Acts 3:21 - “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

Peter was preaching to the crowd in Solomon’s porch of the temple. They had been stirred with excitement upon seeing “walking and praising God” (v. 9) the man whom they had often seen lame, and asking for alms at the Beautiful gate. Their wonder at the miracle gave Peter an occasion to preach Jesus Christ, in Whose name the miracle had been done. He called upon them to “repent ... and be converted” (v. 19), and told the promise of the return of Christ (v. 20). Now he assures them that Christ will come, but not until the time is right, as “God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” God spoke by the prophets. Did He intend to fulfill all things that He spoke? Did God ever make a promise that He didn’t intend to keep? The precise fulfillment of every prophecy is one strong evidence that the Bible is in fact the word of God, and not the work of deceitful men. So, did God ever give a command that He didn’t expect men to obey? Did He give a law that He wanted men to ignore? Is there a command, instruction, or admonition given to the church in the New Testament that we can change, replace or delete with the blessing of God? If God has spoken (Heb. 1:1-3), doesn’t He expect man to heed His words? Where did He ever indicate otherwise?

Acts 6:9 - “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.”

Stephen had been selected by the church to serve (5). He became a great preacher, well-respected, influencing many (8) - so much so that the enemies of Christ could not refute his message (10). They arrested him and brought him to the authorities, trying to stop the spread of the name of Jesus (11-12). He was called on the carpet, so to speak, and he told them what they needed to know (ch. 7). He started at the very beginning. He said, “this gospel is God’s plan from creation.” He put the whole thing in eternal perspective. He showed them that what was happening had happened before when Moses said “Do it this way.” Some of the people objected, complained and refused – and were destroyed by God. God said, “This is the word. This is the way.” Stephen says, “Now, look at you; you’re doing the same thing. The proof God has given to this is all the miracles you’ve seen and heard about. It’s right there in front of you. You don’t want it. You’re kicking against God.” Religious bigots falsely accused Stephen, had him arrested, paid people to lie and charge him unjustly. He preached an overview of the whole Bible, and they killed him (Acts 7:60). Now suppose that you are standing beside Stephen in the judgment day...

Acts 8:4 - “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

They were being hunted down and imprisoned. At least one of them was already dead - killed by official order merely for preaching the gospel. “Therefore...”?! We might expect “But...”, but that was not their attitude. It’s as if they were saying, “OK, if we can’t preach here, we’ll go preach someplace else.” When the church regains that commitment and fervor it will have restored the spirit with which it “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) in its first generation. How about you and I start a trend that will bring the church back to that day?

Acts 9:26 - “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.”

In the statement that Paul “assayed to join himself to the disciples” there is a pattern for our practice. When a Christian moves to a new area, it is his responsibility first to take steps to find the church and seek to become an active member of it. It is clear also in this verse that the church is not obligated to receive into its membership every person who may request it (it does not say, “when he was come to Jerusalem, he joined the disciples”). The church had reservations, and they investigated the sincerity of his faith and intentions (26b-28). When Apollos “was disposed to pass (from Ephesus) into Achaia, the brethren wrote” in such a manner that the churches in Achaia (Corinth and Athens) might know that Apollos was a faithful Christian, worthy of acceptance into their midst. The feeling of obligation to accept every transfer member - or over-zeal in seeing the numbers increase - has resulted in later grief in many churches. It is neither necessary nor wise.

Acts 11:22-23 - “...they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”

The Christians who had fled the persecution in Jerusalem had preached the gospel to Jews everywhere until some who reached Antioch began preaching to Gentiles. “A great number believed, and turned to the Lord” (21), prompting the church in Jerusalem to send Barnabas to that city (an example of mission work originating in the church, who sent the evangelist, rather than in the evangelist who had to beg the church for support - but that’s another lesson). Coming to the new and growing church, Barnabas preached to every Christian that they must purposely hold fast to their new faith. Too often new Christians aren’t given proper grounding in faith, and don’t continue in it. The preaching of Barnabas is our example for the theme of preaching; the choice of method and details is ours to make. But here’s the point that we mustn’t miss: they were to hold to the Lord “with purpose of heart.” Faith is to be rooted in the heart, and not only in logic. The purpose - the reason for believing - must be as much an emotional connection with Christ as it is a logical agreement with the truth of the gospel. My need for mercy + my view of His love + my understanding of His plan + my obedience to it = a firm ground upon which I can stand until the end.

Acts 14:14 - “ Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,”

Reference to “the apostles, Barnabas and Paul” does not mean that Barnabas was added to the number of those who had power to lay hands on saints for their receiving of the gifts of the Spirit. The apostleship was never a self-regenerating body. When the “New Jerusalem” is described, it is with “...the names of the twelve apostles...” (Revelation 21:14), not thirteen or fourteen. Judas had a peculiar “bishoprick (office, position of an overseer).” It was one position, and its vacancy was filled by a second person by the decision of God (Acts 1:15-26). There is no record of such an occurrence following the death of James (Acts 12:1-2). Twelve were necessary in beginning the church (Acts 1 & 2), but it was never God’s plan that twelve should continue in the flesh in each generation. Paul speaks of himself “as one born out of due season” (I Corinthians 15:8). He doesn’t fit the qualifications listed in Acts 1:21, 22. He and Barnabas meet the definition of “apostle” (one sent), but there is no record that Barnabas was given the “office” of apostle, and neither was counted in “the twelve” (Acts 6:2).

Acts 14:22 - “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Paul and Barnabas reversed the route and visited again the churches that had been established on this mission trip. The three churches named (Lystra, Iconium and Antioch - v. 21) had all begun despite strong opposition to the gospel. In Antioch many Jews and proselytes followed the preaching, and were persuaded to “continue in the grace of God” (13:43). In Iconium “a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed” (14:1). In Lystra people were so impressed by the miracles that they tried to worship the evangelists, and finally were persuaded by unbelieving Jews to stone Paul, but the young church stood with Paul in the face of such idolatry and hatred of the truth (14:18-20). We might well refer to such churches as examples of great faith, for such they are. But where such faith is seen it would be a gross oversight if evangelists did no more than praise them. The word translated “confirming” means “to establish besides, strengthen more; to render more firm.” This Paul and Barnabas did by “exhorting them to continue in the faith,” and cautioning them that “much tribulation” lies between one’s conversion to Christ and his entry into Heaven. Even the strongest might fall through repeated strong temptation. Preacher, are you “confirming the souls of the disciples”?

Acts 19:15 - “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”

Paul had made such an impression upon the region around Ephesus that sick people sent personal items to him, and when they received again what he had touched, they were healed (12). Some charlatans thought to gain fame to themselves for such wonders, who tried to cure illness and drive out demons simply by using the name of Jesus (13). They quickly learned the lesson that many need to learn today: that simply saying the name doesn’t indicate that one has the power or approval of God. One demon-possessed man overpowered seven sons of a chief priest who tried that exorcism (16). The miracles in Paul proved who truly had the word of Jesus. The identity and position of the false teachers were not impressive to the devil, nor were they sufficient to rebuke him. To those who preach and practice the truth the assurance is given, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). All others will hear, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” - and the devil will have his way with them more seriously than he did with those seven.