Whether It Be Right…

The spread of the gospel message in the early church was accompanied by signs and wonders performed by the Apostles. These miracles served to authenticate the message and the messenger as one sent from God. These miracles later became unnecessary with the completion of the New Testament Scriptures. We now have in His word all the revelation of God that He is pleased to give us and His Spirit testifies to the veracity of that word.

One of the early miracles was performed by Peter shortly after Pentecost as he was going to the temple at the hour of prayer. He encountered a lame man who sat at the gate begging for alms. Fixing his eyes upon the lame man, Peter said “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The Scriptures then relate that “immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into temple” (Acts 3:6-8).

Now for the rest of the story. Naturally, this kind of thing did not just happen every day. So “all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering” (Acts 3:11). When Peter saw this, he took the opportunity to testify to the death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus Christ and that faith in his name “hath made this man strong, yea…hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:16). Peter went on urging the people to “repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).

The Bible tells us that the religious leaders “being grieved that they [Peter and the other apostles] taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead…laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day” (Acts 4:2).  These leaders feared that the teaching of Jesus might spread among the people and so “commanded them [the apostles] not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:17-18).

Peter and John answered them with words still profitable for us today. “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20; emphasis added). They owed their obedience to the God of heaven and made it plain that they would honor Him.

We are faced daily with a multitude of choices. Many of them are morally indifferent, e.g., what shirt to wear, what to eat, etc. But, many are not without greater significance. We are called upon to always do what is right before God regardless of the consequences. “Whether it be right…” must always be determined first and followed faithfully. Sometimes, what is right is easy to discern and sometimes not so easy. In those cases, it is wise to seek godly counsel from a trusted pastor or godly friend who knows the Scriptures. Ultimately, God is the Judge of what is right and “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

What is a Christian?

The Bible tells us that the “disciples [of Jesus] were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Over the centuries, the term “Christian” has grown in its embrace of peoples and practices that are anything but what those who coined the term observed of believers in first century Antioch.  Reviewing the term in its origin will give us a clear perspective of its scriptural distinctives.

Luke writes for us “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution of Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord” (Acts 11:19-21).

At the heart of the term “Christian” is Christ himself. We are told that the people in Antioch responded to those “preaching the Lord Jesus”. One simply cannot be a Christian unless he or she is a believer in Jesus Christ. To believe in Jesus Christ is to accept his testimony that he is the Son of God and Savior of the world. Concerning the Lord Jesus, the Scriptures declare “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus Christ himself claimed “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Being a Christian requires an exclusive belief in the deity of Jesus Christ and his death, burial, and resurrection. It’s one thing to acknowledge him as a good teacher. But it is quite something else to own him as Lord and Savior. We may want to enlarge the circle of who we call Christian, but faith in Christ is non-negotiable.

A second distinctive of those called Christians is they had a changed life. We note that in response to the preaching, they “turned unto the Lord”. The lives of those who believed went in a different direction after they came to Christ than the direction they were headed before Christ. These ones turned from their sin unto the Savior. Their lives took on a distinctive character of righteousness. This should be no surprise for Christ “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4). Paul wrote to Timothy, “Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity [sin]” (2 Timothy 2:19).

Those who believe in Christ follow Christ. They are called “Christians” because they are followers. They desire to be like Christ. They follow him by obeying his word. Barnabus went to Tarsus to “seek Saul [later called Paul] …and he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people” (Acts 11:25-26). Through the Scriptures we learn of Christ and follow him. Christians follow a book, the Bible.

These three things distinguish Christianity, faith in Christ, a changed life, and obedience to his word. Would people call you a “Christian”?

We Ought to Obey God…

Following Christ is a path that regularly encounters opposition. In fact, the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). If you are walking close with Christ, you know whereof Paul spoke. The world is not a friend to Jesus Christ nor his followers. Jesus prayed to the Father as it related to his disciples “the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).

In Acts 5 we see a clear illustration of this truth. Following the death of Ananias and Sapphira (for lying to the Holy Spirit), Luke records “by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people…and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (Acts 5:12, 14). The spread of the gospel and the advance of Christianity met with fierce resistance by the Jewish leaders. “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him…and were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison” (Acts 5:17-18).

The Jewish authorities thought to silence the witness of the apostles by putting them in prison. “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:19-20). The following morning the high priest along with the council and senate were quite surprised to find the apostles not in prison, but preaching in the temple. They confronted the apostles “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name [Jesus’ name]?… ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine” (Acts 5:28-29).

It was at this point that the narrative touches each of us as believers personally. We read “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). God had opened the door (of the prison) and given the command (speak these words in the temple). The apostles had no choice but to obey. Therein is the lesson for us today. God gives command through his word and He opens the door of opportunity. But it is our responsibility to go through that door in obedience.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers of his ministry in Asia, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (I Corinthians 16:9). For the Christian, every open door comes with opposition. Even so, we ought to obey God rather than men. What door has God opened for you? Will you obey?

To the Unknown God

“But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people” (Acts 17:13). The gospel message is either received or rejected and, often, when it is rejected it is openly resisted. This was the case in Berea. Consequently, the brethren “sent away Paul…and brought him to Athens” (Acts 17:14-15).

Now, Athens was a city known for its philosophers. Acts 17 tells us that “the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing” (21). Yet, for all their “wisdom” the city remained “wholly given to idolatry” (16). In fact, Paul had even “found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God” (23). When these philosophers encountered Paul in the marketplace, they called him a “babbler” and others said that he “seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection (18).

Christianity will always be “strange” to the world and its wisdom because of the resurrection. This truth (resurrection) is intrinsic to the gospel message and essential to God’s plan of redemption. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. This is the gospel (I Corinthians 15:3-4). Yet to the world and its wisdom, the message of the gospel is strange. The Jews rejected it for they “stumbled” at the concept of a Messiah who would die in supposed weakness rather than reign in power after delivering them from Rome. The Greeks thought it “foolish” that God surrender his own Son to die for his creation.

Man will never know God through the wisdom of this world. Paul reminded the Corinthians “the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (I Corinthians 1:22-25).

Christianity is not, nor has it ever been, the culmination of man struggling to find his way to God. On the contrary, it is God who took the initiative to seek and to save his fallen creation. Christianity then is a matter of believing the message that God has revealed concerning his Son, Jesus Christ. And so Paul reminds us, “the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God…For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Corinthians 1:18, 21; emphasis added).

Paul preached this gospel, the good news to the Athenians. “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others [putting him off] said, we will hear thee again of this matter” (Acts 17:32). Is the gospel “strange” unto you? Do you stumble at the message of the resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ? The gospel is not a message that can be set aside. To put it off is to decide against it. God has made himself known in the Person of his Son. Cease from striving. Believe him today and be saved.

The Gospel is for All

Chapter 10 in the Book of Acts records for us a very clear and important principle related to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a matter of background, the Jewish religion incorporated a very extensive and specific dietary regimen. Leviticus 11 provides a detailed “law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten” (Leviticus 11:46).

Move forward to the days immediately following the resurrection of Christ, Peter is found lodging “with one Simon a tanner, whose house was by the sea side” (Acts 10:6). It came to pass that Peter went upon the housetop to pray about noon and became hungry while food was being prepared below. As he was praying, “he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean” (Acts 10:10-14).

Peter’s response is not surprising. He was a faithful Jew and was fastidious with his dietary observances. Even so, “the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15). To drive the point home to Peter, this exchange occurred three times.

The significance lies in what immediately followed. Now there were “men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate” (Acts 10:17). God had previously instructed Cornelius, a centurion, to send for Peter who “shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:6). Peter then accompanied the men to Cornelius’ home.

As Peter stood before Cornelius and his household, he said “Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28). His Jewish practice had forbidden close interaction with Gentiles. But now, as a result of the vision that God had given him, Peter understood that God had other ideas.

He shared with Cornelius and his household how that Christ died for the sins of all and was raised the third day and “that it is he which was ordained to be the Judge of the quick [living] and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:42-43; emphasis added). The gospel is for all who believe. There are none that are excluded. This includes you. Have you believed?

The Chief of Sinners

Paul’s viewpoint concerning his own conversion to Christianity gives insight to the unsearchable depths of God’s grace. Prior to his salvation, he was a fervent opponent of the faith and persecutor of the church. The Bible records that Saul (Paul) “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, [he] went to the high priest and asked him for letters [authority] to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way [followers of Jesus], men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2).

Even after his conversion, his reputation made it nearly impossible for believers to receive him. Paul was blinded from his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. The Lord instructed a disciple, Ananias, to meet with Saul, lay hands on him, and restore his sight. But Ananias stumbled at this, knowing Saul’s past. “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here [Damascus] he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name” (Acts 9:13-14). Later, when Saul came to Jerusalem, “he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26).

Paul later testified himself concerning his past that he zealously persecuted the church (Philippians 3:6). In fact, writing to Timothy, he declared he was a “blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” (I Timothy 1:13). Paul sums up his conversion this way. “I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (I Timothy 1:13-16).

God’s extension of grace and mercy to Paul demonstrates his patient willingness to save any sinner that would come to Him in faith. In addition to forgiveness, Christ also gave Paul a life of lasting joy and peace despite the difficulties he faced.

Perhaps, someone may be reading this who might argue with Paul about who is the “chief of sinners”. Maybe you think your sins are so great that they could never be forgiven. You may think no one knows how great your sins are, but Jesus knows. No matter what you have done in your past, Christ can forgive you. After all, as Paul asserted, Christ Jesus came into the world to do just this, to save sinners. Your sins qualify you for salvation. Jesus testified “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Is there a sin which the blood of Christ cannot wash away? There is none. As the old hymn says, “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

Speak the Truth

In the days following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the believers’ love for one another was characterized by selfless giving to meet the needs of one another. The Scriptures record “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34-35). This distribution was not the result of some apostolic imposed communal lifestyle. Rather, it was the outworking of genuine selfless love resulting in unsolicited generous giving by those that were so led by the Spirit.

However, even the early church had its hypocrites. A couple, Ananias and Sapphira, “sold a possession, and kept back part of the price…and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 5:2). The desire to be recognized for their generosity led to their intended deception. They wanted the apostles to believe they gave all when in reality they had not. Peter, led by the Spirit of God, confronted Ananias “why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?” (Acts 5:3-4). Peter testified the land belonged to Ananias and that he could do as he wished with it.

Then Peter testified to the real issue. “Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou has not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4). Ananias upon hearing these words “fell down, and gave up the ghost”. Later, his wife confessed her complicity in the matter and died also in like manner.

God demands purity in his church and that includes being truthful. Those whose sins have been washed by the blood of Christ should not return to sinful ways of the past. Paul wrote to believers in Colossae, “Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:8-9).

Telling lies is intrinsic to our old nature. The Psalmist wrote, “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3). Face it, we do not need to teach children to tell lies for it is natural to us all. We teach them to tell the truth.

Why does man think that he can disregard the truth and get away with it? Perhaps, nothing speaks as loudly to our sinful nature and our need for redemption as does our bent towards lying. Christ told the Pharisees who would not believe him, “Ye are of your father the devil…he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Outside of Christ, are we any better?

The Scriptures warn in their closing pages “all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Jesus himself testified to Pilate that he came to “bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). Believe the truth. Speak the truth.

Simon and the Gift of God

The Scriptures record that following the martyrdom of Stephen “there arose a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they [believers] were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria…and went about preaching the word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them Christ” (Acts 8:1, 4-5). Luke relates that great multitudes gave heed to Philip’s message and, as a result, “there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:8).

“Now when the apostles [in Jerusalem] heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-15). The Scriptures then tell us that Peter and John “laid their hands on them, and they [Samaritan believers] received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:17). Philip had preached the gospel, the people of Samaria believed on Christ, and the Holy Spirit was given to all who believed through the ministry of Peter and John. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the genuine evidence of the new birth. This same John later wrote “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (I John 4:13).

But there was a man there, Simon, who “used sorcery and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one, to whom they all gave heed” (Acts 8:9). He was quite taken with the results that the gospel ministry had on the people of Samaria and wanted to share in it. In fact, after observing that the Holy Spirit was given by laying on of the apostles’ hands, “he offered them money, saying, give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:19).

How foolish to think that the gift of God could be purchased with money. Peter rightly told Simon “Thy money perish with thee…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness” (Acts 8:21-22). This event gave us the word “simony” used today to refer to the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges such as pardon for sins. It was foolish in Peter’s time and it is foolish today. Yet there are many who still think they can buy their way into heaven.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (other than Christ himself), testified, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death” (Proverbs 11:4). The Psalmist is just as pointed. “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him…that he should still live forever and not see corruption” (Psalm 49:6-9).

The gift of God cannot be purchased, but it is free to all who believe for the price has been paid by God himself. This payment was not with “corruptible things, as silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:18-19). Have you received God’s free gift?

Showing Compassion

While Saul was in Antioch teaching, “there came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And…one…named Agabus…signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout the world…Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea” (Acts 11:27-29). The world is frequently subject to events that create great loss of life, property, and material provision. In this case, it was great famine. But we have all seen the same ravages from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wars, etc. These are above and beyond the daily cries of the poor in our communities that we see almost everywhere we go. In fact, Jesus himself made the observation “the poor always ye have with you” (John 12:8).

The need around us is never satisfied. How should a Christian respond to the tireless clamor of pressing need for help? Every believer is to be governed by his own conscience before the Lord in his response to such pleas. But there is instruction from Scripture that can offer guidance for how we might deploy our own time, energy, and resources in such matters.

To begin, we must cultivate compassion for those in need. This means that we have to observe, recognize, and move to meet their need. When Christ was teaching in the wilderness, he said unto his disciples “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way” (Matthew 15:32). In response, Christ fed the multitude (over 4,000 people) with “seven loaves and a few little fishes.” Unlike the Lord, we often become cold and indifferent to the suffering of those around us. The fact that we cannot answer every cry for help must not justify growing deaf to these needs altogether. We must learn to show compassion when and where we can.

Two thoughts of compassion that go hand-in-hand are ability and opportunity. We note the disciples responded “every man according to his ability”. Some may have greater resources, time, or skills in response to a need than others. One might give money to buy shingles for a roof destroyed in a storm. Another may install the shingles while yet another may provide food and housing while the work is being done. God would have us use what he has given unto us, not what he has given unto others.

The opportunity to show compassion is different for each of us. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:2). When my neighbor is sick and bed-ridden, it is my “opportunity” to minister to that need, not someone who lives on the other side of town. But, on the other hand, we must not let the matter of convenience govern our compassion. Showing mercy to others in their need is seldom convenient. It is best to remember what Christ taught. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Peter’s Message on Pentecost

In the second chapter of Acts, we have the first recorded sermon following the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The occasion was the day of Pentecost, which marked the beginning of the Feast of Weeks in the Jewish calendar. It began fifty days after Passover and was one of three feasts that required every male in Israel to appear before the Lord at the sanctuary (Exodus 34:22-23). This explains the great number of visitors in Jerusalem at this time.

Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples “I send the promise of the Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). It was on Pentecost that this promise was fulfilled. Luke records “suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they [the disciples] were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of a fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).

It was this phenomenon of the disciples speaking in the foreign languages of the multitude of visitors that attracted attention and drew the crowd. Those observing this event “were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:7-8). The Apostle Peter then took advantage of the occasion to deliver his message to this crowd.

Peter addressed two key points. First, he indicated “this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh…and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:16, 21). These “last days” created opportunity to be delivered from their sins.

Second, this opportunity for salvation was found in Jesus Christ, a man approved by God though rejected by the people. Peter charged them “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you…him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death.” (Acts 2:22-24).

Peter testified that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and then concluded his message with this warning: “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). He went on to say, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:40-41). The message has not changed in two thousand years – Christ is the Savior. The invitation to repent and believe the gospel still remains true for “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”