Douglas Young

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Ad he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him.

Acts 3:1-10, ESV

A selfless community of God’s people developed that would ultimately transform human history. A ball was rolling that would not and could not be stopped, not even by the devil himself (Matthew 16:18). But the church would not be content with its initial Jerusalem success. It’s mission was a world-wide one. It would take time and not come easily, but it would eventually take place.

In the above text, Acts 3:1-10, we have a fascinating situation developing. I, personally, have taken this story for granted. I continue to be amazed at how fresh readings of the text open up insights to us never before considered! The story of Peter and the invalid from birth at the temple’s Beautiful Gate could, possibly, speak to this discussion. Have you ever considered how Peter approached the situation? If not, maybe you should.

It was prayer time at the temple. Peter, along with John, are making their way there. An invalid panhandler (BTW…Remember this fact next time you see a panhandler standing at an intersection holding a cardboard sign. Peter didn’t ignore him.) who regularly asked alms of the people at the temple’s Beautiful Gate had been brought there about the time Peter and John appear. He sees Peter and John, asking alms of them. They had no “silver and gold,” but they did have something for him. It was healing. Peter says to him, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he does. The healing, though, isn’t what shocks me. It’s that Peter didn’t do what some might have expected. For some reason, he healed the man of his ailment and saves the message of the gospel for later. Oh yes. Peter is going declare, for the second time at the temple, the gospel in the name of the resurrected Christ. But he doesn’t do it first. He first sees to one need, then later will address the other.

Today there is no small discussion, and at times debate, over how the mission of God is accomplished in the world. One side contends that the gospel should be taught first and aid should come second. But there is also a growing contingent that suggests Jesus was much more concerned about the social injustices of his day, and that he used the channels of correcting those injustices as a means of reaching people with the gospel. That Jesus did this simply cannot be denied.  But who says the two approaches are mutually exclusive?

What I find most unfortunate is that with all of this come the extremes. There are those who promote social justice at the expense of the gospel. Moreover, the other extreme exists, caring only about the gospel and little about social injustices. At one time, I fell into this category. Jesus, though, showed me a better way!

Meeting certain needs before sharing the gospel isn’t compromise, as some might suggest. It is one of a myriad of approaches that are both good and acceptable. The situation warranted the approach, and that’s good enough for me. I hope it is good enough for you.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

Community. It was the natural result of redemption in Christ Jesus. Unique community. Not the kind we might be accustomed to, but rather a community of profound selflessness. You sense that something was transpiring of which people genuinely wanted to be a part. Close community. Authentic relationships.

Churches grapple with the creation of community. We’ll sing “We’re part of the family…” but struggle to feel as if we are such. Often in churches, the only thing that makes them remotely resemble “family” are the sibling rivalries between brothers and sisters. That kind of thing happens. The first century church experienced it and so do we. But it sends a disdainful message to those we are trying to reach. It’s hard to believe we mean it when we treat others the way we often do!

Community cannot be forced, though. Community like what we read about in Acts 2:42-47 cannot be created. Gimmicks, programs, and etc. cannot accomplish it. It really has to be natural.

The more and more I talk to people about why they attend church services, I continue to discover that it rarely has anything to do with the authenticity of church community. Consequently, when I inquire of non-church attenders as to why they do not attend regularly, it often has to do with the fact that they long for authentic community, but don’t believe the church offers it. Hmmmm.

We are wired for relationships. I contend its part of being made in God’s image. It wasn’t good that man should be alone, so God gave Adam Eve. It wasn’t good that Adam and Eve should be alone, so God gave them Cain and Abel. This triggered the populating of the world. Israel was proof that God believed in community. And the church, is the culmination of God’s community in Christ.

Whether we realize it or not, we need it. But what are we to think of those who don’t really want it? I’m not talking about outsiders, either. I’m talking about church members. They are out there, and if they really wanted it, those on the outside who desire the same wouldn’t suggest they cannot find it.

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are afar off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about 3000 souls.

Acts 2:38-41

The gospel wouldn’t be “good news” if it didn’t offer a solution to humanity’s deepest needs. The message that bore a deep hole into the hearts of a Pentecost audience elicited a response: What do we do? Peter graced them with an answer, a solution that would change things dramatically!

Repent… What the epistles reveal is that “in Christ” everything changes. It simply will not make sense without a change of heart, a willingness to see things in a new light, a willingness to see things in a Christ light. Repentance paves the way for accepting the new approach to life.

Jesus’ ministry contended…without repentance, the kingdom of God wouldn’t make sense (Matthew 3). This is why so many missed it. They weren’t willing to see things in a new light. They wanted the kingdom as it was, just slightly modified. Any change that was too dramatic was too much. The unwillingness to see the kingdom break in with newness, life and light caused many to reject the offer of Jesus. It was going to take heart-born paradigm shift for any of it to make sense.

…and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins… Changing a frame of mind, though, doesn’t grant one placement into the kingdom. A new birth does (John 3:3-5). For Israel, everyone was born into the kingdom. In Christ, everyone is born into the kingdom through submission, the offering of one’s life upon the altar, and through death.

Death was Jesus’ course to resurrection life. He could not be resurrected without first dying. Nor can we find kingdom existence without first dying. Baptism was, and is, the expression of faith that makes kingdom existence a reality (John 3:3-5; Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 6:3-5). It was inescapable. The gospel would extend new life, but one simply had to be “born again” (John 3:3).

…and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit… Long before the days of the first century, God had made a series of promises that would come to fruition in Christ. Several of those promises centered on the Holy Spirit. Peter cites one of those promises as an explanation to his audience about what they were witnessing (Acts 2:16-21). But this was not the only promise God had made concerning the Spirit. In Ezekiel 36, He promised, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and be careful to obey my rules” (vv. 26-27). God would infuse his people with a new “heart” and a new “spirit.” That spirit, though, would be Spirit. It would serve a special purpose. It would serve the purpose of causation. God would “cause” his people to “walk” in His statutes and “be careful to obey” his rules. God, in essence, said, “I am going to help you.” This is a gift I give to you!

So what happened? 3000 people, that’s right, 3000 people “received his word and were baptized.” Unbelievable. Followers of Jesus went from 120 to 3120 in the period of a day.

Solutions work. Solutions are wanted. Solutions are needed. Thanks be to God who offers the greatest solution to man’s need. Jesus. Gospel. Redemption. Discipleship.

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37, ESV)

The gospel is a living message and it possesses the ability to penetrate the deep recesses of humanity. The gospel was more than facts for the head, it was heart piercing and heart penetrating truth. It goes deeper, much deeper, than the mind to the wellspring of the heart.

The gospel affects. It burns. It churns. It doesn’t sit idly. Why? It’s alive and it generates responses. On this occasion, it forced its hearers to ask a single question: What do we do? The gospel forces us to ask the big questions. Through it God calls (2 Thessalonians 2:14). The question is: What am I going to do?

Power from on high was not the most significant thing about the Pentecost occasion; the Gospel was. Divine power from on high facilitated the hearing of the Gospel. Jews from all over the world heard Galileans speaking in their own languages. But make no mistake about it, the Gospel was the paramount for the day.

Gospel is what Peter and the 11 preached. Living gospel. Breathing gospel. Yes, Jesus was crucified, but he was raised from the dead. He is alive and that is good news for all. After all, that’s is the meaning of “gospel.” It is “good news.” He’s not dead. He’s not in the tomb. He is alive. They’d seen him. Hallelujah He is alive!

The implications of this were great. King Jesus now sits on David’s throne. David, he is still in the tomb. Jesus isn’t, and God has raised him to David’s throne. He is king. He lives. His Kingdom does as well. It is in force. Like King Jesus, the Kingdom is alive. “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

Acts 2:14-21

God was most certainly moving. The things that had produced such reactions were God bringing to fruition promises made long ago. Peter cites the prophet Joel, in what we know to be Joel 2:28-32, as the prophetic pronouncement of what was unfolding before their eyes. The apostles were not inebriated, delusional or putting on a show for a massive Jerusalem crowd. They were receiving Spirit power that would enable them to communicate the message of the resurrected Christ for all to hear.

I find it intriguing that Peter didn’t cite the promises Jesus had made to them personally as evidence for what they beheld. He didn’t say, “Jesus, the guy we were following whom you crucified, he told us one night before he died that we would receive the Spirit. Believe it or not, when he was resurrected, he told us again to wait here in Jerusalem and something special would happen.” This, more than likely, would not have worked. He had to go back further. He had to go back further to help them see that God intended for a new covenant to be enacted. The events that produced such amazement and consternation were purposeful. God was up to something. He’d promised it long ago. It was time to see it for what it was.

The irony is that so much was missed. Jesus spent three years preaching, healing, and working all sorts of miracles. He’d held the attention of thousands at a time, fed them, and shed insight into his identity. But only a fraction of the countless thousands Jesus ministered to stuck around. Why?

I think I know why. Change. We don’t like it. We are resistant to it. How could the God who doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6), change the system to something new?  I’ve often wondered how many rejected Jesus because he offered something “new” and “different,” citing Jeremiah’s “walk in the old paths” admonition (6:16) as the proof text. Of course, it was the same prophet who’d suggested a “new covenant” was coming (31:31-34). Apparently, that didn’t matter. Nevertheless, it is revealing to say the least.

God was ushering in something “new,” whether they liked it or not. If not careful, though, they would miss out. And many did.

God left no question that he was up to something. What he was up to would change the world! A church would be created as part of the unfolding mission of God (cf. Ephesians 3:9-11). His eternal purposes and his great wisdom would be recognized through ecclesia.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Lybia belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians– we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying one to another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Acts 2:5-13, ESV

The working of God in the lives of humanity is often subtle, leaving only a speckle of a trace that it is even His movement. But not always. At times, the movement of God has been unmistakable. One of the most significant events in early church history is indicative of it.

It was a noteworthy occasion to be sure. It was Pentecost, one of Israel’s high festive days. It was also known as the Feast of Harvests. Pentecost occurred 50 days after another holy day of crucial import: Passover.

Jews from all over the world converged at Jerusalem. The time was right. God knew it was right. His anointed had been crucified and raised. Now, it was time to initiate the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). In the power of the Spirit (Joel 2:28-32), the “good news” would be preached in the name of the resurrected Christ. This would be big and big it was!

Jesus’ apostles were all Galileans, and the crowd that gathered cannot ascertain how men, all of whom were Galileans, are speaking in languages not their own. The crowd was intuitive enough to recognize that something big, unusual, and noteworthy was taking place. Not even Rosetta Stone could have made the apostles affluent in these various dialects in that short a time. “Amazed” and “perplexed” is completely understandable.

Of course, Luke’s last words on the matter are most unfortunate, but so incredibly normal. There always has to be the shallow crowd that mocks doesn’t there? They are the ones who cannot see the forest for the trees. It’s almost as if they’ve got built in presuppositions to begin with, or they will argue over anything. It’s like the person who will argue with you on a cloudless day that the sky is cloudless. These kind of people are unbelievably frustrating!

To my knowledge, drunkenness has never produced the ability to speak in languages not one’s own. When drunk people say odd things, but not communicate in foreign languages. People in denial often say the stupidest things!

There’s an old saying that rings so true, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” Things have hardly changed. It’s not uncommon that Christians have shut their eyes to the mission of God that is going on around them. It takes spiritual sight to see these things. I suppose that is why Paul prayed that God would open “the eyes of the heart” of Christians at Ephesus (Ephesians 1:18). Carnality causes us to overlook what God may be doing for us, and at some times through us (A scary thought to be sure!). I am certain, God has spent considerable energy in opening my eyes, and for that I am immensely thankful.

I have no problem believing that God has done big things in the past, but I want to believe that God will do big things now. He can. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20, ESV).

When the day of Pentecost arrived, the were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound of a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4, ESV

It is not always easy to know when God is up to something in our lives. Oftentimes, it takes hindsight to be able to put things together. But when put together, the movement of God around us is unmistakable. God finds ways to leave no doubt.

On the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God moved mightily. The apostles and other disciples are where they needed to be. Some of Jesus’ final words before his ascension were to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). There they waited.

How would the Spirit come? He wouldn’t come quietly. He would come as his nature would warrant, as Pneuma, a mighty breath or wind. It was no small wind though. It was “mighty” and fast moving, kind of like the winds of Eastern New Mexico or West Texas. You feel it and cannot ignore it.

The apostles began to speak in languages and dialects not their own (cf. Acts 2:7-8). Obviously, this wasn’t because they had access to Rosetta Stone. Jews from all over the world had converged at Jerusalem for the Feast of Harvests. The gospel would go forth so that no matter the dialect it would be heard.

It was the right time for the right people to proclaim the living message of Jesus Christ. They would do it through the Spirit. And through it he would infuse life to those willing to surrender.

The legacy Judas left behind was tragic. Horribly, God saw the whole thing before it unfolded. It was time for a replacement though, and the appeal to Psalm 109:8 was the foundation.

What could one man do? Why not simply have 11 apostles instead of 12? Can one make that big a difference?

Apparently God thought so.

Two men were brought forth as replacements for the one who bought the Field of Blood. One was Barsabbas; Matthias was the other. They pray to “the Lord” to reveal which of these two He had chosen. And then…they cast lots? I really desire to know if this is what Jesus wanted them to do or not. Casting lots was a fairly common practice among Old Testament peoples, but that Jesus wanted them to use it as a mechanism for determining who would replace Judas, I find odd. He only knows.

But this much I know: God finds importance in one individual. He is willing to leave the 99 to rescue the one (Matthew 18:12). God sees the individual as important. It takes individuals to form community, and God is big on community.

He could have launched His new covenant with 11 apostles and the rest. After all, on the day the Spirit is poured out and 3000 respond to the gospel, He now has 3120 to work with. But the one, Matthias, was significant.

What became of him is steeped in controversy. Ancient historians suggest different things. None of it is important though. What’s important is that God saw fit to fill a crucial role with a replacement. God believes in the power and importance of one.

What can and will you do for Him?

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Phillip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 1:12-14, ESV

It appears that the disciples witnessed Jesus’ ascension at a memorable place. Not at scene of the crucifixion, though. Not at the Jewish temple. It appears that all this went down at the scene of Jesus’ most fervent of prayers–the mount of Olives. Jesus, during the days of resurrected presence, went on a sight-seeing tour to memorable places.

And what did they take away from their time at Olivet? Making their way back to Jerusalem proper, they ascend to the upper room, and there they pray. “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

Those who wear the name of Christ form a community of prayer.

• And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1, ESV
• pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV
• Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2, ESV
• Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12, ESV
• do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6, ESV
• And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18, NIV

I like the way of friend of mine spoke of 1 Thessalonians 5:17. His thought is that prayer is, essentially, a state of mind. So he refers to 1 Thessalonians 5:17 as “uninterrupted prayer.” I like that.

Prayer hasn’t always been as important to me as it is now. I’m ashamed to admit this, but it is true. Let’s be like the community that was coming into being in Acts 1 and be devoted to prayer!