpierced.
Let usexamine this effect:
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, andbegan to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
What dothese other tongues mean and how were they manifested to those around?
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of everynation under heaven.
There werepresent representatives from every known nations at Jerusalem. They all spoke in ‘foreign’languages. This must have been a confusing moment?
Not so!
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude cametogether, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in hisown language.
They wereconfused, not because they could noit understand the words spoken by theApostles, but because they COULD!
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one toanother, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man inour own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians,and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, andCappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, andstrangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretesand Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
I am sorryto tell you this, but all those so-called churches who teach that these tongueswere utterances of ecstasy that no one else could understand are teachers offalse doctrine. They are heretics or edon!
If a manor woman stands up in a church and begins to speak in a babble that no one canunderstand, does that edify the church? Does it please God? The word babblecomes from the Tower of Babble which, becauseof their sin against heaven, God confused their languages so that each spoke alanguage the other could not understand. It sounded like babble, babble,babble, or the language of Babel.
The HolyGhost will not come to you with an uncertain sound.
Pauldescribes this practice in 1 Cor 14:8-9
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shallprepare himself to the battle? 9 Solikewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, howshall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
Does Godintend confusion to be a reverent manner of worship?
Again Paulsays: “For God is not the authorof confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Cor 14:33)
The HolyGhost is an agent of peace, goodwill, love, and obedience. If you hear HisVoice, you will not hear the voices of false friends calling you to dress in sensual or inappropriate ways. You will disregard the voices pleading you to go where you should not, or do things you should not do. Do you truly love God?Then obey His Holy Spirit and Word in your daily lives!
St Andrews Anglican OrthodoxChurch
PRAYER
“ 1 And when theday of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenlythere came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled allthe house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, andit sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speakwith other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at JerusalemJews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when thiswas noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, becausethat every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they wereall amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all thesewhich speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we wereborn? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers inMesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, andPamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers ofRome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues thewonderful works of God. (Acts 2:1-11(KJV)
This text today is aboutprayer as much as it is about Pentecost, for the matter is all wrapped uptogether in the wonderful manner of working of God, the Holy Ghost.
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with oneaccord in one place.” This is an example to us of how a church shouldbe – one accord, one place.
The common prayers of theApostles were joined together as one voice, and that voice was also the Voiceof God for, if we pray in His Will, the prayer is a repeat of His Word for us.Common prayer is strong in its effect and reception by God.
Prayer is not unlike an echo.It rises to Heaven and, if it be a Godly prayer, is resounds from Heaven with athunderous echo.
Prayer truly is an echo, onlythe echo is not God’s. It is our spirits echoing, in humble prayer, the will ofthe Lord. He thunders and we echo that thunder in our hearts.
Our truestprayers are but the echo of God’s promises. And our echoed prayer is answeredwith echo after echo from God – very much like two mirrors facing so that theresulting image advances into infinity.
We are nowabout to witness in the text an illustration of the working of that Spiritcalled Holy – the Holy Ghost! Please note from whence the sound of His Voiceoriginates:
“Andsuddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and itfilled all the house where they were sitting.”
From Heaven. No will of God originates onearth, but from heaven. That is why our prayers must ‘echo’ the will of God forus.
A rushing might wind: A symbol of the Holy Ghost,almost always working in the silent chambers of the heart, here is sopowerfully present in its coming that it resembles a mighty gushing wind oftremendous force. There is no corner of the house that is not filled with it.
It is likethe wind in at least four particulars:
In His —
1. Secret coming.
2. Powerful shaking.
3. Purifying blowing.
4. Soft refreshing.
Like themorning dew, no one can observe its coming, but the evidence of its presenceoverwhelms the company.
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and itsat upon each of them.”
Notice theHoly Ghost is like a FIRE!
In His —
1. Bright shining.
2. Genial warming.
3. Destructive burning.
4. Rapid spreading.
As MatthewHenry notes: “The Spirit, like fire,melts the heart, burns up the dross, and kindles pious and devout affections inthe soul; in which, as in the fire on the altar, the spiritual sacrifices areoffered up.”
Pentecost began with ferventprayer in the Wilderness, and so does the same occur here at our day ofPentecost following, by forty-nine days, the events of Holy Week.
“And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after thesabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; sevensabbaths shall be complete: 16 Evenunto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and yeshall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.” (Lev 23:15-16 (KJV)
This isthe seventh week (or 49 days of the morrow) following the Sunday ofResurrection! Once again, fervent prayer is offered and the Holy Ghost answersthat call.
We note inthe events of this moment that the Holy Ghost had the efficacious benefit tochange the hearts of men instantaneously to believe on Him whom they hadpierced.
Let usexamine this effect:
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, andbegan to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
What dothese other tongues mean and how were they manifested to those around?
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of everynation under heaven.
There werepresent representatives from every known nations at Jerusalem. They all spoke in ‘foreign’languages. This must have been a confusing moment?
Not so!
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude cametogether, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in hisown language.
They wereconfused, not because they could noit understand the words spoken by theApostles, but because they COULD!
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one toanother, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man inour own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians,and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, andCappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, andstrangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretesand Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
I am sorryto tell you this, but all those so-called churches who teach that these tongueswere utterances of ecstasy that no one else could understand are teachers offalse doctrine. They are heretics or edon!
If a manor woman stands up in a church and begins to speak in a babble that no one canunderstand, does that edify the church? Does it please God? The word babblecomes from the Tower of Babble which, becauseof their sin against heaven, God confused their languages so that each spoke alanguage the other could not understand. It sounded like babble, babble,babble, or the language of Babel.
The HolyGhost will not come to you with an uncertain sound.
Pauldescribes this practice in 1 Cor 14:8-9
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shallprepare himself to the battle? 9 Solikewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, howshall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
Does Godintend confusion to be a reverent manner of worship?
Again Paulsays: “For God is not the authorof confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Cor 14:33)
The HolyGhost is an agent of peace, goodwill, love, and obedience. If you hear HisVoice, you will not hear the voices of false friends calling you to dress in sensual or inappropriate ways. You will disregard the voices pleading you to go where you should not, or do things you should not do. Do you truly love God?Then obey His Holy Spirit and Word in your daily lives!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Devotion for Whitsunday, 12 June 2011 Anno Domini (John 6:53-59)
Devotion for Whitsunday, 12 June 2011 Anno Domini (John 6:53-59)
“53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. (John 6:53-59)
Jesus Christ is the ‘all-in-all’ who possesses every mark of Divinity in His Person. He is the Great I AM because He has ever existed within and without the Space-Time-Continuum in Eternity. He is the Light of the World for without His revealing Light and Truth, the world would be totally immersed in darkness. He is the Bright and Morning Star because, even in the dim vision of this world, His presence is with us to guide and uphold through our dark nights. And He is the Day Star and the Sun of Righteousness whose fuller beams of revealing Light shall dawn upon the world at His Coming. He is the Word from beginning to end as described in the Alpha and Omega.
We read in today’s text that Christ is also that Bread which came down from Heaven. Not the shadow of bread in Manna, but the complete fulfillment of that Bread which the Manna foretold. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” This flesh of Christ is our Bread of Life. It is His human suffering, death and Resurrection that constitute the fiber of this Bread. It is not represented by any taint of Leaven (Sin) for Christ was sinless; therefore, the symbol (unleavened Bread) should be consistent with that which is being symbolized (His sinless body). He is verily the Word upon which the Christian soul subsists. If you informed me of a man you know who had never eaten bread (food) in his life, I would say that you were either lying, or the man was made of marble. If we live, we must eat. Our food is the Bread of Life.
“Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” The Word is made manifest in the flesh! There is an obvious order in which the Elect come to Christ. It is first prompted by the Word itself. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) We read (eat) the Word of God from His glorious Bible. We learn of Him who died for us, and faith then follows the believing heart. Knowing of Christ is not enough! We must believe unto salvation. A changed and contrite heart bears evidence of the new Creation in Christ. And now, His blood cleanseth from all sin! “…….the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) He imputes righteousness, but also LIFE! His blood is the life of the Christian! “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Lev 17:11) Dr. M.R. DeHaan has written a beautiful study of the medical, and spiritual, aspects of blood in his book, Chemistry of the Blood. The blood carries the digested bread (food) to the various tissues throughout the body. Its white cells attack any foreign organism the moment it enters the body. It provides oxygen to every cell of the body so that the energy derived from the Bread may be made use of. And finally, the blood carries away waste matter produced in the cells of the Body. Christ’s Blood is our very life. He cleanses us of all sin. He makes us alive (quickens us) with His Spirit. He gives us cause to go on in hope. In the Communion, He is present in a profound sense for we are gathered together, with fervent intent, in His Name. The Bread of which we partake is unleavened (symbolizing His sinless Body). It is comprised of thousands of crushed grains of wheat (Abp Cranmer) formed into one Bread (symbolizing the Body of Christ and Church). It is not magically transformed into His physical flesh, but He is present at the Table with every certainty for it is His Table.
The wine of which we partake is of the color and nature of His blood. It warms the heart in the same way that His Presence warms our Spirits. It is the Cup of His suffering of which we partake – the SAME Cup. We must also take up a cross, and that daily, and follow Him. We die daily for others in the Gospel. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Phil 3:10) We acknowledge, among other things, the “fellowship of His suffering” at the Communion Table. By the way, the Reformers referred to the furniture upon which the elements of the sacrifice are provided as a Table and not an altar for Christ died once-and-for-all for our sins. His one sacrifice was sufficient and none other sacrifice will do but that one sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross. We do not display a crucifix because Christ is no longer on the Cross for He is risen!
“For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” Truly so! The Bread of Heaven and the Wine of His Spirit is all the sustenance the Christian heart requires. “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” If we eat that Bread of Heaven (the Word) and drink His Life and Spirit (His Blood) into our spirits, He will be IN us, and we will be IN Him! “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” Yes, and so do we live by Christ! His flesh and Blood make us more like unto Him!
“This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” Yes, He is also the Water of Life which, if one drinks, shall vanquish thirst forever. And He is the Bread of Heaven which, if eaten, will suffice for our daily Bread in Eternity. Please bear in mind that Bread must be consumed daily. We must resort to the Bread of Heaven from Scripture daily – this is our daily Bread! Manna, in the Wilderness, could not be stored up or saved for future days (except for the Sabbath). We cannot read several chapters of Scripture today and fast from Scripture the next day. We must consult God’s Word daily if we will be healthy and well-nourished Christians. How many who profess Christ actually do this? Do you do this, dear reader?
“These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.” His Words are solemn and of great import. He spoke these Words in a solemn and reverent setting for us to learn. I love good bread. If I find a market that sells really good bread, I will always return to that market for bread. When we receive the Bread of Heaven from the very baker Himself, should we not want to return for more of that Bread which imparts life eternal? Read and study. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15) The word ‘study’ does not imply casual application, but rather intense perusal of God’s Holy word. Are you doing this? If not, you may find yourself ashamed at the last day.
“53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. (John 6:53-59)
Jesus Christ is the ‘all-in-all’ who possesses every mark of Divinity in His Person. He is the Great I AM because He has ever existed within and without the Space-Time-Continuum in Eternity. He is the Light of the World for without His revealing Light and Truth, the world would be totally immersed in darkness. He is the Bright and Morning Star because, even in the dim vision of this world, His presence is with us to guide and uphold through our dark nights. And He is the Day Star and the Sun of Righteousness whose fuller beams of revealing Light shall dawn upon the world at His Coming. He is the Word from beginning to end as described in the Alpha and Omega.
We read in today’s text that Christ is also that Bread which came down from Heaven. Not the shadow of bread in Manna, but the complete fulfillment of that Bread which the Manna foretold. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” This flesh of Christ is our Bread of Life. It is His human suffering, death and Resurrection that constitute the fiber of this Bread. It is not represented by any taint of Leaven (Sin) for Christ was sinless; therefore, the symbol (unleavened Bread) should be consistent with that which is being symbolized (His sinless body). He is verily the Word upon which the Christian soul subsists. If you informed me of a man you know who had never eaten bread (food) in his life, I would say that you were either lying, or the man was made of marble. If we live, we must eat. Our food is the Bread of Life.
“Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” The Word is made manifest in the flesh! There is an obvious order in which the Elect come to Christ. It is first prompted by the Word itself. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) We read (eat) the Word of God from His glorious Bible. We learn of Him who died for us, and faith then follows the believing heart. Knowing of Christ is not enough! We must believe unto salvation. A changed and contrite heart bears evidence of the new Creation in Christ. And now, His blood cleanseth from all sin! “…….the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) He imputes righteousness, but also LIFE! His blood is the life of the Christian! “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Lev 17:11) Dr. M.R. DeHaan has written a beautiful study of the medical, and spiritual, aspects of blood in his book, Chemistry of the Blood. The blood carries the digested bread (food) to the various tissues throughout the body. Its white cells attack any foreign organism the moment it enters the body. It provides oxygen to every cell of the body so that the energy derived from the Bread may be made use of. And finally, the blood carries away waste matter produced in the cells of the Body. Christ’s Blood is our very life. He cleanses us of all sin. He makes us alive (quickens us) with His Spirit. He gives us cause to go on in hope. In the Communion, He is present in a profound sense for we are gathered together, with fervent intent, in His Name. The Bread of which we partake is unleavened (symbolizing His sinless Body). It is comprised of thousands of crushed grains of wheat (Abp Cranmer) formed into one Bread (symbolizing the Body of Christ and Church). It is not magically transformed into His physical flesh, but He is present at the Table with every certainty for it is His Table.
The wine of which we partake is of the color and nature of His blood. It warms the heart in the same way that His Presence warms our Spirits. It is the Cup of His suffering of which we partake – the SAME Cup. We must also take up a cross, and that daily, and follow Him. We die daily for others in the Gospel. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Phil 3:10) We acknowledge, among other things, the “fellowship of His suffering” at the Communion Table. By the way, the Reformers referred to the furniture upon which the elements of the sacrifice are provided as a Table and not an altar for Christ died once-and-for-all for our sins. His one sacrifice was sufficient and none other sacrifice will do but that one sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross. We do not display a crucifix because Christ is no longer on the Cross for He is risen!
“For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” Truly so! The Bread of Heaven and the Wine of His Spirit is all the sustenance the Christian heart requires. “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” If we eat that Bread of Heaven (the Word) and drink His Life and Spirit (His Blood) into our spirits, He will be IN us, and we will be IN Him! “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” Yes, and so do we live by Christ! His flesh and Blood make us more like unto Him!
“This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” Yes, He is also the Water of Life which, if one drinks, shall vanquish thirst forever. And He is the Bread of Heaven which, if eaten, will suffice for our daily Bread in Eternity. Please bear in mind that Bread must be consumed daily. We must resort to the Bread of Heaven from Scripture daily – this is our daily Bread! Manna, in the Wilderness, could not be stored up or saved for future days (except for the Sabbath). We cannot read several chapters of Scripture today and fast from Scripture the next day. We must consult God’s Word daily if we will be healthy and well-nourished Christians. How many who profess Christ actually do this? Do you do this, dear reader?
“These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.” His Words are solemn and of great import. He spoke these Words in a solemn and reverent setting for us to learn. I love good bread. If I find a market that sells really good bread, I will always return to that market for bread. When we receive the Bread of Heaven from the very baker Himself, should we not want to return for more of that Bread which imparts life eternal? Read and study. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15) The word ‘study’ does not imply casual application, but rather intense perusal of God’s Holy word. Are you doing this? If not, you may find yourself ashamed at the last day.
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