The Apostles of the Church - Part 3 - Devo for 09/02/2009

Reading
Acts 3:1-5:42

Unleashing the Text
Chapter 3
v. 1 - ninth hour - 3:00 p.m.

v. 2 - alms - a charitable donation of money

v. 11 - porch...Solomon's - a portico surrounding the temple's Court of the Gentiles

v. 13 - the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob - a description of God familiar to Peter's Jewish audience

v. 14 - murderer - that is, Barabbas (see Mark 15:11; Luke 23:18)

v. 15 - Prince of Life - the Divine Originator of life

v. 19 - be converted - a frequent New Testament word that refers to sinners turning to God

Chapter 4
v. 1 - the captain of the temple - chief of the temple police force, and second in command to the High Priest

v. 3 - for it was now eventide - Jewish law did not allow trials or hearings at night

v. 4 - five thousand - the total number of men in the Jerusalem church

v. 8 - filled with the Holy Ghost - This explains Peter's eloquent and powerful preaching.

v. 12 - none other name - There are only two religious paths: the broad (and futile) way of works to achieve salvation that ultimately leads to eternal death, and the narrow way of faith in Jesus, leading to eternal life.

v. 19 - to hearken unto you more than unto God - Christians should always obey governmental authority, unless that authority commands something contrary to God's Word.

v. 24 - Lord - a rare term that means "absolute master" and implies sovereignty

vv. 32-35 - all things common - When people in the church had needs, those who could help did so by giving money or possessions to the apostles for distribution.

v. 33 - great grace - that is, "favor"

Chapter 5
v. 2 - kept back part of the price - not a sin in and of itself; however, they had promised the full amount received to the Lord; they lied in trying to appear more generous than they were

v. 5 - great fear - afraid over the seriousness of hypocrisy and the prospect of divine judgment

v. 9 - tempt the Spirit of the Lord - to presume upon God's forbearance

v. 13 - and the rest...join himself to them - They respected Christ's followers, but feared the deadly potential of joining the church.

v. 15 - shadow of Peter - They truly thought he possessed healing power that could be transmitted even through his shadow; the Scripture never says this.

v. 28 - doctrine - that is, the gospel of Jesus Christ

v.34 - Gamaliel - the grandson of the revered rabbi Hillel, and most noted rabbi of his time

v. 40 - beaten them - an unjust flogging, probably thirty-nine lashes (see Deuteronomy 25:3)