Genade en Waarheid

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The Book of Acts

by

J.W.Weeda

INTRODUCTION

The Book of Acts is a book between. It is more than a inspired book . This book presents a very clea

line of teaching and explains us why the fulfillment of prophecy was interrupted more than 19 centuries ago to make the

way free for the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. It is the book between the four records

of ur Lord's earthly ministry and the epistles of the apostle Paul. Therefore it is a very important book and for example 

if you take this book out of the Bible you will not understand as believer why Peter preached differently than Paul. The four Gospels are seperated from the epistles of the apostle Paul and that is why we need this book of Acts as a bridge from prophecy to

mystery. The Book of Acts presents a changing program: a book of transition. From the past Dispensation to the present namely the Dispensation of Grace. 

 

 

Acts

Chapter One

Acts 1 verse 1

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and teach

Vers 1: The book of Acts was written by Luke and this is a sign in his first verse that he wrote this book to Theophilus as he wrote also the book of Luke to the same person because Luke refers to his earlier book and writes here to Theophilus: of all that Jesus began both to do and teach in His earthly ministry In other words the book of Acts which Luke wrote is a continuation of the first book Luke he wrote to Theophilus and this book introduces us immediately to the fact which is vital to a proper understanding and a correct interpretation of the book. The former book of Luke named Luke let us see what our Lord Jesus Christ ahd begun to do and to teach untirl His ascension. This book of Acts is a continuation of that book so we can read in this book what the Lord Jesus Christ did after His ascension. 

Acts 1 verse 2

Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost

had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen

Verse 2: Again the former book Luke describes all that our Lord Jesus Christ began both to do and teach until the day in which He was taken up. His ascension took place after that He through the Holy Spirit had given his 12 apostles the commandments. We read all these commandments in Matthew 28: 18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24: 44-50! The twelve apostles he had chosen as new leaders of the folk Israel to bring the Gospel of the Kingdom. The ascension of the Lord didn't bring an end of His mighty works, nor did His preachings end He had these commandments unto the 12 apostles. He continued to work and teach from heaven. We see this in the official acts what the twelve did at Pentecost and after this day, the mighty miracles, the proclamation of the Kingdom, the doings and teachings of the ascended Lord Jesus Christ Himself. 

Acts 1 verse 3

To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Verse 3 He shewed Himself to His apostles. On that time there were only 11 apostles because Judas Iscariot had hanged himself after the betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord was preparing His apostles in forty days after His ressurrection to bear powerful testimony to the people of Israel and let Israel know that the One they had crucified was alive again and that it would be wise to turn to Him in repentance and faith than to continue against Him. They had also to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom if all the people of Israel would repent. Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ opened the understanding of the apostles that they might understood the Scriptures. Their eyes were opened after that. Luke 24 verse 45. 

Acts 1 verse 4

 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart

from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of me.

Verse 4: This was the Prophetic plan and our Lord had this in His mind. According to prophecy Jerusalem  was to be the glory of the whole earth. From Jerusalem this blessing was to flow to the nations. In Jerusalem our Lord Jesus Christ would reign in the Kingdom on earth. First whole Jerusalem had to repent to God and that's why they had to stay in Jerusalem. If whole Jerusalem would repent to God then the peace and prosperity would come.

The second here  is that they had to wait for the promise of the Father: the Comforter would come. They would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in fulfillment fo the promise of the Father. This took place 50 days after the ressurrection on the feast of Pentecost. 

Acts 1 verse 5

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Vers 5: Our Lord Jesus Christ told His 11 apostles what would happen in de near future. They all were baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist. He John baptized with water for the remission of sins. His 11 apostles had to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and that was not many days after this saying. This baptism which they had to wait for was not the baptism how we know as members of the Body of Christ are baptized into Christ. No it was the baptism with the Holy Spirit for miraculous power. In Luke 24 verse 49 we read:And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. It was to empower these apostles to live as worthy representatives of the King because the Kingdom was near and Jesus Christ would soon return to earth to be King and the Kingdom would come on earth. They would be filled withe the Spirit in fulfillment of a promise from prophecy.

Acts 1 vers 6

When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord,

wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

Verse 6: This question of the 11 apostles to our Lord Jesus Christ was a very important question. It was their last question before the Lord went to heaven. The 11 apostles expected the kingdom of David  that this will be restored. We read in the prophecy a lot about it in for example Psalm 89 verses 35 and 36: Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. Had not our Lord said this in Matthew 6 verse 10: Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in EARTH asi it is in heaven. Yes He had said that. And they expected this. But what is His answer to them? We see this in the next verse, verse 7. 

Acts 1 verse 7

And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.

Verse 7: They expected that He, the Lord Jesus woudl restore the kingdom to Israel. His answer is not yes or no. He said to them that it is not for them to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. Our Lord knew the time being still had to be kept secret. He knew that Israel would reject Him, also after His resurrection and that the great commission He had given to them wouldn't work because of Israel's unbelief Romans 11: 11. Therefore our Lord didn't tell them about restoration of the kingdom to Israel. His answer makes clear here that God's purpose to form the Body of Christ from reconciled Jews and Gentiles as the masterpiece of His Grace was still a mystery at that time. 

Acts 1 verse 8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Verse 8: Instead to tell them what only the Lord knew He told His apostles that they would receive power after the Holy Spirit was upon them. Beside the miraculous powers which would caused this baptism with the Holy Ghost it was also to give them the power  to live as worthy representives before the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. They were at Pentecost when this happened all filled with the Holy Spirit in fulfillment  of a promise God made with them. It was not in response of prayer or faith. The Holy Spirit of God came and baptized them, His own on the right time determined by God, at the very place and for the very  purpose. They were already instructed to begin in Jerusalem because first Jerusalem had to repent with all his inhabitans. It is said that it was the most wicked city on earth. After they had to go to Judaea and in Samaria and later the rest of the world. 

Acts 1 verse 9

And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Verse 9: After the Lord hath spoken to them and gave all the instructions and commandments He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. The cloud here Greek word nephos. It was not a rain cloud. It was the presence or dwelling where God the Father was, the presence of His majesty. They couldn't see Him anymore because if they had seen it they became blind as Paul later after seeing the Lord the first time was blind for 3 days. He ascended far above all our Lord. The eleven apostles had seen the Lord on earth and never in heaven while Paul later saw the Lord in heaven and have never seen the Lord on earth. His return to earth shall be like how He was taken up. In Luke 21 vers 27 we read: And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

Acts 1 vers 10

 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Verse 10: Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. His apostles looked stedfastly, strictly it means toward heaven. It must have been for them very bizarre that the Lord suddenly was gone and they looked toward heaven but couldn't see Him anymore. While they looked toward heaven two men and that were angels stood with them in white apparel! In the former Dispensation whereunder they lived angels came as messengers to earth to tell people the Word of God. Under prophecy this happened a lot and here in this verse also. Nowadays angels are still present but they will not appear in a manner what we see here in this verse. They still exists but we cannot see them under this Dispensation of Grace. We have no miracles like this now under this Dispensation. 

Acts 1 verse 11

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

Verse 11: While the apostles were staring toward heaven suddenly 2 men in white, angels,  appeared to them and asked them this: why stand ye gazing up into heaven? According to prophecy the rejected Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah was to return to earth to occupy the throne of David and reign in Jerusalem and over the world: the Kingdom for 1000 years. He shall also come in like manner they had seen Him go into heaven. In Luke 21 verse 27 again we read: And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. In Zechariah 14 verse 4 we read: And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives. For these apostles is was natural to look to the sky after the Lord was received out of their sight. The two men, angels remind them all that this same Lord Jesus will come back, back to this earth just as they have seen Him go up from the earth. They, the apostles,  expected that soon He will return back to earth to reign. The Lord Jesus hath told already when He was with them on earth these following words in Luke 21:25-28: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Yes He hath said this. But wait a minute. Just after the ascension of our Lord the apostles hadn't received the Holy Ghost yet so how could they know His words? Clear that our Lord Jesus Christ couldn't return so soon after His departure. No man could and can  know when He would return to earth!!The specific signs must first appear, the signs of the Tribulation hath to take place first before the Lord Jesus, the Messiah would return back to earth. 

Acts 1 verse 12

 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

Verse 12: After that the 2 angels had told them that this same Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth one day and that they will see Him come in like manner as they have seen Him go into heaven, the 11 apostles returned to Jerusalem because they had to wait for the promise the Lord had told them: The Comforter will come and you have to wait for this in Jerusalem! Our Lord ascended to heaven from the mount of Olives and we just read in Zechariah when He comes back to earth  His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives. So from the Mount of Olives they went to Jerusalem and that was a sabbath day's journey. What is that? We read in Numbers 35 verse 5 we read: And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities. About 1,2 kilometres. So to walk a distance as 1 kilometres is not so far. 

Acts 1 verse 13

 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

Vers 13: So these 11 apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and went into Jerusalem. In Jerusalem they went to an upper room. Why back to Jerusalem? The answer for this is that these apostles an earthly ministry. They had companied our Lord Jesus Christ 3 years on earth and knew Him only after the flesh. In the future they will reign with Him over the 12 tribes of Israel Matthew 19:28. The purpose was now to bring the nation Israel back at Messiah's feet in repentance and obedience. In that upper room they had to wait for the Comforter, the Holy Ghost which one day would be upon them Matthew 29:19. In this upper room they had not to pray for the Spirit Which would come but to wait for the Spirit. This  is different of what a lot of pastors and preachers in the Charismatic movement nowadays say that we have to go back to Acts 2 and to pray for the Spirit! In the next verse we read that they pray but not for the Spirit because our Lord told them to wait for this! You read in this verse all the Names of the 11 apostles. 

Acts 1 verse 14

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with

the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.

Verse 14: They all. Who are they? That are the 11 apostles. They prayed in a united way and pleading and now we read here that they were not alone with 11. Also the women were with them and we read here also about Mary the mother of Jesus. She took her place with the other women. Mary was not on a higher level then those apostles and for sure she is not prayed to. This is the last verse in the Bible where she is mentioned.  The half brethren of our Lord, her other sons were also in the upper room and prayed with supplication. They came after the resurrection of our Lord to believe in Him. Who were they? That was His brother James and Jude. Both wrote later the Books James and Jude. 

Acts 1 verse 15

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said,

(the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

Verse 15: The apostle Peter, in that time also disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, was the leader of the apostles. And in those days when they were together there in Jerusalem in the upper room there were what we had read women with them inclusive Mary the mother of our Lord and His brethren according the flesh, according our Lord's earthly ministry. Notable in the meanwhile more persons joined them and it was now a group of hundred and twenty people. The upper room was of a large size because 120 people were together in this room. Such a room still exists nowadays in Jerusalem! It was a sort kind of dining room. Maybe it was the same room where our Lord just before He died for mankind on the cross of Calvary held the Supper with His disciples. And on a certain moment Peter stood up as leader and speaker of all the 120 persons who were together in this room and read further on what he is saying in the next verses

Acts 1 verse 16

Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Verse 16: Peter begins with men and brethren. From this verse till the end of this first chapter of Acts we read about the first official act of the eleven apostles namely the appointment of a successor to Judas Iscariot whom betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ and later hanged himself . A successor was very needful to bring their number of apostles to 12 again. Remarkable is that the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas. In Psalm 41 verse 9 we read this: Yea, Mine own familiar freind, in whom I trusted, which did eat of My bread, hath lifted up his heel against Me. In this Psalm we read already about the betrayal of the Son of man and our Lord Jesus foretold also this. We can read this in John  13 verses 18. There we read: I speak not of you all: i know whom I have chosen: but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against Me. 

Acts 1 verse 17

For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

Verse 17: It was clear at that moment that another man was to be chosen for Judas place. Our Lord had told them that they should in the Kingdom on earth occupy 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. So Peter remembered all those persons there in the upper room that Judas Iscariot was one of the 12 disciples and that he had obtained or received  part of the earthly ministry of our Lord. He had been one of them all those 3 years in the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Acts 1 verse 18

Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity;

and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all

his bowels gushed out

Verse 18: This is what happened to Judas Iscariot after he betrayed the Lord Jesus into the hands of guilty men. For this betrayal he got money. This money was a reward of iniquity they gave to him. In Matthew 27 verse 3-9  we read the following verses about this: Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value.  Judas hanged himself, he tied himself a noose and here in this verse his burst asunder in the midst and all his bowels gushed out. This must have been awful to watch.

Acts 1 verse 19

And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field

is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

Verse 19: With the money the chief priests and elders of the folk Israel bought this field to bury strangers in. It is the field of blood. Bought with the money of the reward of iniquity. They called it Aceldama in the Hebrew lanquage. Everyone in Jerusalem knew this. Maybe they buried Judas after his death in this field.  

Acts 1 verse 20

For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein:

and his bishoprick let another take.

Verse 20: It is written in the book of Psalms. This here was the fulfillment of what was written years and years ago in the Psalms. In Psalm 69 verse 25 we read the same verse there. Here we read that another man has to take over his bishoprick. To be a apostle. Because Judas was one of the 12 disciples and now they were 11 apostles but not complete Judas had to be replaced by another man. 

Acts 1 verse 21

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Verse 21: These 11 apostles had to choose one person in the place of Judas Iscariot who betrayed our Lord and later hanged himself.  This person must have companied them all the time when the lord Jesus was on earth in His earthly ministry. This person has to be also a disciple or a follower litteraly of our Lord jointly with the 11 apostles when He was on earth. There were not many men who had followed with the Lord and His apostles throughout His entire ministry here on earth. In Matthew 19 verse 28 we read what our Lord Jesus Christ already told them when He was on earth: And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Acts 1 verse 22

 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection.

Verse 22: The man who has to be chosen was from the beginning of the baptism of John in the wilderness unto the day the Lord was taken up into heaven and was also witness of the Lord's resurrection even as these 11 apostles. There were not much persons who could say this after He ascended to heaven. 

Acts 1 verse 23

And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

Verse 23: There were only 2 men who were appointed to be candidates who could meet these requirements, made to stand up.  The first person was Joseph who was called Barsabas and was surnamed Justus, that means the righteous man. The other man was Matthias. These men were the only men out of 120 persons who were qualified for this apostleship. 

Acts 1 verse 24

And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

Vers 24: They prayed to God and we see very honest men here in this verse to pray to Him. They pray thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men. Yes the Lord knows all the hearts of men. In I Samuel 16 verse 7 we read this: But theLordsaid unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for theLordseeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. Really man is looking on the outward appearance but God is looking what is inside, the heart of man. So these apostles prayed and give it over to the Lord that He showed them who was the successor of Judas Iscariot. They understood very well that the Lord knows/knew the heart of these two men among them which were appointed. 

Acts 1 verse 25

That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas

by transgression fell,  that he might go to his own place.

Verse 25: One of these 2 men may take part of this ministry and apostleship like they had. Judas by transgression fell. That one of these 2 men might go in the place of Judas because Judas murdered himself: he hanged himself when he realized that he was quilty. All this they prayed to God and they were very upright in this prayer to God. 

Acts 1 verse 26

 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Verse 26: What does it mean that they gave forth their lots. They selected. It could be that they gave their choices. And the lot we see here fell upon Matthias. The apostles agreed that he was numbered with the eleven apostles. These are the only places here  where Matthias his Name was written down. 

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Pentecost

The number of the apostles was again 12 and this was important for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the offer of the kingdom to Israel. A lot of people think and believe that with Pentecost in Acts 2 the heavenly Church wheretoo we belong began. There is however no proof in Scripture  that the Body of Christ, the heavenly Church began with the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. This we will discover when we read and study this second chapter of Acts. 

Acts 2 verse 1

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Verse 1: The day of Pentecost had come. All the days after our Lord's all the 120 people inclusive the apostles were waiting for the Holy Spirit which our Lord had promissed them and that was the Comforter of Whom He hath spoken. They were all with one accord in one place. They were all with one accord! What does this mean? They were alltogether these 120 people in one place and that was the upper room. Pentecost means simply fiftieth and it refer to the completion of the fifty days from the Feast of Firstfruits

Acts 2 verse 2

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Verse 2: The Holy Spirit's advent on this day was marked first of a sound from heaven and this was a sound of a rushing mighty wind like a storm. And this sound as of a rushing mighty wind filled all the house (upper room) where these 120 people were sitting together. This must have been something amazing this sound!! The Lord baptized them with the Holy Spirit! 

Acts 2 verse 3

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Verse 3: After this sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind which fill all the house where they were sitting there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them. This passage must not be confused with Matthew 3 verse 11 where we rad that the Lord would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire. The fire has to do with judgment and has not yet come. These were tongues like as fire. The sound as a rushing mighty wind is really symbolic of the Holy Spirit. These tongues were upon them all. 

 

Acts 2 verse 4

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Verse 4: They, all the 120 persons were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues. These tongues were existing languages. This is what we see in the verses after this verse. They spoke in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. They had never spoke in a foreign language. This was a miracle, really a miracle of God. They were under control of the Holy Spirit, that's what it means to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Normally they couldn't speak another language. Their language was Hebrew and maybe a little Aramaic. If we want to speak in a foreign language we have to go to school for years and also to speak this language with others for years if we are well speaking. They could speak the foreign languages in one moment!!

Acts 2 verse 5

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Verse 5: Because of Pentecost only Jews were dwelling at Jerusalem because Pentecost was a Jewish feast! One of the 7 feasts of the Jewish religion! See Leviticus 23! In that chapter you can read of all these Jewish feasts. God gave Israel these feasts and they were a shadow of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is now the Image. What does it mean devout men? Dedicated men, faithful men. All Jews. Out of every nation under heaven. They lived in the nations what we read in the chapter. The known world then in that time under the Roman Empire. 

Acts 2 verse 6

 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together,

and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Verse 6: If this noise of the sound like the hard wind was over the multitude of Jewish people came together. They were confounded. What does that mean confounded? They wondered , they were perplexed, confused,  about this strange thing what happened. This was really amazing because every man, every Jew (and Proselyte) heard them speak in their own language. What did they hear? They hear them speaking de great works of God. verse 11 of this same chapter. 

Acts 2 verse 7

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Verse 7: The people, Jewish men from Jerusalem, who heard those 120 people inclusive the 12 apostles speaking in tongues and were all amazed and marvelled. They were surprized, they wondered abot this all. They began to talk to each other and maybe what is this they said to each other. What amazed them so much was this: are not all these which speak Galilaeans.  How could Galilaeans speak with other tongues? They knew most of the people of Galilaea were not learned men. Some of the 12 apostles were fishermen. How could they speak now with other tongues? They recognized most of the people who spoke in these foreign languages. 

Acts 2 verse 8

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Verse 8: Now their question. They were so amazed that all of  those 120 people individual could speak in a tongue they never had spoken but that were the languages from the countries where those Jewish people who were there in Jerusalem because of Pentecost! How can they speak in our mothertongues? 

Acts 2 verse 9

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Verse 9: From all the countries here described , all the languages of those countries who were in the Roman Empire the 120 people could speak one of these languages. All these languages were spoken by these 120 people included the 12 apostles. 

Acts 2 verse 10

Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Verse 10: The writer Luke goes on the mention here more countries with different languages spoken by these 120 people at Pentecost. They weren't just words what these 120 people spoke to the people there in Jerusalem. It were the words of God!! We will read this later in this chapter my dear brothers and sisters!

Acts 2 verse 11

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Verse 11: The people wondered about ths fact: they could hear those 120 people speaking in the mothertongues those Jews were born with. And they made known through these languages or tongues the wonderful works of God. God's Word in that time was not complete so speaking in a foreign language was not so strange. They spoke not about things of this life but about God what He has done. 

Acts 2 verse 12

 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Verse 12: All of these Jewish men who were in Jerusalem because of the feast of Pentecost were amazed. They wondered and were also doubting because these tongues confused them. They say to each other what is the meaning of this? This is so strange, we have not heard this before! They were confounded! 

Acts 2 verse 13

 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Verse 13: Others who were there at Pentecost and heard these people speaking in tongues were mocking and said. What is mocking? They were satirical or sneering and said these men are full of new wine. So they are drunken that's why they speak so strange because of the influence of wine and drunkeness of wine. But with drunkeness a person cannot speak very well anymore because the alcohol numb the person and he speaks unintelligible things. This was very clear what those men spoke on the day of Pentecost. 

Acts 2 verse 14

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Verse 14: Peter, the leader of the 12 apostles was standing there with the eleven and stood up. What does that mean standing up? Rising to one's feet. Why he has to lift up his voice? Why? It was Peter had to speak to a multitude of Jews there so he had to say very loud what the meaning was of these speaking in tongues. And second he is speaking to men of Judaea. Not Gentiles! Men of Judaea and all that dwell at Jerusalem, all Jews. The Gentiles were not in the picture. They were outside God's plan with Israel. God had given up the Gentiles long before this. We can read this in the first chapter of the book of Romans. What did Peter say here: first ye men of Judaes and all that dwell at Jerusalem. Second: bet this known unto you, and hearken to my words. With other words listen carefully what I am now saying to you.

Acts 2 verse 15

For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 

Verse 15: We see here in this verse what Peter, the leader of the 11 apostles and spokesman is saying. He says here these, these 120 persons inclusive himself and the 11 apostles are not drunken as some of the multitude suppose because of what they heard: speaking in a foreign language and bringing Gods Word. This first and second he is saying here that it is the third hour of the day and that is 9 o clock in the morning. Peter knew precisely that this was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. He knew what was happening. How? Through the Holy Spirit because Peter was under control of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2 verse 16

 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Verse 16: Peter told the multitude very accurate what this sound and the speaking in tongues (foreign languages) meant. It was already spoken by the prophet Joel and what this prophet told in the book of Joel long before this came out now. In the next verses 17 -22 we read about this prophecy of the prophet Joel. 

Acts 2 verse 17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Verse 17: The prophet Joel spoke about the Word of God: in the last days saith God. Just before the Lord would come to earth to reign as King. I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh. This is what happened on the day of Pentecost. The Spirit of God had come and was upon these 120 people. People would also prophesy, young men shall see visions of God and ols men shall dream dreams. This all was spoken by the prophet Joel years and years before Peter explained the people in Jerusalem this. It was foretold! And now people could hear a part what was foretold on Pentecost. The apostle Peter told the people of Jerusalem this. How did he know this all. The Spirit of God gave Peter these words in his mouth to speak it very clear. Peter was under control of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2 verse 18

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Verse 18: Peter and the eleven stood there before the multitude of Jews on Pentecost en saying this from the prophet Joel. Joel had foretold this years and years before this Pentecost feast in Jerusalem. On God's servants and handmaidens God will pour out on the days of Pentecost of my Spirit. Which days? The last days just before the Lord would return to earth. First the Tribulation period would come before this all would happen. In Joel 2 verse 28-32 we read this: And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of theLordcome. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of theLordshall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as theLordhath said, and in the remnant whom theLordshall call. What we see here in Acts 2 is fulfilling of Prophecy in part! Peter through the Spirit was saying this to the multitude. 

Acts 2 verse 19

And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

Verse 19: Peter is speaking about the prophecy of Joel that this will happen in de last days just before the Lord Jesus would return to earth on the Day of the Lord. Blood, fire, vapour and smoke has to do with judgment and the wrath of God upon this earth. In the days of Pentecost some signs appear on Pentecost but not all and especially not these signs which are mentioned here. Thank God that these signs which would follow the earlier signs on Pentecost didn's appear. God will judge this world with these signs in the future because He later interrupted the Prophetic program and His plan with Israel through their fall. Romans 11:11 and held off the day of judgment and saved the chief of sinners the apostle Paul and ushered in the day of Grace. Peter didn't know this thus he mentioned or preached what Joel prophesied  before to the folk Israel through the Spirit of God. Later in his last epistle Peter explained that the Lord Who was to have come to judge and reign, had now delayed His coming. That was after he understood from Paul that God had began a new Dispensation, the Dispensation of the Grace of God Ephesians 3:1-3

Acts 2 verse 20
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

Verse 20: Peter is speaking about the whole prophecy of Joel. More signs there will come and these are all signs of the wrath of God upon this world namely the sun shall  be turned into darkness, the moon into blood and after that the great and notable day of the Lord will come like you can read in Zechariah 14: 1-6:  Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.  Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.  And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. You see dear reader, brothers and sisters that the Day of the Lord will also come with signs and wonders. Again all this Peter mentioned by Gods Spirit and did not know when this would happen but some signs were thus done like the language of tongues. 

Acts 2 verse 21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Verse 21: Everyone, every person  who shall call on the Name of the Lord in that time, just before the Lord would return to earth shall be saved. Peter here is still quoting the prophet Joel because in Joel 2 vers 32 we read the following verse:And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of theLordshall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom theLord shall call.

Acts 2 verse 22

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Verse 22: Peter through the Spirit begins here to explain the multitude before him at Pentecost about the Lord Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry. He begins with Jesus of Nazareth. The Lord was grown up in the village of Nazareth in the north of Israel. A Man approved of God. What does that mean? Officially agreed or accepted as satisfactory from God the Father. This the Lord did: miracles, wonders and signs. The Jews expected always signs from God. God did it through His Son among them, in the midst of them and they knew it. They had seen Him and they had seen the miracles, wonders and signs what He did. He was God Himself so He could do all these things among them. 

Acts 2 verse 23

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Verse 23: Peter is telling them what they as folk did with this Jesus of Nazareth. God send His Son Jesus Christ by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge. How did Peter this? Through the Spirit of God he spoke all these things. He began to accuse them for what they did with the Lord Jesus Christ: ye have taken. Taken Him as a criminal, like a murderer and by wicked hands. They gave Him over to the Romans to crucify Him and slain. Peter didn't know the glory of the cross. He brought here the shame of the cross to the folk before him. With other words what did you done with the Lord Jesus Christ? It was a shame what they had done: to slain and crucify Him jointly with the Romans! Peter didn't know about the glory of the cross: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners like you and me and died for you and me on the cross for all our sins, was buried and is resurrected for our righteousness Romans 4:25, I Corinthians 15|:3-4. This was later revealed to the apostle Paul. Paul was at the moment of Pentecost not in the picture because whole Israel had at that moment the chance to return to God, beginning here in Jerusalem at Pentecost. 

Acts 2 verse 24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because

it was not possible that He should be holden of it. 

Verse 24: The Whom which God hath raised up is the Lord Jesus Christ, having loosed the pains of death because it was not possib le that He should be holden in death. Christ had died because fo their sin and He Himself was no sinner so death had no claim upon Him. That's why God had raised Him from the dead. Christ had come into the world to meet death, He gripped with it and overcome it. With other words He had pushed back through death itself and had overcome death by dying. It was impossible that our Lord should remain in the grave: morally and judicially because He was no sinner and He was complete righteous so death couldn't hold Him. 

Acts 2 verse 25

For David speaketh concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

Verse 25: The apostle Peter is quoting of the 16 th Psalm verse 8 and 9 here. Indeed the Lord is resurrected and on the right hand of the Father and still He is there. David spoke prophetically of our Lord Jesus Christ when he said all those things about our Lord Jesus Christ. I shall not be moved because He is always with me David said here 

Acts 2 verse 26

 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

Verse 26: Peter in thise verse is again quoting David who said this: my heart rejoiced, my tongue was glad because the Lord is resurrected and alive and He is on the right hand of the Father. He is alive and always with me so that's why I am not be moved because David is in the hands of the Lord and he rest in hope because the Lord is alive!! In Psalm 110 verse 1 we read this: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 

Acts 2 verse 27

Because Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.

Verse 27: The apostle Peter is still quoting Davids Psalm 110.  In John 10 verses 17 and 18 we read the following : Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. The Lord Jesus told already in these verses what would happen with Him. The people who heard Him didn't understand this and thought He was mad but that's how it went. In Ephesians 4 vers 9 and 10 we read: Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.

Acts 2 vers 28

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Verse 28: The Lord Jesus Christ is alive and before the cross He knew what would come after His dying on the cross for mankind and what a joy it would be when He should sit on the right hand of the Father., in the presence of the Father. David's prophecy tells us this in this verse. So Christ according to David's prophecy was to be raised from the dead and ascend to heaven. He is exalted! We read in Philippians 2 verse 9: Wherefore God als hath highly exalted Him, Christ, and given Him a Name which is above every name.  What a joy, what a wonderful verse this is and now as brothers and sisters we can enjoy these verses! 

Acts 2 verse 29

 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David,

that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

Verse 29: To whom Peter is talking? Who are these men and brethren? Israel, the Hebrews! He is speaking to them about the patriarch David. David the king of Israel. Peter was only speaking to Israel on the day of Pentecost. God was still dealing with Israel at that moment. The Gentiles were not in the picture. He is telling them that David their forefather is dead and buried and his grave is under them. Why? Because David was too a sinner like they all. Our Lord was not a sinner. He never sinned and that's why He could bear all the sins of this world in His body on the cross and died for our sins and for mankind. I Corinthians 15:3-4, II Corinthians 5: 19-21. He was buried but after 3 days He stood up from the grave. His sepulchre is empty!!. His grave is empty! He is not here He is risen and sits alive on the right hand of the Father!!

Acts 2 verse 30

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Verse 30: David was a prophet. God had sworn, had promissed David that from him, from his offspring should come the Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh and that God would raise up the Lord Jesus Christ to sit on the the throne of David. That will be in the Kingdom on earth. David through the Spirit of God prophesied this long before the Lord would come to earth first to die for mankind and later will come again to begin the 1000 years of reign and sit on the throne of David. In Luke 1: 31 and 32 we read the following verses: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call his name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David:

Acts 2 verse 31

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Verse 31: David by the Spirit of God, God inspired spoke of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. That His soul was not left in hell and neither his flesh should see corruption. After He died on the cross, He was buried  and He went not to hell because He was and is without sin. Death could not hold Him. We read I Peter 3 verse 19: By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison. In Ephesians 4 verse 8, 9 and 10 we read: Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) We know as believers this now but the apostle Peter at Pentecost cited only what the prophecies say about the Lord Jesus Christ. Not what we now know through the apostle Paul in the Mystery

Acts 2 verse 32

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Verse 32: God hath raised up His Son Jesus Christ and the 12 and more people were all witnesses of this. They had seen Him, Christ, when He was resurrected in the 40 days after His resurrection! He had shown Himself to them a couple of times and specially the 12 apostles. The fact is that He is alive and is risen from the dead. At the moment Peter told this the Lord was ascended in heaven and was and still is on the right Hand of the Father. This we can also read in the next verse 33!

Acts 2 verse 33

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,

He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Verse 33: The apostle Peter is talking here in this verse about the Lord Jesus Christ.  Not only the Lord Jesus Christ is raised up, He is at the moment the apostle Peter is talking and explaining the people of Israel in Jerusalem at Pentecost , on the right hand of God and exalted. The ascended Lord Jesus Christ demonstrating the fact of His resurrection by the wonders of Pentecost. In Luke 24 verse 49 we read: And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. This power, the promise of the Holy Ghost which they had received on Pentecost had a lot of impression on the multitude who was in Jerusalem. The wonders which Peter's hearers saw and heard at that day showed that Christ indeed was risen from the dead and ascended into heaven and had sent now the Holy Spirit which He had promised.

Acts 2 verse 34

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Verse 34: Peter is still quoting about David and declared that David never ascended into the heavens. David saith this: God the Father, the Lord said unto his Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ , Adonai, this: Sit thou on my right hand. Again we read Psalm 110 verse 1: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Acts 2 verse 35

Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

Verse 35: Until  I make thy foes. What does that mean this word foes? Thy enemies thy footstool. What is the meaning of footstool? He will make the enemies His footstool. It is a throne!  This will happen when the Lord will come for the second time on earth!

Acts 2 verse 36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Verse 36: The apostle Peter said this very firmly to the house of Israel. All the ones who were listening to his preaching! Know assuredly is for sure knowing! They had no excuse anymore that they didn't know it! God the Father, God Himself made the Lord Jesus Christ Lord and Christ. He exalted Him and gave Him a Name above all Names we know now Philippians 2 verse 9! Again they had crucified Him. Peter didn't know the glory of the cross. Later when God revealed this to Paul it became known. The apostle Peter told the people the shame of the cross and that was known. This was with a reason that people would repent to God and be baptized. First the belief in God! That was the call here on Pentecost! 

Acts 2 verse 37

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Verse 37: Now when they heard this. Who are the people here? The Hebrew men who were listening to the preaching of the apostle Peter on Pentecost. What happened. The Word of God touched them deeply! Because what do we read here? They were pricked in their heart. Pricked means this: a nagging or sharp feeling of remorse, regret, or sorrow. They had so sorrow that they asked Peter and the rest of the apostles: Men and brethren: what shall we do? You see it is almost like this what they did: begging interrogatively! 

Acts 2 verse 38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

Verse 38: What is the apostle Peter's answer to this question? Does he say believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved? The answer is no! He said repent and be baptized! Everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The conclusion is: repentance= return to God, believe in God first and then be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ and then they should be saved. Only believing was not enough, also the work be baptized! And what would follow if they had done this? They should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost so that they could speak in tongues (Mark 16:16) The requirements for salvation here are the same than those previously laid down by John the Baptist Mark 1:4. The only difference is that on Pentecost the Holy Spirit had come and Peter could add: and ye shall recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost

Acts 2 vers 39

 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Verse 39: What is the promise the apostle Peter is talking to the people here? And to all that are afar off. Does this refer to the Gentiles? First it was the promise of the Spirit and this was never made to the Gentiles but only for Israel. In Daniel 9 verse 7 we have a very beautiful answer for this: O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

Acts 2 verse 40

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save

yourselves from this untoward generation

Verse 40: This is a real call from the apostle Peter to the Jews who were listening to his preaching: Save yourselves from this wrong generation who are living in Jerusalem and in whole Israel. With other words repent to the Lord and be baptized and you save yourselves from the great multitude who don't want to believe in God. 

Acts 2 verse 41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day

there were added unto them about three thousand souls

Verse 41: We see here there were people from the Jewish multitude who listened to Peter's preaching at Pentecost  and believed the words he say to them. They believed the Word of God Peter told them and were baptized  and at this same day 3000 people were added to this people who believed.  That was a wonder from God because did this!! That was under the former Dispensation when God dealt with Israel there were always wonders and signs among God's folk . 

Acts 2 verse 42

 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Verse 42: From this verse till the end of this chapter in 47 we read about the characteristics  of the church of Jerusalem which started at Pentecost in Jerusalem.  All those people who believed and were baptized continued stedfastly with other words kept up  zealously (stayed in the doctrine and studied this doctrine) of the 12 apostles and had fellowship with each other. Not only that: they prayed together and were busy with the breaking  of bread. 

Acts 2 verse 43

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Verse 43: The word fear we read here. What does this mean fear? profound reverence and awe especially toward God. This came upon every soul that believed and was baptized. In the same time many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Why. Because we read in Mark 16 verse 17 this: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my Name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover

Acts 2 verse 44

 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Verse 44: This is very special my dear brothers and sisters what we read in this verse:First all that believed were together!  No one of them was on his own! We don't see this anymore on this day of God's Grace. They were together were one of the characteristics of the church of Jerusalem. Second: they not only were together we read here: they had all things common. All goods they had were common, no person had things for him or herself. 

Acts 2 verse 45

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Verse 45: Every person who believed sold his possesions and goods. This was carrying out of the sermon on the Mount what the Lord told them: And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses Matthew 10: 7-10. And we read this also: Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. Luke 12:33. 

Acts 2 verse 46

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Verse 46: What a blessed fellowship these believers in the church of Jerusalem had together. They had peace and prosperity.  What a love and joy they had and what a enthousiasm. This was real spiritual power. It was a foretaste of the Kingdom which would come! Still not yet had come because of the fall of Israel Romans 11:11, 25. 

Acts 2 verse 47

 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Verse 47: They praised God every day. The believers on Pentecost were under the control of the Holy Spirit that's why they were glad and praised God and had favour with all the people. This is very interesting. The miracles worked and they were empowered by God through His Spirit. They didn't sin and honored God Ezekiel 36:27-28. Nowadays we live under a different Dispensation, the Dispensation of the Grace of God. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13, 14. This will not say that we cannot sin, we are not under control of the Holy Spirit as the believers on Pentecost and the days after that.  Romans 6 verse 1 warns us as believers in Christ that we have not to continue in sin. That's why we read in Romans 6 verse 13 this: Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  We are urged to rejoice in the Lord alway Philippians 4:4

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Acts 3 verse 1

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple

at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour

Verse 1: Peter and John: they were the pillars of the church of Jerusalem, the pillars of the 12 apostles. The most important.  Peter and John were the leaders of the 12 apostles. These two men went together into the temple. The hour of prayer was the ninth hour. Our Lord Jesus Christ told the people in Matthew 21 verse 13: And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Why are Peter and John going to the temple at the hour of prayer? It was very importand because Israel was being offered another oppertunity to accept Messiah and become the channel of blessing to the world. Israel was not yet set aside and this was still God's appointed house of prayer. 

Acts 3 verse 2

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Verse 2: In the time of Peter and John it was important of the Jewish faith to give alms to the poor, to beggars. So you had a lot of beggars in Jerusalem in that time. This man here in Acts 3 was a lame man from his birth on. He was carried by men and they laid him daily at the gate of the temple. The gate was the entrance to the temple! The gate has also the name the Golden Gate. Originally there were 2 gates in this entrance but in the past people bricked up the gate so still today the entrance is not open. In the days of Peter and John the entrance was open and this lame man was sitting there and asking alms of them who entered the temple. This man is representative of an illustration  of what salvation is like. He was born  lame and all of us brothers and sisters, all men are born unable to walk to please God.

Acts 3 verse 3

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms

Verse 3 This lame man sitting everyday at the gate of the temple and one day laying there he saw Peter and John going into the temple. Peter and John are frequently together in Scripture. Peter and John caught his attention. Perhaps it were the clothes or their appearance that attended the man to look to them. We don't know but he saw them and asked them an alms. 

Acts 3 verse 4

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

Verse 4: Peter,fastening his eyes. What does that mean to fastening his eyes? He gazed his eyes upon this beggar with John. Peter and John noticed this lame man. They said to him: look on us! With other words to let them lame man think who they were! We have here also something to learn: The apostles Peter and John were looking at the lame man. They saw a man who had a little money but was nevertheless a helpless beggar. Lame from birth, sitting at the Beautiful gate and still outside. The man saw these apostles and maybe he saw something different

Acts 3 verse 5

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Verse 5: The lame man who begged from people gave heed unto Peter and John ? What does that mean? This beggar beared in his mind  to expect from these two men to receive something like money. A beggar always hold his hand expecting from other who will pass to receive money or something else. This was exactly what this lame man did also. 

Acts 3 verse 6

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Verse 6: What is Peter's answer to this lame man? Did he and John gave this lame man money. No instead of that Peter said: Silver and gold I don't have. But there is something much better i can give you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Peter and John had also the gift of healing at Pentecost. That were the signs that followed after believing and be baptized. It was the Spirit of God Who did it through Peter and John all those signs. That whole Israel would know this and had no excuse before God. Peter said: rise up and walk! Israel had to rise up and walk again with God. 

Acts 3 verse 7

 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Verse 7: Peter took the lame man who was a beggar by the right hand. Not the left hand. Always the right hand because the “right hand” is seen asa place of honor and statusthroughout the biblical text. With the right hand of Peter he lifted up this lame man and the the miracle happened! What happened? Immediately, directly the man could stand because his feet and ankle bones received strength. The paralysis was over! Wha a wonder of God, He did this miracle! This man is symbol of Israel that first had to believe in God and repent and be baptized and then received again strength so that they could walk again with God. 

Acts 3 verse 8

 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Verse 8: And this lame man, what happened to him? And he leaping up stood! With other words he jumped! What a miracle! He jumped, stood, walked and entered with Peter and John into the temple, walking, leaping and praising God! After all those years he was healed! This was a wonder of God and this happened under the previous dispensation when God was still dealing with Israel. This was a foreshadowing of millennial blessing to come when Peter lifts this beggar by the right hand and said to him In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk verse 6. The lame man who could walk now and jump and stand  became a worshipper of God and represents here the folk Israel when the folk will be in the Milennial Kingdom. For the present under this Dispensation of Grace Israel remains spiritually a poor, helpless beggar outside of the presence of God. The Blessed day for them waits a future day when Israel will be saved with the resurrected remnant and they will enter then for God with songs of rejoicing. Read Romans 11:25-27.

Acts 3 verse 9

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

Verse 9: This was really something that this man was so glad that he was healed by God that he walked, jumped and he was praising God! The people saw him walking and praising God. The people of Jerusalem saw him doing this and they were sure suprised!  It was in the centre of Jerusalem. On the streets he was walking and praising God and in the temple. In the temple there were a lot of Jewish people together so they all could see him. 

Acts 3 verse 10

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

Verse 10: The people who saw him walking and praising God knew that he sat everyday for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple. Maybe it was the most important gate to the temple! They never had seen him walking, jumping and praising God and that amazed them the most and they were filled with wonder too! What happened unto him that was such a very big miracle. Such they had never seen before that's why they were so filled with wonder and amazement. The day that the remnant of Israel, which is now a helpless beggar from outside,  will be saved and will enter the Millenial Kingdom on earth this will be a wonder and this is exactly what this man who was a beggar represent. 

Acts 3 verse 11

 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

Verse 11: The people had seen the healing by Peter and John and saw the lame man walking and praising God they ran together unto them in the porch which was called Solomon's. This was really something! Little wnder the crowd of people gathers! This was heart stirring to see the once lame man now walking and leaping and praising God. Oh that will be a day when Israel shall worship before God in such gratitude and praise like this man! Peter was quick to take advantage of the oppertunity to bring them the multitude face to face once more with the fact that God was holding them responsible for what had recently before took place on Calvary's hill. 

Acts 3 verse 12

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Verse 12: Peter saw the great multitude of people running unto him and John in the porch of Solomon and he takes the oppertunity to preach to them. Listen what he is saying here!  Ye men of Israel. Peter is not talking to Gentiles here. The Gentiles were not in the picture! God was not dealing with the Gentiles!  In Ephesians 2 verse 11-12 we read this: Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision  that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens fromt he commonwealth of Israel, and strangers fromt he covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. And he asked them this: why marvel ye at this, or why look ye so earnestly on us? They had never seen such a healing of a man like this lame man who was healed. Peter said to them more than this so listen: you looked on us that we did it from ourselves to let this man to walk. (but this wasn't the truth). 

Acts 3 verse 13

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

Verse 13: Peter goes further on the explain about God Who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the God of all the fathers of them. Peter is talking to these Jews who were listening and explained to them that God glorified His Son Jesus and then he tells them the shame of the cross namely: they had delivered Jesus Christ the Son of God to Pilate the Roman governor and denied Him in the presence of Pilate. They had screamed crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate found no fault in Him but they desired that our Lord would be crucified while He was innocent, withour debt. See John 19 verses 5-8 9 (read this)

Acts 3 verse 14

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

Verse 14: Peter speaks here again of the shame of the cross. They denied the Holy One and the Just and that is Christ. He was and is without sin and Just and we unjust, unrighteous from nature. They said to Pilate and screamed to him: let Christ be crucified and release Barabbas. Barabbas was a murderer and they desired that he would be free! That was strange! Ah but Christ had to be crucified we know now. It was the plan of God through Christ to pay the penalty for sin on the cross, to die for mankind on Calvary on the cross. All men had to hung on the cross. We as men deserved the eternal death but God loved us so much that He Just for us unjust, unrighteous men died in our place on that cross. Only Peter didn't know about this on that moment. He didn't know about the glory of the cross as we now know. It was not revealed to him so that Peter accused the people of Israel what they had done with the Holy One and the Just. Later when he met Paul it became clear for him too. 

Acts 3 verse 15

 And killed the Prince of life, Whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Verse 15: The Jews together with the Romans killed the Prince of Life. The Lord Jesus Christ. They had to shame for this! Be in shame for this drama. The Lord Jesus Christ undergo the highest punishment you can imagine: to be crucified on the cross!  But death couldn't held Him. God raised Him from the dead. Peter and John and the other 10 apostles were witnesses of this fact, of this resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. They had seen Him before His ascending to heaven. He is alive!  He is risen!! John 21; 12-19

Acts 3 verse 16

And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Verse 16: The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in His power, through the  power of God this lame man was strong, could walk for the first time in his life and the people who were hearing Peter had seen this man walking after never walking and praising and dancing for the Lord Who had healed him. He believed this man and now he was perfect in this walking and never been anymore a lame beggar but he rejoiced in the Lord Jesus in the presence of all these people! This was a wonderful day for this man but also for all those people who heard the preaching of Peter and on that moment could repent to the Lord after this miracle happened and they saw it. 

Acts 3 verse 17

 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

Verse 17: In this verse Peter knew and said to the people that they crucified the Lord Jesus Christ through ignorance jointly with the Romans. Not only them also their rulers did it. They didn't know what they did when they jointly crucified the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary. In Luke 23 verse 34 we read: Then said Jesus, Father forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted  His raiment, and cast lots. These people didn't know who was Christ, Who was their Messiah and didn't know the plan of God that our Lord Jesus Christ had to die for mankind before He would reign as King on earth. They didn't know why He came to earth and they didn't believe in Him and also their rulers that's why they crucified Him. 

Acts 3 verse 18

 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Verse 18: God hath fulfilled  which He before had shewed by the mouth of all His prophets. What had God fulfilled? That Christ should suffer Isaiah 53 (read this chapter). Christ also explaining these verses to the 2 men who went to Emmaus in Luke 24: 26-27: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. It was fulfilled. The finished Work by Christ was done!

Acts 3 verse 19

 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Verse 19: Very strong words of God through the apostle Peter to a multitude of Jewish people who were listening his preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. What must they do? The same what other did before them in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. Repent. Go back to God and be changed he said to the people. When they should do this their sins may be blotted out. What does that mean?  It means completely absolved, wiped off the record. That shoulf follow and also something which was and is very special: when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. The blessed times or refreshing times is that Christ would return to earth to reign. It eas near in that time when Peter stood before this multitude of Jewish people. Whole Jerusalem had to believe in the Lord and had to repent. It was another chance for the folk to do this and the times of refreshing should follow very soon if this would happen. 

Acts 3 verse 20

And He shall send Jesus Christ, Which before was preached unto you:

Verse 20: When whole Israel inclusive their leaders would repent and be converted than the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and He shall send Jesus Christ Who was ascended to heaven. He should come again to earth to reign as King of Kings on earth from Jerusalem. The Kingdom on earth. These were the refreshing times for the folk Israel and they had the chance at that time to believe on Him , repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and if they did this as folk this Kingdom was very near. 

Acts 3 verse 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.

Verse 21: The Lord Jesus Christ had to be received in heaven until the timese of restitution of all things. God had spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began: the timese of restitution of all things! This will be in the Kingdom on earth: What will change?  The Government will be purified, war and bloodshed will be abolished, The vegetable creatioon will be delivered from the curse, the animal creation will be subdued, physical infirmity will be removed, trouble and poverty will be done away, the masses will be eager for the Word of God, Christ will be honored and exalted, the prayers of God's people will be answered without delay, sorrow and sighing will flee away

Acts 3 verse 22
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Verse 22: Moses said unto the fathers. The fathers from whom? From Israel. Moses was the leader of the folk and he knew and said to them that there shall be a Prophet Whom God would raise up unto them. He was speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ but Moses didn't know that it was the Lord Jesus Christ. He only knew that God would send a Prophet Whom the folk shall hear in all things whatsoever He should say to them. This was a prophecy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. 

Acts 3 verse 23

And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Verse 23: Every soul who will not hear that Prophet. Will not believe the Word He will speak which is the Word of God shall be destroyed from among Israel. It is to repent or listen or perish. These words you can find in Deuteronomy 18:15-19. This is the prophecy of Moses: He that hath ears to hear let him hear! The Father's comment is Hear ye Him. Moses had declared here that the rebellion against Messiah, against the Lord Jesus Christ Who will come would not be tolerated by God. To refuse Him would mean utter destruction!

Acts 3 verse 24

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

Verse 24: Samuel was the first prophet and after him there were more and followed him in prophecy and they had spoken about the Prophet, the Lord Jesus Christ and have foretold of the days when He came to earth. And Israel here stood at the very threshold of the long hoped for blessing. 

Acts 3 verse 25

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Verse 25: The people Peter preached to were the children of the prophets and the covenant which God had made with the fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To Abraham God had said: in thy Seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Peter proclaimed the good news which was based upon covenant promises and writings of the prophets. Now the question came how would Israel respond? To accept Christ or reject HIm? That's why Peter had again the call here to them that they had to repent to God through the Lord Jesus Christ

Acts 3 verse 26

 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you,

in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Verse 26: Israel would be delivered from Rome but not from sin. In Matthew 1:21 we read: Ans she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name Jesus: For He shall save His people from their sins.  Israel had to learn this first and then after that the promised blessing will come. But this didn't come because not whole Israel repented and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah . They were ignorant of God's righteousness and established their own righteousness so that they fall. So God cast the favored nation aside  along with the other nations only that he might mercy upon every man and offer to individuals everywhere here on earth reconcilliation by grace, through faith in the finished work of Christ

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Acts 4 verse 1

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Verse 1: Peter and John were speaking unto the people who were asthonished about the fact that the lame man was healed by Peter and John and couldn't believe their eyes and were confronted with the fact that they had rejected the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified Him and now they had to repent and be baptized . Now the "spiritual"leaders came to the temple: the priests, the captian of the temple and the Sadducees. Not the Pharisees but the Sadducees were here the leading party with the priests. Something is sifnificant: the Sadducees believe not in the resurrection. That's why they came with this group of people. They were grieved  at the apostles  because they preached through Christ: the ressurection of the dead and now this miracle with the lame man through the Lord Jesus Christ. working in Peter and John . 

Acts 4 verse 2

 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Verse 2: The priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees were grieved. They were sad about the fact that Peter and John taught the people about God and preached to them Jesus and His resurrection from the dead. They must fight for their  very existence. Not only the system of the Sadducees was in danger also they were confronted and convicted of the murder of Messiah. They were sore troubled about this. The Sadducees were  the most powerful sect in the Sanhedrin. In Acts 5 verse 17 we learn  that the high priest and all with him were of the sect of the Sadducees. 

Acts 4 verse 3

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

Verse 3: They laid hands on them: on Peter and John. They put them in prison until the next day and the next day there will be a trial in the Sanhedrin for Peter and John.  So they arrested them and put them in a room which looked like a prison. 

Acts 4 verse 4

 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Verse 4: The leaders thought when they hath caught this two leaders of the 12 apostles they could stop the believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The preaching of Peter to the folk caused that a lot of people believed the Word of God and the number of men was five thousand. They came to believe. The preaching of Peter was so powerful and intense. This group of 5000 people and the other people from Acts chapter 2 at Pentecost formed the church of Jerusalem. 

Acts 4 verse 5

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

Verse 5: The rulers, elders and scribes of the Sanhedrin, the most highest ranking members of the Sanhedrin were present. They took their places and had a council. That was early in the morning. They opposed the apostles as they had opposed Christ from the beginning of His earthly ministry. They were jealous of the power the apostles had. That was true spiritual power and they didn't have this and because of this jealousy they had taken Peter and John and had put them in a sort kind of prison 

Acts 4 verse 6

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as

many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

Verse 6: We see here in this verse Names: Annas and Caiaphas first. Annas was the high priest. Annas was the father in law of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was also high priest. We see here the Name John. Who was John? One of the 5 sons of Annas. We see here also the Name Alexander. Who was Alexander? Probably he had been a high priest. And many fo the kindred of the high priest: relatives of the high priest. They all were together gathered at Jerusalem to hear the apostles Peter and John who they had caught in their prison that they had to answer the question what we read in verse 7, the next verse. 

Acts 4 verse 7

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Verse 7: They put Peter and John in the midst of themselves and asked this question: By what power or by what name have ye done this? To heal this lame man? The apostles apart from their gift of healing had the spiritual authority of which the rulers of Irael who were gathered around them knew nothing about. This was their first question and their purpose was to silence the apostles by intimidation and this is exactly what the devil is behind. He hates the truth and he puts everything into work that the truth will not come to light. With other words they really meant to say: You are undermining our authority over the people. Stop this or we will kill you. So angry these "rulers" of Israel were! In the next verses we see the answer of Peter to them. 

Acts 4 verse 8

Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people,

and elders of Israel

Verse 8: There stood Peter and John before the political leaders and elders of Israel. He stood before the Sanhedrin and what was so powerful at that moment? He Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost.  He was under control of the Holy Spirit and knew exactly what he should answer the question these rulers asked him. The question was by what power, or by what name have ye done this? Peter stood firm before these enemies of God. 

Acts 4 verse 9

 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

Verse 9: Peter said to them sharply this: we are examined of the good deed done to the impotent man. The man is healed and you want to judge us because of this good deed. So it was very special that Peter and John were judged for this by these rulers and this was in fact very weird. This is what Peter his hearers, these rulers and elders of Israel let know. 

Acts 4 verse 10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Verse 10: Peter said further this: be it known unto you all, you rulers and elders of the folk of Israel and all the people of Israel. So whole Israel had to know this: By the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth this man is healed and stood whole before them.  We didn't do it by our own name or own power Peter said.  It was His power and in His Name that this lame man was healed. He, Peter,  blames them for this fact that they with the Romans had crucified this Jesus Christ of Nazareth and God hath Him raised form the dead. Christ is alive! Peter and John were witnesses of His resurrection.  We don't see here the glory of the cross which we only see in the letters of Paul. At that moment Peter told these rulers and elders of the folk of Israel this the glory of the cross was not made known. 

Acts 4 verse 11

 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Verse 11: And the apostle Peter continued here that the Lord Jesus Christ the Stone Which they had despised and still reject on the moment Peter was talking here. He became the Head of the corner. Read also I Peter 2 verse 7 (a similar verse!) And in Romans 9 verse 33 we read this: As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. These leaders and elders of the folk didn't believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but wanted only to know in which Name these 2 apostles had healed the lame man and they were very angry men. 

Acts 4 verse 12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under

heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Verse 12: In no other person is there salvation except then in the Lord Jesus Christ. He  our Lord Jesus had saith when He was on earth this: I am the Way, the Truth and the Live, nobody comes to the Father than through Me. In His Name persons can be saved and must be saved. There is no other way and Peter knew through the Holy Spirit this very well so he tell's this to these leaders and elders of the folk that there is no other Name through Which a person hath to be saved. 

Acts 4 verse 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.

Verse 13: These rulers and elders of the folk with the priests saw the boldness of Peter and John. On that moment they remembered that Peter and John were not learned and unschooled men. Not men like them who were educated in the Law of God and in their own laws. The moment after this they wondered, they were surprised and on the same moment they knew that that they were been with Jesus Christ when He ministered on earth. They recognized them as the disciples of Him. 

Acts 4 verse 14

 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Verse 14: The man who was healed was standing with them. He stood there! He wasn't lame anymore! That was a wonder of God and these rulers and elders, priests couldn't say nothing. They marvelled! They couldn't deny it that this happened to this lame man. This healing must have made a great impression on the people because it happened in public! Not behind closed doors! Everyone saw it on the streets! 

Acts 4 verse 15
 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

Verse 15: The rulers, elders and priests commanded Peter, John and the healed man to go out of the council. They had to wait somewhere else in the building of the Sanhedrin. They had to wait what would come: what these rulers of the folk Israel would decide and what they would say to them. In the meanwhile when Peter and John and the healed man were waiting these rulers and elders and priests were discussing with each other about what the whole thing: that the man was healed, what Peter had told them about Christ and in the Name of Jesus Christ this man was healed. 

Acts 4 verse 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.

Verse 16: The rulers, elders and priests were discussing with each other what to do with Peter and John and the healed man. They had to admit that the healing of this man was a notable miracle.This was something supernatural! Everyone who dwell in Jerusalem had seen this miracle. We cannot deny it that this not happened because we have seen this man before us healed. 

Acts 4 verse 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.

Verse 17: These rulers, elders and priests were very afraid that more people came to know this and would come to believe in Christ so they had this plan and this is exactly what satan does: to resist God's Word so that it would be not known to people. They say to each other: let us straitly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name. So they forbid them to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom under the folk Israel. You see it now under this Dispensation more and more in a lot of countries in the world that the Word of God, the Bible is forbidden. Thank the Lord that we live here in a free Europe. That we can read  and study the Bible free here! 

Acts 4 verse 18

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Verse 18: What the rulers, elders and priests of the folk Israel had discussed with each other they made plain to Peter and John. They called them again inside the council and said: we command you not to speak at all nor teach in the Name of Jesus. This sounds familiar! Nowadays we have countries in the world where the authorities do the same to forbid people to believe and preach about the Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God. The world in this hasn't changed! This is how satan works! 

Acts 4 verse 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.

Verse 19: We read here very strong words as answer to this command brothers and sisters! Peter and John said to them: Judge ye men do we have to listen to you more then to listen to God? This is also for us  brothers and sisters: Do we have to listen more to people then to God? The answer is that we have to obey God more then people in this world. So if you come in a situation that people or authority forbid you to speak or preach about the Gospel of salvation, the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24 which is the truth you can say the same to people which Peter and John told these priests, leaders and elders of this folk Israel.

Acts 4 verse 20

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Verse 20: What a boldness the apostles Peter and John had before these rulers! They said further this: we cannot stop preaching and speaking in the Name of Jesus Christ! They had seen Him when He was risen from the dead. He had instructed them everything according the Gospel of the Kingdom and to offer Israel the Messiah. First whole Jerusalem had to repent inclusive these rulers of the folk and Israel. Then the world had to repent to God through Jesus Christ! How can you stop us to speak not about Jesus Christ with other words? Very strong words and the rulers couldn't bring nothing against it! With more words: no one, no human being can stop us. 

Acts 4 verse 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.

Verse 21: After Peter and John told them not to stop preaching and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ these rulers, priests and elders threatened them. What is threaten? They tried to intimidate Peter and John. But to treathen and do that is something else. What did they do these leaders? They let them go! So Peter and John were again free and on the loose! They were not guilty because those leaders found nothing how to punish Peter and John.  But you see here in this verse that they were also afraid about the people in Jerusalem if they let those apostles not go what would happen? Maybe there came from the people a revolt against them and this they want this. 

All men who had seen the miracle that the man was healed glorified God. They believed that God was the Healer in this miracle. 

Acts 4 verse 22

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

Verse 22: The man who was lame and healed was above forty years old. You know life begins at fourty. Think about this: fourty years you are lame and then this miracle happened! Fourty years is the number of years for a generation.  The number of fourty is the number also of testing. In Exodus 24 verse 18 we read the following words: Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. Forty is a holy number by God brothers and sisters! During the time Moses was in the mount with God, God was testing Israel how they did without their leader. Israel failed that test because of the golden calf they made because they trusted not God and bowed down and worshipped  this golden calf before Moses came back to the folk. Later Israel in de desert failed again by not trusting God because of the giants who were living in the land of Canaan. Their punishment from God was this in Numbers was this: Numbers 14:33 and 34: And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. This lame man who was fourty years stands symbolic again for Israel being again tested. This lame man is a example of the spiritual condition of Israel which was very bad.  The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 2 verse 4. Israel as a whole could in that time of Pentecost believe on God through Jesus Christ but failed again what we see later in Acts 7 with the stoning of Stephen. 

Acts 4 verse 23

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

Verse 23: And being let go. They were released, Peter and John, from prison. These leaders let them go because they found nothing to punish them and were afraid of the people of Jerusalem. So Peter and John went to the people of the church: that were the other 10 apostles and the more than 5000 people who believed in that time. They told them everything what the chief priests and elders had said unto them. What had they said? They had said not to preach or speak in the Name of the Lord Jesus. This leaded till a prayer from all who heard Peter and John in the next verses. 

Acts 4 verse 24

And 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:

Verse 24: Peter and John reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them, the whole church at Jerusalem, that they were forbidden to speak or preach in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and after that they began to pray, to talk to God with them all. They said in their prayer this: thou art Lord which hade made heaven and earth, the dry land and the sea. He , God is the Creator of all things. He created first the heaven and after that the earth. They all believed in Him. This was a very earnest prayer they prayed. 

Acts 4 verse 25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Verse 25: In their prayer they continued with the words of David: why did the heathen rage and people do vain things? In Psalm 2 verse 1 we read the same: Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? Why they are angry and do iddle things people? Why, because of the sin nature Romans 5 verse 12. Everyone is born with this nature after Adam so this must be the answer to this question. 

Acts 4 verse 26

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

Verse 26: This is also written in this same Psalm in verse 2. The whole earth is against God and against Christ His Son. They don't want Him. They had already crucified Him on the cross. The Jews and the Gentiles. The Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected and on that moment of prayer He was and is on the right hand of God. This what they say to God will be also in the time of the Tribulation. And the Tribulation period was very near when all these men prayed to God. 

Acts 4 verse 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,

Verse 27: For the truth these kings on earth like Herod and Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were against it. The truth is the Lord Jesus Christ and they prayed this prayer and this is the continuation of verse 26. The whole world is against the Lord and against Christ. Till this hour we see it happen in this world. They crucified Him. They didn't want Him and after His resurrection they were still against Him and did not want to believe on Him. They hate Him and that is exactly what the world does. But God raised Him up from the dead and enthroned Him in heaven. 

Acts 4 verse 28

For to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done.

Verse 28: This is a continuation of verse 27 and we see that all of this was a part of God's perfect plan so there was no need to fear. All of God's plan (s) and whatsoever is in His hand and in His counsel was before determined and be done. God is no Liar like men. What He promised to Himself He do. His plans are always coming out. 

Acts 4 verse 29

 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy Word,

Verse 29: The prayer was a cry to God to soften the hearts of the leaders and elders and priests threatened Peter and John so that these leaders, elders and priests no more would do this and that the apostles would continue with all boldness to speak the Word of God.  That the Word of God  unhindered would be known by these apostles and others who were with them to speak so that they could boldly continue to preach this. 

Acts 4 verse 30

 By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Verse 30: Not only the Word of God that this may continually be preached also that healings, signs, wonders would be done by the Name of Jesus Christ. This is what all those men there were preaching to God as answer what Peter and John had told them that they were intimidated not to speak and preach anymore in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Acts 4 verse 31

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.

Verse 31: When they had prayed. When they had stopped praying the place where they were together as church was shaken. A wonder of God came over them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit of God. God was still dealing with Israel and as long He was dealing with them wonders and signs came like this. Under this Dispensation of Grace we have no signs anymore of God. God is not working like He was acting with Israel here. The people were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness! Just what they had asked from God and immediately God answered them and they received the boldness to speak His Word! What a wonder! We can God also ask for boldness under this Dispensation of Grace. It is not only His will that we do this. It depends also on us if we will this. 

Acts 4 verse 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.

Verse 32: They were, these believers in the Jerusalem church of one heart and one soul. Everything they had in common. No one of them possessed what was from his own. A complete different way of living like we live under this Dispensation of Grace today. We have our own possessions, our own goods and other things like houses, cars  etc. Under that former Dispensation these were the signs for the coming Kingdom on earth. We cannot live like they lived under that former Dispensation and under the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom. We never can try to live like that. There are people who tried this and live in a sort kind of communion but still it is not the same like what is written here in this verse how the church at Jerusalem lived in the early period of Acts. 

Acts 4 verse 33

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:

and great grace was upon them all.

Verse 33: With great power! This was and is the power of God! With that great power, the power of God's resurrection the apostles were witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. They told every day about it with a lot of boldness and in great power. They all were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were under control of the Holy Spirit. This had effet because we read in the second that great grace was upon them all. God's great grace was upon them!  Not the Grace of God we know through the apostle Paul in his letters to us. It was God's favour on them. 

Acts 4 verse 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,

Verse 34: No one of these believers of the Jerusalem church, the church which started at Pentecost had lack on things, goods, food etc. Many of them were possessors of lands or houses and sold these properties and brought the money (the sum of it) to the apostles feet which were sold. This is what every believer who wanted to be a disciple had to do under the Gospel of the Kingdom. Now we live under a different Dispensation as they did and it is now different. We are no disciples of God or from the Lord. We are His ambassadors 2 Corinthians 5:19-21

Acts 4 verse 35

And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Verse 35: The posessors of lands or houses sold their lands and houses and brought the price of the things that were sold down at the apostles feet. No one had lack on things and everyone get what he or she needed. Everyone had all in common. No one had any properties anymore. This is how it worked under the days of Pentecost. 

Acts 4 verse 36

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,

Verse 36: Joses and he had a surname Barnabas son of consolation a Levite. The first time we read about Barnabas here in Acts 4. Later he became Paul's companion and was also named a apostle. He came from Cyprus now Greece but lived in Jerusalem. What was a Levite?A Levite was a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi, especially of that part of it which provided assistants to the priests in the worship in the Jewish temple. And such was Barnabas son of consolation or comfort

Acts 4 verse 37

 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Verse 37: Barnabas or Joses did obey God as a disciple. He had land and sold it and brought the money from this land to the apostles feet. He knew very well how to behave and he did it what God asked him to do under the former Dispensation under the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Kingdom was near! 

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Acts 5 verse 1

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Verse 1: Ananias and Sapphira his wife were two deceivers and they departed from God's given program of the Kingdom. They both came in contact with the believers in Jerusalem and must have observed that their way of living was blessed and wonderful.  They both saw that it was like heaven on earth to belong to such a group. Ananias and his wife Sapphira were like the young ruler only that the young ruler was honest and they not. Matthew 19:16-22

Acts 5 verse 2

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Verse 2: Ananias and his wife Sapphira loved money so much. Love for money is a great sin. Were they tempted to keep back part of the price of their property after that they had sold it? It indicates here very clearly that their sin was deliberate and planned. 

Acts 5 verse 3

 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Verse 3: So Ananias came to the apostle's feet and laid down a part of the proceeds and then Peter said this to Ananias: why hath satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost to keep back part of the price of the land? How did Peter know or had knowledge that this man Ananias was lying to them? Peter and the twelve were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were under control of the Holy Spirit. They had the gift of the Holy Spirit. He Peter and the others who believed knew also that persons were upright or were lying so he knew that Ananias was lying to God. 

Acts 5 verse 4

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Verse 4: Ananias and Saphira did not obey God to give the entire proceeds at the apostle's feet like Barnabas did. They deceitfully holding on to private investments. Ananias loved the money and wanted to hold back from the proceeds for themselves, so he and his wife lied unto God and not unto men. This is the conclusion which Peter told Ananias. 

Acts 5 verse 5

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear

came on all them that heard these things.

Verse 5: Ananias heard the words of the apostle Peter. Ananias couldn't respond with words to the apostle Peter because he fell down dead: he gave up the ghost. God immediately punished him for this sin and Ananias was dead. All that heard this. All the people who heard this and were living in Jerusalem  feared because this could happen to them too. They realized that this was very serious and and that you cannot lie to God. 

Acts 5 verse 6

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

Verse 6: After Ananias death young men stood up probably from the congregation and packed up the body of Ananias and carried his death body out and buried him. Why carried these young men the body of Ananias away? Well young men have more strength than older people so it is more easier for them to carry dead bodies. We don't know if Ananias was great and have a lot of weight. 

Acts 5 verse 7

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 

Verse 7: Three hours later his wife Sapphira came in where the apostles were gathered. She didn't know what happened to her husband, that he was already dead. We don't know what she did in this 3 hours after her husband fell down dead at the feet of Peter and the others. She could know what action they had did and had in that time to repent from this. 

Acts 5 verse 8

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Verse 8: Again Peter led the small conversation and asked Sapphira this: ye sold the land for so much? Peter knew the prize for the land. Peter had the supernatural gift of God to know whether a person was lying or not against God. He knew she would lie to God. Brazenly she lied and said yea for so much. Her attitude was contrary to that which was making the Messianic church such an overwhelming success. She knew she lied to Peter. 

Acts 5 verse 9

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Verse 9: Peter answered her why did you both tempt the Spirit of the Lord and were fully agree with each other to do this? They, Ananias and his wife Sapphira were actually defying God and daring Him to act. For this act Peter told her that the man stood for the door who had carried away her husband dead and they should carry her also out. That was her punishment. 

Acts 5 verse 10

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in,

and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

Verse 10: Immediately she fell down straightway at the feet of Peter and gave up the ghost. She died at that moment and again the young men came in the room and found her dead and carried her away from this place and buried her by her husband Ananias. This let you know that God is not to be mocked.

Acts 5 verse 11

 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Verse 11: After Ananias and Sapphira were punished to death by God there came great fear upon all the people in the church at Jerusalem. The sin they committed was not in robbing God of money but in lying to Him and robbing Him of glory. They were not required, not demanded to sell the property and to give any of the money to the church. The lust of recognition conceived sin in their hearts and that sin produced death. James 1 verse 15 tells us this: Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.. The result of this death of them was a wave of Godly fear that swept ove rthe church and all those in Jerusalem which heard these things. 

Acts 5 verse 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.

Verse 12: A lot of signs and wonders were wrought by the apostles hands among the people. God gave the apostles power to perform great miracles. The apostles did primarily the miracles. These signs and wonders were God's way of confirming their ministry. What is striking is this that they, the whole church were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. So they were in the temple in the outer porch of the temple because in the inner porch of the temple it was alone allowed for priests and levites, not for the common people. 

Acts 5 verse 13

 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

Verse 13: The rest of the people of Jerusalem no one dared to join himself to the apostles and the other believers in Solomon's porch. Instead of this they magnified them. They made them great, they maximize these believers in Christ from the church at Jerusalem. They were in awe of these believers of the church. 

Acts 5 verse 14

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Verse 14: There were more believers added to the Lord. More people came to believe because of all the wonders and miracles they had seen or heard through the hands of the apostles and through the Word of God. Both men and women! The purpose was that all the inhabitans of Jerusalem inclusive the leaders and elders of the folk Israel came to believe but this didn't happen. These days of early Acts here was a foretaste of the coming Kingdom on earth!  

 

 

 

 

 

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