Bible Study

November 6, 2025

“The Gift”

Acts 2:4 (NKJV)

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

What a powerful scripture for the church of today. There is so much packed into this one verse starting with the three letter “all.” In that room that day were the apostles and 120 more people awaiting something, that something was the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised to them.

They waited until the time had come. The phenomenon of speaking in tongues has divided many churches. Some say you are not “baptized” in the Holy Spirit unless it is evidenced by speaking in tongues and others will tell you that the evidence is not the “evidence” of His power.

There are a couple of things we need to consider. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a onetime experience , while the “filling” is the reality of a Spirit filled, Spirit led life. The fullness of the Spirit affects all areas of our life, not just speaking boldly.

We then must look at the phrase “with other tongues.” Many scholars believe these were known tongues which make a great deal of sense to me. They were given so people from all those gathered would understand what was taking place.

There is also a prayer language that is an unknown tongue. Romans 8:26 (NKJV) “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. I believe this is where God uses the “gift of tongues” or a prayer language to help us pray for things we cannot find the words to say.

I have a number of Pentecostal friends who speak in tongues in fact I have experienced in worship services when I lived in Nashville. I do not question their motives. Here’s a quick thought from the Apostle Paul – “The phrase “I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all” comes from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:18-19. He uses this to explain his personal use of speaking in tongues for self-edification, while also emphasizing that in a public church setting, he would rather speak in understandable language to teach others. Any spiritual gift should be used in a way that builds up the entire community, and for that to happen, tongues must be interpreted. Paul also speaks of order in the worship service in 1 Corinthians.

I believe what we take from this is without the “infilling” we are powerless to do the work of the kingdom.

God Bless.

Bible Study

November  5, 2025

“Pentecost”

Acts  2:1 – 3 (NKJV)

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.”

Do you believe God has a plan for all things? Do you believe His timing is perfect in all things? We see here the “day of Pentecost had fully come.” What if man waited on God rather than moving forward in his own power and oftentimes lack of wisdom? God has it all laid out for us. They waited for His timing.

What if the church was in one accord? Lots of “what if” questions as we look at this passage. The one place is not the question in my mind but the one accord has to insure everyone is on the same page. What if the Body of Christ either locally, citywide, statewide, nationwide, or even worldwide was all in one accord the power of the Holy Spirit would fall and a great movement of God would take place. We are seeing things happen such as the Asbury revival and recently the impact Charlie Kirk had on young people but what if we could take that even further and be unified?

“Pentecost” means “fiftieth” which refers to the Feast of Weeks  or Harvest. This is celebrated fifty days after Passover. There were three annual fests celebrated by the Jewish people where people gathered in Jerusalem. At Pentecost there was an offering of firstfruits and the Holy Spirit came on this day. Those gathered that day were to become the firstfruits of thee believer’s inheritance.

The ”one place” was the upper room and Luke uses a simile to describe the power of the Holy Spirit as “a mighty rushing wind.” Often when you read of the Spirit wind is described as the Holy Spirit.

God sent the Holy Spirit upon each believer. In scripture we see fire often described as the presence of God. These most likely were not literal flames of fire since he says “as of fire”  but supernatural indicators of the spirit’s presence. No doubt it was an awesome experience.

What if the church (by that I mean each born again believer) was empowered as these on this day. No more bickering over the color of paint, no more complaining about the pastor, no more strife, jealousy the church would literally be {When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

What if?

God Bless.

Bible Study

November 4, 2025

“They Prayed, Then Decided”

Acts 1:21 – 25 (NKJV)21

“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

The disciples were going to replace Judas and they determined that they must select someone who “had went it and out among them.” That meant someone who had participated in the earthly ministry of Jesus.

The second requirement was that He had to have seen the resurrected Jesus. Why should that have been required? I believe it was he could testify to all the things that had occurred during Jesus earthly reign in other words he was a witness to what Jesus had done and taught.

They chose Matthias whose name means “gift of God.” Eusebius an ancient historian claimed tht Matthias was with the seventy from Luke 10:1. “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.” Judas’ successor was Matthias.

“He might go to his own place” was meant that Judas had chosen to go to hell. Judas as with all of us choose where we will spend eternity.

What is interesting is the process by which they made their selection – they cast lots. We might call it drawing straws. This is the last time there is any mention of “casting lots” is was no longer necessary with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

God Bless.

Bible Study

November 1, 2025

“Prayer Meeting Continues”

Acts 1:15 – 20 (NKJV)

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the [a]disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

“At this time” really does not give us a time frame for the prayer meeting but one thing is certain the believers stayed and prayed for ten days. This was the time between the ascension and Pentecost.

What was spoken was prophesized in the Old Testament and Peter speaks these in verse twenty. The prophecies came for PS. 69:25 “Let their dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents.” (NKJV) and 109:8 “Let his days be few, And let another take his office.” (NKJV). When God gives a prophecy we should understand it will come to pass.

Judas Iscariot was a member of the twelve but he may have never been saved as we read in John 17:12 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” Some have said he was called this because of his unsaved status.

He acquired a field with money given to him by the Jewish leaders of the day which by the way he returned to them. Thirty pieces of silver was paid to Judas for his deceit. He may have hung himself on the edge of a cliff where the tree branch may have broken and fell to earth in a ravine or from some distance from the tree.

The field was named Hakelama or “Field of Blood.” This area is south of Jerusalem and the soil is very good for making pottery may be the reason Matthew referred to it as the “Potter’s Field.”

Peter explains the defection of Judas and his replacement were both in God’s purpose. “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. 13 But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.

15 Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.” (PS. 55:12-15) (NKJV).

It is unfortunate that Judas betrayed the Lord but betrayal is even more prevalent in our day. Let us pray that we remain steadfast in our beliefs.

God Bless.

Bible Study

October 31, 2025

“Prayer Meeting”

Acts 1:12 – 14 (NKJV)

12 “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

The Mount of Olivet is the location Jesus ascended from and where He will return to on His second advent or coming. The mount is located in the Kidron Valley east of Jerusalem and sits about two hundred feet above the city. “A Sabbath’s Day journey is about one half mile which accommodates Ezekiel 16: 29. “See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.”

This measurement was determined from tradition of walking from the tents to the tabernacle of the Old Testament. The “Upper room” was most likely the same location Jesus celebrated the last meal with His followers before his crucifixion.

Gathered there were His closet followers and some have taught this is the where they learned to ”pray in the name of Jesus.” We see the term “with the women” and we might ask these women were. We know Mary Jesus’ mother was there and His brothers. But who were the others. They were Mary the mother of Clophas (Clopas is mentioned in John 19:25 as the husband of Mary, who stood at the foot of the cross with Jesus’ mother and Mary Magdalene. He is often identified with Cleopas, one of the two disciples to whom the risen Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus, although the names are distinct in the Greek New Testament.)

Then there was Mary Magdelene, the sisters Mary and Martha, and Salome. Several of the apostles were married and their wives may have been in attendance. Scripture teaches against women preaching in the church but they are encouraged to pray as we all are.

What is interesting here is that were in “one accord” because a few months earlier they in John 7:5 they had mentioned unbelief. “For even His brothers did not believe in Him.”

Nothing miraculous is going to happen in your church or my church until the body is in one accord or in a united way. So many things seem to be important to certain people such as the color of a room, or the color of the carper, or what their particular ministry is all about, or they have judgement or unforgiveness in their heart. Until these are put aside your church or mine will not do the miraculous things we are called to do.

Search your heart, see if it is in one accord, then guard your heart.

God Bless.

Bible Study

October 30, 2025

“To Come Again”

Acts 1:9 – 11 (NKJV)

9” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The disciples had learned from Jesus during their “training period” of all things that were going to take place including His return to heaven. The time had come for His second resurrection from the earth His death being the first and now His ascension back to be with the Father at His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.

“Two men stood by them in white apparel” are two angels to witness the event. These angels said the apostles “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?” Do you find it interesting he referred to them a “men of Galilee.” They knew all that had taken place during Jesus’ earthy ministry so they referred to these men of Galilee because all were from there with the exception of Judas who had killed himself.

They told the men gathered there that day Jesus would come back in “like manner.” He was reassuring them and us that Jesus would not leave His people behind to a world of sin and depravity. One day He is returning and as I said recently the signs of the times are coming into play.

It is assuring to know the promises made through prophecy will come to pass. Stand firm in these days, be strong in what you believe and know to be right. We should not allow ourselves to be swayed by cults knocking our doors trying to sway what you know is right. If they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He is the third person of the Trinity do not entertain them.

Here is why I am saying this. Look at Luke chapter 10 verses 1 – 16. (Read these verses) He told them “to shake the dust of their feet.” Why did He say that? He said judgement was coming to these cities and He did not want them to have any element of judgement so they were to shake off the dust because judgement will fall on even the dust of the earth. Verse sixteen is so important from Luke we read,

When you encounter these “false prophets” knocking on your door take an opportunity and share Jesus with them. Let them know he is the Son of God not some created being equal with God but he is fact God himself in the flesh.

God Bless.

Bible Study

October 29, 2025

One Direction”

Acts 1:7 – 8

7 “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

As we read verse seven we can see where the apostles had a good understanding of the Old Testament and it’s teachings. They had an expectation of an earthly kingdom that mirrored what Jesus taught.

If they were wrong Jesus would have shown them their error. He says “times and periods” which refer to events or eras that will be a part of His earthly reign that begins with His second coming. The timing of His return remains a mystery but events of today are leading up to it. Some examples are the movement toward digital only currency, the false peace agreement in Israel, more and more catastrophes we are seeing are all evidence that the day is approaching. Moral decay is at its height with the transgender issues of false teaching, ministers preaching a false gospel, a general falling away of people yet we are seeing a movement toward Jesus from the younger generation – all prophesied.

The apostles mission (as is ours) is to spread the gospel with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowerment is what is allowing the gospel to be spread across the world. These apostles had experienced the saving grace of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit lived within them but now they were to receive a new dimension of His power.

Who are theses “witnesses” that Luke refers to here simply said they are all people who tell the truth about Jesus. The Greek word for “witness” is “one that dies for his faith” because that was often the price of sharing the Good News of Jesus.

He mentions several locations in the area so what does that mean to us in 2025? Exactly the same thing we begin close with our family, then our neighbors, then our city and proclaim salvation through our witness.

God Bless.

Bible Study

October 28, 2025 (CSB)

Acts 1:4 – 8

“What Are You Doing?”

“While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The disciples had spent about three years with Jesus, They had seen Him raise the dead, touch lives by bringing healing to their bodies, forgiving sins and today they are asking if He is restoring the kingdom to Israel. The ESV begins verse four with these words “Gathering them together” which in that day could have meant ‘eating with them.”

God had repeatedly said He would send His Spirit. He then tells the John baptized with water but they are going to receive a different baptism a baptism that brings power. This one will change your ministry. This promise was fulfilled in just a few later. Nothing has changed in our day we need to power of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we minister to one another. The question is – do we want it?

The apostles still believed the earthly form of the Messiah would soon be established. They also knew that Ezekiel 36 and Joel 2 spoke connected the coming of the kingdom with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The apostles mission as well as ours is to spread the gospel that is the reason for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The apostles (as we do) experience the Holy Spirit’s saving, guiding, teaching and miracle working power, they were about to receive His indwelling presence for power to witness.

Have you received since you believed?

God Bless.

Bible Study

October 27, 2025 (CSB)

Acts 1:1 – 3

“I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”

“The Church Is Born”

Acts was written by Luke also the author of the Gospel of Luke. This book is called the “The Acts of the Apostles” but may be better named “The Acts Of the Holy Spirit Through the Apostles.” The two main characters in the book are Peter and Paul. Both unique in their ministry but they were fearless in speaking the truth something today we seem to fear.

Luke wrote the book to Theopolis recounts the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Jesus taught His followers by “word and deed” something He fulfilled on the cross. His finished work is a proclamation of all His glory.

His ascension or “taking up” was the final step of His earthly ministry. Notice he did not ascend until He had given certain orders and instructions to His disciples He did this through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was the source of power of Jesus’ earthly ministry as He is the power of what we area called to do.

He showed himself to them by many convincing proofs. He entered a locked room, He showed His crucifixion wounds, He ate and drank with them And during the forty day many other things took place.

Do you ever wonder when your read certain things the significance of them such as the forty day periods found in scripture. Look at the forty day period from scripture.  And is it ever literal?

God caused it to rain for 40 days and nights during the flood (Genesis 7:12).

Moses went up to Mount Sinai for 40 days on two different occasions (Exodus 24:18, 34:1-28).

Moses sent spies for 40 days to investigate the promised land (Numbers 13:25, 14:34).

Jonah warned that Ninevah would be destroyed after 40 days (Jonah 3:4).

Ezekiel laid on his right side for 40 days for Judah’s sins (Ezekiel 4:6).

When Jacob died in Egypt, they spent 40 days embalming his body (Genesis 50:3).

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5).

Jesus fasted in the wilderness and was tempted for 40 days (Matthew 4:1).

Jesus appeared for 40 days between his resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3).

When trials come our way so does day forty – one.

God Bless.