Brian and Cathy Gray Bible study

Holy Spirit Baptism

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 8:14-16

The gospel going to Samaria was the beginning of the Church’s growth that proceeded as a result of Saul’s persecution.

Most of the group discussion last week revolved around the subject of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Everyone in attendance had received it. Each person gave testimony of receiving it.

The questions that preceeded it were,

  1. Is it a separate event or does everyone receive it at baptism?
  2. What is the evidence of it?

Some people received it when they were baptized. The evidence one cited was that the scripture suddenly made sense for the first time. One person had a demon cast out of them. One received the gift of radical love and the power to forgive. One received the gift of tongues. All agreed that a passion for God’s word was a result of the experience.

As Phillip proceeds on his journey, he runs into an Ethiopian Eunuch who just happened to be reading from Isaiah 53.

Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7

Isaiah 53 prophesied the crucifixion of Jesus 700 years before Jesus was born. It is the very chapter that led Moishe Rosen to surrender to Jesus as Messiah. He went on to found Jews for Jesus in 1973. Isaiah 53 is dismissed or even forbidden by contemporary Rabis.

When the Ethiopian Eunuch understood the meaning of what he was reading, he immediately asked to be baptized.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Acts 8:39-40

Caught away is harpázō the same word used to describe the rapture.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Harpázō
to seize, catch (away, up), pluck, pull, carry off by force, claim for one’s self eagerly, to snatch out or away.

-Strongs Concordance-

While this is a side note, or a squirrel as we say in our Bible study group, it occurs to me that while the rapture is certain, the destination is not clear. Philip was harpazoed from Samaria to Cesarea about fifty miles away.

Revelations 12 and 13 describe the three and a half year tribulation from which the woman (the elect) is preserved.

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Revelation 12:5

The only place harpazo is found in Revelation is in verse 5 speaking about Jesus in Daniel 7:13-14 and Acts 1:9-11. Even so, harpazo is implied for the remnant church.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Revelation 12:6

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Revelation 12:14

What do you think?

If you are a regular reader you will notice that my weekly blog posts have dropped off. This is because I am writing a book. I’ll let you all know when it is published later next year.

Maranatha!

Brian and Cathy Gray Bible study

Saul of Tarsus


And Saul approved of his (Steven’s) execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:1

Saul was a Roman citizen in Tarsus, one of, if not the most significant, trade hubs in the ancient world. After being trained in one of the most lucrative trades namely tent making, Saul went to Jerusalem to study theology under Gamaliel (remember Acts 5) for seven years. Some say this was the equivalent of two PhDs. Suffice it to say that Saul was revered. Hence, Steven’s killers laid his clothing at Saul’s feet. However, in sanctioning Steven’s murder Saul was guilty of breaking multiple laws. Capital punishment by local authorities was prohibited under Roman law without prior approval from the Roman government.  Jewish law required the testimony of two or more witnesses. Also, stoning was required to be carried out outside the city gates. This was an impulsive murder by a mob driven by emotion.  Saul went on to persecute believers en masse. Later he would refer to himself as the lowest of the low.

…We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

1 Cor 4:13

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

1 Timothy 1:15

Based on verse 4 in Acts 8, 
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word; it appears that Saul’s persecution of believers was a catalyst for the propagation of the Gospel message. Historically speaking, persecution has been one of the most effective means of promoting the Gospel. The question in my mind is, is this God’s plan, or is He merely causing what the devil means for harm to accomplish His will?

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:28-29

We know that the process of conforming something requires pressure. Tribulation, persecution, affliction, suffering, etc., are Thilipsis in Greek and mean pressure. Our character is conformed to the image of Christ when we endure or persevere under pressure.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

Christians are being persecuted and martyred for their faith all over the world as I write and you read. The graphic video below is from Darfur, Sudan. It happened just a few days ago. If this is hard to handle, how will you handle the same if it happens to you or someone you love? Ask yourself, what is idolatry? What does faithlessness look like in the context of our lives now and in the context of persecution? What is the definition of cowardice?

What do you think? Is our health, wealth, and comfort in this life God’s primary goal? Should the content of our conversation be food, entertainment, and worldly gossip, a.k.a the community news? Or should we be preparing our hearts and minds for something else?

Be sure you’re right. Then go ahead.

Davy Crockett

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

Revelation 21:8
Mediate on that.

Maranatha