God Still Speaks

Down in verse 32 we see Peter doing some traveling, he took the words of Jesus seriously that said, "Go into all the world". Here Peter finds Aeneas who is bed ridden and paralyzed. Peter just speaks to him and says, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you, get up and make your bed." And he arose immediately. Next verse, ...and all who saw him turned to the Lord." One miracle brought many people to Christ. God wants to increase his power in his people to allow miracles to happen. Miracles are not just for the clergy, miracles are for the believers as well. Jesus said, "these signs will follow those who beleive.." Every beleiver can experience Gods power for miracles. How does this happen? As we step out in faith and act upon Gods word, He confirms that word with signs. If we want to walk on the water, we have to get out of the boat. It's uncomfortable to get out of the boat because we worry about failure. Just do what the word says to do and leave the results to Him. Remember Peter was just a fisherman, a normal man like you and I and God was able to bring healing and do this miracle through him, He will do the same with you as well.

It didn't take Saul long to upset the religious folks. He riled them up so much that they sought to kill him. If interesting to note that Saul was not a "politically correct" preacher. It's obvious that he is not tolerant to the beliefs of others. He preached, (TO HERALD, TELL ABROAD, PUBLISH, PROPOGATE, PUBICLY PROCLAIM, EXHORT, CALL OUT WITH A CLEAR VOICE, COMMUNICATE, PREACH). Its no wonder they wanted to kill him. When Christians today do what Saul did, they too would be in danger of getting thrown into jail. In a time when Christains are being persecuted around the world, there are some who raise up a clear voice and are proclaiming the good news of the kingdom knowing full well that they could end up in jail or dead. What drove Saul to do what he did? Why would a man be willing to give up his life for his new found faith? Something remarkable happened to Saul on the road that day. His encounter with Jesus changed his life and values. If folks today could get this same kind of encounter with the Lord, they too would experience total change in values and principles of life.

Sauls transformation or salvation was so remarkable that we see instant change in his life. One thing jumps out at me in vs 20, "Saul stayed with the beleivers for a few days and (vs20) immediatley began preaching that about Jesus." He understood the importance of "christian fellowship." He must of been like a sponge soaking in everything he could from his new friends. Learning to pray, learning to be led by the Spirit, learning all about this new life style. He had no problem cutting off his past, leaving old friends and following Jesus. Later on in the chapter he continued to seek beleiver out but because of fear many thought that it was a scam to discover them and throw them into prison. The Apostles accepted him, they saw the real deal, the life change that repentance brought to his life. Interesting to note that there was peace through out the region after Sauls conversion and the beleivers walked in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

The conversion of Saul is one of the most powerful testimonies of Gods power to transform a life. Saul was responsible for sending Christian people to prison and persecuting them. He was feared by the followers of Christ and did what he did from a zealous religous position. We see him here having an encounter with Christ that completely changed his life. He was blinded, hears Jesus speak to him, is healed from his blindness, water baptized and starts to preach in a very short period of time. I wonder what kind of response he would get in modern day christianity if this were to happen to him today? He understands immediately what the plan, purpose and call of God is for his life and he sets out to fulfill it. We can see from this that there is no life so bad and lost that Christ cannot completely transform. We can see immediate and obvious fruit of repentance and the grace of God working in a life. Don't judge a book by its cover, look inside to see the signs of a new creation in Christ.

It's interesting here in verse 26 that an angel spoke with Philip. God has different ways to speak to us. How would you like an angel to appear to you and give you some direct orders from God? Philip was having great success in Samaria, many people were getting saved, healed and filled with the Spirit but now he has a new assignment. I like it that Philip obeyed, didn't argue with God, wasn't concerned about his reputation or about what people might think about him leaving the revival, he just went. Then in verse 29, it says that "the Spirit spoke to Philip." Why didn't the angel talk to him like last time? Here he is listening to the Spirit speak to him. We have to be attentive to the different ways God speaks to us. Not get accustomed to just one avenue of communication. Philip obeyed again and was able to minister to the eunuch. He left the masses of Samaria to reach one soul traveling on the road. God has a plan to reach the world, we need to listen and be obedient to follow His leading in our lives.

God's power vs the devils. This is a no brainer. Gods' power is no match for the devil. God is omnipotent, meaning "all powerful". The devil was a created being and his power is not close to being equal with Gods. Many people are decieved though and think that the devils power out does Gods'. What a crock! Here the sorcerer had deceived the people to think that he had great power from God but when he heard and saw Phillip ministering by the power of the Holy Spirit he can to see that his power was nothing in comparison. In his carnal nature and ignorance he offered money to Peter to be able to do business by ministering the baptism of the Holy Spirit as he saw Peter do. Why do people today give so much credit to the devil for everything that happens? and seemingly give to him more power that he deserves? Maybe if we spent our time meditating on Gods greatness and power that we could understand that seeing the devil and God side by side, there is no comparison.

The early believers were told to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and unto the ends of the earth preaching the gospel. It seems like they procrastinated in going so persecution was allowed to get them out of their comfort zone and fulfill the great commission. So finally they were dispersed preaching the good news everywhere. Phillip preached Christ. He didn't preach Jesus, but he preached Christ. The word "Christ" means annointed one. Jesus said in Luke 4:18; "the spirit of the Lord is upon me and has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, open blind eyes, open prison doors and let the captives free." This is the message needed today, what "Christ" the annointed one can do in people lives today. As a result of this message there was great joy in that city and many miracles were performed. Let the anointing flow through your life, release Gods power through you set people free from their fears, bondages and sicknesses. This is very much needed in the earth today, a demonstration of Gods power and love.

Stephans last words! Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We can see a glimpe of what was in this mans heart, the Word of God! He told it how it was. Preached the truth! In Ephesians it says that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, but here we see Jesus standing. When one of his heroes dies as a martyr, Jesus stands to recieve him. What a privilege for the Kings of kings to stand for a heroe of the faith.

With the early believers being filled with the Spirit, we can see the effect that it has in the early church. I see two things, one is that the people were being added to the church and the number of disciples were multiplying. These are signs of a healthy Spirit filled church, numerical growth and mulitiplication of leaders. We also see that the early church had its problems as well. A church without problems is a church that is basically dead. There arose a need for organized servanthood, or people to serve those in need. As a result of this organization, the word of God spread and the disciples mulitplied in Jerusalem. God help us to see this kind of growth again. To see people saved and leaders raised up. We also see the cost for effective leaders. Steven was committed, bold and doing the work when he ended up paying the ulitimate price, his life. Are we willing to give our life for the expansion of the Kingdom? Are we willing to die to self so that others can find life? We don't have to literally die, but be willing to be available when opportunities arise to minister to others that have needs.

Reading this first part puts the fear of God in ya. Since God knows everything, it won't do much good to try to lie about something to make you look good in mans eyes. The important thing is to do what is right in Gods' eyes. He sees and knows everything! Thank God that His mercy is new every morning if this weren't so we'd all be consumed. There was great power working in the church in the beginning. I think that great power is availabe for us today. Beleivers can be added to the church today as they were back then. God was moving! And God is moving today as well. The devil couldn't keep those boys locked up in jail, God would send an angel to let them go and send them back to preach about Christ. Lets wake up from our sleep and slumber and expect God to do the same miracles amongst us today.

We see in the first part of the chapter the consequenses of healing the lame man. They were rebuked by the religous leaders and told that they could not speak in Jesus' name. They were intimidated by the religous system of that day and were threatened to stop teaching about Jesus. Down in verse 24, they do exactly opposite of what was politically correct for that day. They pray for boldness! "Lord....grant unto Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. By stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant, Jesus." Then in verse 33, "and with great power the apostles gave witness to the ressurection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all." God answered their prayer for boldness and imparted to them power. What might we learn from these verses?

You would think that people would be pleased and would rejoice seeing a lame man walk after being lame all of his life. The people weren't upset that he was healed, they were upset by the method used. Peter declared that it was Jesus, the man they just crucified as being the healer and miracle worker. They were offended that Jesus was getting the credit for healing this man. We see the same happening today. People all over the world are being healed, delivered and set free by Jesus and people all over the world are offended that Jesus is getting the praise. I like the boldness of Pete to confront the religous crowd. He being filled with the Spirit exhorted them and spoke the truth. Another thing I see here is that they forbade them to speak in His name. We are seeing the same thing in our country. How to celebrate Christmas without mentioning Jesus? Our society wants to make it a secular holiday replacing Jesus with Santa Claus. Do anything but don't mention the name of Jesus. Peter says it all in verse 12, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given to man by which we must be saved."

We see immediately the power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of the disciples. Peter and John walking by this lame man, say to him, "silver and gold have we none, but what we have we give to you, In the name of Jesus rise and walk." What did they have to give? Obviously it wasn't a coin or money but they gave the power of the Holy Spirit. There was a release of power as they grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to his feet. Remember in Acts 1:8, "you shall recieve power...." It was this power that they gave to the man. They go on to say that it was faith in the name of Jesus. Could it be that when they prayed in Jesus' name that the power of the Holy Spirit was released? Jesus said, "whatever you ask the Father in my Name I will do it." When we find hurting people, lets pray in Jesus' name to release the power of God into their lives. There are many cripples in life, crippled in many ways by different circumstances, we know though that there is power in Jesus name to release healing power into those who are hurting.

We see immediately the power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of the disciples. Peter and John walking by this lame man, say to him, "silver and gold have we none, but what we have we give to you, In the name of Jesus rise and walk." What did they have to give? Obviously it wasn't a coin or money but they gave the power of the Holy Spirit. There was a release of power as they grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to his feet. Remember in Acts 1:8, "you shall recieve power...." It was this power that they gave to the man. They go on to say that it was faith in the name of Jesus. Could it be that when they prayed in Jesus' name that the power of the Holy Spirit was released? Jesus said, "whatever you ask the Father in my Name I will do it." When we find hurting people, lets pray in Jesus' name to release the power of God into their lives. There are many cripples in life, crippled in many ways by different circumstances, we know though that there is power in Jesus name to release healing power into those who are hurting.