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Acts Study #19: God used a miracle to open a door for Peter and John to preach the Gospel to a large crowd of Jews
Hechos Estudio #19: El diseño de la proporción áurea del capítulo 2 de Hechos
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“This is the work of Jehovah! It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23
Acts, Chapter 1.2: The Sanhedrin violently rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the apostles (3:1 - 42)
§Unique Introduction: God used a miracle to open a door for Peter and John to preach the Gospel to a large crowd of Jews (3:1 - 11)
¶Opposite A disabled man asked Peter and John for a gift as they were going into the Temple (3:1 - 5)
¶Opposite God healed the disabled man, providing an opportunity for Peter and John to preach the Gospel to the Jews (3:6 - 11)
§Complement Body: The Sanhedrin Council of Jews vainly attempted to stop the preaching of the Gospel in Jerusalem (3:12 - 5:16)
¶Opposite Peter indicted the Jews for their participation in the execution of their own Christ (3:12 - 16)
¶Opposite Peter called the Jews to repentance and faith in the resurrected Christ (3:17 - 4:4)
¶Complement The Sanhedrin commanded Peter and John not to speak anymore in the Name of Jesus (4:5 - 22)
¶Complement The apostles prayed for the power and protection of the Holy Spirit (4:23 - 31)
¶Unique The Holy Spirit slew Ananias and Sapphira at the word of Peter for attempting to corrupt the Assembly (4:32 - 5:16)
§Complement Conclusion: The Sanhedrin Council of Jews arrested and beat the apostles; and then released them (5:17 - 42)
¶Complement The Sanhedrin sent officers to arrest the apostles, who were preaching the Gospel of Christ in the Temple (5:17 - 27a)
¶Complement The Sanhedrin released the apostles after beating them and commanded them not to speak in the Name of Jesus (5:27b - 42)
This study will look at the Introduction Section to Chapter 1.2 of Acts.
The Golden Ratio design in this text is very simple, so I will show how it works; and then we will make some brief applications from it afterward.
§Unique Introduction: God used a miracle to open a door for Peter and John to preach the Gospel to a large crowd of Jews (3:1 - 11)
¶Opposite A disabled man asked Peter and John for a gift as they were going into the Temple (3:1 - 5)
Unique Now Peter and John went up together into the Temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Complement And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried there; whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called Beautiful, to ask charity from them that entered into the Temple.
Complement Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the Temple repeatedly asked for a gift.
Opposite And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, “Look at us!”
Opposite And he gave heed to them, expecting to receive something from them.
¶Opposite God healed the disabled man, providing an opportunity for Peter and John to preach the Gospel to the Jews in the area (3:6 - 11)
Opposite Then Peter said, “Silver and gold, I have none; but such as I have, I give you: in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up.
Opposite And immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength; and he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the Temple: walking and leaping, and praising God.
Complement And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they knew that it was he who sat for charity at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple.
Complement And they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.
Unique And as the lame man who was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
Comment: Notice how the Golden Ratio design works in the subparagraphs of the Introduction Section: UCC-OO | OO-CCU.
It works this exact same way in every Book in the Bible, with certain exceptions: smaller Chapters (e.g. 2 and 3 John), the Psalms, and Lamentations.
In the Book of Acts, every Chapter has this exact same Introduction design.
The purpose of this miracle from God was to give Peter and John and opportunity to preach the Gospel to thousands of Jews who were in the area of the Temple at that time.
And the result of this sermon of Peter:
Acts 4:4: “Nevertheless many of them who heard the Word believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand.”
This was not some kind of “lucky coincidence”. No, God was in complete control of that situation; and God wanted the Gospel to be preached to them; and God abundantly blessed the obedience of Peter and John to preach the Gospel with about 5,000 men who trusted in Jesus Christ to be saved.
Peter and John were walking in obedience to the will of God, being filled with the Holy Spirit; and as they obeyed the Spirit of God, God opened a door for them to preach with a miracle.
Now we also need to understand that the false prophets among the charismatics and pentecostals (such as Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and dozens of others) have greatly misused this text! They want you to believe that the ministries of healing and raising the dead that were done by the apostles are still going on today; and they want you to pay them to do it! I want you to notice a few differences between then and now:
1) The apostles never asked for money in exchange for healing; the false prophets today always ask for money, buckets of money! And they get it too; Kenneth Copeland claims to be worth a billion dollars! Benny Hinn lives like a king in the most expensive hotel suites. The "televangelists" like Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis, and Kenneth Copeland own their own private jets, and brag about their expensive jewelry, watches, cars, and huge mansions. This is not of God!
1 Timothy 6:6-10: “But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out; and having food and clothing, let us be content with these things. But they that want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition: for the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have wandered from the Faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
2 Peter 2:3: "And through covetousness, they shall make merchandise of you with feigned words; whose judgment now of a long time does not delay, and their damnation does not sleep."
2) The apostles always preached the Word of God, and they did not shrink from telling sinners exactly what they needed: repentence from sin and faith alone in the Finished Atonement of Jesus Christ! The televangelists and false prophets of the charismatic movement RARELY speak of repentance and faith in the Finished Atonement of Jesus, if they ever actually do that! They are not true and faithful servants of Jesus Christ!
2 Corinthians 11:13-15: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light; therefore, it is no great thing if his servants also are transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works."
3) These false prophets also teach many unbiblical doctrines such as "we are little gods", "name it and claim it", "slaying in the spirit", "holy laughter", and many others. The apostles never taught these doctrines, and you cannot find them in the Bible at all. See this study for the proof that "we are little gods" is false.
4) The purpose of the miracles and healings that were done by the apostles were to validate or authenticate the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The Greek text of the Bible had not been written during most of the period of the Book of Acts yet. The best estimates that we have for the dates of the writings of Paul, John, James, Luke, Matthew, Mark, Jude, and Peter are sometime in the middle of the first century, at least a decade or more after the Day of Pentecost. During the events of this text in Acts and up to probably the events in Acts 13, the apostles only had the Hebrew Bible as their Bible! Therefore, they needed some means of authentication of their preaching of the Gospel; and God provided miracles, speaking in tongues, healings, and even raising the dead on occasion as authentication of the message of the Gospel.
But today, we do not need this authentication! The Word of God, the Holy Bible has been complete since the apostle John completed his letter of Revelation. Today, we preach the written Word of God, and it is sufficient for every good work!
2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed; and is beneficial for doctrine, for rebuke, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, and thoroughly equipped for all good work."
God can and does work miracles today in response to our faith and obedience to his Word. Perhaps not with a miracle of healing like in this situation, but with other kinds of miracles. God is able to do great things with those who walk in obedience to his will.
On the other hand, God cannot and will not greatly use any Christian who is half-hearted in his walk with Jesus Christ. I have known many over the nearly 38 years since I trusted in Christ that were “double-minded” (James 1:8) and divided in their loyalty to God, because they still loved the world and the things of the flesh.
James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
I John 2:15 - 16: “Love not the world; neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him: for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Psalm 78: 40 - 41: “How often they provoked him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert! Moreover, they turned back and tested God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.”
Are you saved? If so, are you walking with Christ each and every day, and serving Him with all of your heart? God wants to use you to do great things; but God can only use you if you are obedient to his Word and to his Spirit, which never disagree with each other.
Surrender your heart to the Lord right now, and let Him take full control of your life. Confess every sin to the Lord, and turn away from them with all of your heart. Commit yourself to obey the Word of God with all of your heart, and follow Jesus Christ all the way to the end of your life, no matter what anyone else thinks, even if they claim to be a Christian.
“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him; and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8
How to be saved
The Bible clearly states that salvation can only be obtained if we repent and believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved.
Luke 13:3: “I say to you, no; but, unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Romans 3:21-24: “But now, the righteousness of God apart from the Law is revealed (being testified by the Law and the Prophets), even the righteousness of God as it is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and have fallen short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
It is impossible to keep the Law of Moses! The sole purpose of the Law of Moses (the Ten Commandments) is to make you understand that you are a sinner who has sinned against God. It cannot make you righteous in God’s eyes:
Romans 3:19-20: “And we know that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be shut, and everyone may become guilty before God; therefore by the works of the Law no flesh shall be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.”
Sins can only be paid for by the finished atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross! We cannot pay for our own sins with our suffering, neither in this life nor in the fictitious place called “Purgatory”!
Romans 3:23-26: “For all have sinned, and have fallen short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God has publicly exhibited, to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of past sins, through the patience of God; to declare, I say, at this time his justice; that God may be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.”
Here is how you can be truly saved TODAY, and know that you have Eternal Life, right now!
The Bible says,
“that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart, man believes into righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made into salvation: for the Scripture says, “Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.” For there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him: for it is written, “whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
Are you ready to do that? If so, then find a place to pray privately, and pray this prayer with all of your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against YOU. I am no good, and you are righteous! You are my only hope for salvation! I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, you were buried, and you rose again from the dead on the third day. I want you to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart right now. Forgive me for all my sins, and save my soul. In the mighty Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!”
If you have turned from your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and only Savior from sin, please message me through Facebook and let me know that you have done that, so that I can pray for you and rejoice with you in what God has done in your life. Amen.
Hechos Estudio #18: El diseño de la proporción áurea del capítulo 2 de Hechos
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“¡Esta es la obra de Jehová! Es maravilloso a nuestros ojos”. Salmo 118:23
Hechos, Capítulo 1.2: El sanedrín rechazó violentamente el evangelio de Jesucristo de los apóstoles (3:1 - 5:42)
§Único Introducción: Dios usó un milagro para abrir una puerta para que Pedro y Juan predicaran el evangelio a una gran multitud de judíos (3:1 - 11)
¶Lo opuesto Un hombre discapacitado les pidió a Peter y John un regalo cuando entraron al templo (3:1 - 5)
¶Lo opuesto Dios sanó al hombre discapacitado, brindando una oportunidad para que Pedro y Juan predicaran el evangelio (3:6 - 11)
§El complemento Cuerpo: El sanedrín intentó en vano detener la predicación del evangelio en Jerusalén (3:12 - 5:16)
¶Lo opuesto Pedro acusó a los judíos por su participación en la ejecución de su propio Cristo (3:12 - 16)
¶Lo opuesto Pedro llamó a los judíos al arrepentimiento y la fe en el Cristo resucitado (3:17 - 4:4)
¶El complemento El sanedrín mandó a Pedro y Juan que no hablen más en el Nombre de Jesús (4:5 - 22)
¶El complemento Los apóstoles oraron por el poder y la protección del Espíritu Santo (4:23 - 31)
¶Único El Espíritu Santo mató a Ananías y Safira por la palabra de Pedro por intentar corromper a la asamblea en Jerusalén (4:32 - 5:16)
§El complemento Conclusión: El sanedrín arrestó y golpeó a los apóstoles; y luego los liberó (5:17 - 42)
¶El complemento El Sanedrín envió oficiales para arrestar a los apóstoles que estaban predicando el Evangelio en el templo (5:17 - 27a)
¶El complemento El sanedrín liberó a los apóstoles después de golpearlos y les mandó que no hablaran en el Nombre de Jesús (5:27b - 42)
Introducción
La traducción al español de este estudio está pendiente.
¿Exactamente cómo y cuándo naciste de nuevo?
He aprendido por experiencia que aquellos que se niegan a responder lo hacen porque nunca han nacido de nuevo; no tienen idea de lo que significa, y por eso no pueden responder.
Si ese es tu caso, entonces tu destino eterno en este momento es el Infierno; y más tarde, el Lago de Fuego.
Afortunadamente, podemos cambiar nuestro destino eterno del Infierno al Cielo, si nos arrepentimos de nuestros pecados y recibimos a Jesucristo como nuestro Salvador personal.
Primero, debemos creer que Jesús es el Hijo de Dios; que fue crucificado por nuestros pecados, que fue sepultado y que resucitó de entre los muertos al tercer día.
Romanos 10:8-11: “Pero ¿qué dice? “La Palabra está cerca de ti, incluso en tu boca y en tu corazón”, es decir, la Palabra de fe (que predicamos), que si confesarás con tu boca al Señor Jesús, y creerás en tu corazón que Dios le levantó de los muertos, tú serás salvado: porque con el corazón, el hombre cree para justicia, y con la boca, la confesión se hace para la salvación: porque la Escritura dice, “cualquiera que en él creyere, no será avergonzado”.
Entonces, debemos arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados e invocar el Nombre del Señor Jesús para salvarnos.
Romanos 10:12-13: “Porque no hay diferencia entre el judio y el gentil: porque el mismo Señor sobre todo es rico a todos los que le invocan: porque está escrito, “Cualquiera que llamará sobre el Nombre del Señor será salvado”.
Juan 1:12: “Pero cuantos le recibieron, él les dio autoridad para convertirse los niños de Dios: incluso a aquellos quien creen sobre su Nombre”.
Cuando hacemos eso, entonces nacemos de nuevo instantáneamente en el Reino de Dios.
Estas listo para hacer eso? Si es así, entonces busca un lugar para orar en privado y haz esta oración con todo tu corazón al Señor Jesucristo:
“Señor Jesús, sé que he pecado contra TI. ¡No soy bueno y usted eres justo! Creo que moriste en la cruz por mis pecados, fuiste enterrado y resucitaste de entre los muertos al tercer día. Quiero que vengas a mi vida y seas mi Señor y Salvador. Por favor entra en mi corazón ahora mismo. Perdóname por todos mis pecados y salva mi alma. En el poderoso Nombre de Jesús, oro, ¡Amén!”
Si se apartó de sus pecados y aceptó a Jesucristo como su Señor y único Salvador desde el pecado, por favor envíeme un mensaje a través de Facebook y hágame saber que lo ha hecho, para que pueda orar por usted y alegrarme con usted en lo que Dios tiene hecho en tu vida. Amén.