Acts & The Life of Paul | Lecture 4 : BC302-Acts-20260817

Yes. So, we went through one, not exactly a recap, but it's kind of big all over again. Uh, but I hope it was helpful. So, we'll do this each time. just recap because it's incident after incident. So you can take it like a story the things that are going on in the class. So uh was there anything that impacted you? Acts chapter one again I'm asking the same question like last week. You can please use the mic to answer. Nothing is it is reflecting. Yeah. Acts one like when uh like I learn like through the Holy Spirit they can do all things. >> Yes. And yeah, he empowers us >> then only we can do. >> Correct. Correct. >> Yes. Correct. So we need the empowering of the Holy Spirit to do what God has called us to do. Do you remember in the last class I think I mentioned about a gadget using a gadget to maybe clean up. It's faster than a person just doing it with their own physical equipment. So that kind of is the understanding that we have holy spirit power will enable us to do work. Anyone else maybe an online student? Anything that touched you, impacted you, please to share. By faith, I believe you're listening to me. So, it be great to hear your voices. All are laughing. Okay, please do feel free to share. Okay, let's continue for now. So uh we've seen a beautiful account of the disciples that uh who are the people who are praying together disciples Mary mother of Jesus brothers of Jesus and some women and uh they are all praying and they are waiting on Jes on God. What do you think they were waiting for? Holy Spirit baptism because Jesus has clearly explained wait not many days from now. So they are praying and they are waiting. Now let's go to acts chapter 2 and let's see what is happening. So where are they now? Okay. Uh, which specifically which place in Jerusalem? We've already discussed all this. Jesus. Very easy answer. Upper. >> Okay. Yeah, we just add some coffee. Hopefully that will uh get the juices flowing fine. So they are in the upper. What are they doing? >> Pray and they are waiting. So let us read. Maybe we will read uh one portion till verse 13. Let us read uh verse one to verse 13. If two of us want to share, one person can read six verses, other person seven verses. The day of one place came from heaven and the old house where they were they saw tongs of fire that separated and all were filled in the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tong. When they heard this sound, a crowd came to them in the wilderness because this one heard them speaking in his own They were all in saying to one another, "Look, are you not all these? And how is it that we here in uh our own language in which we were born and lemonites those who dwelling in Judia and Caposia founders Asia and Egypt and parts of Libya at joining Syrian control and proceeds. Christians and uh we hear them speaking in our own language the wonderful work of God. So they were all amazed and perfect saying to one another whatever whatever this means they are full of new >> okay yes so now we know that the disciples are waiting and did they know exactly when the holy spirit will be poured out on them? No, what did Jesus say? Not many days from now. That's all. He didn't give the exact time. So sometimes that's how it is in our journey with the Lord. God may tell us the season in which things are going to happen but exact time they don't. But they are faithful people. So they are continuing in prayer. Okay. And it says day of Pentecost. What is Pentecost as per the Jewish uh practices? >> Yeah, 50th day. But what is it? >> Pass would be something different. So what is Pentecost? It was the first Juliana. We heard you but there was a little bit of echo so couldn't hear. >> Sorry not able to hear. I said it was the in gathering um harvest. The in gathering festival for the harvest. >> Yes, that's the that's the word. It's like a festival celebration. So you remember we discussed last time that Jesus was crucified >> when they were celebrating Passover. >> Okay. And uh between Passover and Pentecost, how many days are there? >> 50 days. And we also know that when Jesus rose from the dead, that was the festival of first fruits. So uh you have all these festivals that you have to bear in mind. So when Jesus rose from the dead, it was the festival of first fruits. And God has somehow chosen the day of Pentecost as the day when the Holy Spirit is poured out. That's why today when we say we say Pentecost and uh even denominations are named with the term Pentecost. Pentecost is actually a different festival but because the outpouring of the Holy Spirit happened on this day it's come to be associated with Holy Spirit baptism Pentecost the day of Pentecost. So when Jesus was taken up roughly we can say about 10 days The disciples waited. So think about this. They were in the upper room. They were in man. They were praying. They had no idea exactly which moment God is going to pour out the spirit. But promises them wait for the promise of the father. So patiently every day they would have gone to pray. Again we can just imagine that daily they would have thought today it didn't happen maybe tomorrow maybe tomorrow because Jesus said not many days from now some may have had the question what if it takes weeks what if it takes months okay let's be faithful let's just pray so they are in God's presence waiting for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and it's so beautiful verse one records with one accord. We saw even earlier they prayed with one accord. Unity of heart. Now the other beautiful thing is verse two. And suddenly this how God works, isn't it? Suddenly the angel appears to Mary. Suddenly the angel appears to the shepherds and says uh the message of Christ Christ is coming. The suddenies of God God has appointed suddenies in our lives. But do you think it's really a suddenly? Not exactly. because Jesus is already told this is going to happen. So in a way they know they are getting ready for it but also when they are waiting suddenly something happens. So it's true in our lives as well. We have God's promises. We are praying, we are preparing, we are waiting, we trusting God to do that work. And in that process suddenly God does a miracle. Suddenly an opportunity comes. Suddenly favor comes. Right? So this is how God works. We are anticipating it or we are believing it is going to happen. But in that believing season there is a suddenly. God has appointed sudden things. So suddenly when these people are gathered, we can see that there came a sound from heaven of a rushing mighty movement and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. So they're playing and again I can't show you a movie but imagine with your mind they're playing. Okay. Suddenly there's a loud sound like a wind is hitting you can hear a very um you know noisy wind. So those of you who are from places where the winds are very high you can feel like you know the windows are shaking and uh uh the the sound of of the air coming through the windows. So it's a picture like that sound of a rushing mighty wind these people are experiencing and it filled the whole house meaning it's not like only one person heard it. It's happening everywhere. Everyone is hearing it in the upper room. So something is taking place. Is this physical? Is this spiritual? We'll find out. Okay let's move on. Verse three. It says there appeared to them dividing tongues as a fire and one sat upon each of them. So it's a spiritual thing. It's not a natural thing where one wind has come and broken the door and gone. No, as the wind is coming, they are sensing tongues of fire means like flames of fire. We see when we have a campfire and all you know you can see flames right so something like that that's the meaning of tongues of fire so there is a flame of fire they can sense over every single person in that room so spiritually something is taking place so it has come upon how many people >> yeah all of them all of them who are present in the upper room So tongues of fire sat upon each of them. Was it only the apostles? No. Everyone who's present in the upper room because everyone comes under the promise of the father because they're all believers now. So it comes and verse four and it says they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them. So a supernatural phenomenon is taking place physically they saw something happening but it's actually a spiritual work which God is doing. And when the rushing crushing mighty wind comes, the tongues of fire come all the people are filled filled with the holy spirit. So up until now uh was there any such experience for the disciples being filled with the spirit? Not really. We don't see that. First time they are filled with the spirit. And what is the expression of being filled with the spirit? You're speaking in tones. So it it's like uh there is a connection. Okay. I'm filled with the spirit and I'm speaking in tongues. So when they filled with the spirit, they speak with other tongues. And it says as the spirit gave them utterance. Utterance is sound. Let me say something and you can hear the sound. So who is giving them the words? >> Holy Spirit is giving them the words not their own words. So when we speak in tongues, we cannot tell anybody. Okay, say these words. Come on. You know, and when the person says, we can't say, see, see, he's talking in tongues. They cannot be our words. Has to come from the Holy Spirit. and we speak it out. We are filled with the spirit. We speak in tongues and these words are coming from the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is giving the words. So they're having a first time experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Now let's understand that in the book of acts there will be many other times when these people will demonstrate the uh filling of the holy spirit. So being baptized in the holy spirit is the beginning of being filled with the spirit but it's not the end. So what that means is you and I can be filled with the spirit every day. It's a choice that we make. But when does it start in our lives? Baptism in the Holy Spirit. So that is the initiation or the beginning of being filled in the Holy Spirit. But from that point onwards, it's your choice and my choice to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit because Paul tells us be filled with the spirit, walk in the spirit, be led by the spirit. Right? So it does not have to stop with the day of Pentecost but it starts with that first experience. So here the people have received that first experience and uh uh let's move on. Now we said that it is the festival of Pentecost. So what exactly was happening in Jerusalem is that uh usually there'll be like a 100,000 people in the city of Jerusalem. But when it comes to festivals and especially Pentecost apparently there were at least um 500,000 people in Jerusalem. You know it's like when you're having Olympics what happens? people from so many nations come the players and you have also um the visitors the people who want to witness. So the city which has a certain number now has multiplied numbers meaning lots of people are there in the city it's busy so in this situation it's the same 500,000 people are visiting Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost so on this day when this happened there were many people in the So now let's see what happens right. So it's very crowded and verse 5 says there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews devout men from every nation under heaven. So that also tells us for this festival people traveled far and wide together in Jerusalem. Why? What was there in Jerusalem? >> Festival but also what was there physically? the temple. So they wanted to come and worship. That's why devout Jews are coming from every nation. They don't want to miss their worship. So they have come and in verse six it says when the sound occurred multitude came together and they were confused because everyone heard them speak in his own language. So this tells us the sound would have been audible to the outsiders as well. It's not just our uh 120 people in the upper room. Outsiders also heard a sound. So it's obvious that they will be curious what is happening in that place. Why is it so noisy? And when they are paying attention to that place where some people are talking right verse six says everyone heard and speak in his own language. Wow. What a what a fascinating experience it would have been. Today if we go somewhere and people are talking in all the languages that are familiar to us some 15 16 languages we would also be confused. So the people in Jerusalem at that time were quite confused. So it says there and were confused. So that was the state of mind of the people around and also there were people who were amazed. So some are confused, some are amazed. In verse seven it says they were all amazed and Marin say to one another look are not all these who speak Galians. So just for us to understand Galileians were not that very uh well educated. So people didn't expect uh skill knowledge from Galileians. So that's why they saying they're galians. I mean these guys are not that trained also. How can they speak in our language? Who trained them in our language to be so fluent? So that is the mindset. Now people are confused, people are marveling, amazed and these 120 people he said the disciples, mother, women, brothers, they are all talking in other languages but for them they're talking in tongues as the spirit gave them. So how many languages were they speaking in? We're not exactly uh you know like we can't exactly point to it but here when we read from verse 9 you have certain areas melummites Mesopotamia Judah capitalis so uh I have a map unfortunately our on campus students you may not be able to see it because you don't have your gadget but uh maybe you can go and look it up later but I'll just share it with Yes. Yes. So online students I'm sure you can see it now. So you can see there is Jerusalem and people have gathered from all around. So as we can count here at least 15 Yeah. 15 places. So can you imagine at least 15 languages they were hearing. So it really uh you know caused them to wonder what is happening. Okay, let's move on. Yeah. So, they're hearing their languages and they're also uh wondering because these were all Galileians who don't really have the knowhow to learn these languages. And we notice verse 11. All these people say we hear them speaking in our own tongues. The wonderful works of God. So what was the content of uh the words which they were talking? Wonderful works of God. That's what they were saying. Do you think the the 120 people knew what it meant? No. See, when we speak in tongues, we don't understand. That's what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 14. But if it is a human language, people can understand. People are understanding that they are speaking the wonderful works of God, 15 different languages at the same time. So that scene we can imagine full of life uh full of activity something is happening and such a thing takes place. Verse 12 says they were amazed and perplexed saying to one another whatever could this mean. So we saw earlier somewhere confused, somewhere amazed, perplexed again is kind of confused. And in verse 13 it says others are mocking and they say these people are full of wine. So here is a work of the Holy Spirit. God has poured on the spirit. Disciples are filled with the spirit and they are speaking in tong supernatural work of the spirit. So even when people outsiders witnessed it for the first time there were different kinds of reactions. Some would have said oh praise God you know some what is this god is working. Some are saying I'm not able to understand what is going on. And there is a third category. They say they all drinking in the morning and see how they feel. Today when we see God's work, do you think we find similar reaction? Absolutely. Even till today it's the same thing. Some people are amazed, some are confused, some are mocking and saying what is this? Why? What prophecy? What tongs? I don't think this can be done. So when we see such reactions to the work of the spirit don't be disturbed. Even on day of Pentecost it happened people question supernatural works of God. Do they also be questioned? But that doesn't mean that we stop or we disobey. Okay fine. God will minister to them in their own time. We don't judge. We don't put others down. But we carry on with the work of the spirit. under reactions will be there. Okay. So now we've understood this is what took place in the upper room. So our uh leader now who's our leader from acts one >> Peter. Yeah. So verse 14 it says but Peter standing up with the 11. So I don't know whether Peter told him Peter told him Peter Peter stand up say something all are watching us. or Peter himself, you know how Peter was right, loved to just jump and do something. So, he's observing everything and Peter is like, "Come on, this is the time. I better stand up. I better say something." So, Peter stands up and he's starting to speak. It says he raised his voice meaning he's addressing the crowd that is watching this incident and he starts to speak to them. He says men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem. So why is he addressing like this? Because people of Judea are there but there are people from other nations as well. So all of you who are in Jerusalem right now he's uh explaining what is going on. So he tells them, we are in verse 14, let this be known to you and heed my words. And verse 15, he says, for these are not drunk as you suppose since it is only the third hour of the day, but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. So Peter is turning into a fine preacher. So he stands up that day and he has to now preach to the crowds. He has to talk to the crowds. Now think about this. That morning when he woke up, he's having his coffee. He has no idea he has to preach today. So I don't know whether he had sermon or it's you know like we say three-point message, five point message, nothing. They go for prayer. Holy Spirit is poured out. Now somebody has to explain and Peter is standing up. It's like an impromptu message. He has to speak. No choice. And he's standing up with boldness. And he's telling them, you know what? These people are not drunk. Do you see a difference in Peter's personality before resurrection, after resurrection? Yes, we see this is the same Peter. He ran away three times. He denied Jesus because he was so scared. But now he's so bold. He stood up. He doesn't mind. He's saying, "How can you say they are drunk? They are not drunk. It's the third hour of the day." So in the Jewish uh timetable, third hour means 9:00 a.m. in the morning. So he's arguing and he's saying people get drunk in 9 in the night time. How can people be drunk early morning 9:00 a.m.? So many people it's just morning they are not drunk as you suppose and he's referencing what prophet Joel had already spoken. So he's quoting Joel here and uh you know that the whole passage from verse 17 to 21 is a prophecy of Joel. Would anyone want to read it out? And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions. Your old men shall dream dreams and all my men servants and my maid servants I will pour out my spirit in those days and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth. Blood and fire blood and fire and vapor of vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into before the coming of the great and awesome day of God. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls them on the name of the Lord shall be saved. >> Yes. So he's giving them context because the people who are gathered are all devout worshippers of God. So obviously they know the scriptures and that's why he's talking to them from the scriptures and saying don't you know prophet Joel has already written. So he's referencing back to Joel chapter 2 verse 28 where the scriptures already say and in the last days I will pour out my spirit on flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions. Your old men shall dream dreams. So God gave Peter the discernment to make the connection. Nobody told him Peter check for Joel too. That's the passage that you need to speak about. The moment the outpouring of the Holy Spirit happened, why the Holy Spirit, Peter knows, hey, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. So, he's explained to the onlookers of all nations. Don't you know God said he will pour out his spirit on all flesh and there is no barrier when it comes to gender there is no barrier when it comes to age on all people and uh Joel mentions your prophecy okay he also mentions visions and dreams but do you think that's what happened yes or no What happened here? >> Speaking in tones. >> Speaking in tongues. Then how did Peter make connection? Because nobody is prophesying. Nobody is uh seeing visions here. But they are speaking in tongues. It's another manifestation. So you see the Holy Spirit manifestation is the way God wants it to be. And on the day of Pentecost, God wanted people to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. But see the discernment and the wisdom of Peter. Peter is saying what you are seeing is what Joel spoke about. When God said people will prophesy, have visions, dreams. So unless Holy Spirit is speaking, you can't make this connection. It's only by the Holy Spirit that he says this and he moves ahead and he says uh you know God will pull out his spirit in those days. What does it mean in those days? What are those days? Yes. Okay. Last days are seen last days. >> God appointed. >> Okay. So God's appointed time of pouring out the spirit of God. So last days is what we would say. Last days are um you know scholars agree the days which started with the ascension of Jesus. We already in the last days. In fact we can say we are in the last of the last days. Okay. So in these days in the last days God will pour out his spirit on flesh. And um from verse 19 onwards we see the uh apocalyptic incidents towards the end of the last days. There are many things that will happen. There'll be wonders in heaven, signs in the earth, blood, fire, vapor. So all this has to do with uh you know where you will learn in esquetology the events that will take place. So we won't go into the depth of it but you know in the last days is the times that we are living in right now where God has promised that he would pour out his spirit and so Peter is saying according to God's word it is happening people they are not drunk okay and Peter is also talking about Jesus you see a a sermon is grounded in Christ. A sermon can be motivation, inspiration, um entertainment, many things, but a lifechanging sermon is grounded in Jesus Christ. So he doesn't miss the chance to speak about Jesus. So from verse 22, he tells them, "Men of Israel, hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth." And what does he say about Jesus of Nazareth? A man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through him in your midst as you yourselves also know. So this is the same Peter when people asked him, you're with this Jesus. No, what did he say? No, no, no. I'm not sorry. I'm not I don't know him. And he ran away. Now he's standing in front of the people of so many nations and he's saying that Jesus of Nazareth meaning very specific not any Jesus because that name Jesus may have been common so he's very specific Jesus of Nazareth and everybody knows who that is because it had become a big news Jesus of Nazareth and he also says he was a man We know that in christologology we learn fully God, fully man. He live walked as a man. But what is the beauty of the life of Jesus? A man attested by God. Meaning you see a man was approved by God. How do you know this person is truly from God? Signs, wonders, miracles. So he says, "You all know Jesus of Nazareth. He's a man whom God approved." How did God approve? It's like God put a seal on Jesus. And don't you know miracles, wonders, signs that God did through him in your midst. Okay. So this is the life and ministry of Jesus. Nobody can say that Jesus only taught and there is no supernatural in his life. No, we can't say that because everyone witnessed the supernatural through the life of Jesus. And according to what Peter is saying, the supernatural is an attestation that we are from God. Imagine if we pray and nothing happens forever. If we keep praying and forever nothing happens. Something is questionable, right? Why why no why God's power is not being demonstrated? Is God really working or not? But in the case of Jesus, every prayer, you know, every touch, every word filled with the power of God, miracles are happening, wonders are happening. So it's a way of heaven saying, look at this Jesus. He is Lord. He is king. He is savior. Believe in him. So heaven or you can say God is attested attesting Jesus by the supernatural. life of Jesus was a supernatural life. And Peter is talking about Jesus so boldly. He says Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by God to you miracles, wonders, signs God did through him in your midst as you yourselves also know. And verse 23, he talks about the incident that took place about 50 days ago. So it's fresh right in in a way. So many things we can imagine. The way I'm talking is filled with imagination just so you look at it like a story. Less than two months ago there was such a human cry in Jerusalem because of Jesus. So it's fresh news. It's already still going on in the newspapers, the newsrooms. And Peter has the courage to talk about this Jesus. In a way, I don't think he's putting his own life at risk because recently Jesus was uh put under trial. Uh but you see the boldness because of two things now. One is resurrection. Second is baptism in the Holy Spirit. Remember Jesus said you will receive power. You will be my witness. Now Peter is filled with the spirit. He's so bold stood up and he's talking about Jesus that God attested his ministry and he also says you know you delivered him up to being crucified but he adds there uh determined purpose and fornowledge of God meaning it was not an accident. It was God's plan for Jesus to become our uh sacrificial lamb. So he's helping the people understand what has taken place so that they can ultimately put their trust in Jesus Christ. And uh he continues he says crucified put to death and verse 24 he says whom God raised up having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be held by. So in a way he shared the whole gospel the good news. Jesus son of God came as a man uh walked in the supernatural. He underwent trial. He died. He rose again. So the message of Christ in that first sermon that Peter preached and we will you know continue to see that uh he says the next verses from verse 25 to 28. Uh he's actually saying that God promised David that there will be somebody on his throne forever. But he's also uh pointing to them and saying but David has slept. If somebody has to be there then why isn't David still around? So basically what he's pointing to is he's pointing to the fact that it was Jesus that God was speaking about the one who is going to win over death and come back alive. So he's using the the um words that God spoke to David and he's actually pointing to Jesus and he's saying the living person who is alive and you must put your trust in is the Lord Jesus Christ. So if anyone wants to read we can quickly read those verses verse 25 to 28. For David says concern me, I pursue the Lord always before my face. For he is he at my right hand that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad. Moreover, my flesh also will rest in >> for you will not leave my soul in pies, nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life. You have you will make me full of joy in your presence. >> Yes. So he's talking about the promise that God made to David that he's not going to leave his soul in Hades or dead. And if we read the following scriptures there, he points out in verse 29, he says, "But David, he is both dead and buried in his tomb which is with us till today." That means though God promised David is dead. But who is the one who is alive now? Who resurrected? >> Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. So he's pointing to Jesus Christ. So in verse 30, that's what he says. He says, um, yeah, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne and he has not left the Christ in Hades. So verse 32, he points to Jesus. This Jesus God has raised up of which we are all witnesses. So see acts 18 you will be my witness now when holy spirit has come immediately Paul has uh sorry Peter has become so bold and he's giving witness to the resurrection of Jesus in the like before all the people. So he's preaching his first sermon so mightily and we can see some good things in the sermon. One is focus is on Jesus Christ. He's not getting distracted on other things. Secondly, he is substantiating the points that he's speaking through the Old Testament. So obviously Jews will not listen if you say something from your own head. That's why he's talking about David. You know, God told David that he won't be in the grave, but David's tomb is still there. So who do you think it God was talking about? It is the Lord Jesus Christ. because even the Jews know there's lot of um uh you know news about the tomb of Jesus. He's no longer there. So he's using all this and substantiating his servant thoroughly and he points to Jesus as the Messiah. Verse 33, he says, "Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured out this which you see and hear." So now he's concluding. See, I've already explained what is going on is what Joel said. What you see is what he has poured out. You're both seeing and you're also hearing because they were speaking in tongues. And as I stated earlier, it's the discernment by the Holy Spirit that Peter is able to connect a different manifestation tongues to what Joel said, which is another manifestation. So the experience with the spirit of God it's not about the exact manifestation. Yes or no? God can work anyway. Manifestations change but we need to know that it is the work of the spirit. And thank God that day Peter had the discernment and he said this is that which John spoke about. Okay. uh and in this way he continues to shed. Now he's talking a little more about David in the upcoming verses again verse 34 to 36 he points to the fact that it's Jesus um that the words that were spoken to David were actually talking about Jesus. So verse 37, you know I can talk a lot but uh let me just touch on this verse and time is already up. So when people are hearing this verse 37 says they were to the heart. So last point this sermon was heart touching. It was life transforming. So people could not just hear the true message and keep quiet. It shifted something in their heart. So here in this English it says cut to the heart. In other versions it says clicked to the heart. So a word from the Lord will move the hearts of people. When Peter spoke their hearts were moved. So let's stop here. We'll pick up from here the next time. I'll just say a word of prayer. Heavenly father we thank you Lord for this day. Thank you for all that uh you have done in the lives of uh your people and Lord as we talk about the book of acts and the power of the Holy Spirit Lord we pray may we walk uh in the power of the spirit Lord and make an impact in our generation Lord we pray a blessing over all the students uh and their families cover them with your hands Lord in Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you. God bless you all. See you next Monday. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you.