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Text File | 1993-08-06 | 16KB | 626 lines

C:\LESSON\KINGDOM\WHOLNSS1.DOC 06-10-91 THY KINGDOM COME PART 4 WHOLENESS PART 1 Acts 4:5 to 12 read -- These could be some of the most important words -- in the ongoing or you may say -- the downgoing history of Israel --- It is interesting to see how God dealt with Caiaphas and his family -- and sought to bring them to know God --- In the Old Testament you had a certain kind of set up -- and then when you move into the New Testament it is completely different --- An empire has fallen and a new one has risen -- and the name of it is Rome -- and under Rome many things had happened -- even before Rome came to power many things had happened --- About 200 years before the New Testament opened -- the High Priest that descended from Aaron -- this is the only one that God would recognise -- had fled to Egypt --- In his place was placed a High Priest -- who was appointed by the government -- and this was soon to become controlled by the family of Annas --- Annas is the nearest thing to the godfather of the Mafia And the Romans soon found this out and put him out of the position -- but Annas made sure a family member got in -- From the year 6 B.C. this family controlled the Temple --- You read about them in the Gospels -- they were known as the Chief Priests -- sometimes they were called the WHOLENESS PART 1 elders of the people -- and they were Sadducees -- they did not believe in resurrection -- but they did accept the Old Testament law -- basically they were politicians --- They controlled the religious mood of the people --- Over and against the Sadducees were the Pharisees --- As the Gospels open Caiaphas the son-in-law of Annas was the High Priest --- He was a puppet of his father-in-law Annas -- he was directly responsible to Rome as the leader of Israel -- especially the Temple --- He was the religious and civil leader --- This was the setup for what was known as the Sanhedrin Council -- which consisted of seventy men -- they were the elders of Israel and were the controlling body -- responsible only to Rome --- It is interesting to see how God came to these leaders -- and many times through the lips of Jesus -- was seeking to bring them to himself --- It was to these people that Jesus stood over Jerusulem and -- Said -- O' Jerusulem O' Jerusulem -- how often would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chickens -- but you would not --- It was the Sanhedrin sinners headed by Annas and Caiaphas --- It was before this council that Jesus stood -- It was this council that put Jesus to death --- WHOLENESS PART 1 Now Jesus has risen again -- and it was to this council -- especially Annas and Caiaphas that the solders came to on the first day of the week -- Saying -- that they had seen an angel come and roll away the stone -- from the cave that Jesus was buried in -- and now the body is gone ---- It was this council that gave out the extra money to the soldiers -- Saying -- Keep quiet about this -- Just say -- his disciples came and stole the body away --- It is this council that in the face of the testimony concerning the resurrection -- refused to believe --- This is the longsuffering of God ---- Out of all this -- a miracle happens -- this man is healed -- then Peter preached a message -- it was preached right in the Temple --- The Temple was the breeding ground of the religion that belonged to the Sadducees -- Annas and Caiaphas --- I would imagine it -- if I was God -- I would dangle them feet first over Hell I would really burn the soles off their feet Instead through the mouth of Peter -- he said the most unbelievable words -- He said -- You men of Israel -- my brothers -- you crucified the Prince of Life -- and God has raised him from the dead -- WHOLENESS PART 1 But you did it in ignorance -- even as did your leaders -- This sure was a word from God -- If leaders ever did something deliberately -- in the full light of facts -- it was these ones in the household of Annas -- they crucified Jesus with their eyes wide open -- But through the mouth of Peter -- the longsuffering of God goes on and says -- You did it through ignorance --- You can hear the echo of Jesus on the cross -- Saying -- Father forgive them -- for they know not what they do -- Now here in the Temple -- you might say in the back yard of Caiaphas -- Peter says -- You did it in ignorance -- as did your leaders -- The next thing that Peter said is almost unbelievable - To the leaders he said -- Repent --- Annas - Caiaphas and others are offered forgiveness -- if only they will change their minds --- The word repent means -- have a second thought WHOLENESS PART 1 This is saying -- You stood right there before Pilate -- screaming out -- Crucify him -- crucify him --- But by now you must have realised that -- you have crucified you put to death the Prince of Life Come have a second thought confess him as Lord and your sins will be wiped out This is unbelievable -- as to how the longsuffering of God goes on ---- While Peter is preaching -- this healed man is leaping and dancing -- he is living proof that Jesus Christ has risen and is exalted --- Here Caiaphas - Annas and company are offered a second chance -- they can retract everything they said -- in front of Pilate -- Here we have this lame man healed -- Here is the living proof that Jesus has risen and is exalted --- Up until now the Sanhedrin council made up mostly of Sadducees -- had been disturbed -- but still they thought that they had these Christians under control -- But now they are operating right in the Temple -- the headquarters of the Sadducees --- Here they have a man healed -- he is living proof that Jesus is exalted -- he is alive --- WHOLENESS PART 1 When they refused the forgiveness that God offered them -- it was not because they had a lack of evidence -- They had all the evidence that Jesus had really risen - and it is sad to say that they refused --- They even sent the Temple guards and arrested Peter and John -- and it also appears -- that this included the healed man -- and they were placed in jail overnight --- Out of Peter's preaching The scripture says -- About 2000 believed --- The next day the disciples are brought before the Sanhedrin council -- which consisted of 70 men -- some Pharisees but mostly Sadducees -- and before them stand the 3 men --- These men stood in the same place that Jesus had stood in -- only a few weeks before --- It was here that it was said - that he was to be crucified -- Now we have the same man Caiaphas opening the proceedings by Saying -- By what power -- or by what name do you do this miracle --- At no time is there any interest in the man that was healed -- No saying -- It is good to see that you are healed --- They are totally cold to the fact that the man has been healed -- they are only concerned as to how it came to happen --- WHOLENESS PART 1 Now Peter and John are put on the spot -- Jesus had told them as to how to handle such things --- He said -- When you are brought before the rulers -- do not give any consideration to what you will say -- because it shall be given to you in that same hour --- It will not be you speaking -- but the Holy Spirit speaking from within you --- The scripture says -- Peter in giving his reply -- became aware that he was filled with the control of the Holy Spirit -- and he speaks to the council --- In speaking to the council he points to the name of Jesus --- In your study of the Acts you will continually be returning -- to the name to the authority of Jesus In effect Peter is saying to them -- this name has power only because the owner of the name is alive and is exalted --- Against this the rulers had nothing to say --- How would you feel if you were Caiaphas -- when you heard -- Peter say -- that man Jesus is alive and is exalted -- Remember you were the one who paid the soldiers to keep quiet about the body missing --- WHOLENESS PART 1 If anyone at that time had come up with proof that Jesus had not risen -- then that would have been the end of Christianity --- All that they had to do was to produce the body -- Caiaphas had no reply -- because he knew that the tomb had been miraculously emptied --- These next few words that Peter had to say -- were the most important words that God had said to Israel --- They were -- neither is salvation found in anyone else -- salvation is found under no other name under heaven -- given to men by which we must be saved --- These are God's last words to Israel -- There is salvation in no other name There is no other name given unto men whereby they may be saved -- and this name is Jesus --- You will notice here Peter has turned from the healed man to -- general salvation --- The Greek word for salvation of saved is -- So - Zo This word in the New Testament is used to describe -- the healing of my body the healing of my mind the healing of my spirit We say -- are you saved meaning -- your spirit -- But to the Hebrew person -- you could not carve a man up like this --- WHOLENESS PART 1 From this it does not fit too well when We say -- so many souls were saved -- It is persons that are saved - It is persons joined to bodies -- and minds -- and emotions -- and spirits Jesus deals with the whole person -- not just bits of it Jesus said -- your faith has saved you He was speaking to a person who had just been healed -- So-Zo -- here was used to describe physical healing --- At another time to a woman -- Jesus said -- your faith has made you whole -- I say he spoke of more then her physical healing -- It took in everything --- The leper who had already been healed -- came back to say thank you -- and Jesus uses the word to describe what has happened to him now -- It was a salvation of -- spirit -- mind -- emotions -- and body -- Peter says -- this is the only name under heaven that brings -- So-Zo -- to the entire person --- When Peter said this -- the Sanhedrin council marvelled -- because they knew these men had never been to their school -- they had no degrees in theology -- as they themselves all had --- WHOLENESS PART 1 All these men had was the degree in how to fish --- They had been with Jesus for three years -- but during this time they really did not understand what he was saying - The only schooling they had ever had -- was for 40 days -- after the resurrection -- plus the Holy Spirit -- Here Peter touches on every vital issue -- He answers the High Priest -- the most feared man in Israel -- with boldness and fearlessness -- but yet with respect --- To the Priest Peter -- Says -- this man you now see was healed physically by the one name under heaven -- the one you crucified --- Then Peter said -- This is the last word of God for you -- this is the only name that you will be saved by -- in spirit -- mind -- and body Then Peter points out to them -- the Psalm that they sing at every feast -- Psalm 118 -- saying -- you are the ones that have rejected him -- he is the chief cornerstone -- he is building a new temple --- From what Peter had to say -- left the council without a word to say --- As they cast their minds back a few weeks ago -- when they had Jesus standing in the same place -- it was as if he was standing there and now speaking to them --- WHOLENESS PART 1 Jesus got under their skin -- just as Peter was now doing to them -- for Jesus had never been to the school -- he had never had theological training -- but yet he taught with authority --- They remembered with anger how many thousands of people had flocked to hear Jesus -- and how so few came to hear them -- the theologians --- They had no authority -- all that they did was to quote from others -- they never had an original thought --- Jesus came without quoting anyone -- and now these men -- Peter and John were doing the same thing --- These theologians -- with their little pieces of paper to prove that they were educated men in the things of God -- Sat in amazement -- sat in wonder -- Saying -- these men sure must have had some contact with Jesus -- for they are speaking and acting -- just as if Jesus is here -- So now they have to make their decision -- which we will look at next week --- AMEN