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Sunday, June 7th 2009

10:34 AM

Acts 1-3 (New International Version)

Acts 1

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
 1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with[a]water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

 6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

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

 9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

 10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
 12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk[b] from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

 15In those days Peter stood up among the believers[c] (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."

 18(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

 20"For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, 
   " 'May his place be deserted; 
      let there be no one to dwell in it,'[d] and, 
   " 'May another take his place of leadership.'[e] 21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

 23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Acts 2

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
 1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[f] as the Spirit enabled them.

 5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

 13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine.[g]"

Peter Addresses the Crowd
 14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 
 17" 'In the last days, God says, 
      I will pour out my Spirit on all people. 
   Your sons and daughters will prophesy, 
      your young men will see visions, 
      your old men will dream dreams. 
 18Even on my servants, both men and women, 
      I will pour out my Spirit in those days, 
      and they will prophesy. 
 19I will show wonders in the heaven above 
      and signs on the earth below, 
      blood and fire and billows of smoke. 
 20The sun will be turned to darkness 
      and the moon to blood 
      before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 
 21And everyone who calls 
      on the name of the Lord will be saved.'[h]

 22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[i] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25David said about him: 
   " 'I saw the Lord always before me. 
      Because he is at my right hand, 
      I will not be shaken. 
 26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 
      my body also will live in hope, 
 27because you will not abandon me to the grave, 
      nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 
 28You have made known to me the paths of life; 
      you will fill me with joy in your presence.'[j]

 29"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,[k] that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, 
   " 'The Lord said to my Lord: 
      "Sit at my right hand 
 35until I make your enemies 
      a footstool for your feet." '[l]

 36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

 37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

 38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

 40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers
 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 3

Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar
 1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
 11While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. 12When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

 17"Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ[m] would suffer. 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'[n]

 24"Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. 25And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.'[o] 26When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

Footnotes:
  1. Acts 1:5 Or in
  2. Acts 1:12 That is, about 3/4 mile (about 1,100 meters)
  3. Acts 1:15 Greek brothers
  4. Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
  5. Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8
  6. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  7. Acts 2:13 Or sweet wine
  8. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
  9. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
  10. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11
  11. Acts 2:31 Or Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One"; also in verse 36.
  12. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1
  13. Acts 3:18 Or Messiah; also in verse 20
  14. Acts 3:23 Deut. 18:15,18,19
  15. Acts 3:25 Gen. 22:18; 26:4
 
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Wednesday, February 18th 2009

8:40 AM

Matthew 5:11-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

11 "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted (A) the prophets who were before you. (B)

   

Cross references:
  1. Matthew 5:12 : Mt 2:23; 2Tm 3:12;
  2. Matthew 5:12 : Mt 23:37; Ac 7:52; 1Th 2:15;
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Sunday, January 11th 2009

5:06 PM

What can I say?

What can I say?
Ten years of knowing him,
Passing him in the streets of Amsterdam,
Years in between wondering where hed gone,
My love for him will never cease,
My heart is entwined with his,
Forever blessed to be with this man,
I am in love,
I found  my soul mate,
I promise you God I will take care of him always,
I LOVE YOU my sweet love.


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Saturday, November 29th 2008

1:03 PM

Psalms Chapter 4 and Commentary~

Psalm 4 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Psalm 4

A Night Prayer
For the choir director: with stringed instruments. (A) A Davidic psalm.
 1 Answer me when I call,
    God, who vindicates me. (B) [a]
    You freed me from affliction; (C)
    be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

    2 How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? (D)
    [How long] will you love what is worthless (E)
    and pursue a lie?

          Selah

    3 Know that the LORD has set apart
    the faithful for Himself;
    the LORD will hear when I call to Him.

    4 Be angry [b] and do not sin; (F)
    on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. (G) 

         Selah

    5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness (H) [c]
    and trust in the LORD. (I)

    6 Many are saying, "Who can show us anything good?"
    Look on us with favor, LORD. (J)

    7 You have put more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and new wine abound. (K)

    8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, (L)
    for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety. (M)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 4:1 Or God of my righteousness
  2. Psalm 4:4 Or Tremble
  3. Psalm 4:5 Or Offer right sacrifices; lit Sacrifice sacrifices of righteousness

Cross references:
  1. Psalm 4:1 : Ps 6; Is 38:20; Hab 3:19;
  2. Psalm 4:1 : Ps 7:8; 26:1; 35:24;
  3. Psalm 4:1 : Ps 25:17; 107:6; 13;
  4. Psalm 4:2 : Ps 69:7-10;, 19-20;
  5. Psalm 4:2 : Ps 12:2;
  6. Psalm 4:4 : Eph 4:26;
  7. Psalm 4:4 : Ps 77:6; 119:55;
  8. Psalm 4:5 : Dt 33:19; Ps 51:19;
  9. Psalm 4:5 : Ps 37:3;, 5; 62:8;
  10. Psalm 4:6 : Ps 80:3;
  11. Psalm 4:7 : Is 9:3;
  12. Psalm 4:8 : Ps 3:5;
  13. Psalm 4:8 : Lv 25:18; Dt 12:10; Jr 32:37; Ezk 34:25;


 

CLARKE'S COMMENTARY - PSALMS 4

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PSALM IV

David prays to be heard, 1; expostulates with the ungodly, 2; exhorts them to turn to God, and make theirpeace with him, 3-5; shows the vain pursuits of men in search of happiness, which he asserts exists only in the approbation of God, 6, 7; commends himself to the Lord, and then quietly takes his repose, 8.

NOTES ON PSALM IV

This Psalm seems to have been composed on the same occasion with the preceding, viz., Absalom's rebellion. It appears to have been an evening hymn, sung by David and his company previously to their going to rest. It is inscribed to the chief Musician upon Neginoth, twnygnb jxnml lamnatstseach binginoth. Probably the first word comes from jxn natsach, to be over, or preside; and may refer to the precentor in the choir. Some suppose that it refers to the Lord Jesus, who is the Supreme Governor, or victorious Person; the Giver ofvictory. Neginoth seems to come from gn nagan, to strike; and probably may signify some such instrumentsas the cymbal, drum, &c., and stringed instruments in general. But there is no certainty in these things. What they mean, or what they were, is known to no man.

Verse 1. Hear me when I call ] No man has a right to expect God to hear him if he do not call. Indeed, how shall he be heard if he speak not? There are multitudes who expect the blessings of God as confidently as if they had prayed for them most fervently; and yet such people pray not at all! God of my righteousness - Whatever pardon, peace, holiness, or truth I possess, has come entirely from thyself. Thou art the God of my salvation, as thou art the God of my life.

Thou hast enlarged me ] I was in prison; and thou hast brought me forth abroad. Have mercy on me-continue to act in the same way. I shall always need thy help; I shall never deserve to have it; let me have it in the way of mere mercy, as thou hast hitherto done.

Verse 2. O ye sons of men ] ya ynb beney ish, ye powerful men-ye who are now at the head of affairs, or who are leaders of the multitude.

Love vanity ] The poor, empty, shallow-brained, pretty-faced Absalom; whose prospects are all vain, and whose promises are all empty! Seek after leasing? - This is a Saxon word, from , falsehood, from [A.S.], to lie. Cardmarden has adopted this word in his translation, Rouen, 1566. It is in none of the Bibles previously to that time, nor in any after, as far as my own collection affords me evidence; and appears to have been borrowed by King James's translators from the above.

Selah. ] Mark this! See what the end will be!

Verse 3. The Lord hath set apart him that is godly ] dysj chasid, the pious, benevolent man. He has marked such, and put them aside as his own property. "This merciful man, this feeling, tender-hearted man, is my own property; touch not a hair of his head!"

Verse 4. Stand in awe, and sin not ] The Septuagint, which is copied by St. Paul, Eph. iv. 26, translate this clause, orgizesqe, kai mh amartanete; Be ye angry, and sin not. The Vulgate, Syriac, AEthiopic, and Arabic, give the same reading; and thus the original wzgr rigzu might be translated: If ye be angry, and if ye think ye have cause to be angry; do not let your disaffection carry you to acts of rebellion against both God and your king. Consider the subject deeply before you attempt to act. Do nothing rashly; do not justify one evil act by another: sleep on the business; converse with your oten heart upon your bed; consult your pillow.

And be still. ] wmdw vedommu, "and be dumb." Hold your peace; fear lest ye be found fighting against God.Selah. Mark this!

Verse 5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness ] Do not attempt to offer a sacrifice to God for prosperity in your present rebellious conduct. Such a sacrifice would be a sin. Turn to God from whom you have revolted; and offer to him a righteous sacrifice, such as the law prescribes, and such as he can receive. Let all hear and consider this saying. No sacrifice-no performance of religious duty, will avail any man, if his heart be not right with God. And let all know, that under the Gospel dispensation no sacrifice of any kind will be received but through the all-atoning sacrifice made by Christ.

Because of sin, justice has stopped every man's mouth; so that none can have access to God, but through theMediator. By him only can the mouth of a sinner be opened to plead with God. Hear this, ye who trust in yourselves, and hope for heaven without either faith or dependence on the vicarious sacrifice of Christ.

Verse 6. Who will show us any good? ] This is not a fair translation. The word any is not in the text, nor any thing equivalent to it; and not a few have quoted it, and preached upon the text, placing the principal emphasis on this illegitimate word.

The place is sufficiently emphatic without this. There are multitudes who say, Who will show us good? Man wants good; he hates evil as evil, because he has pain, suffering, and death through it; and he wishes to find that supreme good which will content his heart, and save him from evil.

But men mistake this good. They look for a good that is to gratify their passions; they have no notion of anyhappiness that does not come to them through the medium of their senses. Therefore they reject spiritualgood, and they reject the Supreme God, by whom alone all the powers of the soul of man can be gratified.

Lift thou up the light of thy countenance ] This alone, the light of thy countenance-thy peace and approbation, constitute the supreme good.

This is what we want, wish, and pray for. The first is the wish of the worldling, the latter the wish of the godly.

Verse 7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart ] Thou hast given my soul what it wanted and wished for. I find now a happiness which earthly things could not produce. I have peace of conscience, and joy in the HolyGhost; such inward happiness as they cannot boast who have got the highest increase of corn and wine; those TWO THINGS in the abundance of which many suppose happiness to be found.

To corn and wine all the versions, except the Chaldee, add oil; for corn, wine, and oil, were considered the highest blessings of a temporal kind that man could possess.

Verse 8. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep ] Most men lie down, and most sleep, daily, for without restand steep life could not be preserved; but alas! how few lie down in peace! peace with their own consciences, and peace with God! David had then two great blessings, rest by sleep, and peace in his soul. He had a happysoul; and when he lay down on his bed, his body soon enjoyed its repose, as the conscience was in peace. And he had a third blessing, a confidence that he should sleep in safety. And it was so. No fearful dreamsdisturbed his repose, for he had a mind tranquillized by the peace of God. As to his body, that enjoyed its duerest, for he had not overloaded nature either with dainties or superfluities. Reader, are not many of thy sleepless hours to be attributed to thy disordered soul-to a sense of guilt on thy conscience, or to a fear ofdeath and hell? Pray incessantly till thou get the light of God's countenance, till his Spirit bear witness with thine that thou art a child of God. Then thy repose will do thee good: and even in thy sleep thy happy soul will be getting forward to heaven.

ANALYSIS OF THE FOURTH PSALM

There are THREE parts in this Psalm: ] I. An entrance, or petition for audience, ver. 1.

II. An apostrophe to his enemies, which is, 1. Reprehensive, ver. 2, 3. 2.

Admonitory, ver. 4, 5.

III. A petition for himself and God's people, ver. 6-8.

I. He proposes his request and suit for audience. "Hear me when I call;" and this he founds on four arguments: 1. God has promised to hear me when I call: "Call upon me in trouble, and I will hear thee." I call; hear me, therefore, when I call. 2. His own innocence: "Hear me, O God of my righteousness." 3. He requests no more than what God had done for him at other times: Thou hast enlarged me in trouble, and why not now? 4. It wasmercy and favour to answer him then; it will be the same to do it again: "Have mercy on me, and hear." II. His petition being thus proposed and ended, he proceeds to the doctrinal part; and, turning himself to hisenemies, 1. He sharply reproves them; 2. Then warns them, and gives them good counsel.

1. He turns his speech from God to men; the chief but the worst of men. ya ynb beney ish, "ye eminent men." Not plebeians, but nobles. The charge he lays to them, 1. They "turned his glory into shame." They endeavoured to dishonour him whom God had called and anointed to the kingdom. 2. "They loved vanity." Avain attempt they were in love with. 3. "They sought after falsity." They pursued that which would deceivethem; they would find at last that treachery and iniquity lied to itself. 4. That this charge might have the more weight, he figures it with a stinging interrogation, How long? Their sin had malice and pertinecity in it; and he asks them how long they intended to act thus.

And that they might, if possible, be drawn from their attempts, he sends them a noverint, know ye, which has two clauses: 1. Let them know that God hath set apart him that is godly for himself. 2. That God will hear, when either he or any good man calls upon him.

2. The reproof being ended, he gives them good counsel: ] 1. That though they be angry, they ought not to let the sun go down upon their wrath.

2. That they commune with their own hearts-their conscience. That they do this on their beds, when secluded from all company, when passion and self-interest did not rule; and then they would be the better able to judgewhether they were not in an error, whether their anger were not causeless, and their persecution unjust? 3. That they offer the sacrifice of righteousness-that they serve and worship God with an honest, sincere, and contrite heart.

4. That they put their trust in the Lord; trusting no more to their lies, nor loving their vanities, but relying onGod's promises.

III. The third part begins with this question, Who will show us any good? 1. Who will show us that good which will make us happy? To which David, in effect, returns this answer, that it is not bona animi, intellectual gifts; nor bona fortunae, earthly blessings; nor bona corporis, corporeal endowments: but the light of God'scountenance. 2. Therefore he prefers his petition: "Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us."God's countenance is his grace, his favour, his love, and the light of his countenance, the exhibition and expression of this grace, favour, and love; in which alone lies all the happiness of man. Of this Davidexpresses two effects, gladness and security: - 1. gladness and joy far beyond that which may be had from any temporal blessings: "Thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their corn, and wine, and oil increased; gladness beyond the joy in harvest; and this joy is from the light of God's countenance. Thou Attest. THOU, by way of eminence.

2. Security, expressed under the metaphor of sleep: "I will lay me down in peace, and sleep;" just as in a time of peace, as if there were no war nor preparation for battle.

3. To which he adds the reason: "For thou Lord, alone makest me to dwell in safety." I am safe, because I enjoythe light of thy countenance.

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Sunday, September 28th 2008

4:54 AM


Acts 1-3 (Amplified Bible)

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation


Acts 1

 1IN THE former account [which I prepared], O Theophilus, I made [a continuous report] dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and to teach(A)

    2Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.

    3To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.

    4And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.(B)

    5For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with ([a]placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit.

    6So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?

    7He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know [b]what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed [c]years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.

    8But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

    9And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.

    10And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them,

    11Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.

    12Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, [only] a Sabbath day's journey (three-quarters of a mile) away.

    13And when they had entered [the city], they mounted [the stairs] to the upper room where they were [[d]indefinitely] staying--Peter and John and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas [son] of James.

    14All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

    15Now on one of those days Peter arose among the brethren, the whole number of whom gathered together was about a hundred and twenty.

    16Brethren, he said, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David, about Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.

    17For he was counted among us and received [by divine allotment] his portion in this ministry.

    18Now this man obtained a piece of land with the [money paid him as a] reward for his treachery and wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle [of his body] and all his intestines poured forth.

    19And all the residents of Jerusalem became acquainted with the facts, so that they called the piece of land in their own dialect--Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.

    20For in the book of Psalms it is written, Let his place of residence become deserted and gloomy, and let there be no one to live in it; and [again], Let another take his position or overseership.(C)

    21So one of the [other] men who have accompanied us [apostles] during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

    22From the baptism of John at the outset until the day when He was taken up from among us--one of these men must join with us and become a witness to testify to His resurrection.

    23And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

    24And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts ([e]their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one of these two You have chosen

    25To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle, from which Judas fell away and went astray to go [where he belonged] to his own [proper] place.

    26And they drew lots [between the two], and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers).

   

Acts 2

 1AND WHEN the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place,

    2When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.

    3And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them.

    4And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit [f]kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words].

    5Now there were then residing in Jerusalem Jews, devout and God-fearing men from every country under heaven.

    6And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together and they were astonished and bewildered, because each one heard them [the apostles] speaking in his own [particular] dialect.

    7And they were beside themselves with amazement, saying, Are not all these who are talking Galileans?

    8Then how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own (particular) dialect to which we were born?

    9Parthians and Medes and Elamites and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and [the province of] Asia,

    10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and the transient residents from Rome, both Jews and the proselytes [to Judaism from other religions],

    11Cretans and Arabians too--we all hear them speaking in our own native tongues [and telling of] the mighty works of God!

    12And all were beside themselves with amazement and were puzzled and bewildered, saying one to another, What can this mean?

    13But others made a joke of it and derisively said, They are simply drunk and full of sweet [intoxicating] wine.

    14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: You Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be [explained] to you so that you will know and understand; listen closely to what I have to say.

    15For these men are not drunk, as you imagine, for it is [only] the third hour (about 9:00 a.m.) of the day;

    16But [instead] this is [the beginning of] what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

    17And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [[g]telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions ([h]divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [[i]divinely suggested] dreams.

    18Yes, and on My menservants also and on My maidservants in those days I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy [[j]telling forth the divine counsels and [k]predicting future events pertaining especially to God's kingdom].

    19And I will show wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire and smoking vapor;

    20The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the obvious day of the Lord comes--that great and notable and conspicuous and renowned [day].

    21And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [[l]invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord--Christ] shall be saved.(D)

    22You men of Israel, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and shown forth and commended and attested to you by God by the mighty works and [the power of performing] wonders and signs which God worked through Him [right] in your midst, as you yourselves know--

    23This Jesus, when delivered up according to the definite and fixed purpose and settled plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and put out of the way [killing Him] by the hands of lawless and wicked men.

    24[But] God raised Him up, liberating Him from the pangs of death, seeing that it was not possible for Him to continue to be controlled or retained by it.

    25For David says in regard to Him, I saw the Lord constantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken or overthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state].

    26Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope [will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection].

    27For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or see destruction [of the body after death].

    28You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence.(E)

    29Brethren, it is permitted me to tell you confidently and with freedom concerning the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

    30Being however a prophet, and knowing that God had sealed to him with an oath that He would set one of his descendants on his throne, [II Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11.]

    31He, foreseeing this, spoke [by foreknowledge] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah) that He was not deserted [in death] and left in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor did His body know decay or see destruction.(F)

    32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all we [His disciples] are witnesses.

    33Being therefore lifted high by and to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father [m]the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit, He has made this outpouring which you yourselves both see and hear.

    34For David did not ascend into the heavens; yet he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand and share My throne

    35Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.(G)

    36Therefore let the whole house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt and acknowledge assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (the Messiah)--this Jesus Whom you crucified.

    37Now when they heard this they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (special messengers), Brethren, what shall we do?

    38And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    39For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, [even] to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself.(H)

    40And [Peter] [n]solemnly and earnestly witnessed (testified) and admonished (exhorted) with much more continuous speaking and warned (reproved, advised, encouraged) them, saying, Be saved from this crooked (perverse, wicked, unjust) generation.

    41Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

    42And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord's Supper] and prayers.

    43And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers).

    44And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common;

    45And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need.

    46And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,

    47Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].

   

Acts 3

 1NOW PETER and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon),

    2[When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple.

    3So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift.

    4And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, Look at us!

    5And [the man] paid attention to them, expecting that he was going to get something from them.

    6But Peter said, Silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you: in [the [o]use of] the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!

    7Then he took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady,

    8And leaping forth he stood and [p]began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

    9And all the people saw him walking about and praising God,

    10And they recognized him as the man who usually sat [begging] for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement (bewilderment, consternation) over what had occurred to him.

    11Now while he [still] firmly clung to Peter and John, all the people in utmost amazement ran together and crowded around them in the covered porch (walk) called Solomon's.

    12And Peter, seeing it, answered the people, You men of Israel, why are you so surprised and wondering at this? Why do you keep staring at us, as though by our [own individual] power or [active] piety we had made this man [able] to walk?

    13The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified His Servant and [q]Son Jesus [doing Him this honor], Whom you indeed delivered up and denied and rejected and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to let Him go.(I)

    14But you denied and rejected and disowned the Pure and Holy, the Just and Blameless One, and demanded [the pardon of] a murderer to be granted to you.

    15But you killed the very Source (the Author) of life, Whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

    16And His name, through and by faith in His name, has made this man whom you see and recognize well and strong. the faith which is through and by Him [Jesus] has given the man this perfect soundness [of body] before all of you.

    17And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance [not aware of what you were doing], as did your rulers also.

    18Thus has God fulfilled what He foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ (the Messiah) should undergo ill treatment and be afflicted and suffer.

    19So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of [r]reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;

    20And that He may send [to you] the Christ (the Messiah), Who before was designated and appointed for you--even Jesus,

    21Whom heaven must receive [and retain] until the time for the complete restoration of all that God spoke by the mouth of all His holy prophets for ages past [from the most ancient time in the memory of man].

    22Thus Moses said to the forefathers, The Lord God will raise up for you a Prophet from among your brethren as [He raised up] me; Him you shall listen to and understand by hearing and heed in all things whatever He tells you.

    23And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to and understand by hearing and heed that Prophet shall be utterly [s]exterminated from among the people.(J)

    24Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel and those who came afterwards, as many as have spoken, also promised and foretold and proclaimed these days.

    25You are the descendants (sons) of the prophets and the heirs of the covenant which God made and gave to your forefathers, saying to Abraham, And in your Seed (Heir) shall all the families of the earth be blessed and benefited.(K)

    26It was to you first that God sent His Servant and Son Jesus, when He raised Him up [[t]provided and gave Him for us], to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness and evil ways.(L)

   

Footnotes:

  1. Acts 1:5 Kenneth Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament.
  2. Acts 1:7 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
  3. Acts 1:7 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.
  4. Acts 1:13 James Moulton and George Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament.
  5. Acts 1:24 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  6. Acts 2:4 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.
  7. Acts 2:17 G. Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament.
  8. Acts 2:17 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  9. Acts 2:17 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  10. Acts 2:18 G. Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon.
  11. Acts 2:18 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  12. Acts 2:21 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  13. Acts 2:33 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  14. Acts 2:40 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies: The preposition dia gives this force.
  15. Acts 3:6 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  16. Acts 3:8 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  17. Acts 3:13 The Greek word used here means both "Servant" and "Child" ("Son").
  18. Acts 3:19 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  19. Acts 3:23 Alexander Souter, Pocket Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.
  20. Acts 3:26 Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausett and David Brown, A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments.

Cross references:
  1. Acts 1:1 : Luke 1:1-4
  2. Acts 1:4 : John 14:16, 26; 15:26
  3. Acts 1:20 : Ps 69:25; 109:8
  4. Acts 2:21 : Joel 2:28-32
  5. Acts 2:28 : Ps 16:8-11
  6. Acts 2:31 : Ps 16:10
  7. Acts 2:35 : Ps 110:1
  8. Acts 2:39 : Isa 57:19; Joel 2:32
  9. Acts 3:13 : Exod 3:6; Isa 52:13
  10. Acts 3:23 : Deut 18:15-19
  11. Acts 3:25 : Gen 22:18; Gal 3:16
  12. Acts 3:26 : Acts 2:24; 3:22


 


The Hope: The Story of God's Promise for All People

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