Acts 4:20 gives the Apostles’ genuine (innermost) conviction … “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Things about Jesus, of course!

In Scripture there are a number of inviolable (Latin meaning “not to be violated“) principles given in the Word of God. For example, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

This one as well, from Jesus’ Lips. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34

These are not merely platitudes. Rather, fundamental Bible Truths!

I’d like to discuss the Acts 4 Verse cited above, as today’s Lesson Theme.

Some of the once-fearful Disciples are being threatened. The Jerusalem authorities sternly decided: “Let us straitly THREATEN them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:17-18 … or else!

Whereupon this bold but essential conviction was announced: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

If experience and belief reach a certain level (or a certain depth) … it becomes impossible to keep quiet!

It’s what Mary Magdalene saw and heard that made her the first witness to the Resurrection of Jesus! “Mary Magdalene came and TOLD the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” John 20:18

She couldn’t help it! She had seen and heard!

And Paul could not be reticent about that Damascus Road Event, either! He “told” his salvation experience three times in the Book of Acts alone, chapters 9 and 22 and 26! He too had seen and heard some things!

A verse from the Psalms here comes to mind. “I believed, therefore have I spoken.” Psalm 116:10

And the Apostle Paul (illustrating with him again) wrote to the Corinthians: “According as it is written, ‘I believed, and therefore have I spoken;’ we also believe, and therefore speak.” 1 Corinthians 4:13

The point of all this?

Do I believe that sincerely?

Do you?

Believe so sincerely that we cannot help but testify as to the Reality of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Have we “seen” enough, though a lot of that through the eye of faith? I’ll grant that, via “faith.” But still we have “seen!” (Like Moses of old: “As seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27)

Have we heard enough? We do have 31,102 verses of Scripture, I remind you! Heard enough to irrepressibly tell it? The life-changing Message we have heard!

If we have … we too will be “witnesses” for Jesus’ Sake!

Just as Jesus (even at age 12) felt He “must be” about His Father’s Business … even so should we be that intense in sharing the Gospel. the Counsel of Almighty God!

Yes, as Christians … “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

God, let it be so.

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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As every Bible student knows, the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament, time after time. Prophecy becoming reality.

Today’s Text illustrates the fact that even the Book of Acts participates in this miraculous phenomena.

Peter has just (via the power of the Holy Spirit) healed a lame man! The Apostle’s very words: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he (Peter) took him (the lame man) 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.” Acts 3:6-8

Why this unusual emphasis, “leaping?”

One would have expected the man to have gingerly, softly tested his feet! A step at a time! But no … leaping!

Here’s why.

It’s something Isaiah wrote long ago. At least seven hundred (700) years prior to this healing! The Prophet is talking about the future time when Jesus would come, the Messiah … “Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. THEN SHALL THE LAME MAN LEAP as an HART (deer), and the tongue of the dumb sing.” Isaiah 35:4-6

Fulfillment of God’s Word!

Jesus (God the Son) has come!

Miracles have been enacted!

God’s Word authenticated, confirmed … yet again!

By the way, this is an Example of the Holy Spirit quoting the Holy Spirit! He is the True Author of both Acts and Isaiah!

Watch for these allusions, hints and direct quotations from the Old Testament as you study the New Testament Scriptures. They will further illuminate what you learn.

Lame man walking, well really … leaping too!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Actually the Isaiah 35 Passage I have mentioned is not just about the First Coming of Jesus, not particularly so. It is even more about the Second Coming of Jesus, the Millennium! That Golden Age the world yet will enjoy … after (as Peter says) “the restitution of all things!” (A phrase he used in Acts 3:21.)

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“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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