Blogging the Bible

The book of acts is not a chronological narration. You will see that every story is told like each event is the logical continuation of the other, but in fact there are significant amount of time on between each episode narrated.

These seven chapters talks about many different situations that the early church faced during its first years as the witness of the risen Christ. I am glad that the writer told his story from a very open perspective, in which we find the awesome development and great accomplishments of the church, but also its mistakes, crisis and sins.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira (5: 1-1) is one the most challenging events that Luke shares in his book. It is amazing that among miracles, wonders and signs, we also can find punishment and discipline.  Also in chapter 6 we will find another difficult situation that can touch us powerfully. It is the story of the daily distribution of the food. God was moving his power among the church in a mighty way, but still the church was having trouble with prejudice and preferences.

Then comes chapter 7-9 which the transitional passage that will bring Apostle Paul into the spotlight, and also will show us how the Gospel was extended to the gentiles.  Stephen is another great story of courage and commitment, that remind us that living for Jesus could also represents dying for him. Remember he called us to be witness, and the meaning of witness also implies the ability to probe with our death if necessary that Jesus is the messiah.

Chapter 9: 1-31 is the great event of God transforming Saul of Tarsus one of his fiercest enemies into one of most faithful witness. Then, will move forward to the expansion of the church into the gentile world from chapter 10-12.  The new faith is overwhelming contagious, and many people are brought to God because of the transparence, manifested power of God and fraternal environment that the church practice and experience.

This new faith is not always a triumphal one. They undergo a lot suffering and opposition, but they learned to trust the Lord and experienced great deliverance and blessings in their journey.

Keep reading and learning, but never forget we are part of that wonderful, suffering and victorious church too.

If the birth of Christ is the greatest news on earth, the birth of his Church is the second best news on earth. The book of Acts tells us about the birth, development and expansion of the Church. When you read the first four chapters of this exciting book, you cannot help giving praise to God for his greatness and faithfulness.

The key verse of the whole book, in my understanding, is Chapter 1 verse 8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The reason why I believe that, is because the whole book is the narration of how the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was brought to the end of the world; known on Apostle Paul’s time.

It is very important to understand that when the disciples asked Jesus about the restoration of the kingdom of Israel (Acts 1: 7); Jesus told them that their main concern for the rest of their lives should be the kingdom of God only. That is why from that time on the disciples would do everything they could to be witnesses of the glory of God and not builders of their own kingdoms or expectations.

Chapter two is the explanation of how they will fulfill their goal. As you see, the baptism, presence and power of the Holy Spirit would be the source of all their strength and willingness to proclaim the life and work of Jesus Christ. Chapter 3 and 4 are graphic records of how the Church would be the continuation of the work of The Lord and how as Jesus experienced and overcame opposition and difficulties in his journey to do “the will of his Father” the Church also will experience and achieve the same result of his master.

Get ready for a lot excitement and challenge. The book of Acts definitely will help and force us to rethink and recommit our devotion and service to our Lord and God Jesus Christ.

This book is one of the most exciting books in the entire Bible. As well as the book of Exodus, which narrates the deliverance of the oppressed people of Israel and their beginning as a chosen nation of God; the book of Acts also is the narration of the new chosen people of God, the Church of Christ.

It is very amazing that this book is the intentional continuation of the book of Luke. Yes the book of Luke is the record of the life and deed of Jesus, but the book of Acts is the narration of the deeds of the church through the presence, power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Actually there are some scholars who believes that this book was originally called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit”

I like to suggest that when you read this book, you can take time to think and pray about what you are reading. This book is not a simple record of some idealistic people who were trying to be part of the history, but actually some wonderful people whom by the grace of God were making and changing the entire History of the humankind.

I feel happily overexcited when I read what the people of Thessalonica said about the emerging new movement of the Rabi of Nazareth: “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17: 6)

Be ready because as we read this wonderful book of Acts, we will realize that we also are part of the shakers and movers of the world.

The following is an excerpt from the New Bible Commentary on the overall theme of Daniel and indicates the complexity of the content of the book.

The emphasis on Daniel understanding this vision is noteworthy (5a, 15–16). This illumination is not only a matter of foreknowledge of the events of history but also of insight into the nature and working of evil in its destruction of life, its opposition to godliness (24; with a focus on destroying the worship of the people of God, 11; cf. Acts 20:29–31), its falsehood and its pride (25). In the light of this Daniel learns vital lessons: that no-one should allow themselves to be lulled into a false sense of security (25, feel secure; cf. 1 Cor. 10:12; Gal. 6:1), and that God will ultimately destroy all opposition to himself (25; cf. Pss. 2:8–12; 46:8–10; Rev. 11:15–18).

The last chapters of Daniel are very difficult. Scholars over the centuries have all agreed upon this. Most agree that the majority of the prophetic message of Daniel’s dream, particularly the 69 weeks, was fulfilled in the several hundred years following Daniel’s prophecy (583 B.C). The reference to the great emprie, believed to be the Roman Empire, and the coming of the “Anointed One” most scholars believe to be the coming of Christ. This would mean that the final “week”, 70th refers to the events after the coming of Christ. The remaining week then refers the the end, not of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel, but of the final end of human history. Thousands of pages of books have been written about these “final days.”(ch. 12).

Apocolyptic literature, like Daniel’s final chapters, require humility in admitting our limited understanding. Some scripture is very simple and there is no dispute about its meaning—John 3:16 for example—“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Other parts of scripture, especially apocalyptic literature ( Daniel and Revelation, small part of Ezekiel, and a couple of places in the Gospels). The principle in these cases is to confess that there are many views about the meaning of these passages. It is widely agreed that the numbers and images used are highly symbolic and not intended to be taken literally in terms of number of days or years, for example. The conclusion, however, is clear. Jerusalem and the nation of Israel would suffer utter desolation due to their sin. But God would not abandon them. He would, in the end, have his way. He will rule and reign in a kingdom made for his people and they will suffer no more. In short, God is going to win! No matter what the kingdoms of this earth try to do, no matter how unfaithful humankind, God will keep a remnant for himself and one day fully complete his plan to live with his people and reign forever.

Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar did not get it! They both witnessed the great power of the God of Israel through Daniel and his friends. They acknowledged his power but did not understand that there was no other gods beside him. So they continued to worship other gods and to believe that somehow they themselves were gods—they wanted people to worship them. They did not get it. Finally Darius got it! But it took another amazing act of God. In his pride he allows his advisors to manipulate him into decreeing that no one should pray to anyone but Darius for 30 days. They knew Daniel would not obey such a decree. And they convince Darius to make the penalty death in the lions den. You know “the rest of the story.” Darius in his pride makes the decree. Daniel is accused and found guilty and Darius cannot go back on his word. So Daniel is thrown into the den. Darius begins to express his deeper understanding by telling Daniel that he hopes his God will save him. He does! When Darius rushes back to the den the next morning at dawn, Daniel is unhurt. Darius then decrees that everyone will worship the God of Daniel. 6:25-27 is a great “doxology.” He is a living God that endures forever. He will not be destroyed and his rule will never end. He rescues his people and does signs and wonders in heaven and earth. What a great description of the Holy One of Israel. Daniel is faithful to God and does not bow to the pressures of the culture around him. At risk to his life he and his friends choose to be faithful and they are rewarded for their faith and courage. But more important, God is glorified through them. Not only the kingdoms of the times heard about the glory of God because of them, but every generation since who has heard the story about Daniel and his friends is able to understand more about the God of Israel and his sovereignty over all things.

This is an incredible story. The theme of the book is the absolute sovereignty of God. And the opening story certainly demonstrates this. While in captivity in Babylon Daniel and his friends are isolated out from the nation of Israel to be trained for the King’s service. They excel at everything. From the very start they determine to continue to follow the ways of their faith and worship no other God but the Holy One of Israel. God demonstrates his sovereignty through Daniel by revealing to him the dream of the king and giving him the interpretation. As a result the King places Daniel over the entire province of Babylon and at his request makes his friends administrators. The King acknowledges that Daniel’s God must be very God above all gods. Yet, clearly the King did not realize there was no other gods. Because in the next section he sets up an idol for his people to fall down and worship…the very image he saw in his dream that Daniel and revealed and interpreted.
Daniel’s friends refuse to bow down and as a result are thrown into the fiery furnace. God in his sovereignty sends an angel—the king can see the fourth “man” in the furnace—and protects them and they come out of the furnace without even the smell of smoke on them! No singed eyebrows, and no scorched clothes. Interesting, it seems that the king still does not fall down and worship the one true God. He simply decrees that no one can speak against the God of these men.
But the most significant part of this story is easy to pass over. It is in 3:16-18. It is here that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego declare the sovereignty of God in its clearest form. They declare to the king that their God is able to save them. He is all powerful. But equally as amazing, is their declaration that even if God does not deliver them they will trust him anyway and not worship any other God! This is an example of three men who put their money where their mouth was! They believed that God was in control of all things even if they did not experience deliverance and that his purpose would be accomplished either way. This is the kind of faith that allows a person to live through the ups and downs of life, knowing that God is in control and will work his plan in his way and that all things really will work out for good to those who love and worship him faithfully.

The last four chapters of John are a very brief account of his arrest, death and resurrection. The the other gospel accounts give more detail. However, though the other gospels record there was some doubt among the disciples, this account of John’s is the only one that records the specific response of Thomas to the news of Jesus’ resurrection. Thomas said he would not believe unless he could put his fingers in the nail holes in Jesus’ hands and put his hand in the wound in his side. Jesus gives Thomas the opportunity to do just that. Thomas is convinced without it. Jesus receives Thomas’s worship but uses the opportunity to encourage all of us who have not seen. Jesus says blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Then comes the powerful testimony to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 20:30-31 says clearly that Jesus did MANY other miracles that are not recorded in the gospel account. But all that has been written was written for one single purpose—that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing we might have life in his name. All that Jesus said and did was for this purpose. For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life. This is why Jesus came. This is why Jesus died. This is why Jesus rose again. The only question is, do we believe!

John 17 is an amazing passage of scripture. In it we get to hear Jesus praying. This is not the formal “teach us how to pray” of Matthew 6. This is the insider overhearing Jesus pouring his heart out to the Father. What does Jesus pray about?

First he affirms who he is—one with God. He prays for the glory of God (three in one) to be known –the glory that he had before the world began (vs. 5).
Then, he prays for us! Yes, he prays for us! Jesus prays for those who were following him and had believed his message at the time. But he also prays for us. In verse 20 he prays for all those who will believe their message—that is you and me!
What does Jesus pray for his followers? Jesus prays for the Father to protect those he is leaving in the world. He prays that we may be one as he and the Father are one. That is unity, let me tell you. Jesus prays that as believers we will be united in all that we do. This is how the world will know that Jesus was sent by God.
Jesus prays for our joy. He prays that we might have “full measure of joy.” He is leaving the world, but we remain and he wants us to be unified together and full of joy.
Jesus prays to protect us from the evil one. He says that the world hated him and it will hate us. He prays that our estrangement from the world will not be used by the devil to destroy our unity or our joy.
Jesus prays that we might be sanctified by the truth—His word. Sanctified means “set apart TO God.” It means that our lives are made available to be used by God for his purposes. God’s word in us will transform us to be set apart. The truth—God’s word—is our guide for how to live in the world but not be of the world (the sermon for this coming Sunday!!).
And finally Jesus prays as he sends us into the world (as he was in the world) and he sets himself apart for us for this cause (vs. 18-19). We are to be in the world, but not of the world, but FOR the world. As God sent Jesus, so he sends us. God sent Jesus to be the messenger of his love and grace and to bring the kingdom of God on earth. We are sent to do the same. We are in the world for the world to let them know about God’s love and grace and to make the world—wherever we live—more like what God intended it to be.
Jesus prays for our unity and our protection and our sanctification. It is through these avenues that we continue to work for Christ and his kingdom.

Day 252: John 13-15
These are power packed chapters! It is very difficult to do any kind of justice to them in a couple of paragraphs. Jesus’ example of servanthood in chapter 13 and his teaching on what it means to live for him (abide in him)in chapter 15 are foundational to any understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
In chapter 13 Jesus acts against all the cultural expectations and morays of his time. He, the leader, behaves as the servant. He, the one deserving honor, gives honor to the others. He, the one with all power, becomes powerless. Equally as radical but not as obvious, Jesus behaves in a way that is in total opposition to what he is experiencing. Jesus is about to be betrayed and die a horrible death. He could have used this “last supper” to really give it to his followers and enlist them to offer him the support he was going to need and to make sure they knew who he was! But Jesus is not concerned with his own circumstances and reputation. He is concerned about his followers after he leaves them. So he teaches them what it means to be a leader—he serves them in the humblest of ways—he washes their feet! And he tells them that the most important test of whether or not they really love him and are following him, is how they love each other ! This is radical teaching. The Lord and master on his hands and knees washing the dirty feet of his followers. And the master and teacher telling them that it is not what they know or their position in society that will prove their love and loyalty, but how they behave toward each other. Jesus, in mental anguish no doubt (remember the Garden comes after this!), cares for his followers and shows them what it means to “be first.”
Chapter 15 is the earthy analogy of the vine and the branches. Jesus is the vine—the source of all that we have and are. We are the branches. Apart from the vine we can do nothing. But if we remain connected to the vine, we will bear fruit—do the things the vine does! And then he repeats the teaching from chapter 13—love each other like I have loved you! This is why we have been “chosen” by him, to love and bear fruit.
All too often our lives are consumed with being comfortable and fitting in to the culture around us. We are often totally spent just keeping the status quo and keeping up with the Joneses. Jesus calls us to radical living in a way that goes against the grain of the culture. Might does not make right. Power is to be used for the sake of others, not ourselves. Riches are measured in how we live not what we have. Love is not a feeling but a decision to care for others more than ourselves. All these things in these two chapters!

Two important truths about Jesus are revealed in these chapters. First, the relationship between Jesus and his followers is a very intimate one. Second, Jesus has authority over life and death.

The first truth revealed, the intimacy of Jesus with his followers, is demonstrated in the analogy of the Shepherd and his sheep. Jesus says that the sheep follow him because they know his voice and because he knows them. This is not the relationship of a lord to his vassals, or even an employer to his employees. This is a relationship that is very personal. He knows their names! And his shepherding of his sheep gives them abundant life (vs. 10).

The second truth is that Jesus has authority over life and death. This is demonstrated in the story of the raising of Lazarus. No other place in scripture is this authority more clearly proclaimed AND demonstrated. Jesus is the way the truth and the life and he proved it by his word (the truth) raising Lazarus from the dead (life).

As the blind man said in yesterday’s reading, “who else could do these things if they were not sent from God.” Jesus was not only sent from God, he was God. The blind man worshipped him. As a result some of the Jews also believed. The religious leaders were more concerned about their “place and nation” (vs. 48). They did not hear the truth Jesus spoke and they rejected Christ’s authority even when it was demonstrated so clearly.

Each person has the same choice—to accept the words of Jesus and believe or to reject them and refuse to worship. Though we do not see the kind of miracles that were recorded in the new testament, we do see the miracle of changed lives. Day after day we hear the testimony of people whose lives have been radically changed by Christ. Nothing is more miraculous than this! What will be your choice? Will you believe?