Thanks again brother Jesse for these ongoing clarifications & teaching of biblical texts; and now looking forward to learning more from the Acts of the Apostles.
I noted your Acts 2:3, "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them"; where you've explained the "as of" denoting a similarity or appearance of fire, but not actually fire. Also, I found interesting that you have seen 'glossai' as pertaining to languages (i.e. the appearance of divided languages coming upon them, and presumably the apostles then spoke accordingly to those languages). I have always imagined that the 'tongues' here (glossai) spoke of the similarity or appearance to the human tongue, not referring specifically to language(s), but to its appearance as of a flickering flame resembling a tongue. So, your explanation is something quite new to me & worth bearing in mind.
And back to the "as of" fire phrase; as you wrote this was not an actual fire, but resembled it. This could be the same word (hosei) used in Matthew 3:16, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending LIKE (hosei) A dove, and lighting upon him". We see the illustration so often of a dove descending upon the Lord, that many Christians now believe that an actual dove, the shape of which the Holy Spirit assumed to come upon Jesus. Which of course is sacrilege according to the commandment ( Exodus 20:4,5; Deuteronomy 4:16-19). Rather, it seems that 'hosei' is used here as well, to show that the Holy Spirit's descent upon Jesus was seen just 'as a dove would flutter & glide towards the ground' and had nothing at all to do with an actual bird. I hope I'm using 'hosei' correctly in both Acts 2:3 & Matthew 3:16. Blessings.
My wife just got diagnosed with Cushing's disease. And I have been having lots of issues with health and other things lately. Thank you for the prayers.
PRAYER requests: PLEASE pray for our oldest child/son RICK and his 3 alienated kids & grandkid with multiple ongoing NEEDS, especially assurance of Salvation ( I John 5:13 KJV). Rick was recently inappropriately discharged from a hospital with CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) with a large blood clot adhered to the heart, COPD (lung disease with 2 blood clots each lung which could not be removed without risk of immediate death), increasing SOB (shortness of breath) with difficulty breathing, especially walking or trying to do stairs, etc; a lifetime of GERD with over 3 weeks of severe emesis (vomiting) which may have damaged the esophagus (tests required were not done & GERD tests were not done or addressed), INR has been low (requires blood thinner daily with labwork twice a week to determine dosage and status), with zero income (PRAY for approval SSDI, as employment is NOT possible with medical status), zero medical insurance (PRAY for approval asap), PTSD from a lifetime of traumatic experiences & situations, healing from a lifetime of traumatic abuse and wrongdoing by others, ability to function and exist--especially when Parents go HOME to Heaven, and "someone" to care and love him when we are gone. I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV PRAYERS are much appreciated and needed ONGOING daily.
Please pray for Shiva's Salvation. All my doors have been closed and I'm desperately praying for it..!! Praying day and night with continuous fasting for this miracle to happen. Please please pray for Shiva's salvation. For him to get an encounter of our Lord Jesus. Need this very badly. Please please pray for Shiva's Salvation. He needs a savior Jesus
Please pray that God opens doors for our house to sell. We have neighbors that harass us when we are outside. This has been going on for 3 years and has caused my step mom to have to move. The authorities will do nothing even though we have had to call them several times. Please pray that God will change the situation. It is extremely stressful. Thank you and God bless.
Please pray for my Son. I have not seen him in over 2 years. He is an addict. Pray for him to be healed from drugs. Pray for me - I have been depressed my whole life. Trauma from my childhood, marriage (Husband now a female after 26 years of marriage) my Son, the pandemic, getting laid off during pandemic. It has been a bit much and I am alone. Praying for Love and Peace fall upon us all
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
2 Samuel 22:33
"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure."
Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Psalm 118:14
"The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.
Deuteronomy 31:8
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Jeremiah 32:17
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."
Psalm 28:7
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Psalm 121:1-2
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Exodus 15:2
"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him-my father's God, and I will exalt him."
Joshua 1:9
"Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Isaiah 40:29
"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless."
"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my
salvation."ened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go
Pray for my protection and pray against the spirit of fear.. Pray for Violet and her children.. Pray that God gives me a sign to let me know that He is with me and that He loves me. Pray that God changes my life and softens my heart and gives me a good attitude about things. I want to have good intentions and pure motives. I want a better job. I also want to have children before I get elderly. I have a fear of driving and riding in cars too. Also, pray that God clears my mind and helps me to focus on my schoolwork as I am in college working on my associates degree. Pray against witchcraft. Pray that God delivers me from having DeJa Vu experiences. Pray that God equips me for minister and helps me to share the Word of God and the Gospel. Pray that God shows me my purpose and gives me a place in the ministry to serve. In Jesus name, Amen!
Asking prayers for God to provide the $64 dollars to pay my past due bill, provide $587 dollars to pay this payday loan off, also provide $465 dollars to pay this other debt off, provide the $85 dollars to pay this signature loan off, provide $600 dollars to pay this other debt off and also provide the $1,962 dollars to pay this school balance that I owe in Jesus Name, Amen!!
Please pray for MY Blurry Eyes. Dr. gave me prescription that doesn't help. I had called Dr. last week and unable to get a new Prescription. In the name of Jesus Christ In prayer, going to the Father GOD.
Acts 2:3 - And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues. The word cloven means divided. And the word tongues, I think it's kind of a bad translation because people use the word "mystically" to talk about speaking in tongues.
GLOSSA is the Greek word, and it is actually the name of the part of the body called the tongue. They didn't have a word for language, so they used the word tongue.
The Greeks translated it as language. Whenever they see GLOSSA, or GLOSSALALIA, they translate it a language, a spoken language of the world.
So, this was languages, plural, and they were divided. And these tongues, (or languages) were like "as of" fire. Did you notice that? It wasn't fire, but "as of" fire!
Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In the Greek text, it's not "with" the Holy Spirit. It is always "of" the Holy Spirit. It doesn't sound right, being filled of the Holy Spirit. But from a biblical Greek standpoint, the Genitive Case translated "of" shows possession.
So, what it is saying is, they were all filled and possessed by the Holy Spirit. That's very important! We've heard of demon possession. But when God's Spirit fills a person, and we'll get to filling in a moment, but when God's Spirit fills a person, He possesses them!
Acts 2:6 - Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
The were confused, because every man heard them speak in his own dialect. DIALEKTOS is the Greek word. Not just a language, but in your dialect. God's Spirit gave them the ability not only to speak a language, but to speak the dialect of that language of the region where all these people were from, so it matched exactly.
Acts 1:16 - Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
He says men and brothers, this scripture must needs, and the literal translation: it is necessary for the scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, (or Holy Spirit) by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
The scripture he's making reference to is Psalm 41 Verse 9, where David talked about my own familiar friend has lifted up his heel against me.
Acts 1:20 - For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Peter goes on to say it is written in the book of the Psalms, let his habitation be desolate (quoting from Psalm 69:5). And then he quotes from Psalm 109:8, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick, literally his overseeing in the Greek.
Acts 1:24 - And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
That phrase "knowest the hearts" in Greek is all one word and it means a heart knower. That's the Lord! Thou heart knower Lord! He knows everybody's hearts. You knowest the hearts of all men. Show whether of these, that is, which of these two you have chosen.
Acts 2:2 - And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Please notice that right before the phrase "rushing mighty wind," it says "as of" a rushing mighty wind.
There was no wind! The sound was like, and in Greek it's very specific. Through the Greek text, you can pick out the details. It doesn't say it was a mighty rushing wind. It says it was "as of" or like a mighty rushing wind. But you could hear the sound. It was like wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 1:11 - Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Notice that they called them Galileans. I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but all of the disciples were Galileans except for Judas. He's the only one that was not a Galilean. He was from the city of Iscariot outside of Galilee.
He says you men of Galilee. Why do you stand here gazing up into heaven? That's a good one! We just saw the Lord go up through the clouds and you're asking us why?
Well, there's actually a doctrinal statement. The Jews, from Daniel 7:13, which tells us that Messiah, when He comes, He's going to come in the clouds.
They didn't know if He was going to go up, or come back down. They didn't know what the timetable was. Plus, they were probably in shock. Here we go again. After our hopes are sky high, now He's gone again!
So, they are looking up in the clouds because their hope is that Messiah would come in the clouds. So, he's telling them that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven. One day He's coming again and He will receive us into the clouds.
Acts 1:14 - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
So, these all continued with one accord. I'm sure you already know this, but that's not a Honda! These all continued, and it literally means with one passion or one purpose. They were all there for one thing. It's kind of nice that when you are with other believers and you are all there for the same reason.
It says in prayer and supplication. In the Greek text, supplication means petitions, specific prayers, where prayer in general is just for general prayer.
Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
He says you are going to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. There's a difference in texts when He says you shall be witnesses unto me. Some manuscripts say of me, the Genitive Case.
You'll be my witnesses, not witnesses for me. But either one that you use, it is interesting that it is presented as fact. It doesn't say that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you ought to be, or you should be. He says you (will be) my witnesses.
That's because at the end of John Chapters 14 and 16, He says when the Holy Spirit comes, He will testify of me. It is the Holy Spirit in every believer that testifies to Christ through the believer.
We don't testify. We don't ever bring anybody to Christ. It's the Holy Spirit through us. So, you will be my witnesses, factual statement!
Acts 1:10 - And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
The literal translation says two men "had been standing" by them in white apparel. The description tells us that they were probably angels. It doesn't say they are angels. Some scholars believe that this is Moses and Elijah. They had been standing there the whole time. They didn't see them because they were looking up.
The book of Acts (Originally known as Luke Volume 2)
(Acts Part 1):
Acts 1:1 - The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
He says the former treaty have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach.
A couple of technical points I would like to share. The word former is actually the word first (PROTOS). PROTERA means former and that's not the word that is used in the Greek. This is PROTOS for first.
The word treatise is actually the word account or composition. It's actually an accounting term. It's from LOGOS, LOGIDZO for accounting.
So, the first composition (or record) have I made. And it's actually "have I myself made." It's a Middle Voice in the Greek. I've made it personally, Luke says.
Acts 1:3 - To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
To whom (meaning the apostles) also He shewed Himself "living."
This is a participle in the Greek meaning He presented Himself living after His passion, or suffering, by many infallible proofs.
The term infallible proofs is all one word in Greek, and it means unmistakable. It means convincing proofs. So, he is showing convincing proofs here, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:5 - For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Not many days hence, (or 10 days from now). It does say not many days, but we know it's 10 days that they had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come.
Q: "The vision of John points to seven stars which are in safekeeping of Christ. These represent overcomers and what does Christ in the midst of seven candlesticks indicate?"
A: The seven angels/stars represent the Law of the Spirit hence we have warning to each church to be an overcomer. Jesus Christ is,"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."(1:18) His work is finished. It is for them to overcome the law of sin still operating to which the present wave of persecution going on in the world is a proof. So it is squarely in the manner they withstand with all the resources God has freely given them. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."(Re.2:7) sets the tone. No church is exempt from the Law. To each the same promise stands. For instance he addresses the church at Ephesus. "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." All these names are interchangeable.
God made it clear to Moses his divine Will. "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." Israel as a nation or as church are to be a kingdom of priests. Each is blessed in his Son and for nothing else. If they do not overcome the law of sin, they shall remain as 'thine footstool'. It is for this reason Isaiah addressed,"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me."(Is.1:2) They are witnesses.
In the inaugural vision the stars represent the Law of the Spirit. The praise of an overcomer is to be redeemed from the earth, so he for example shall feed on the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God.(Re.22:1-3)
I noted your Acts 2:3, "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them"; where you've explained the "as of" denoting a similarity or appearance of fire, but not actually fire. Also, I found interesting that you have seen 'glossai' as pertaining to languages (i.e. the appearance of divided languages coming upon them, and presumably the apostles then spoke accordingly to those languages). I have always imagined that the 'tongues' here (glossai) spoke of the similarity or appearance to the human tongue, not referring specifically to language(s), but to its appearance as of a flickering flame resembling a tongue. So, your explanation is something quite new to me & worth bearing in mind.
And back to the "as of" fire phrase; as you wrote this was not an actual fire, but resembled it. This could be the same word (hosei) used in Matthew 3:16, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending LIKE (hosei) A dove, and lighting upon him". We see the illustration so often of a dove descending upon the Lord, that many Christians now believe that an actual dove, the shape of which the Holy Spirit assumed to come upon Jesus. Which of course is sacrilege according to the commandment ( Exodus 20:4,5; Deuteronomy 4:16-19). Rather, it seems that 'hosei' is used here as well, to show that the Holy Spirit's descent upon Jesus was seen just 'as a dove would flutter & glide towards the ground' and had nothing at all to do with an actual bird. I hope I'm using 'hosei' correctly in both Acts 2:3 & Matthew 3:16. Blessings.
Thank you for praying for my family.
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
2 Samuel 22:33
"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure."
Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Psalm 118:14
"The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.
Deuteronomy 31:8
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Jeremiah 32:17
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."
Psalm 28:7
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Psalm 121:1-2
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Exodus 15:2
"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him-my father's God, and I will exalt him."
Joshua 1:9
"Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Isaiah 40:29
"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless."
"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my
salvation."ened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go
COME THY LORD JESUS
COME THY LORD JESUS
Acts 2:3 - And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues. The word cloven means divided. And the word tongues, I think it's kind of a bad translation because people use the word "mystically" to talk about speaking in tongues.
GLOSSA is the Greek word, and it is actually the name of the part of the body called the tongue. They didn't have a word for language, so they used the word tongue.
The Greeks translated it as language. Whenever they see GLOSSA, or GLOSSALALIA, they translate it a language, a spoken language of the world.
So, this was languages, plural, and they were divided. And these tongues, (or languages) were like "as of" fire. Did you notice that? It wasn't fire, but "as of" fire!
Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In the Greek text, it's not "with" the Holy Spirit. It is always "of" the Holy Spirit. It doesn't sound right, being filled of the Holy Spirit. But from a biblical Greek standpoint, the Genitive Case translated "of" shows possession.
So, what it is saying is, they were all filled and possessed by the Holy Spirit. That's very important! We've heard of demon possession. But when God's Spirit fills a person, and we'll get to filling in a moment, but when God's Spirit fills a person, He possesses them!
Acts 2:6 - Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
The were confused, because every man heard them speak in his own dialect. DIALEKTOS is the Greek word. Not just a language, but in your dialect. God's Spirit gave them the ability not only to speak a language, but to speak the dialect of that language of the region where all these people were from, so it matched exactly.
Acts 1:16 - Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
He says men and brothers, this scripture must needs, and the literal translation: it is necessary for the scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, (or Holy Spirit) by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
The scripture he's making reference to is Psalm 41 Verse 9, where David talked about my own familiar friend has lifted up his heel against me.
Acts 1:20 - For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Peter goes on to say it is written in the book of the Psalms, let his habitation be desolate (quoting from Psalm 69:5). And then he quotes from Psalm 109:8, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick, literally his overseeing in the Greek.
Acts 1:24 - And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
That phrase "knowest the hearts" in Greek is all one word and it means a heart knower. That's the Lord! Thou heart knower Lord! He knows everybody's hearts. You knowest the hearts of all men. Show whether of these, that is, which of these two you have chosen.
Acts 2:2 - And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Please notice that right before the phrase "rushing mighty wind," it says "as of" a rushing mighty wind.
There was no wind! The sound was like, and in Greek it's very specific. Through the Greek text, you can pick out the details. It doesn't say it was a mighty rushing wind. It says it was "as of" or like a mighty rushing wind. But you could hear the sound. It was like wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 1:11 - Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Notice that they called them Galileans. I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but all of the disciples were Galileans except for Judas. He's the only one that was not a Galilean. He was from the city of Iscariot outside of Galilee.
He says you men of Galilee. Why do you stand here gazing up into heaven? That's a good one! We just saw the Lord go up through the clouds and you're asking us why?
Well, there's actually a doctrinal statement. The Jews, from Daniel 7:13, which tells us that Messiah, when He comes, He's going to come in the clouds.
They didn't know if He was going to go up, or come back down. They didn't know what the timetable was. Plus, they were probably in shock. Here we go again. After our hopes are sky high, now He's gone again!
So, they are looking up in the clouds because their hope is that Messiah would come in the clouds. So, he's telling them that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven. One day He's coming again and He will receive us into the clouds.
Acts 1:14 - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
So, these all continued with one accord. I'm sure you already know this, but that's not a Honda! These all continued, and it literally means with one passion or one purpose. They were all there for one thing. It's kind of nice that when you are with other believers and you are all there for the same reason.
It says in prayer and supplication. In the Greek text, supplication means petitions, specific prayers, where prayer in general is just for general prayer.
Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
He says you are going to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. There's a difference in texts when He says you shall be witnesses unto me. Some manuscripts say of me, the Genitive Case.
You'll be my witnesses, not witnesses for me. But either one that you use, it is interesting that it is presented as fact. It doesn't say that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you ought to be, or you should be. He says you (will be) my witnesses.
That's because at the end of John Chapters 14 and 16, He says when the Holy Spirit comes, He will testify of me. It is the Holy Spirit in every believer that testifies to Christ through the believer.
We don't testify. We don't ever bring anybody to Christ. It's the Holy Spirit through us. So, you will be my witnesses, factual statement!
Acts 1:10 - And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
The literal translation says two men "had been standing" by them in white apparel. The description tells us that they were probably angels. It doesn't say they are angels. Some scholars believe that this is Moses and Elijah. They had been standing there the whole time. They didn't see them because they were looking up.
The book of Acts (Originally known as Luke Volume 2)
(Acts Part 1):
Acts 1:1 - The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
He says the former treaty have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach.
A couple of technical points I would like to share. The word former is actually the word first (PROTOS). PROTERA means former and that's not the word that is used in the Greek. This is PROTOS for first.
The word treatise is actually the word account or composition. It's actually an accounting term. It's from LOGOS, LOGIDZO for accounting.
So, the first composition (or record) have I made. And it's actually "have I myself made." It's a Middle Voice in the Greek. I've made it personally, Luke says.
Acts 1:3 - To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
To whom (meaning the apostles) also He shewed Himself "living."
This is a participle in the Greek meaning He presented Himself living after His passion, or suffering, by many infallible proofs.
The term infallible proofs is all one word in Greek, and it means unmistakable. It means convincing proofs. So, he is showing convincing proofs here, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:5 - For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Not many days hence, (or 10 days from now). It does say not many days, but we know it's 10 days that they had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come.
I hope you are feeling ok after your teeth removal this morning. I will pray for you as you recover.
Q: "The vision of John points to seven stars which are in safekeeping of Christ. These represent overcomers and what does Christ in the midst of seven candlesticks indicate?"
A: The seven angels/stars represent the Law of the Spirit hence we have warning to each church to be an overcomer. Jesus Christ is,"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."(1:18) His work is finished. It is for them to overcome the law of sin still operating to which the present wave of persecution going on in the world is a proof. So it is squarely in the manner they withstand with all the resources God has freely given them. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."(Re.2:7) sets the tone. No church is exempt from the Law. To each the same promise stands. For instance he addresses the church at Ephesus. "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." All these names are interchangeable.
God made it clear to Moses his divine Will. "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." Israel as a nation or as church are to be a kingdom of priests. Each is blessed in his Son and for nothing else. If they do not overcome the law of sin, they shall remain as 'thine footstool'. It is for this reason Isaiah addressed,"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me."(Is.1:2) They are witnesses.
In the inaugural vision the stars represent the Law of the Spirit. The praise of an overcomer is to be redeemed from the earth, so he for example shall feed on the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God.(Re.22:1-3)