We Cannot Be Quiet

4.24.16

Acts chapter four presents a conflict between the apostles and the Jewish leaders of the day. The conflict consisted of three parts.

1. The Apostles were teaching contrary to the culture of the day. 

“They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus 

the resurrection of the dead.” 

Acts 4:2

The Sadducee did not believe in a resurrection. That had a difference in opinion and were threatened by the teaching of the apostles. 

2. There is opposition to the teaching of Jesus.

“Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

Acts 4:16-17

The leaders were also being threatened for their position of authority and this would impact their livelihood as well as upset their ideology. They desired to stop the spread of truth.

3. The Apostles were told to stop teaching the truth of Jesus.

“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

Acts 4:18

The result of the first two conflicts gave rise to the third: threats to remain silent. Rather than engage in discussion or exchange of ideas, the authorities and power players of the day simply sought to stop the apostles with threats. 

In 2016 we face a conflict similar in nature: 

1. We hold to a truth that is different than the establishment.

2. There is an active effort to silence the truth.

3. Those who proclaim the truth are politely 

and sometimes not so politely told to be silent. 

I am of course speaking from a perspective as a resident of the United States. Other countries have face opposition and oppression of religious freedom for a long time. Whether the topic is abortion, gay marriage, transgender identification, or other current culturally accepted sin, the truth of God has not changed. True, we should speak the truth in love, but speak the truth we must. Which places us in conflict with the culture and on some level with the powers and authorities of the United States and specific state and local leadership. Not to mention verbal demonstrative statements from celebrities, athletes, and others who influence millions across the U.S. and around the world. We are bedeviled in the arena of public opinion and collectively labeled with often incorrect derogatory names like bigot, close minded, hateful, idiot, and other names not worthy of repeating.

We can look to the apostles in Acts 4 to find three ways in which they met the conflict and prevailed.

1. The Apostles had courage.

“ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people!’”
Acts 4:8

Peter did not back down. he stood up to his oppressors and challenged their thinking and ideology with scripture, God's own words. Verse 13 tells us that when the powers that be saw the courage of these men, they were astonished! 

2. The Apostles knew their foundation.

“Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:11-12

When one takes a stand, it is good to know the foundation on which your argument is laid. In the case of the apostles and for us, the foundation is firmly and squarely on Jesus - the cornerstone of faith. We can stand knowing that we are not building our faith on unknowns or suppositions, or simply our own opinions, but on the solid truth of Jesus and his word. 

3. The Apostles knew who to obey.

“But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!’”

Acts 4:19

The apostles perhaps were thinking at this moment in their reply of the teaching that Jesus had given them in Matthew 10:28 - "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." regardless of their motive, their answer was proof of their maturity and understanding that we are truly aliens or visitors here in this world, and that we must obey our true King above all else. 

So let us join with the apostles and echo their answer to the world who would silence them:

“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 4:20

Prophecies Fulfilled By Jesus

44 Prophecies Jesus Christ Fulfilled
	Prophecies About Jesus	Old Testament Scripture	New Testament Fulfillment
1	Messiah would be born of a woman.	Genesis 3:15	Matthew 1:20 Galatians 4:4
2	Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.	Micah 5:2	Matthew 2:1 Luke 2:4-6
3	Messiah would be born of a virgin.	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:22-23 Luke 1:26-31
4	Messiah would come from the line of Abraham.	Genesis 12:3 Genesis 22:18	Matthew 1:1 Romans 9:5
5	Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.	Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12	Luke 3:34
6	Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob.	Numbers 24:17	Matthew 1:2
7	Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.	Genesis 49:10	Luke 3:33 Hebrews 7:14
8	Messiah would be heir to King David's throne.	2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9:7	Luke 1:32-33 Romans 1:3
9	Messiah's throne will be anointed and eternal.	Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44	Luke 1:33 Hebrews 1:8-12
10	Messiah would be called Immanuel.	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:23
11	Messiah would spend a season in Egypt.	Hosea 11:1	Matthew 2:14-15
12	A massacre of children would happen at Messiah's birthplace.	Jeremiah 31:15	Matthew 2:16-18
13	A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah	Isaiah 40:3-5	Luke 3:3-6
14	Messiah would be rejected by his own people.	Psalm 69:8 Isaiah 53:3	John 1:11 John 7:5
15	Messiah would be a prophet.	Deuteronomy 18:15	Acts 3:20-22
16	Messiah would be preceded by Elijah.	Malachi 4:5-6	Matthew 11:13-14
17	Messiah would be declared the Son of God.	Psalm 2:7	Matthew 3:16-17
18	Messiah would be called a Nazarene.	Isaiah 11:1	Matthew 2:23
19	Messiah would bring light to Galilee.	Isaiah 9:1-2	Matthew 4:13-16
20	Messiah would speak in parables.	Psalm 78:2-4 Isaiah 6:9-10	Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35
21	Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted.	Isaiah 61:1-2	Luke 4:18-19
22	Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek.	Psalm 110:4	Hebrews 5:5-6
23	Messiah would be called King.	Psalm 2:6 Zechariah 9:9	Matthew 27:37 Mark 11:7-11
24	Messiah would be praised by little children.	Psalm 8:2	Matthew 21:16
25	Messiah would be betrayed.	Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13	Luke 22:47-48 Matthew 26:14-16
26	Messiah's price money would be used to buy a potter's field.	Zechariah 11:12-13	Matthew 27:9-10
27	Messiah would be falsely accused.	Psalm 35:11	Mark 14:57-58
28	Messiah would be silent before his accusers.	Isaiah 53:7	Mark 15:4-5
29	Messiah would be spat upon and struck.	Isaiah 50:6	Matthew 26:67
30	Messiah would be hated without cause.	Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4	John 15:24-25
31	Messiah would be crucified with criminals.	Isaiah 53:12	Matthew 27:38 Mark 15:27-28
32	Messiah would be given vinegar to drink.	Psalm 69:21	Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30
33	Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced.	Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10	John 20:25-27
34	Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed.	Psalm 22:7-8	Luke 23:35
35	Soldiers would gamble for Messiah's garments.	Psalm 22:18	Luke 23:34 Matthew 27:35-36
36	Messiah's bones would not be broken.	Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20	John 19:33-36
37	Messiah would be forsaken by God.	Psalm 22:1	Matthew 27:46
38	Messiah would pray for his enemies.	Psalm 109:4	Luke 23:34
39	Soldiers would pierce Messiah's side.	Zechariah 12:10	John 19:34
40	Messiah would be buried with the rich.	Isaiah 53:9	Matthew 27:57-60
41	Messiah would resurrect from the dead.	Psalm 16:10 Psalm 49:15	Matthew 28:2-7 Acts 2:22-32
42	Messiah would ascend to heaven.	Psalm 24:7-10	Mark 16:19 Luke 24:51
43	Messiah would be seated at God's right hand.	Psalm 68:18 Psalm 110:1	Mark 16:19 Matthew 22:44
44	Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin.	Isaiah 53:5-12	Romans 5:6-8

(Sources: 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus: Messianic Prophecies Made Before the Birth of Christ by Rose Publishing;Book of Bible Lists by H.L. Willmington; NKJV Study Bible; Life Application Study Bible.)

Foretold And Fulfilled

4.17.15

"Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days."(Acts 3:24)

 In the third chapter of Acts Peter is sharing with the Jews in Jerusalem who are challenging him for performing a healing in the name of Jesus. He confronts them and challenges their participation in the death of Jesus, explaining to them that the things that happened in the life of Jesus were not happenstance, but actions foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament. In his book Science Speaks, author Peter Stoner examines the probability that one man would fulfill the prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. Today we look at eight prophecies related to the life of the Messiah.

1. His Birthplace

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 
Micah 5:2

We read in Matthew 2 and Luke 2 that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

2. Forerunner Messenger

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come.” 
Malachi 3:1

John the Baptist was the direct forerunner of Jesus claiming "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Make straight the way of the Lord'" (John 1:23).

3. Triumphal Entry

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 
Zechariah 9:9

John 12 and Matthew 21 both record the details of the entry by Jesus into the Holy City.

4. Betrayed and Wounded

“If someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body?’ they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’”

Zechariah 13:6

Jesus was crucified by being nailed to the wooden beams of his cross. Later, Thomas would ask to place his hands into the wounds and he believed. 

5. Betrayed For Thirty Silver Pieces

“If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.”  So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.

Zechariah 11:12

Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces. Matthew 26:15 finds Judas negotiating with the spiritual leaders of the day for the betrayal of Jesus in the amount of 30 pieces of silver.

 6. Betrayal Money Returned

“Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them  to the potter at the house of the Lord.

Zechariah 11:13

In Matthew 27 we read that Judas had second thoughts and tried to return the money. 

7. Silent At Trial Despite Innocence

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”

Isaiah 53:7

I have served in jail ministry and as a probation officer in the past. Those who are guilty claim innocence, and I can almost say with certainty every person who even thinks they are innocent will not be silent at trial. 

8. Crucified

Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.

Psalm 22:16

Hundreds of years before crucifixion was used, the Holy Spirit inspired David to describe the way in which the Holy One will be killed. Jesus was hung on a cross and kept there by being nailed through the hands and feet. 

Takeaway From Today

Peter Stoner in his book Science Speaks, the author used the cumulative experience and knowledge of over 600 different college students to calculate the probability that one man could fulfill all eight prophecies listed here. Their answer? The chance is 1 in 10 to the power of 17 or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000! Professor Stoner estimated that if you placed silver dollars across the state of Texas, it cover the state 2 feet deep! The odds of one man fulfilling these eight prophecies would be the same if you selected one of those coins covering Texas and marked it with a red X then asked a blind folded man to reach down and pick up the one with the "x" on his first try! 

This is just the first eight prophecies! And why would God do all of this? Why would Peter reference the fact that prophets have been predicting the treatment of Jesus like this? Because he is laying the strong foundation for the new church that Jesus is THE ONLY WAY to get tot he father in heaven. Jesus was the sent to help us "and lead us from our wicked ways" (Acts 3:26). God want us to know that we know that we know that Jesus is THE WAY to heaven. All other ways are false!