Pastor Marty Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 1:08PM We had visiting Evangelist Ernie Salinas preach this Sunday. We will not create an article, but you can listen to Ernie's sermon on Luke 15:1-7 and our Lord's desire to reach and save those who are lost.
Pastor Marty Monday, October 24, 2022 at 10:16PM Acts 5:40-42. This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on October 23, 2022.
There are many things in life that cause people to rejoice. We rejoice at weddings and at the birth of children. We rejoice at graduations and getting that first job as an adult. Of course, there are many similar things of lesser caliber that we rejoice over as well.
However, it is not common for people to rejoice when they are being persecuted by others for the sake of following Jesus Christ. Yet, if we are truly following Jesus, we should be growing in our ability to do so, and far more Christians should be spiritually mature enough to do it. I do not mean in theory, or in pretense. I really do mean that we should internally and externally rejoice when we are persecuted for our faith in Jesus.
Today we are going to see the Apostles of Jesus rejoicing because they were being persecuted. May God bless us with even half the joy that they had on that day!
Let’s get into our passage.
The Apostles of Jesus were in a tough spot with the council angrily planning their death right in front of them. It seemed that the same thing that happened with Jesus would now happen to them. Yet, something unexpected happens. Gamaliel, a rabbi with a lot of clout on the council, stands up and gives a speech strongly cautioning the group against putting the men to death. This is where we left off last week.
In verse 40, we are told that his speech “persuaded them.” He is a very learned man who knows this assembly well. He cannot easily be dismissed by the high priest and the Sadducees on the council. It is also possible that he has caught them off guard, and the are persuaded more out of a lack of preparation to resist his logic.
All this notwithstanding, Gamaliel is not the hero here. It really is God who has turned them from this path of executing the Apostles. God often works through people, both the righteous who are willing to be used of Him and the unrighteous who are used unwittingly by Him. Thus, it is God who has set them free.
We should remind ourselves of how God protected Daniel in the lion’s den. He sent an angel who was clearly unseen by others. How many times was Israel outnumbered by their enemies, but God sent an angel, or stirred them to fight one another, or pummeled them with hailstones, etc. Many are the methods that God employs to help the righteous, and sometimes it involves using those who are unrighteous. Yes, I am saying that Gamaliel is unrighteous. He is resisting and standing against the clear leading of the Spirit of God in his day.
However, God does not always set His servants free from the hands of those bent on persecuting them. Everyone of these Apostles would be heavily persecuted by their fellow Jews, and by the Gentiles. Most of them would be executed for the sake of Jesus as martyrs down the road.
Jesus himself had warned Israel that he was sending them prophets and that they would persecute them.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
“Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.” Matthew 23:29-36 (NKJV)
They would become guilty of all the righteous blood shed on the earth because they were doing this over the top of the powerful light of God given in their generation. Cain is the primary, or original, type of this. He slew his brother even though he had been warned by God Himself. He had great light and sinned against it. There is a rejection of God and truth, and an embrace of wickedness. We see the same thing with Mystery Babylon in the book of the Revelation of Jesus. Revelation 18:24 says, “And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”
The light and the glory of Jesus Christ has spread across this world, and many who would speak of Jews as Christ-killers will themselves become the greatest persecutors of his true followers. It has been figured that, from AD 1540 to 1580, papal Rome had over 900,000 Protestants killed. However, those numbers pale in comparison to what can be done today. Perhaps we will see the days when Protestants themselves call for the death of those they disagree with. I pray not. Yet, the rise of Pentecostalism in the early 1900’s received much social persecution from the Protestant churches they were being kicked out of. Perhaps even Pentecostals will join in the fray of persecution. This is always the challenge. Will we allow ourselves to make the institution an idol and persecute those who refuse to do so? Or, will we allow Jesus to lead us along the path that he has chosen?
Friend, hear me. You had better flee to Jesus and deliver yourself from this wicked and perverse generation. No denomination can save you. No church can save you, only Jesus can! I pray that you as an individual, and this church as a local body, and the Assemblies of God will hold the line in standing with Jesus. However, our faith is anchored in Jesus, and not in an institution.
We are told that they are beaten and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus, but it would not stay that way for long. God had a certain work that they had to accomplish, and no one could stop them, until they had accomplished what He had sent them to do. Yet, they were able to make the apostle’s lives difficult.
In our generation, we do not like it when sinful people, even sinful “Christians,” make our lives difficult. However, this is the call to all who would follow Jesus. Following Jesus is not easy because he is headed to a cross, and he tells you to pick up and carry your own cross in following him. Praise God that there is coming a day when Christ will come in his glory, and the sons of God will be manifested to a world that is not worthy of those whom God has sent! It is not yet clear who we are, but God Himself declares that we are His children. He will manifest it on that day!
We should now turn our attention to the response of the Apostles.
Imagine how you would respond to being hauled before the Snohomish County Superior Court judge, or the supreme Court of the State of WA, or the House of Representatives of these united States of America. What if you were unlawfully detained, questioned, beaten, and then told to quit talking about Jesus or you would get worse? I know that it seems an impossibility and hard to fathom. Yet, this is what had happened to these men. How did they respond? Maybe we had better focus more on how we would respond?
We are told that they responded by rejoicing in their suffering. No, they were not rejoicing that they were released, but that they had suffered for Jesus! Why would they do such an odd thing? We could chalk it up to the fact that they had failed before the cross to stand with Jesus. Perhaps this was an opportunity to prove their devotion and love to their Lord after having failed so miserably before. However, I believe it is more than that.
Jesus had prepared them for this moment as a part of their discipleship. The Gospels record several places where Jesus addressed this.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV)
Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23 (NKJV)
They were not suffering because of living a sinful lifestyle, and rejecting the Word of God. They were suffering shame for the name of Jesus and doing righteousness!
Public humiliation, or public shame, is one of the ways that societies and governments have kept people in check through the years. However, these men were more interested in pleasing Jesus than they were in pleasing people. Leonard Ravenhill said it similar to this. If we displease God, then it doesn’t matter if we please men, and if we please God, then it doesn’t matter if we displease men. God help us to quit being people who are trying to please others at the expense of pleasing God. God give us enough backbone to follow Him even when other Christians become our greatest persecutors and call us heretics, or accuse us of perverting the faith.
This was the shame that these Apostles were suffering. They were treated as traitors to Israel and to God. They would be excommunicated and cut off as heretics accused of working for the devil.
I have saved the phrase “counted worthy” for last. They were rejoicing, but Luke adds a sense of being counted worthy to suffer.
Do we have this whole issue of suffering backwards? Do we think that the more we know God the less persecution we will encounter? This is not an accurate understanding of a man like Daniel. Yes, the lions did not eat him, and he was restored to his position. However, Daniel was not protected from suffering persecution. These men had laid in wait and used their power, position, and craft against him. Martyrs are clearly suffering, but my point is that even the great examples of those who were protected by God (remember David?) suffered great persecution for standing with Him.
We may think that there is not as much persecution against Christians in America because we are far more civilized than those other nations. We are somehow better and more righteous than they. But what if we are not living lives worthy of suffering for Christ? Maybe us pastors are living lives that do not have enough faith to preach the truth in the face of opposition? Perhaps believers are afraid of what may happen if they get serious about warning others around them about a future without Jesus. Or simply, maybe we are consumed with the lusts of our flesh instead of the eternal work of the Lord Jesus that the Spirit of God is calling us to? O, friend, if you have ever sensed the Spirit of God before, then sense Him now. Jesus is looking for workers in the fields, and those workers will encounter persecution to varying levels. Will you answer His call?
We are told by Luke that the Apostles never stopped teaching and proclaiming the Gospel, that Jesus is the Messiah! They did not surrender for even one minute! They did not obey the unlawful command from the lawless authorities. Rather, they continued to do what Christ had told them to do. They preached Jesus as Christ to the people in his power and authority. They declared him to be the Anointed one promised by God the Father. This anointed one would be the savior of mankind, and he would have authority over all in heaven and on the earth. He is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords!
I believe that Jesus is removing the middle ground here in America. To our flesh, it is a scary day, just as the night of betrayal was to the Apostles. But when you get on the other side of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gives you a vision of what lies ahead! May God help us to be a people who are seeking to be fille with His Spirit. May we be a people hearing the Holy Spirit, repenting of lethargy, and exercising faith in him through loving obedience. In short, may we truly be his disciples and take on the image of Jesus Christ!
Email Article | Print Article | Share Article | tagged Gospel, Jesus, Messiah, Persecution, Shame, Suffering, Teaching, Worthy Pastor Marty Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 3:09PM Acts 5:33-39. This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on October 16, 2022.
Last week we looked at Peter’s powerful defense of their actions, and their preaching of the Gospel of Jesus. Peter ended with a powerful conviction of the religious leaders of Israel for murdering Jesus in the face of what God was doing- see last week’s sermon regarding why it is presented as murder. This sets us up for the reaction from the Council.
It is easy to become angry with a human being. Even the best believers have flaws that can be used to discount them, or even attack them. However, we must always remember that this is unwise. You will not be judged by Jesus on whether you were more flawless than those you disagreed with. Rather, you will be judged by what the Spirit of God was trying to say to you, or through you. Thus, we need to be careful in how we respond to one another. This is a serious area in which we are easily tripped up by the enemy.
Let’s get into the passage.
Though Peter’s speech is much the same as it was the first time he spoke to the council (Acts chapter four), it seems that the council’s response is far more furious this time. That makes some sense because this time they have disregarded the council’s earlier command.
Yet, it is not Peter that is bothering them, but rather, it is the Gospel Truth that Jesus has given to the apostles, the fact that they are faithfully speaking with boldness, and the clear presence of the Holy Spirit’s power. They would have typically dispatched Galilean fishermen with ease, but these guys were not typical.
Some translations say that they were “cut to the heart.” The word literally means “to be sawn in two.” Any English speaker would recognize right away that the intent of the original language is far more vehement than “cut to the heart” elicits. Thus, the term “furious” is used. They have been forced to hear the truth that they have been avoiding with such shocking force that they are beside themselves with rage and indignation.
We should see a contrast between this reaction and the reaction of the crowd on the Day of Pentecost. It is a contrast between Israel’s leaders and the average Judean (Jew). In Acts 2, the word of God from Peter is more of a piercing of their heart, rather than a sawing in two. Being pierced by God’s word stirs up remorse and godly sorrow within many in the crowd (of course not all).
It is the same word that Peter is preaching, but it has a different effect on different hearts. Of course, there is even a third response that can be described as apathy. How am I responding to the Gospel Truth of Jesus Christ? I am not just talking about sinners who are not believers, but also about those who are supposed to be believers. There comes a time when God refuses to wink at sin any more. He then sends a polarizing event, situation, or person to force us off of the fence, one way or another.
This is where many in the council are. They are responding with vehemence against the Gospel Truth. They are on a course to do the same thing to the apostles that they had done with Jesus. However, God had a different plan! Yes, the apostles would give their lives for the Gospel, but not at this time.
At this point, a respected teacher named Gamaliel steps in to dissuade the council from the direction that they are headed in. So, what do we know about this Rabbi?
We do not have a lot of source documents from that time period to give us information on him. He is mentioned twice in Acts and a couple of times in the Talmud (a collection of Jewish law and traditions). He seems to have lived from about 10 BC to c. AD 55-65. He served as the “Prince” (Nasi) of the Sanhedrin during these years and was a Pharisee, which means that he wasn’t aligned with the high priest.
In those days, there were two mainstream schools of interpretation referred to by their founding rabbis: Hillel and Shammai. Gamaliel is the grandson of Rabbi Hillel. It has been pointed out that Hillel and Shammai could have been present at the temple when the twelve-year-old Jesus was teaching and amazing them. Of course, we cannot know this side of heaven.
Gamaliel had the honor of a familial connection to Hillel, but had also proven to be a wise teacher, having a respect on his own merits.
Gamaliel argues for leaving the apostles alone, which causes some to question why he didn’t do so with Jesus. We do not have enough information to figure that out, so silent we should remain. It is possible he was not able to attend the trial of Jesus for some reason. It is also possible that he went along with the death of Jesus, but now feels executing 12 of top disciples- who were proving to be quite popular with a large number of people- is a bridge too far, and will cause riots. This is all speculation.
Regardless, this story has more to do with God’s purpose for the apostles than it does with Gamaliel. He simply becomes a means for God’s purpose to be worked out like Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, or even Judas.
Gamaliel has them put the apostles outside of the chamber so that they can discuss without being overheard. It is interesting to note that Nicodemus would have most likely been there. This account in Acts is the only surviving evidence of this trial.
When he is able to speak freely, Gamaliel warns the council that they need to be careful in what they do with these men. The heated anger within the group was not carrying them in a good direction. He argues against putting the men to death, which tells us what he didn’t want to happen. However, an argument is always crafted to be persuasive to others, and doesn’t always represent the main thinking of the person making it.
At the least, Gamaliel represents a cooler head, which is a hallmark of wiser notion. Still, we should be careful of turning Gamaliel into more than he is. He too was kicking against the goads of the Holy Spirit, along with his disciple Paul (see Acts 22:3). He is trying to find a middle road in a situation in which God is not allowing there to be a middle road. As I said earlier, there are times where God brings everything to a head and forces people to get off the fence. He uses circumstances like a bulldozer to remove that fence out from under us. How important it is for us to see that the issue is not wise sounding words, but knowing the Word of God, knowing what He is doing in the now. In this case, not even Gamaliel had the wisdom of these fishermen and their friends, in the same way that Pharaoh did not have the wisdom of the slaves before him.
Gamaliel reminds the council of two recent examples of insurrections that were led by messiah-figures. Each of these are of a person who gathered a large following, had a level of success, was struck down, and then their followers dispersed. We have no evidence outside of the Bible for these two insurrections. There are some passages in Josephus that are close, but they do not fit these details. In fact, there were many insurrections and rising of messiah-figures within Israel. The most famous of that period, other than Jesus, would come in AD 135 as the Romans crushed the Simon BarKochba Revolt. He had been backed as messiah by Rabbi Akiva, the top Hillel scholar of that time. So, it is little wonder that these two events, which were recent to the council at that time, would not be recorded elsewhere.
The first example is of a man named Theudas. He gathered up to 400 men, and yet, he was slain. This sounds like a military death, so it seems likely they tested their metal against the Romans. Regardless, his followers dispersed and nothing more came of it.
Similarly, a man named Judas (Judah) of Galilee rose up during the days of the census. There were several censuses in those decades, but it is likely that “the census” is a reference to the census by Caesar Augustus during the birth of Jesus. This Judas also rose up, drew many people after him, and then perished. His followers dispersed and nothing more came of it.
Gamaliel’s argument comes down to this. These apostles are either doing a work of men, a human source, or they are doing a work of God. If it is a work of men, then it will fail and come to nothing, like the two examples he gave. However, if it is of God, then they won’t be able to fight it because no man can fight God and win.
I would say up front that it would be reading too much into the argument to believe that Gamaliel was thinking God might be behind the apostles, though that is a possibility. However, it seems most likely that he is logically boxing them into the course of action that he wishes them to take. There is no way the council will accept that these men are doing God’s work- they were the ones “doing God’s work.”
There are two sides to Gamaliel’s argument. The side about God is absolutely true. When God is doing a work, not even the great armies of the world can stop it. Yet, there is a fallacy on the human side. Yes, all human endeavors done without God’s help will fail, but there are other factors. How long will it take to come to nothing? And, how much damage will it do until it fails? What about Islam? Does God want Arabs worshipping a false god in a false religion? Of course, He doesn’t. Yet, due to their choices, God has worked it into His plan. There will come a day when Islam is no more. What about Mormonism? They have been quite successful in numbers of people and money spent on a mission that is not a work of God. However, these things are worked into God’s plan as a judgment upon Christianity and its lack of fervor in His things.
We might also say that this is not the counsel of Jesus. “Beware of false prophets…” It is not the council of the Apostle Paul who jealously defended the churches that he started from false teachers and false prophets. He didn’t just ignore them.
We must always understand that sometimes God brings situations that force us to make a choice. It polarizes, and there is no middle position. O Christian, let us be a work of God who is working with God in His work! If we are only a Christian looking work of man, then we are of most people to be pitied, for we will one day stand before him and hear the fateful words, “Depart from me. I never knew you!”
Pastor Marty Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 9:44AM Acts 5:17-32. This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on October 9, 2022.
In today’s passage, the leaders of Israel are going to haul the apostles in because they continue to preach salvation and forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus.
It is important to pay attention to the attitude of these men as they disobey earthly authorities in order to obey God. Some people use the idea of obeying God rather than man as a moral cover for selfish reasons. The fruit of their life bears out the message that they are simply using it as a license for immorality.
May God help us to be led by the Holy Spirit, rather than man. But, may we also understand that His plan is always to give a witness to all those who are watching, whether leaders or not. This is a holy matter and we should be careful not to muddy the waters of what God wants to say to others. If we attempt to use this as an excuse, we will one day stand before Him with no excuse.
Let’s get into the passage.
The apostles are imprisoned (vs. 17-21)
The first arrest of any of the apostles was at the beginning of chapter four. Peter and John were arrested, questioned, threatened and then released. Now we have a second arrest.
It is the high priest of Israel and his religious party, the Sadducees, are filled with indignation that these men continue to teach in the name of Jesus. The word translated “indignation” is often translated as “zeal.” It refers to the heat and passion to defend or pursue something. In this case, they are going to defend their actions with Jesus, and pursue the goal of shutting up these disciples of Jesus.
We must always hold our passions in check before the Lord to determine whether they are motivated by righteousness and His Spirit, rather than by our own flesh and the world around us.
The phrase “they laid their hands on the apostles” simply means that they had them arrested, most likely by the temple guards. It is most likely that all of the apostles are arrested this time since Luke made it clear in chapter four that it was only Peter and John. He only says “apostles” in this chapter.
The apostles are held over night in the common prison. However, God has different plans in mind. He sends an angel to release them that night. The angel simply “opens the doors,” with no mention of the guards in these verses. In a bit, we will see in verse 23 that the guards are still outside the jailhouse and don’t know that anything has happened the next morning. Most likely a spiritual sleepiness came over them because there is no mention of them being afraid and running away as in the case of the resurrection of Jesus.
Of course, angels don’t need keys. In Acts 12, an angel will rescue Peter from prison and it basically says that the “chains fell off his hands,” and that a large iron gate opened “of its own accord.” The word is the Greek term automate that has the idea that it opened by itself, without the intervention of something else.
Thus, the disciples found themselves freed late at night without the soldiers and the high priest knowing what had happened.
The angel then gives them a message from the Lord. They are to go to the temple, and “speak to the people all the words of this life.” It is most likely a reference to the eternal life that Jesus promised to his followers and those who believed upon him through their preaching. However, we should not separate this eternal life from the here and now. Christian believers already have the eternal life of Christ welling up in them like a spring. The Christian life is itself an expression of God’s life flowing through us day by day, and will climax at the resurrection when this mortal flesh is overwhelmed by the power of God’s eternal life!
When it comes to angels, the bible is clear that angels are ministering spirits on behalf of those who are being saved (Hebrews 1:14). Their work is generally unseen. However, from time to time and as it suites God’s purposes, they operate in a way that enables people to see them, or recognize after the fact that they have been active. We shouldn’t address them, pray to them, or try to direct them. We pray to God and let Him decide how we should be helped!
The apostles then waited until the temple opened that morning. They then boldly marched up onto the temple mount, no doubt setting up in Solomon’s Colonnade, and began to declare the words of life through faith in Jesus! At this point their lives are totally surrendered to what Jesus has for them. There is no discussion about what is wise and what is foolish. If the Lord gives a command, then we need to obey. May God help us to develop and walk in such courage.
There is a sense of humor that the apostles are preaching in the temple as the Sanhedrin is gathered in order to question them, and determine their fate. God doesn’t always do things the same way. These men are sprung from jail, whereas, Daniel was protected in it. Others went on to be executed, and have their heads cut off. We need to learn to trust Jesus, to exercise our faith in him no matter what may happen.
The apostles are on trial again (vs. 22-32)
As we see, they are going to be arrested again and brought before the council of Israel, but first, there is the question of where they are. When the council sends for the apostles to be brought before them out of the prison, the officers cannot find them. They go back to the council and report that everything looks like it should, officers are still guarding it, the doors are locked, and yet there are no apostles. Wasn’t that nice of the angel to lock up after they left?
This leaves the council wondering what was going on.
At this point, someone comes from the temple and reports that the apostles are preaching on the temple grounds! Of course, this can’t be allowed to stand, so they are arrested again “without violence”, mainly because they were afraid that the people might stone them.
This is a common problem among those who stand in the place of the law. The power to arrest is supposed to be done in service of righteousness, and doesn’t always require violence. However, some men do require strong force to bring them into custody. Yet, at the same time, power can go to people’s heads, even law enforcement officers. Those giving arrest orders, and those carrying out the arrests, can completely overstep their proper authority when their ego gets over-involved. Thus, you can lawlessly execute a lawful order, or even lawlessly execute a lawless order.
The apostles are set before the council and the high priest addresses them. He reminds them that previously they had been commanded not to teach “in this name.” Apparently, he doesn’t even want to say the name of Jesus. Yet, they have gone out and filled Jerusalem with their teaching, and appear to be intent on making “us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Think about it this way. A lawful execution of a wicked man is not murder. This is what the leaders want to be the official narrative. However, the apostles are saying that the execution was not valid and that God had overturned it through resurrection. This means that the leaders are guilty of the blood of Jesus. His blood is on their heads in the way of guilt.
Peter serves as the spokesman for the group and gives their answer. You can compare this answer with the one that he gave last time in Acts 4:19-20.
In Acts 4, he used the verb “listen,” but here, it is “obey.” Also, in chapter 4 it is put forward as a question for the council to decide upon, but now Peter makes a statement. Here are both forms. Chapter 4: “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!” Chapter 5: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” The question should never be, “What do men want me to do?” Rather, it should always be about what God wants!
Peter then details what God has done and what He is doing just as he did in chapter 4. God raised up Jesus whom they murdered by hanging. Of course, the Romans did the killing, but it would not have happened without the rulers pushing it. To add insult to injury, they chose hanging to be the form of death knowing that the Law of Moses claims that a man who hangs on a tree is cursed of God.
God then exalted Jesus to His right hand in order to make him two things. First, it is in order to make him to be Prince. The word prince is used here in the sense of the principal leader of a something and is synonymous with king. This is connected to Daniel 9:25 where Messiah the Prince is prophesied to be executed.
Second, Jesus is raised to the right hand of the Father in order to make him to be Savior. Remember that this term involves more than just dealing with sins. It may better be translated as Deliverer- like the Judges of old. Just as Israel needed a savior all those years ago, we too need a Savior today. Praise God that He has already given us Jesus!
Jesus was also giving to Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. That is a powerful statement. How long had they gone as a society without repenting for their past and present sins? It had been a long time. Through Jesus God was granting them repentance. I would that God would grant to the United States of America repentance and forgiveness of sins for it seems that we are bent on doubling down on our sins.
Peter declares again that the apostles are witnesses of all of these things. They don’t just have two or three witnesses, but twelve! On top of that, there are two classes of witnesses. The apostles are the human witnesses, but the Holy Spirit bears witness as well by healing powerfully through the disciples.
Peter ends with the statement that God is giving the Holy Spirit to those who obey. In a sense, this is put before them laden with potential. If they simply dropped the ego and admitted they were wrong, then they too could participate in the blessed promise of the Holy Spirit. Alas, it was not to be so.
May God help us to make the choice today. We will either be a part of the remnant that is receiving the Spirit of God and moving forward into blessing or we will be part of the larger group that is receiving the judgment of God and moving forward into His wrath. Choose this day whom you will serve!
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