Category: Open Door

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 5:12-22

12

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

( Mark 16:20 )

13

None of the rest – No formalists or hypocrites, durst join themselves – In an outward show only, like Ananias and Sapphira.

Wesley

14

But so much the more were true believers added, because unbelievers kept at a distance.

Wesley

15

Try to imagine the scene and the reaction of the authorities. They must have realized that now things had gotten worse than when Jesus had been with them.

16

These are the signs which were given to confirm the authenticity of the apostles. This is not ongoing, and this power is not available today.

Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

( 2 Timothy 4:20 )

Miraculous healing is possible but it is not a power that I can dispense. The power is within each of you.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

( mark 9:23 )

17

The word translated indignation can mean jealosy.

ζήλου   – zelos to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be zealous or jealous

18

In Acts chapter 4 Peter and john were arrested, threatened and freed. Now things are escalating.

19

20

All the words of this life

Ζωῆς – zoe life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence.

2222zōḗ – life (physical and spiritual). All life (2222/zōḗ), throughout the universe, is derived – i.e. it always (only) comes from and is sustained by God’s self-existent life. The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people, creating each in His image which gives all the capacity to know His eternal life.

21

The apostles get out of prison and go directly to the temple to start teach and preaching. If you ever wondered if it is the Lord’s will for you to do something? Having an angel bust you out of prison is a strong indicator.

The priests and lawyers had no idea and assembled in the council chambers thinking that they were going to try, convict and sentence the apostles.

22

How embarassing… The apostles are missing

23

The prison was shut, but we couldn’t find the prisoners.

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 5:1-11

Finish up Acts 4 and set the scene:

Acts 4:32-37

How seriously are we taking God?

It’s not hard to imagine the conversation between Ananias and Sapphira:

• Sapphira: wow, that’s a lot of money.
• Ananias: yep, now we can give it to the apostles.
• Sapphira: all of it?
• Ananias: what do you mean?
• Sapphira: well, they don’t know how much it is, why do we have to give them all of it…

Matthew 4:7

Are we tempting God?

Deuteronomy 6:16

Exodus 17:1-7

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 4:23-31

23

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? ( Psalms 2:1 )

26

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

( Psalms 2:2-3 )

27

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28

For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

( Psalms 2:4 )

The pharisees and religious rulers may think that they got their way, but it was part of God’s plan.

29

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

( Psalms 2:5 )

The Pharisees and religious rulers are definitely being vexed.

30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

( Psalms 2:6-7 )

31

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Is being filled with the Holy Spirit the same thing as being receiving the Holy Spirit? They were also filled with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

( Acts 2:1-4 )

Perhaps they are not the same.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

( John 20:19-23 )

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

( Acts 1:5 )

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 4:13-21

13

Unlearned – unschooled – ἀγράμματοί – agrammatoi

Ignorant – ordinary – ἰδιῶται   – idiōtai

The irony here is that over the last few days Peter has quoted:

Acts 1

• Psalms 41:9
• Psalms 55:12-13
• Jeremiah 32:6-10
• Zechariah 11:12-13
• Psalms 69:21, 25
• Psalms 109:8

Acts 2

• Joel 2:28-32
• Malachi 4:5
• Psalms 110:1
• Psalms 16:9-11
• Job 19:25-26
• 1 kings 2:1-4, 10
• 2 Samuel 7:12
• 2 Kings 9:1-5
• *Matthew 17:10-13 *Matthew 17:10-13 (eyewitness)
• *Luke 1:30-33 (eyewitness)

Acts 3

• Isaiah 30:15
• Ezekiel 47:1-12
• Deuteronomy 18:15-16
• Genesis 22:18
• *Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17 (eyewitness)

14

15

16

17

18

19

What was the commandment that the apostles were obeying?

The great commission.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

( Matthew 28:19-20 )

The importance of obeying God?

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

( 1 John 2:3-5 )

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

( 1 John 3:23-24 )

Revelation 12:13-17

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

( Revelation 12:17 )

Revelation 14:9-12

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( Revelation 14:12 )

20

21

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 4:1-12

1-4

5

6

Annas and Caiaphas were related, as we know from the passage directly after Jesus arrest in Gethsemane.

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

( John 18:12-14 )

This is the same Annas and Caiaphas which were mentioned in the context of the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist. They have been involved in the management of the temple for the whole of John and Jesus’ ministry.

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

( Luke 3:1-3 )

The plot to kill Jesus was initiated after Jesus raised Lazarus

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

( John 11:47-50 )

Caiaphas hatched the plan, Annas carried it out.

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

( John 18:24 )

First Annas then Caiaphas interrogated Jesus, then sent him to Pilate.

Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

( John 18:28-29 )

7

8

9

10

11

“head of the corner” is a very important phrase.

It occurs in the discussion of the Parable of the wicked tennants

• Matthew 21:33-41
• Mark 11:27-33
• Luke 20:1-8

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

( Matthew 21:42 )

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

( Mark 12:10-11 )

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

( Luke 20:17 )

In every instance this passage is followed up with this:

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

( Luke 20:19 )

By using this reference to Jesus, Peter would have brought a stinging reminder of the duplicitous scheme that the High Priests hatched to capture and kill Jesus.

12

One of the most important verses in the Bible which you may not know.

This one ranks up there with

• John 3:16
• Romans 10:9-10
• Ephesians 2:8

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 3:1-26

1-10

Confirming the Word with signs following.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

( Mark 16:20 )

This was confirmation that Peter and the apostles were authentic and the work that they did was the work of God.

11

12

13

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was a very common way to refer to our God throughout the OT

14

The Holy One of Israel? This is not a common phrase, but once again Peter is demonstrating his mastery of scripture and his knowledge of the prophets like Isaiah.

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

( Isaiah 30:15 )

15

Prince of life?

The Greek work here is Ἀρχηγὸν – archégos

Usage: originator, author, founder, prince, leader

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

( Hebrews 2:10 )

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

( Hebrews 12:2 )

16

Peter is winding up to make a swing at the religious establishment.

17

18

This is a very clear salvation message

19

Times of refreshing? If the times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord then this has to be a reference to the Millennial Kingdom. The tribulation will include plagues which devastate the surface of the earth and poison all of the world’s oceans. When the Millennial Kingdom is established there will be a temple in Jerusalem from which will issue waters which will heal the land and the oceans.

And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

( Revelation 8:8-11 )

The healing is described in Ezekiel’s vision of the temple in the New Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 47:1-12

20

21

Jesus is in heaven until the times of refreshing. The times of refreshing is the Millennial Kingdom.

22

The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

( Deuteronomy 18:15 )

23

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

( Deuteronomy 18:16 )

24

25

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

( Genesis 22:18 )

26

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 2:37-47

37-40

v. 37-40 is a paragraph which would work well as the basis for a salvation message. It would be a good Sunday morning passage.

41

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

( Matthew 28:19-20 )

42

The apostles doctrine and fellowship. See below for how well they carried out the Lord’s teaching.

43

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

( Mark 16:20 )

44

All things common? This is not advocating communist government. This is how Christians should live in the world, regardless of the government.

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

( Luke 18:22 )

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

( Matthew 5:38-42 )

Pay your taxes.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

( Romans 13:7 )

45

They are living examples of teaching that goes back to Isaiah:

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

( Isaiah 58:7 )

And they are no doubt mindful of Jesus parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46

46

With one accord?

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

( Romans 15:6 )

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

( 2 Corinthians 13:11 )

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

( Philippians 2:2 )

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

( 1 Peter 3:8 )

47

Having favor?

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

( Luke 2:52 )

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 2:29-36

Peter continues to lay out the case that recent events – the sky went black when Christ died on the cross – are proof that the great and terrible day of the Lord is upon them AND that this Jesus is the fullfilment of God’s promise that one of the seed of David would rule on the throne of Israel forever.

29

So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

( 1 Kings 2:10 )

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

( 1 Kings 2:1-4 )

30

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

( 2 Samuel 7:12 )

And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do, That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

( 1 Kings 9:1-5 )

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

( Luke 1:30-33 )

31

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

( Psalms 16:9-10 )

32

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

( Job 19:25-26 )

33

34

35

{A Psalm of David.} The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

( Psalms 110:1 )

36

In the paragraph Acts 2:14-36 Peter quotes or refers to:

• Joel 2:28-32
• Malachi 4:5
• *Matthew 17:10-13 (eyewitness)
• Psalms 110:1
• Psalms 16:9-11
• 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10
• 2 Samuel 7:12
• 1 Kings 9:1-5
• *Luke 1:30-33 (eyewitness)
• Job 19:25-26

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 2:14-28

15 the third hour of the day: 9am

Peter is coming out of a 10-day period of intense Bible study which was what lead him to figure out that they had to replace Judas. He and the others had probably read every parchment and scripture that they had 10 times over. He is filled with the Holy SPirit, but he is also bubbling over with the word of God.

17 Peter quotes Joel 2

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

( Joel 2:28 )

Joel was echoing something prophesied by Isaiah:

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

( Isaiah 44:3 )

18 Peter quotes Joel 2

And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

( Joel 2:29 )

19 Peter quotes Joel 2

And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

( Joel 2:30 )

20 Peter quotes Joel 2:31,

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

( Joel 2:31 )

The disciples have realized that a lot of scripture was written about the days in which they were living. They must be wondering if this has already happened, when Christ died on the cross. Many others would have been wondering too:

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

( Luke 23:44 )

Was this the darkness of the great and terrible day of the Lord that had been prophesied? They no doubt remembered something else that Jesus said, and made another connection:

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

( Malachi 4:5 )

According to Jesus, John the Baptist was the prophesied coming of Elijah:

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

( Matthew 17:10-13 )

21 Peter quotes Joel 2

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

( Joel 2:32 )

25 Peter quotes Psalms 110:1

A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

( Psalms 110:1 )

26 Peter quotes Psalms 16:9

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

( Psalms 16:9 )

27 Peter quotes Psalms 16:10

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

( Psalms 16:10 )

Is this an echo of Job? And does this again point to the time in which they are living?

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

( Job 19:25-26 )

28 Peter quotes Psalm 16 again

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

( Psalms 16:11 )

Then he pauses for a breath.

Peter Quotes

• Joel 2:28-32
• Psalms 110:1
• Psalms 16:9-11
• Job 19:25-26

Remember Acts 1:15? And in those days Peter stood up?

He quoted

• Psalms 41:9
• Psalms 55:12-13
• Jeremiah 32:6-10
• Zechariah 11:12-13
• Psalms 69:21, 25
• Psalms 109:8

Jesus spoke about this, too:

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

( Matthew 10:19 )