Acts 2 has been referred to as “the birthday” of the church.

It was the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the grave. The apostle John would later call the first day of the week, “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10).  It was to be a special day in the New Testament system as it became the day that God’s people around the world would assemble to remember their Savior’s death on the cross of Calvary.

It was also Pentecost, the Jewish celebration of the harvest. Pentecost was one of three annual feasts of the Old Testament which required all Jewish males to travel to Jerusalem for its observance. Due to the difficult travel conditions of the day, many, perhaps most, of them would simply remain in Jerusalem for the fifty day interval between Passover and Pentecost.

The first few verses describe the fulfillment of the prophecy of the apostles’ baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16). This is what Jesus meant when He told the apostles that they would receive power from God (Acts 1:8) that would confirm them as spokesmen for the Father (Hebrews 2:4).

In verses 14-36, Peter preaches the first gospel sermon and includes the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. After quoting three Old Testament passages (Joel 2:28-32; Psalm 16:6-11; Psalm 110:1), he shows Jesus to be the fulfillment of all the Messianic prophecies. Declaring Jesus to be both Lord and Christ, he then accuses them of the sin of having crucified the Son of God. Cut to the heart, they ask what to do to be forgiven and he tells them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. Three thousand souls respond in obedience and are added to the new church by the Lord.

Acts 2 has also been called “the hub of the Bible.” Everything prior to Acts 2 points to the establishment of the church/kingdom. Everything after Acts 2 points back to this chapter as “the beginning.”

--Roger Hillis

Verses 1-26: After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel are unsure of who will lead them. The Lord declares that the children of Judah will go against the Canaanites. Judah enlists the help of Simeon to defeat the Canaanites and the Perizzites. A just but unusual punishment was meted out to Adoni-Bezek from God through the actions of the tribes. Judah also took Jerusalem at this time.

In an effort to expel the Canaanites, etc., Judah was wise to enlist the help of a friend in Simeon. We too can benefit from the help of our Christian brothers and sisters, and ought to seek and offer this help when we realize the need is there: 

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Romans‬ ‭12:10-13‬ Next there is a recounting of the story of Caleb giving his daughter in marriage for the conquest of Kirjath Sepher. We read of this originally in Joshua 15. 

Judah continues to try to rid the land of the indigenous people, but is not entirely successful. Based on the previous theme that strength of faith supports the totality of conquest, it is safe to assume that their faith was lacking. We know that the Israelites had defeated armies with iron chariots previously and their failure in this chapter can be attributed to a lack of confidence in God’s ability to overcome such disadvantages.

Verses 27-36: The deficiency of faith and conquest continues as numerous tribes fail to totally drive out all of the Canaanites. The Israelites put many of them under tribute, taking taxes from them and trying to benefit from the relationship instead of driving them out of the land as God commanded. They did not totally follow God’s commandment and instead thought for themselves. As we will see later, this independent thinking will come back to haunt them. The influence of these pagan peoples will prove too much to resist in the future.

Does this mode of the Israelites’ thinking sound familiar? How often do I think for myself instead of relying on God’s pure and clear Word? Only He knows what is best for me. Only the Lord has the answers. Take heart from this example of the Israelites’ failure, for “. . . the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”‭‭ Jeremiah‬ ‭10:23‬

So we should then be about our father’s business. Jesus knew this as a child when He asked His parents why they did not know where to find him: “And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”” Luke‬ ‭2:49‬

So should we.

— Cory Byrd

This post originally appeared on Monday Night Bible Study.

The final assignment Jesus gave His eleven apostles was the command we have called “The Great Commission.” He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

The book of Acts is the inspired record of the early church fulfilling that mission.

After the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, He spent forty days with the apostles, “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). These have been referred to as the “forty days that changed the world.”

It was during this period of time that the disciples were transformed from fearful sheep into powerful shepherds. No longer were they reluctant followers, but fearless servants. They had seen the resurrected Lord and received their final, personal instructions from the Master.

And then, Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at God’s right hand with a promise from the angels that He would return some day.

During the next ten days, the apostles and other disciples spent time together, encouraging and helping one another to prepare for the work that was ahead.  They prayed, they studied and they built each other up.

Then they took one more important step. In order that they might fulfill Old Testament prophecy (Psalm 109:8), they chose a replacement for their fallen companion, Judas Iscariot. Two men were proposed, Joseph and Matthias. Matthias was selected in God’s providence and the apostolic group was complete once more and ready to reach their lost world for Christ.

--Roger Hillis

We are excited to announce that Roger Hillis and Cory Byrd will be joining Dan Lankford in blogging for us in 2017. Below you will find a summary of their plans for the year. This is a perfect way for each of us to increase our Bible knowledge, so please plan to visit often.

New Testament Chapter Summaries by Roger Hillis:
Beginning January 1st, I will be posting a daily study of the book of Acts. It will consist of a concise summary of each chapter of this marvelous book in the New Testament. Each day's blog will contain one chapter summary until the book is completed. Hope you can read along and trust you will enjoy this brief encounter with the early growth and spread of New Testament Christianity.

Monday Night Bible Study by Cory Byrd:
Please join me each Monday night for a Bible study. We will read selections from the Old and New Testaments and explore how God's Word and the lessons of His people impact our life today. It's Monday; what have you got to lose? Join me!

I was recently asked, “Is it true that the Holy Spirit only works thru the written word today?” Simply and confidently, my answer is, “No.” He is, in fact, active in the lives of believers every day.

First, he is active through the written word. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). The word of Christ was clearly and completely revealed through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. His work in revealing the Scriptures brings about faith in those whose minds & hearts are open to the word.

Second, he is active in our lives in a transformative way. This idea should sound familiar to any who are familiar with the hymn that asks God to “be with me, Lord. [For] I cannot live without Thee.” If the Holy Spirit is God [and the Scriptures teach that he is (Matt. 28:19, Eph. 4:4-6)], then believers should understand that God—in his entire personality—is living in us every day. Various passages make specific mention of all three personalities of the Godhead dwelling within the hearts of believers (2 Cor. 6:16, Col. 1:27, 1 Cor. 3:16). And we must believe this to be true, because only when our hearts are filled with the Spirit of God will we bear the proper fruit that comes from a life led by the will and word of God (see Gal. 5:16-25).

Thirdly, he is active in our prayer lives. In Romans 8:26-27, the word says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Indeed, God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit is with his people. And as a result, we have a great deal for which to be thankful! Our God is with us!

- Dan Lankford

Is it possible that God's Word is true, even when it seems utterly impossible?

The Christian's answer should be "yes."

Though modern thinking would tell us dragons never existed, should we refuse believe that they did exist in the way God describes them? (Job 41:18-19ff, Isa. 27:1ff)

Though modern thinking would tell us that magic and sorcery are mere illusions, should we refuse to believe that other powers do exist and God has warned us to steer clear of them? (Ex. 7:10-13, 1 Sam. 28:3-19, Rev. 21:8)

And though modern thinking would tell us that it is simply impossible for a thing to exist unaffected by time, should we refuse to believe that God exists as he claims? That heaven exists as he claims? And that his kingdom exists as he claims? (Rom. 16:26, 2 Cor. 5:1, Heb. 12:28)

In a moment of transparency, I admit that I find these things difficult to understand. And when the mind is strained by information, it is often strained in belief as well. But by faith in God and in his word, I believe that his word is truth and ought to be entirely respected as such.

- Dan Lankford, minister

The Greek word is EXOUSIA. “From the meaning of leave or permission, or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of the ability or strength with which one is endued, then to that of the power of authority, the right to exercise power” (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of NT Words, page 91).

This is a general word referring to many different levels of authority. It can include governmental rule or the power of a landowner over his own property. There are two uses, however, that we wish to emphasize.

First, it speaks of “the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others” (Vine, page 91). In this context, it most often refers to the authority of Jesus in religious matters. It shows that we must obey Christ if we want to live in  a right relationship with the Lord. See Matthew 28:18; John 17:2; Jude 25; Revelation 12:10.

Only Christ has “legislative” authority. He makes all the rules, as the Lord of lords and King of kings and the Head of the church. He is called the “one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy” (James 4:12).

Second, as representatives of Christ, the term sometimes refers to apostolic authority. See 2 Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10. Because their message came through revelation from God, Paul said, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37)

To please God, we must abide in the authority of Christ. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

--Roger Hillis

The following thoughts were presented by one of our senior brothers to draw our minds to the cross before the Lord's Supper this past Sunday morning. They are shared here for their excellent quality of thought.

"Then he said to them, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.' He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will."  (Mark 14:34-36)

I am sure that most of us can, in some small way, indentify with what Jesus was feeling. We have fallen to our knees in agony, praying to God, "Hear my prayer," or "You can do anything," or "take away this pain," or "lift this terrible burden."

Maybe we weren't even asking on our own behalf. Perhaps we were praying for a loved one, or a dear friend, or a child, or a companion or a parent. The fact that we were praying for another person hardly made the anguish any easier to bear. We may even have begged, "Father, if someone has to bear this burden, let it be me. Take it from that person and let it be me who bears it."

Usually, it is a great comfort knowing that God is almighty. But there are moments when that knowledges adds to the agony. "All things are possible for you." The question isn't "if God?" But "will God?" And that leads us to ask, "why God?" If God can, then why doesn't he?

This question has been a major stumbling block for those who do not believe. If God can end suffering, why doesn't he? If he is all-powerful, why doesn't he stop tragedy, or feed the hungry, or do something about cancer or aids? Why must men drink so deeply and so often from the cup of pain and suffering? I DON'T KNOW.

But we do know that at one great moment in history, the Son of God came to earth to take the world's burden upon himself. We know that he fell to the ground beside us in Gethsemane, bearing the pangs of impending doom and death in his heart. We know this Lamb of God wrestled in agony, despising the shame that loomed ahead, crying, "Abba, Father! All things are possible for you; remove this cup from me."

Above all this, we know that Jesus uttered his prayer in unwavering trust in the Father's will: he said, "YET NOT WHAT I WILL BUT WHAT YOU WILL."

His faith could hear a promised of glory despite the awful silence of God that weighed so heavily in the garden. His faith enabled Jesus to see beyond the grave to the joy set before him. And because of this, we know that when we fall to the ground in our Gethsemane, WE ARE NOT ALONE BUT HE IS THERE WITH US. Having overcome death, he sits at the Father's right hand making intercession for us.

- Jim Largen

Consider the following excerpts from Psa. 109 as if written from the perspective of Jesus on the night of his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion:

“For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.”

Consider these words as if they were a prayer against Judas Iscariot for his betrayal of Jesus:

“Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin! May his days be few; may another take his office! May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil! May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation! For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death. He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones!”  

Finally, consider these words as if they were from Jesus’ eternal perspective on the cross—knowing that the Lord’s will is being done in spite of the appearance of evil’s predominance:

“Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love! Let them know that this is your hand; you, O Lord, have done it! Let them curse, but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad! May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!”

These words, penned by King David over 700 years before Christ and Judas, give a clear understanding of God’s perspective on both good and evil. He always watches over his holy One and his saints. And, in His time, he will always punish evil.

- Dan Lankford

As you examine your relationship with God (2 Corinthians 13:5) and the things you do for Him as a disciple of Christ, think about how long it has been since you did some of these basic, easy things. When was the last time you…

*Visited a person who is sad and lonely, just to try to cheer them up?

*Told a teenager how proud you are of him (or her) spiritually?

*Invited a non-Christian to services?

*Told someone that you love them? It might be your spouse, your children, your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or simply friends.

*Sacrificed a personal item you wanted so you could give a little more money to the Lord’s work?

*Hugged your children for no real reason?

*Thanked the elders for doing their often thankless job of trying to help us make it to heaven?

*Invited another family to come to your home for a Bible study or maybe for a fun evening of food and games?

*Wrote a card of love and encouragement to someone who is hurting for attention and understanding?

*Read through the New Testament in your Bible? (You could easily read the entire New Testament in six months.)

*Wrote a note of appreciation to your adult Bible class teacher or those who teach your children?

*Expressed your appreciation to our great song leaders for the marvelous job they do in leading us in worship?

*Thanked the deacons for their hard, mostly behind the scenes work?

*Prayed for more laborers to enter the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38)?

*Offered to babysit for a young couple so they could have a date night without their small children?

*Thanked the Lord for the good church at Eastland and all the godly people who are not perfect but are trying with all their heart to serve the Lord?

--Roger Hillis