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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We have come to the end of our study of the Book of Leviticus, all its 27 chapters having been discussed in the previous Lessons. And I (not speaking for any of our readers) have certainly learned a lot!

I personally will never “get over” what those five Offerings (back in Leviticus chapters 1-7) imply! About our Lord Jesus as the Supreme Sacrifice for our sins!

Or the seriousness of approaching God disobediently, irreverently, as did Nadab and Abihu (two of Aaron’s sons) in Leviticus chapter 10.

Or God’s “Calendar” as so beautifully set forth in Leviticus chapter 23, His grand “Plan of the Ages” so to speak.

Wow!

In the Book of Leviticus, I have met a new Scriptural “friend,” and I trust my preaching has been enriched as a result!

May I now share a prayer request with you?

It’s a decision I must make periodically here on the Website. Where do I go next? What Portion of Scripture?

I need God’s Wisdom in this regard.

Of course there is not bad Text to choose! It’s ALL divinely inspired and without error!

Pray this with me, for me please. “Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18

Thank you.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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What man lost in Eden, FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD … has been renewed by the time we get to the end of the Leviticus Story. Through the five Offerings (all except one involving Bloodshed) in chapters 1-7 … all the way to the Laws of Purity (living cleanly after the Blood has been appropriated, applied) in chapters 12-27. In other words, from beginning to end! Yes, God fellowshipping again with mankind! With Israel now ready to march toward Zion, Mount Zion!

But in Old Testament terms, the greatest manifestation of GOD’S ABIDING PRESENCE is probably found in the concept of Mount Moriah. Let me show you what I mean …

In our King James Bible the proper noun “Moriah” occurs only twice. Those locations are significant. Leviticus is designed to help the Jewish people learn and maintain the Lessons of Moriah!

First occurrence, God speaking to Abraham … “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of MORIAH; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” Genesis 22:2, one of the greatest Pictures of Calvary that we possess, Old Testament wise.

Last occurrence (of only two) … “Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount MORIAH, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.” 2 Chronicles 3:1, the beginning of the greatest Building every erected! (God’s House, literally, the Place of God and man meeting together!)

And the Book of Leviticus gives us the total Plan, the perfect Will of God, all the Holy Spirit directed Technicalities of the WORSHIP/COMMUNION that is to be offered in that God ordained Place, on Mount Moriah!

By the way, Jesus died just outside the City that was built around Mount Moriah, Jerusalem! Substitutionary Death (a ram caught in a thicket for Isaac in Genesis 22 … and an innocent lamb for a sinning Israelite throughout the Book of Leviticus), Substitutionary Death (certainly in Jesus dying for us old sinners)!

And that vicarious DEATH making possible the overall Goal of the Book of Leviticus … God and man living in sweet, unbroken Fellowship … eternally!

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, “Moriah” in Hebrew means “God sees!” (A blend of the verb “raah” and the Noun “Yah,” God’s very name!) God saw Calvary from Day One! Peter even says, “before the foundation of the world!” 1 Peter 2:20

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The last Book of the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy, leads up to the death of Moses. After which Israel enters the Land of Canaan!

Living in God’s “Promised Land,” where His Tabernacle will finally rest. Where His abiding Presence will become permanent. Where eventually the “Tent of Meeting,” the portable Tabernacle … will become the “Temple of Solomon,” stable and enduring and God’s House among His people.

But WHY did Israel finally (the long delay being due to her sins) enter this grand Land, flowing with “milk and honey?”

Here’s why NOT … “Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.” Deuteronomy 9:6, stubborn Israel did not earn that entrance!

This fact repeated: “Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 9:5, God’s faithfulness to His Word is the impetus!

Then one more time: “Speak not thou in thine heart, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land.” Deuteronomy 9:3, three times now in a single Paragraph!

It is God’s Grace and not Israel’s Goodness that brought them into this Land of miraculous Provision. Where God will ultimately dwell in their midst in a grandiose Building, that Temple.

Then, back to the question … WHY can Israel enter this Land?

It looks to me like their entrance has something to do with the death of Moses!

Moses dies.

Joshua leads.

The Land is entered and conquered.

That simple.

I am using Moses today as a Type of Jesus, a Type of Christ. Moses who certainly was an intercessor for Israel. Moses who would himself have been Israel’s High Priest had he not balked at God’s Call for his life! (The appointment of Aaron was an afterthought, due to Moses’ hesitation, recalcitrance. See Exodus 4:10-16, my proof Text.)

And now with Moses being that Type of Christ our High Priest … note that the Israelites did not (could not) enter the Land of lasting Fellowship with God … prior to this death! (Some Preachers properly consider Canaan as a Type of “Spirit Filled,” victorious Christian living, in perpetual communion with Almighty God)

Get the sequence … Moses dies, the Land of Canaan is entered!

Or this is better … Moses dies, and consequently the Land of Canaan is entered!

Now the fulfillment, the antitype: JESUS OUR HIGH PREIST DIES … AND THEREAFTER WE CAN ENTER THE LAND OF CONSTANT COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. THE LAND OF VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN HOLY GHOST EMPOWERED LIVING!

We can be “right” with God … commune with God, because of Calvary, because of our Lord’s shed Blood!

We can enjoy life, abundant life, life abiding in His Presence!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

One more quick thought along this line. In the Cities of Refuge legislation God gave to Israel, the “manslayer” had to flee to one of those six sanctuaries to be safe. BUT once the High Priest died, he was free to go home, to be at liberty … and safely so!

Again the Symbolism is clear: the DEATH of our great High Priest Jesus has set us free! No longer can the avenger “touch” (harm) us!

Thank You, Lord!

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