From Gary... A new strength

I really liked this picture!!!  Why; well, because of its "attitude" toward the obvious condition of the very aged.  Today, I experienced a bit of this myself, as the arthritis in my hands bothered me some.  And yet- so what? We all experience problems (of all types, not just physical), whether young or old.  And those problems can be beneficial if we look at them from the right perspective. Consider the following passage for a moment.

Psalms 71:9-19 NASB
(9)  Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
(10)  For my enemies have spoken against me; And those who watch for my life have consulted together,
(11)  Saying, "God has forsaken him; Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver."
(12)  O God, do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help!
(13)  Let those who are adversaries of my soul be ashamed and consumed; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor, who seek to injure me.
(14)  But as for me, I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
(15)  My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And of Your salvation all day long; For I do not know the sum of them.
(16)  I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.
(17)  O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
(18)  And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
(19)  For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?

Sooner or later your health will cause problems in your life.  When this happens, you have a choice- you can either become bitter or become better. How? Well, that depends upon your direction in relationship to God.  Two years in a row in high school, I dislocated my patella and was on crutches for 6 months each time. Yet, those episodes resulted in my Linda carrying my books and it was during those days of disability and pain that we grew very close. Also, because of this I began to look at my life differently and started to think spiritually (something I had never really done before).  Do you have problems- draw close to God and HE will draw close to you. Then perhaps the words of the 71st Psalm will become more meaningful and when the time of great maturity (old age) arrives, you will have a strength than can endure virtually anything!!! 

From Gary... Bible Reading August 6

Bible Reading   

August 6

The World English Bible

Aug. 6

Ezra 7-8

Ezr 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

Ezr 7:2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,

Ezr 7:3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,

Ezr 7:4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,

Ezr 7:5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest;

Ezr 7:6 this Ezra went up from Babylon: and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of Yahweh his God on him.

Ezr 7:7 There went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

Ezr 7:8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

Ezr 7:9 For on the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon; and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God on him.

Ezr 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Yahweh, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.

Ezr 7:11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of Yahweh, and of his statutes to Israel:

Ezr 7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth.

Ezr 7:13 I make a decree, that all those of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, who are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you.

Ezr 7:14 Because you are sent of the king and his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand,

Ezr 7:15 and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,

Ezr 7:16 and all the silver and gold that you shall find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem;

Ezr 7:17 therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

Ezr 7:18 Whatever shall seem good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do that after the will of your God.

Ezr 7:19 The vessels that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.

Ezr 7:20 Whatever more shall be needful for the house of your God, which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.

Ezr 7:21 I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done with all diligence,

Ezr 7:22 to one hundred talents of silver, and to one hundred measures of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

Ezr 7:23 Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

Ezr 7:24 Also we inform you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, the singers, porters, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, on them.

Ezr 7:25 You, Ezra, after the wisdom of your God who is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach him who doesn't know them.

Ezr 7:26 Whoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

Ezr 7:27 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem;

Ezr 7:28 and has extended loving kindness to me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. I was strengthened according to the hand of Yahweh my God on me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

Ezr 8:1 Now these are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king:

Ezr 8:2 Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the sons of David, Hattush.

Ezr 8:3 Of the sons of Shecaniah, of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah; and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males one hundred fifty.

Ezr 8:4 Of the sons of Pahathmoab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah; and with him two hundred males.

Ezr 8:5 Of the sons of Shecaniah, the son of Jahaziel; and with him three hundred males.

Ezr 8:6 Of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan; and with him fifty males.

Ezr 8:7 Of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah; and with him seventy males.

Ezr 8:8 Of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael; and with him eighty males.

Ezr 8:9 Of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel; and with him two hundred and eighteen males.

Ezr 8:10 Of the sons of Shelomith, the son of Josiphiah; and with him one hundred sixty males.

Ezr 8:11 Of the sons of Bebai, Zechariah the son of Bebai; and with him twenty-eight males.

Ezr 8:12 Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan; and with him one hundred ten males.

Ezr 8:13 Of the sons of Adonikam, who were the last; and these are their names: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah; and with them sixty males.

Ezr 8:14 Of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud; and with them seventy males.

Ezr 8:15 I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there we encamped three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.

Ezr 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, who were teachers.

Ezr 8:17 I sent them forth to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should tell Iddo, and his brothers the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.

Ezr 8:18 According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen;

Ezr 8:19 and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty;

Ezr 8:20 and of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim: all of them were mentioned by name.

Ezr 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

Ezr 8:22 For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him.

Ezr 8:23 So we fasted and begged our God for this: and he was entreated of us.

Ezr 8:24 Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them,

Ezr 8:25 and weighed to them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering for the house of our God, which the king, and his counselors, and his princes, and all Israel there present, had offered:

Ezr 8:26 I weighed into their hand six hundred fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels one hundred talents; of gold one hundred talents;

Ezr 8:27 and twenty bowls of gold, of one thousand darics; and two vessels of fine bright brass, precious as gold.

Ezr 8:28 I said to them, You are holy to Yahweh, and the vessels are holy; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to Yahweh, the God of your fathers.

Ezr 8:29 Watch, and keep them, until you weigh them before the chiefs of the priests and the Levites, and the princes of the fathers' houses of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of Yahweh.

Ezr 8:30 So the priests and the Levites received the weight of the silver and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God.

Ezr 8:31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the bandit by the way.

Ezr 8:32 We came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.

Ezr 8:33 On the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, the Levite;

Ezr 8:34 the whole by number and by weight: and all the weight was written at that time.

Ezr 8:35 The children of the captivity, who had come out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering to Yahweh.

Ezr 8:36 They delivered the king's commissions to the king's satraps, and to the governors beyond the River: and they furthered the people and the house of God.

From Mark Copeland... The 3000 On Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)

                   "CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                     The 3000 On Pentecost (2:1-41)

INTRODUCTION

1. The Book of Acts serves a unique role in the New Testament and the
   history of the church...
   a. It picks up where the gospels leave off, and provides a backdrop
      for the epistles
   b. It details the spread of the gospel, and expansion of the Lord's
      church
   c. It is the only record, inspired or otherwise, of the first thirty
      years of the church

2. Included in the historical record of Acts are many examples of
   conversions...
   a. In which we find the apostles and other preachers leading people
      to Christ
   b. In some cases we can read the very sermons used to proclaim the
      gospel
   c. We also have descriptions of what people were told to receive
      God's saving grace

3. The value of such examples of conversion cannot be overstated...
   a. For today we can hear or see many different "gospels" being
      proclaimed
   b. Even when the gospel facts are faithfully proclaimed, sometimes
      people are told to respond in a manner not found in the New
      Testament
   -- With the help of The Book of Acts, we can make sure that the
      gospel facts and commands are faithfully proclaimed!

4. In this series, we shall examine several examples of conversions as
   described in Acts...
   a. Noting the background of each conversion
   b. Considering the sermons proclaimed and the responses to them
   c. Analyzing the sermons and responses, seeking to glean the
      elements of the gospel message and what response to expect of
      those coming to Christ

[In this study, we start with the first example of conversion, "The
3000 On Pentecost", as recorded in Acts 2.  As we begin, let's do so
with...]

I. THE BACKGROUND OF THE CONVERSION

   A. IT WAS THE DAY OF PENTECOST - Ac 2:1
      1. An annual Jewish feast, celebrated 50 days after the
         presentation of the firstfruits
      2. One in which Jews would travel great distances to attend - Ac 2:5

   B. THE SPIRIT FELL ON THE APOSTLES - Ac 2:2-13
      1. As promised by John and Jesus - Ac 1:4-5; cf. Lk 24:49
      2. Accompanied by audible and visual signs...
         a. A sound as of a mighty rushing wind - Ac 2:2
         b. Divided tongues as of fire sitting upon each of them - Ac 2:3
      3. Enabling the apostles to speak in foreign languages - Ac 2:
         4-11
         a. Every man heard them speak in his own language - Ac 2:6,11
         b. That those who spoke were "Galileans" (Ac 2:7), suggesting
            the apostles
            1) For the apostles were from Galilee
            2) Whereas the 120 disciples were from all over Palestine
      4. The reaction of the crowd was mixed - Ac 2:12-13
         a. Some were amazed and perplexed
         b. Others mocked, accusing the apostles of being drunk

   C. PETER EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED - Ac 2:14-21
      1. It was too early for them to be drunk - Ac 2:14-15
      2. Rather, it was a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy - Ac 2:16-21
         a. Found in Joel 2:28-32
         b. In which God promised to pour out of His Spirit on all
            flesh

[So we find a large gathering of religious people initially drawn by
the miraculous events which occurred this day in Jerusalem.  Having
explained the meaning of the events, Peter immediately proceeded with
the first recorded gospel sermon...]

II. THE SERMON AND ITS RESPONSE

   A. JESUS IS PROCLAIMED...
      1. Peter began with the life and miracles of Jesus, with which
         his audience was well acquainted - Ac 2:22
      2. He laid the blame of Jesus' death at their feet, but said it
         was in keeping with God's predetermined plan - Ac 2:23
      3. He declared that God raised Jesus from the dead, and provided
         three lines of evidence - Ac 2:24-35
         a. The testimony of David - Ac 2:25-31
            1) Who prophesied of the resurrection of God's Anointed
               - Ps 16:8-11
            2) Who could not have been speaking of himself, but of
               Jesus
            -- Thus, the testimony of Scripture
         b. The testimony of the twelve apostles - Ac 2:32
            1) Who had to be eyewitnesses to qualify as apostles - cf.
               Ac 1:21-26
            2) With twelve witnesses, the demands of Scripture were
               overwhelmingly met ("by the mouth of two or three
               witnesses every word may be established.")
            -- Thus, the testimony of eyewitnesses
         c. The testimony of the Spirit's outpouring - Ac 2:33-35
            1) The outpouring of the Spirit was evidence of:
               a) Christ's exaltation to the right hand of God
               b) Christ receiving from the Father the promise of the
                  Spirit
            2) And so another prophecy of David was fulfilled - cf. Psa 110:1
            -- Thus, the testimony of the day's events
      4. Finally, Peter reached the climax of his sermon - Ac 2:36
         a. The Jesus they crucified, God had made...
            1) "Lord" (Ruler of all - cf. Mt 28:18)
            2) "Christ" (The Anointed One prophesied in Scripture)
         b. This fact they were to "know assuredly"
            1) To understand, to accept as fact
            2) To believe firmly

   B. THE RESPONSE TO PETER'S SERMON...
      1. The listeners were convicted - Ac 2:37
         a. They were "cut to the heart"
         b. They asked "what shall we do?"
      2. Peter replied with commands and a promise - Ac 2:38-39
         a. The commands to repent and be baptized for the remission of
            sins
         b. The promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit, a promise for
            "as many as the Lord our God will call"
      3. Luke then summarized what followed...
         a. Peter continued to offer testimony and exhortation - Ac 2:
            40
         b. Those who "gladly received his word were baptized" - Ac 2:
            41
         c. 3000 souls were "added" (later, we learn it was the Lord
            who was adding them to His church - cf. Ac 2:47)

[With this response to Peter's sermon, the Lord's church began in
Jerusalem (cf. Ac 2:42). It was an amazing day, in which 3000 souls
responded to the gospel of Christ. What can be gleaned from this
example of conversion?]

III. AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONVERSION

   A. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING PETER'S SERMON...
      1. Peter's focus was on the Word, not the signs and wonders
         a. His explanation of the miraculous was no more than a
            quotation from Joel
         b. Having explained the miraculous, he directed their
            attention to Jesus
      2. Peter's theme was the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus
         a. His life and death they knew
         b. It was His resurrection and exaltation to God's right hand
            that he sought to prove
      3. His main objective:  for them to accept Jesus as their Lord
         and Messiah (Christ)

   B. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE RESPONSE...
      1. The reaction of the people is noteworthy: "cut to the heart"
         a. This shows the power of God's word to convict - cf. Ro 1:16
         b. While convicted, not all people will respond in the same
            way - cf. Ac 7:54
      2. The reply to their question ("what shall we do?") is also
         noteworthy
         a. Peter commanded them to "repent", which was what Jesus
            expected Him to say - cf. Lk 24:46-47
         b. Peter commanded them to "be baptized", which was also in
            keeping with what Jesus commanded the apostles - Mt 28:19;
            Mk 16:15-16
      3. The purpose of their baptism was explained: "for the remission
         of sins"
         a. The identical phrase was used by Jesus in Mt 26:28
         b. His blood was shed for many "for the remission of sins"
         c. In both cases, the preposition "for" means "with a view
            toward, in order to"
            1) Jesus shed His blood in order to provide remission of
               sins
            2) One is baptized in order to receive remission of sins
               (for in baptism we are baptized into Christ's death
               - cf. Ro 6:3-6)
      4. Those who are baptized were promised "the gift of the Spirit"
         a. I take the gift to be the Spirit Himself - cf. Ac 5:32
            1) Not something the Spirit gives (such as salvation or
               spiritual gifts)
            2) All who become Christians receive the Spirit - Ga 4:6;
               1Co 12:13
         b. The Spirit is therefore "the promise" referred to in verse
            39
            1) Who was promised by the Father and received by Christ
               - Ac 2:33
            2) Who was poured out by Christ on the day of Pentecost
               - Ac 2:33
            3) Thus poured out, one can now receive the "washing of
               regeneration and renewal of the Spirit" in baptism,
               resulting in justification - cf. Tit 3:5-7
      5. Those who were baptized were "added" to the church - Ac 2:41,
         47
         a. When one is baptized (i.e., saved), the Lord adds him or
            her to His church, which is His body - cf. 1Co 12:13
         b. Baptism is therefore the "door" to the church (in the
            universal, not local) sense

   C. LESSONS FOR TODAY...
      1. When preaching the gospel...
         a. Our focus should be on death, burial, resurrection and
            exaltation of Jesus Christ - e.g., 1Co 2:1-2; 15:1-4
         b. The evidence we offer as support should be:
            1) The testimony of Scripture (e.g., the Old Testament
               prophecies)
            2) The testimony of the eyewitnesses (i.e., the apostles)
         c. Our goal is for people to accept the Lordship of Jesus
            Christ, acknowledging Him to be the Messiah, God's Anointed
      2. When people are convicted of sin, and ask "what shall we do?",
         we should reply:
         a. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (though not specifically
            mentioned, it is assumed in the call to "know assuredly")
            - cf. Ac 16:30-31
         b. Repent of your sins - cf. Ac 17:30
         c. Be baptized for the remission of sins - cf. Ac 10:48; 22:16
      3. Along with remission of sins, we should tell of the promise of
         the Spirit
         a. The Spirit's role in the life of the Christian is important
            - 1Co 6:11; Ro 8:13
         b. While the role of the Spirit is often misunderstood, we
            should not hesitate to make mention of Him as a promise and
            gift to those who obey God! - Ac 5:32

CONCLUSION

1. With the first example of conversion, we find Peter faithfully
   carrying out the commission of his Lord...
   a. To preach the gospel - Mk 16:15
   b. To preach repentance and remission of sins in His name - Lk 24:47
   c. To include baptism along with faith as a proper response to the
      gospel - Mk 16:16
   d. To make disciples by baptizing them - Mt 28:19

2. Is this the gospel and response being proclaimed today?
   a. Some preach the gospel of health and wealth, with a focus on
      "signs" and "wonders", rather than on the death, resurrection and
      exaltation of Christ!
   b. Some would tell the lost to simply "say the sinner's prayer", is
      that what Peter said?

Those who presume to preach in the name of Christ, should be careful to
preach as did His apostles; those who wish to respond to the grace of
God in Christ, should be careful to respond as did those who heard the
apostles preach!

Have you responded to the preaching of the gospel in the same manner as
did "The 3000 On Pentecost"? Remember...

   "...those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that
   day about three thousand souls were added to them." (Acts 2:41)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... The 2000 At Solomon's Porch (Acts 3:1-4:4)

                   "CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                 The 2000 At Solomon's Porch (3:1-4:4)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous lesson, we considered the conversion of "The 3000 On
   Pentecost"...
   a. Precipitated by the outpouring of the Spirit - Ac 2:1-21
   b. Where Peter proclaimed the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus
      - Ac 2:22-36
   c. In which 3000 souls responded to the gospel commands to repent
      and be baptized - Ac 2:37-41

2. The next example of conversion in Acts is one often overlooked...
   a. Many charts listing examples of conversions in the Book of Acts
      do not include it
   b. Perhaps because little is said about those converted, other than
      "many of those who heard the word believed" - cf. Ac 4:4

3. But since our purpose includes looking at the sermons which led 
   people to Christ, we should certainly consider...
   a. Peter's second gospel sermon, proclaimed on Solomon's Porch in 
      the temple court
   b. A sermon that led 2000 more people to believe in Jesus Christ! 
      - cf. Ac 4:4

[As we did in the previous study, let's begin with...]

I. THE BACKGROUND OF THE CONVERSION

   A. PETER AND JOHN HAD GONE TO THE TEMPLE - Ac 3:1
      1. Christians had been gathering daily in the temple - Ac 2:46
      2. Peter and John arrived at the "hour of prayer, the ninth hour"
         (3 p.m.)

   B. A MAN LAME FROM BIRTH HAD BEEN HEALED - Ac 3:2-8
      1. Who was left daily at the gate of the temple called
         "Beautiful" - Ac 3:2-3
         a. To ask alms from the people entering the temple
         b. Who asked Peter and John for alms
      2. Peter healed him in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth 
         - Ac 3:4-8
         a. The lame man expected alms
         b. But Peter offered him something much better than silver or
            gold!
         c. The miracle was immediate and total!

   C. A CROWD HAD GATHERED - Ac 3:9-11
      1. Drawn by the scene of the man walking, praising God; one they
         knew had been lame from birth - Ac 3:9-10
      2. Amazed and wondering, they gathered in the porch called 
         Solomon's - Ac 3:11

[The similarity to the events in Acts 2 are apparent. A miraculous 
event occurs, it attracts the attention of the people.  As before,
Peter uses the opportunity to proclaim Jesus...]

II. THE SERMON AND ITS RESPONSE

   A. JESUS IS PROCLAIMED, AS THE MIRACLE IS EXPLAINED...
      1. Peter explains the true source of the miracle - Ac 3:12-16
         a. It was not by the power or godliness of Peter and John 
            themselves
         b. It was through faith in the One whom the people killed!
            1) God's Servant, Jesus...
               a) Whom the God of their fathers had glorified!
               b) Whom they had delivered up and denied in the presence
                  of Pilate!
               -- Calling Jesus God's "Servant" may be an allusion to
                  Isa 52:13-53:12
            2) The Holy One, The Just, The Prince of Life...
               a) Whom they denied, asking for a murderer to be 
                  released in his stead!
               b) Whom God raised from the dead, as seen by witnesses!
               -- Calling Jesus by these terms emphasized His true 
                  person and power
         c. It was through faith in His name that the lame man was 
            healed; note, however...
            1) It was Peter and John's faith in Jesus, not the lame 
               man's faith
            2) For the lame man had not expected a miracle, but silver
               or gold
      2. Peter acknowledges their ignorance, but still calls upon them
         to repent - Ac 3:17-26
         a. He recognizes that they and their rulers acted in ignorance
         b. That what happened was...
            1) Foretold through God's prophets
            2) Fulfilling God's predetermined plan - cf. Ac 2:23
         c. Yet ignorance is no excuse, so they must "repent and be
            converted" - Ac 3:19
         d. Several reasons to so respond are given - Ac 3:19-26
            1) That "your sins may be blotted out"
               a) Alluding to the ancient practice of erasing mistakes
                  made on papyrus
               b) I.e., another way to describe the remission of sins
                  through Jesus' blood
            2) That "times of refreshing may come from the presence of
               the Lord"
               a) Here is a positive counterpart to the remission of 
                  sins (Stott)
               b) God provides more than just remission of sins, but
                  refreshment for our spirits (Stott)
            3) That God "may send Jesus Christ" (a reference to His 
               second coming)
               a) Who was preached to them before (via the prophets)
               b) Whom heaven must receive until the times of 
                  restoration of all things (of which the prophets of 
                  God had also spoken)
                  1] As an example of the prophets who had spoken, 
                     Moses is quoted
                  2] Others since Samuel have likewise told of these 
                     days
            4) They were "sons of the prophets, and of the covenant"
               God made with their fathers
               a) A covenant made with Abraham, to bless the world in 
                  his seed
               b) A promise fulfilled by God through His Servant Jesus,
                  Whom He raised
                  1] Who was sent by God to bless them
                  2] To bless them by turning them away from their sins

   B. THE RESPONSE TO PETER'S SERMON...
      1. A negative response by the religious leaders - Ac 4:1-3
         a. They were greatly disturbed, because in preaching Jesus, 
            Peter preached the resurrection of the dead
         b. The Sadducees in particular denied the idea of a bodily 
            resurrection - Ac 23:6-9
         c. So they had Peter and John placed in custody for trial the
            next day
      2. A positive response by many who heard - Ac 4:4
         a. Many who heard the word "believed"
         b. As many as two thousand men accepted the preaching of 
            Peter!

[The power of the gospel to convict the hearts of men continues to be 
seen, though with some the effect appears to be a hardening of their 
hearts.  As we focus on the sermon and its response, what can we glean
from this example of conversion?]

III. AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONVERSION

   A. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING PETER'S SERMON...
      1. Again we note the Christ-centeredness of Peter's preaching
         a. As in his sermon on Pentecost
         b. While explaining the miracle, he directs their attention to
            Jesus, not the sign
      2. Again Peter's main theme is the resurrection and exaltation of
         Jesus - Ac 3:13-15
         a. The One they killed, God raised from the dead
         b. The One they killed, God has glorified
      3. Yet Peter also introduces a new element...
         a. The coming of Jesus from heaven!
         b. Jesus is coming again! - Ac 3:20-21
      4. The sermon's climax is the call to "repent therefore, and be
         converted" - Ac 3:19
         a. From this we learn that repentance and conversion are not
            same thing
            1) Otherwise, Peter was redundant
            2) I.e., he would have been saying "repent and repent"
         b. Repent (metanoeo) means "a change of mind"
            1) True repentance is brought on by "godly sorrow" - 2 Co 7:9
            2) Such repentance then leads one to "salvation" - 2Co 7:10
            -- Thus they were being called to change their minds 
               regarding Jesus and their sinful ways
         c. What is meant by "be converted"?
            1) The NKJV and KJV suggest a passive act, but the Greek is
               aorist active imperative, implying there is something we
               must do
               a) The key idea is to "turn" or "return"
               b) The NIV has "turn to God" and the NASB has "return"
               -- But how does one turn to God?
            2) Compare Peter's word's Ac 3:19 with Ac 2:38
               a) "Repent" (Ac 2:38) and "Repent" (Ac 3:19)
               b) "Be baptized" (Ac 2:38) and "Be converted" (Ac 3:19)
            3) Could Peter be referring to baptism when he says "be 
               converted"?
               a) When one submits to baptism, they so do with an 
                  appeal for a clear conscience - cf. 1Pe 3:21
               b) In baptism they are calling upon the name of the Lord
                  - Ac 22:16
            -- Therefore I believe the call to "turn" likely involved
               baptism       
      5. The blessings promised are similar to those found in the first
         sermon
         a. There is the forgiveness of sins...
            1) Described as the "remission of sins" in the first 
               sermon - Ac 2:38
            2) Described now as having one's sins "blotted out" - Ac 3:19
         b. There is the positive counterpart to the remission of
            sins...
            1) Described as "the gift of the Holy Spirit" in the first
               sermon - Ac 2:38-39
            2) Described now as "the times of refreshing...from the
               presence of the Lord" - Ac 3:19
            3) I understand Peter to refer to the same thing...
               a) I.e., the Spirit as a gift to the Christian - Ac 5:
                  32; Ga 4:6; Ep 1:13-14
               b) Whom Jesus promised as a refreshing blessing - Jn 7:
                  37-39; cf. also Jn 4:10-14
      6. In this sermon we find a warning
         a. In the first sermon Peter pleaded with the people to "be
            saved from this perverse generation" - Ac 2:40
         b. Now we find a reason why, with Moses' prophecy: "every soul
            who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed
            from among the people" - Ac 3:23

   B. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE RESPONSE...
      1. As mentioned in the introduction, little is said, other than 
         many "believed" - Ac 4:4
      2. Are we to conclude from this that was all they did?
         a. Did they not also "repent"?
         b. Did they not also "turn"?
      3. I think it fair to conclude that the term "believed" 
         encompassed more than simply an acceptance of the facts that 
         had been proclaimed
         a. That it involved a complete reception of the message 
            preached
         b. That it included an obedience to whatever conditions had 
            been proclaimed by the apostles (such as repentance, 
            turning, baptism)
         c. That just as faith was not explicitly mentioned in the
            first sermon, but is fairly inferred, so also with baptism
            here

   C. LESSONS FOR TODAY...
      1. When preaching the gospel...
         a. We must not lose the Christ-centeredness of our focus
            1) That includes preaching his death, resurrection and 
               glorification
            2) That Jesus provides more than just the forgiveness of 
               sin; but as the Prince of Life, He is the source of 
               every spiritual blessing from above - cf. Ep 1:3
            3) That preaching Christ includes preaching His return from
               heaven, for He is coming again!
         b. The clarion call of the gospel is one of repentance!
            1) Faith and baptism are certainly important even essential
            2) Yet repentance was an important theme of preaching by:
               a) John the Baptist - Mt 3:1-2
               b) Jesus - Mt 4:17; Lk 13:3,5
               -- And now by the apostles - Ac 2:38; 3:19; cf. Lk 24:
                  47; Ac 20:21
      2. When people respond to the gospel, we should expect to see...
         a. A change of mind (repentance), brought about by "godly 
            sorrow" - cf. 2Co 7:9-10
         b. A change of life, as they "turn" from their sins and "turn"
            to God - cf. 2Co 7:11
            1) Implied by the word "converted" (turn)
            2) A process that involves their baptism into Christ, in 
               which they die to sin and rise to walk in newness of 
               life - cf. Ro 6:3-7
         -- All of which can be summarized as having "believed"!

CONCLUSION

1. With this example of conversion, Peter continues to fulfill the 
   commission of his Lord...
   a. To preach the gospel - Mk 16:15-16
   b. To preach repentance and remission of sins in His name - Lk 24:47

2. We saw that not all responded in the same way...
   a. Yes, 2000 heard the word and believed
   b. But some religious people with their preconceived ideas were 
      resistant to the gospel
   -- Sadly, many people today reject the apostolic preaching of the 
      gospel for similar reasons

I pray that such is not the case with you; that as we study the 
preaching of the apostles and responses to it, your heart will be open
to the Word of God.  Especially to this key verse in our study:

   "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
   out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of
   the Lord" (Ac 3:19)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... The Samaritans (Acts 8:4-25)

                   "CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                        The Samaritans (8:4-25)

INTRODUCTION

1. With the preaching of the gospel and its reception by many, the 
   Lord's church grew rapidly in Jerusalem...
   a. 3000 souls were added after the first gospel sermon - Ac 2:41
   b. Following the second sermon, the number grew to about 5000
      - Ac 4:4

2. What was the gospel message that sparked the conversion of so many?
   a. One that centered on Jesus Christ, proclaiming His death, 
      resurrection, exaltation, and eventual return!
   b. A message that expected the following response from those who 
      heard...
      1) Faith in Jesus as both Lord and Christ - e.g., Ac 2:36
      2) Repentance from sin - e.g., Ac 2:38; 3:19
      3) Turning to God, with baptism for the remission of sins as the
         first step - e.g., Ac 2:38,41; 3:19

3. Preaching this message was not without controversy...
   a. Some took issue with the message of Christ's resurrection 
      - Ac 4:1-3
   b. Persecution against the church in Jerusalem became progressively
      worse
      1) Peter and John were at first simply threatened - Ac 4:21
      2) Soon after all the apostles were beaten - Ac 5:40
      3) Then Steven was stoned to death - Ac 6:8-7:60
   c. Steven's death led to widespread persecution, and the dispersal 
      of many Christians from Jerusalem - Ac 8:1-3

4. But as Christians were scattered abroad, so was the gospel!
   a. The Christians went everywhere, "preaching the word" - Ac 8:4
   b. Among those was the evangelist Philip, whose preaching provides
      us with two examples of conversion
      1) "The Samaritans" - Ac 8:4-25
      2) "The Ethiopian Eunuch" - Ac 8:26-40

[In this study, we shall examine "The Samaritans", whose example of
conversion and follow-up is one of the more challenging ones found in
the Acts...]

I. THE CONVERSION OF THE SAMARITANS

   A. PHILIP'S MINISTRY AT SAMARIA - Ac 8:4-13
      1. He preached Christ to them - Ac 8:5
      2. Multitudes heeded the things he spoke - Ac 8:6a-12
         a. Having heard and seen the miracles which he did
            1) Such as casting out unclean spirits, healing the
               paralyzed and lame
            2) Though previously they had been impressed by a sorcerer
               named Simon
         b. They believed Philip as he preached about the kingdom of
            God and the name of Jesus Christ
         c. They were baptized, both men and women
      3. Even Simon the sorcerer was converted - Ac 8:13
         a. He too believed and was baptized
         b. He continued with Philip, amazed at the miracles and signs
            Philip was doing

   B. THE FOLLOW-UP BY PETER AND JOHN - Ac 8:14-25
      1. The apostles sent Peter and John upon hearing of the
         conversion of the Samaritans - Ac 8:14
      2. Peter and John imparted the Spirit to the Samaritans - Ac 8:
         15-17
         a. While the Samaritans had been baptized, they had not
            received the Spirit
         b. Through prayer and the laying on of the apostles' hands,
            they received the Spirit
      3. This power to impart the Spirit became a stumblingblock for
         Simon - Ac 8:18-24
         a. He sought to buy the ability to impart the Spirit - Ac 8:
            18-19
         b. Peter rebukes him strongly, and calls upon him to repent
            - Ac 8:20-23
         c. Simon asks Peter to pray for him - Ac 8:24
      4. Peter and John preached the gospel in many villages in Samaria
         on their return to Jerusalem - Ac 8:25

[The example of the Samaritans' is really quite remarkable, and for 
several reasons. This is the first preaching of the gospel to those not
fully Jews (Samaritans were half-breeds, and disdained by most Jews; 
cf. Jn 4:9). But also because of the questions that are raised, some
of which I hope to address as I offer...]

II. SOME OBSERVATIONS

   A. CONCERNING THE CONVERSION OF THE SAMARITANS...
      1. The gospel message preached by Philip
         a. We are told that he preached "Christ" - Ac 8:5
            1) This undoubtedly included Christ's death, resurrection,
               etc.
            2) I.e., the same things Peter preached about Christ in 
               Acts 2 and 3
         b. We are told that he preached "the things concerning the 
            kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" - Ac 8:12
            1) What things concerning "the kingdom of God"?
               a) John, Jesus, and the apostles had earlier taught the
                  kingdom was "at hand" - cf. Mt 3:1; 4:17; 10:7
               b) Later, Paul and John wrote of the kingdom as present 
                  - Col 1:13; Re 1:9
               -- As the expression "kingdom of God" literally means 
                  the "reign of God", it is likely that Philip spoke of
                  the rule and reign of God now present in the Person 
                  of His Son Jesus Christ - cf. Mt 28:18; Ac 2:36; 5:31
            2) What things concerning "the name of Jesus Christ"?
               a) Most likely that repentance and remission of sins 
                  were now being proclaimed in His name - Lk 24:47
               b) And from the response of the Samaritans, we conclude
                  that included whatever Jesus commanded - cf. Ac 8:12
                  with Mk 16:16
      2. The response of the Samaritans
         a. Note first that they "heeded the things spoken by Philip",
            implying obedience on their part - Ac 8:6; cf. He 5:9
         b. Later we are told that they "believed" and "were baptized"
            - Ac 8:12
            1) Like Peter, Philip faithfully fulfilled the Lord's 
               commission - Mk 16:15-16
            2) Heeding the things spoken by Philip therefore included
               baptism

   B. CONCERNING THE CONVERSION OF SIMON THE SORCERER...
      1. Was Simon truly converted?
         a. Many deny that he was, because of what happened afterward
         b. But Luke (the author) says Simon "also believed"
            1) I.e., he believed just as the others did
            2) Therefore his faith was just as real as the rest of the
               Samaritans
         c. While there may be many fanciful traditions concerning 
            Simon outside of the Bible, the indication of Scripture is
            that his conversion was sincere
      2. Simon is an example of how fallen Christians can be restored
         a. He was told to "repent" and "pray" - Ac 8:22
         b. When a Christian sins, therefore, he needs not to be 
            baptized again, but to repent and pray, confessing his 
            sins- cf. 1Jn 1:9
      -- Simon reveals how quickly Christians can be overtaken in sin,
         but also how they can obtain forgiveness and be restored!

   C. CONCERNING THE FOLLOW-UP BY PETER AND JOHN...
      1. Many questions are raised by what we read...
         a. Why is it that the Samaritan's received baptism by Philip,
            but not the Spirit?
         b. What does it mean "that they might receive the Holy 
            Spirit"?
         c. What did the apostles have that Philip did not?
         -- The challenge is to reconcile what we read here with what
            is revealed elsewhere
      2. As I seek to understand this passage, the following 
         observations are made...
         a. Whatever Luke meant to "receive the Holy Spirit"...
            1) It required the apostles' laying on of hands
               a) Philip could not impart it, making it necessary for
                  the apostles to come
               b) Simon could see that it was through the apostles' 
                  laying on of hands the Spirit was given - Ac 8:18
            2) It was something visible or audible
               a) It caught Simon's attention, who sought to buy the 
                  ability to impart it
               b) It was clearly something miraculous (perhaps speaking
                  in tongues)
            -- But was it actually the Spirit Himself, or something the
               Spirit gives?
         b. Elsewhere we learn that one receives the Spirit upon 
            obedience to the Gospel
            1) As indicated in Ac 2:38; 5:32; 1Co 12:13; Ep 1:13-14;
               Ga 4:6
            2) Whose indwelling is necessary to being a Christian - Ro 8:9-11
            -- Since the Samaritans had been baptized (Ac 8:12,16), I
               believe it is fair to assume that they had received the
               Spirit Himself as any Christian would
      3. Therefore I offer the following explanation...
         a. The expression "receive the Holy Spirit" is a metonymy for
            receiving a miraculous gift from the Spirit
            1) Metonymy - A figure of speech in which one word or 
               phrase is substituted for another with which it is 
               closely associated
            2) E.g., as in Washington for the United States government
               or of the sword for military power
            -- What the Samaritans had not received, then, were any 
               miraculous spiritual gifts that the Spirit bestowed 
               - cf. 1Co 12:1-11
         b. The apostles had the ability to impart spiritual gifts
            1) Paul hoped to impart such a gift to the Romans - Ro 1:11
            2) He had imparted such a gift to Timothy - 2Ti 1:6
         c. The ability to impart spiritual gifts was limited to the 
            apostles, which explains:
            1) Why Philip could perform miracles, but not pass the 
               ability on to others
               a) The apostles had laid hands on him earlier - Ac 6:5-6
               b) Like Steven, Philip could then do miracles - Ac 6:7;
                  8:6-7
            2) Why it was necessary for Peter and John to come
               a) If spiritual gifts came simply by praying, why send 
                  for Peter and John?
               b) It took an apostle for the spiritual gifts to be 
                  imparted
         d. It was this ability to impart spiritual gifts that Simon 
            wanted to buy!
            1) He was not content to receive a spiritual gift
            2) He wanted that apostolic ability to impart spiritual
               gifts! - Ac 8:19

CONCLUSION

1. The conversion of the Samaritans is simple and straightforward...
   a. We learn that when Christ is preached, believed, and heeded,
      people will be baptized - cf. Ac 8:5-6,12
   b. What we read in verse 12 is as simple and direct as the
      commission under which Philip preached:

      "But when they believed Philip as he preached the things
      concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,
      both men and women were baptized." - Ac 8:12

      "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" - Mk 16:16

2. The follow-up of the Samaritans may be challenging...
   a. It has been described as one of the most extraordinary passages
      in Acts
      1) It has been used to teach all sorts of conflicting doctrine
         related to confirmation, sanctification, and spiritual gifts
      2) We must be careful not to draw conclusions that are contrary
         to the rest of the Scriptures
   b. But we can still glean important lessons concerning conversion
      1) Conversion requires that one "heed" (obey) the Word of God
      2) Such obedience involves believing and being baptized
      3) Conversion does not remove the temptation to sin
      4) When we fall, restoration does not require re-baptism, but
         repentance and prayer

In our next study, we shall follow Philip as he is led by the Spirit to
teach just one individual, a queen's treasurer who is on his way home
from a journey to Jerusalem...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011