“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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; who seeing PETER and JOHN about to go into the temple asked an alms. And PETER, fastening his eyes upon him with John, SAID, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then PETER SAID, Silver and gold have I (not we) none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 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. 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.” Acts 3:1-11

In the foregoing Account, I’d like you to notice something I find quite amazing. Two Disciples, Peter and John have gone to the Temple to pray. They encounter a lame man. (We learn from the next chapter that he is 40 years old, Acts 4:22.)

A dialogue ensures. Beginning with the blind man begging for money. Then PETER answers. (Remember, John is right by his side! John, “the Disciple whom Jesus loved.” Also the author of one New Testament Gospel, three Epistles and the glorious Book of Revelation!)

And John does not say a single word! Not that is recorded in our Holy Spirit Paragraph! Peter does all the talking!

What might this I imply?

The verbosity of Peter? (Talking incessantly at times.)

The reticence of John? (An introverted personality.)

A proper strategy for soul winning? (Go out in pairs, like Jesus taught … but one person take the lead. The other handling any potential interruptions.)

John’s immaturity at that point? (Only a few days earlier he had asked Jesus to be first in the Kingdom of God! He and his brother!)

John’s concern with “theology” and “prophecy” more than people? (Thank God he had the insight to warn us in his Epistles of approaching false doctrine and foretell us in his Apocalypse of future events.)

But at least this Acts chapter 3 “talk/be quiet” Scenario shows us how God makes every one of His servants different!

Dear reader here this morning, do not try to “copy” another servant of the Lord. Be the person God made you, and build upon those traits!

After all, Psalm 139 teaches us that every human being is an original masterpiece from the Hands of an Almighty God, a loving God as well.

By the way, John (wordless in today’s Text) … grew into one of the Bible’s greatest spokesmen for the Cause of Christ!

Build upon what God made y7ou to be!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, in this Incident/Miracle no matter who talked and who remained quiet … God got the Glory!

Amen!

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I just discovered this little “nugget.” I was reading a digital commentary (Arno C. Gaebelein) and the author suggested a correspondence between the second chapter in Luke’s History Book (Acts) and the second chapter in Luke’s Biography of Jesus (the Gospel of Luke)!

Look!

In Luke chapter 1 a Promise is given. A Promise regarding the Holy Spirit! The angel proclaimed to Mary the great Truth of the Virgin Birth! “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The HOLY GHOST shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:34-35

And in Luke 2 It happened! the Holy Spirit “delivered” on that Promise! “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, BEING GREAT WITH CHILD (via the Holy Ghost). And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth HER FIRSTBORN SON (again, via the Holy Spirit’s overshadowing), and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7

Then later in Luke 2, a man named Simeon interacts with Baby Jesus, the Holy Spirit conceived Son of God in human flesh! “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the HOLY GHOST was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the HOLY GHOST, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the SPIRIT into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which THOU (via the Holy Spirit) hast prepared before the face of all people …” Acts 2:25-30, where three times (3) the Holy Spirit is mentioned as working in Simeon … regarding Baby Jesus! Yes, He has come in Luke 2, for sure! Come in fulfillment of God’s Promise!

Now …

Let’s consider Acts 2, prefaced as it is by a Promise in Acts 1 … concerning Whom? The Holy Spirit of course!

First, Acts 1:8 … “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.” What a Commitment!

Then in Acts 2, clearly this Event occurred, the Holy Spirit came with power! “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the SPIRIT gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4 where He (the Holy Ghost) is mentioned twice!

Do you see the parallels here?

Luke 1 and Acts 1 … the Holy Spirit promised!

Luke 2 and Acts 2 … the Holy Spirit comes with manifested Power!

I find this amazing!

My Bible, what a Book!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I though someone today might find this association interesting. I had never seen this relationship before. Luke certainly is an accomplished author. But then again, he too was inspired by the HOLY GHOST!

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“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty WIND, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of FIRE, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-3

Three words (which I have capitalized above) … describing the Coming of the Holy Spirit in Pentecostal Power!

Wind, which can be felt!

Fire, which can be seen!

And tongues, which can be heard!

Wow!

And the wind speaks of salvation, regeneration! (At least Jesus used it as such in His interview with Nicodemus!) John 3:8 … The WIND bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is BORN OF THE SPIRIT.

And the fire speaks of sanctification! (At least Isaiah says so!) Isaiah 4:4 … When the Lord shall have WASHED AWAY the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have PURGED the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. (Or maybe better yet … Isaiah 6:7, where a burning coal of fire purged Isaiah’s lips!)

And the tongues speak of preaching, proclamation, telling others about Jesus! Acts 11:13-14, the Lord instructing Cornelius, a God-seeker … “Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter, who shall tell thee words (via the human tongue), whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Wow again!

Oh, to cultivate a deeper Relationship with God the Holy Spirit!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

A noble goal for any new year! (This Lesson was written Wednesday Morning, January 1, 2020.)

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Yes, Acts 1:1 says: “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up ….” His being “taken up” is a reference to his Ascension to Heaven, forty days after His Resurrection.

Note one word here, “of all that Jesus BEGAN both to do and teach!”

The “former Treatise” is a “hint” at some previous Book the author had written, had sent to this man “Theophilus.” Conservative Bible Teachers believe that this is an allusion to the “Gospel of Luke.” This would of course make Luke (the “beloved physician” Paul mentioned in Colossians 4:14) the writer of both the Gospel that now bears his name and the “sequel,” the Book of Acts too. (Here is Luke 1:3-4 … “It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent THEOPHILUS, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”)

“Theophilus” by name means “lover of God!” Or at least “friend of God.” (That’s because the Greek verb “phileo” can indicate either level of familiarity.) This man is not easily identifiable. He might be a Roman Official (bearing such a Greek name) whom Luke is trying to influence for the Lord, to “win” to Christ!

But none of these forgoing little facts constitute the real Lesson today, the Point I want to emphasize! Let me go back to that little word “began.”

It suggests that the “former Treatise,” the “Gospel of Luke,” is merely the “beginning” of the Story of Jesus! (Though Matthew’s Gospel has 28 chapters in comparison to Luke’s 24 chapters … Luke contains more material, in Bulk! In other words, Luke is the longest Gospel.)

And in ALL that vast Lukan Material (every verse Holy Spirit inspired and meticulously researched) is just the “START” of Luke’s Account? Of Jesus’ Work among humankind?

Yes … the implication is clear! The Gospel (Luke) tells us how Jesus BEGAN His earthly Ministry. But the Book of Acts tells us how Jesus IS NOW CONTINUING His earthly Ministry!

Wow!

So, we will be “looking” for JESUS all the way through the Book of Acts! That Day He gloriously ascended back to Heaven … He was just beginning! In fact, as I write these Lines (December 31, 2019) Jesus is not nearly finished yet!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Now do not misunderstand me, please. The Work of Jesus on the Cross (His Atoning Blood having been shed) is finished! (Nothing can be added to That!) Jesus Himself said so in John 19:30. (“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, IT IS FINISHED: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”)

But … the application of that Finished Work is an ongoing Project! Souls are still being saved, by (of course) our precious SAVIOUR!

Again, Hallelujah!

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It certainly is the New Testament Book of history, simply known as Acts! Corresponding to the Old Testament Books of Joshua through Esther, all being historical in nature as well.

And ACTS … this amazing 28 chapter Holy Spirit inspired Document is going to bee our next field of study, the Lord willing.

It is most basically divided into two Sections. Those being chapters 1 through 12 … then correspondingly chapters 13 through 28.

With the first Unit focusing on Peter, Simon Peter. And the second highlighting Paul, the Apostle Paul.

Yes, there are tinges of Paul in the first half of Acts (his conversion in chapter 9, for example.) And appearances by Peter in the last half (his miraculous deliverance from prison (in chapter 12, again just an example.) But overall, this binary look at Acts holds true.

And though the Book is entitled “the Acts of the Apostles” … and no criticism from me on this point … it is just as fully described as being “the Acts of the Holy Spirit” too!

I base that evaluation on Acts 1:8, perhaps even the “key verse” of the whole Book … “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.”

Amen!

More tomorrow, Lord willing, as we begin our journey. I do not intend this to be a voluminous Tome analyzing every word in the Book. That’s too vast a job for a Website venue. Rather, chapter by chapter … sharing with God gives me day by day.

And YOU, dear reader (dear student of the Word of God) are invited to come along …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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