GLEANINGS FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
The Book of Acts covers a period of about 30 years, beginning with the acts of Peter and the Eleven at Jerusalem and closing with the acts of Paul in Rome some 1500 miles from Jerusalem. About the time Paul left Ephesus to go to Jerusalem, and from there to Rome, he wrote: “So that from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (“not where Christ was named”) - (Romans 15:19 and 20).
Peter and the Eleven could not have said this; for in the Book of Acts we find no mention of their spiritual activities or missionary journeys outside of Israel’s land. Several of Paul’s missionary journeys are recorded. Peter and the Eleven had their headquarters at Jerusalem. (Acts 8:1 - Acts 15:1 to 10 - Galatians 1:19 and 2:1 to 9).
Paul’s headquarters for some years were at Antioch of Syria, outside of Israel’s land. Then Paul spent 18 months at Corinth (Acts 18:11). Then Paul held meetings in the school of Tyrannus in Ephesus: “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:10). Paul was in Ephesus more than two years: “Therefore, watch and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one day and night with tears.” (Acts 20:31).
In Acts 2:1 we read “when the day of Pentecost was fully come.” Then some 20 years later Paul hasted “if it were possible for him to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.” (Acts 20:16). So during the ‘Acts’ period there were about 30 Pentecosts; one each year. There can be no Pentecost without Jerusalem or the nation Israel. Pentecost was one of Jehovah’s feasts for Israel, fifty days after Passover and Firstfruits. (Leviticus 23:15 and 16). Christ is our Passover; and on the third day He became the Firstfruits of them that slept. (I Corinthians 5:7 and I Corinthians 15:29).
In the Book of Acts the word “Israel” is used 21 times, the word “Jew” (Jews) 81 times, whereas the word “Christian” is used twice. (Acts 11:26 and 26:28). One other time the word “Christian” is found in the Bible. (I Peter 4:16).
In Acts “Jerusalem” is mentioned 60 times. The one hundred and twenty tarried at Jerusalem for the advent of the Holy Spirit, in obedience to Luke 24:49 - Acts 1:5 and 8. Read Acts 1:12 to 15.
Peter, with the Eleven, first used the keys of the kingdom of heaven in Jerusalem, addressing “devout Jews out of every nation under heaven”; “all the house of Israel.” (Acts 2:5 - Acts 2:36 - Matthew 16:18 to 20). The Twelve filled Jerusalem with their doctrine (Christ). (Acts 5:28). The apostles were put in the common prison in Jerusalem for preaching Christ. (Acts 5:18). The angry Jews, including Saul of Tarsus, stoned Stephen to death in Jerusalem. (Acts 7:59 to Acts 8:3).
Shortly after this, Saul met the risen Christ near Damascus, where he was born out of due time, to be a pattern, being the only unsaved person on earth who saw Christ after His resurrection. (Acts 9:1 to 15 - I Corinthians 15:6 to 10 - I Timothy 1:12 and I Timothy 1:16). Paul was in the temple in Jerusalem in a trance when Christ appeared to him to order him out of Jerusalem; “far hence unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:17 to 21). The all-important council as to whether Christian Gentiles were to be circumcised and put under the law was held at Jerusalem. (Acts 15:1 to 19). The decision was, one order for believing Jews - another order for believing Gentiles. (Acts 21:23 to 25 - Acts 15:16 to 24 - I Corinthians 9:20 to 25).
The first miracle of Peter in Acts was to heal a Jew and send him into the Jerusalem temple, leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:1 to 11). Then Peter said to Israel: “to you first.” (Acts 3:26).
The Lord, by Peter, presented a new kingdom proposition to Israel, because of Christ’s prayer on the cross. (Luke 23:34 - Acts 3).
The first miracle of Paul, in Acts, was to pronounce a judgment on a Jew and send him out in darkness. (Acts 13:11). Then Paul said to Israel, “it was first to you,” but now “we turn to the Gentiles.” (Acts 13:46 - Acts 28:28).
What is the Gospel?
Believing Christ died, that’s
HISTORY.
Believing Christ died for YOUR sins
and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel
which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY Pastor J. C. O'Hair
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Bible: King James Version
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