One of the most intriguing aspects of death is just how complex the whole thing is, and it could be even more complicated if we were to delve into what death was like before the resurrection of Jesus. So convoluted were some of the details, I found it easier to understand by diagramming just what can happen to a spirit on this side of the empty tomb.
Once in Jerusalem Saul did not return to the Temple, or even home. His first stop was to find the apostles. They did not receive him, however, fearing like those in Damascus that this was some form of trap. Barnabus decided that rather than allowing Saul into the presence of all the disciples, he would meet with Saul and determine the former persecutor’s intentions.
One of my favorite stories in the New Testament is that of Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8.26-.40). An angel sends Philip from Samaria south to Jerusalem (about 65 miles) and on to Gaza on the far southwestern shore of Israel (another 34 miles). Following Philips path is a journey of around 100 miles.
Deacons were the first leadership team established in the early church and as such their importance should never be diminished. In Acts chapter six we read about the origins of Deacons, one of whom becomes Christianity’s first martyr. They were men of faith, full of the spirit, and some of them performed signs and wonders just like the apostles themselves. Their role was to serve the ministry needs of the body generally and as arbiter when conflict arose.
After reading the account of the first person raised from the dead (in the book of Acts) it seems like a good place to stop and discuss what this means and what death is all about. There are a total of nine accounts in the Bible about people being raised from death (the full list is below). We won’t take the time to examine each one, though that would be an interesting study we might take up at a later time, but there is much to be learned from examining the accounts as a whole.
This is the story of a young, upwardly mobile, well-educated family man. He was born a citizen of the greatest empire on earth, and a national of the people of God. He entered the greatest graduate school of his country, learned under its finest instructor, graduated top of his class. He entered into one of the highest religious/political institutions his nation offered.
Since his creation man has been a political creature, living within both the kingdom of God (where honor is bestowed to God) and the kingdom of politics (where honor is bestowed to men). The harmony found between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man which existed in the Garden is no more; we live in a fallen state in which these two kingdoms often oppose one another.
In light of what we learned yesterday, we need to find ways to tell the lost about Jesus. My friend Bill Jack (of Worldview Academy) challenges his students to “pick a pulpit”. That is, to find what interests them and use it as a pulpit, or platform, for communicating Biblical truth. Some of the ideas he presents are:
Following the third progress report the narrative then switches from Saul to Peter, and from Caesarea-Maritima to Lydda, in closing out chapter 9. In Lydda Peter heals a man named Aeneas in a humorous fashion. The man had been paralyzed for nearly a decade and confined to his bed. The man had been paralyzed for nearly a decade and confined to his bed. It is clear the man is a believer as he is referenced as being among the “saints” of the city. What does one say to a man confined to his bed for eight years? “Get up and make your own bed”, of course.
Most of the readers of this site are probably too young to be familiar with the Saturday morning cartoon series Super Friends, but that show had the best narrator voice in the history of cartoons. Why do I bring this up? Because he would always use the transitional statement “Meanwhile…”. For instance, “Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice…” Luke’s transition into chapter 9 brings back fond memories.
Following the death of Stephen the Christ-following community scattered from Jerusalem. Those who remained were often ostracized from their families and the synagogue communities and many were imprisoned and executed. In Acts 8.4 Luke follows one of the other new deacons, a man named Philip “down” to Samaria.
Before picking up where we left off yesterday I’d like you to celebrate this post with us at Think-Biblically.com, which is our 100th article! We hope you have enjoyed reading as much as we have bringing these articles to you. Now back to business…
