Atos 10
John Piper · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 10
Piper adds "God really has spoken. And this word is living and active. It is not a dead word. He really speaks today through the inspired Scriptures. He really, really does. He really does. Not just with information, but with himself by his Spirit. “The Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:21). That really happens. God stands forth from his inspired word as we read it prayerfully and dependently. And, I would add this: the word in the Bible is more sure than anything you can hear outside the Bible. I base that on 1 Corinthians 14:37–38: “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.” That is amazing. Paul is saying you can call yourself a prophet and get messages from God. You can call yourself spiritual and be tuned in to God, but if anything you say doesn’t accord with what I say, you are not recognized, which means that outside the Bible we have fallible, uncertain impressions and messages. Inside the Bible we have rock-solid, dependable messages. So there are treasures and wonders and glories and dimensions of God to be seen in the Bible that we have scarcely seen. It seems to me to be folly to crave the lesser authority and the lesser riches outside the Bible than the riches and the greater authority that we have barely tasted, let alone digested, inside the Bible....But I will close with this. Beware of craving the sensations of a voice. Jesus warned against those who seek a sign (Matthew 12:38–39). So here he is. He is standing there in front of the Pharisees and scribes speaking and they say: Give us a sign. What does that mean? It means that the voice of Jesus Christ the Son of God wasn’t adequate. They needed something more. They needed to feel more, touch more, see more. They wanted more. And Jesus wouldn’t give it to them. And I think we are in a situation today not unlike that. We hear more of the Son of God than anybody in Jesus’s day ever heard, because we have all four gospels and those people got it in snatches. Therefore we have the wholeness of the revelation that Jesus meant to communicate, and it is speaking to us every time we read the Bible. And if we turn away from that and say: But I need a sign. I need a voice. I need a tree to fall down in the woods when I am talking. I need something. We are putting ourselves in the position of those who demanded a sign. Instead, I think our hearts should be: Oh, God, this is the way Paul taught the Ephesians to pray in Ephesians 1:18-19: Give my heart sight. Open my eyes to your power. Open my eyes to your wisdom. Open my eyes to your inheritance. You say stunning things that should blow me away and give me a sense of your worth beyond anything any message outside should give. So, Father, if I am not seeing, if I am not hearing, have mercy upon me and open my eyes. (Does God Verbally Speak to Me) Related Resources: How can we recognize the voice of God? What does it mean that God speaks in a still small voice? There is only one place in Scripture where God is said to speak in a “still small voice,” and it was to Elijah after his dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40; 19:12). Told that Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, king of Israel, was seeking kill him, Elijah ran into the wilderness and collapsed in exhaustion. God sent an angel with food and water to strengthen him, told him to rest, and then sent him to Horeb. In a cave there, Elijah voices his complaint that all of God’s prophets had been killed by Jezebel and he alone had survived. God instructed him to stand on the mountain in His presence. Then the Lord sent a mighty wind which broke the rocks in pieces; then He sent an earthquake and a fire, but His voice was in none of them. After all that, the Lord spoke to Elijah in the still small voice, or “gentle whisper.” The point of God speaking in the still small voice was to show Elijah that the work of God need not always be accompanied by dramatic revelation or manifestations. Divine silence does not necessarily mean divine inactivity. Zechariah 4:6 tells us that God’s work is “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” meaning that overt displays of power are not necessary for God to work. Because He is God, He is not confined to a single manner of communicating with His people. Elsewhere in Scripture, He is said to communicate through a whirlwind (Job 38:1), to announce His presence by an earthquake (Exodus 19:18), and to speak in a voice that sounds like thunder (1 Samuel 2:10; Job 37:2; Psalm 104:7; John 12:29). In Psalm 77:18 His voice is compared to both thunder and a whirlwind. And in Revelation 4:5, we’re told that lightning and thunder proceed from the throne in heaven. Nor is God limited to natural phenomena when He speaks. All through Scripture, He speaks through His prophets over and over. The common thread in all the prophets is the phrase, “Thus says the Lord.” He speaks through the writers of Scripture. Most graciously, however, He speaks through His Son, the Lord Jesus. The writer to the Hebrews opens his letter with this truth: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1–2). The difference between God speaking through the thunder and the whirlwind, then through the still, small voice, can be also considered as showing the difference between the two dispensations of law and grace. The law is a voice of terrible words and was given amidst a tempest of wind, thunder, and lightning, attended by an earthquake (Hebrews 12:18–24), but the gospel is a gentle voice of love, grace, and mercy, of peace, pardon, righteousness, and the free gift of salvation through Christ. The law breaks the rocky hearts of men in pieces, shakes their consciences, and fills their minds with a sense of God’s fiery wrath and the punishment they deserve, and then the gospel speaks gently to them of the peace and pardon available in Christ. It is less important how God speaks to us than what we do with what He says. God speaks most clearly to us in this day through His Word. The more we learn it, the more ready we will be to recognize His voice when He speaks, and the more likely we are to obey what we hear. Ed Comment - As Warren Wiersbe said "It is good to have God’s Word; it is even better to hear God’s Word; but the greatest blessing of all is to heed God’s Word (James 1:19–25)." (ED: As Samuel said " 1 Sa 15:22). The Spirit speaks several times in Acts (Acts 8:29) Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” (Acts 11:12) “The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. (Acts 13:2) While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 16:6) They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; (Acts 16:7) and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; (Acts 21:4) After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. Behold (idou) = Pay attention Peter! Are you sensitive to the Spirit's insertions of "Behold" in the Living and Active Word of God? If you are not, then you are missing out (as they say) because there are 1172 "beholds" beginning in Genesis 1 (Ge 1:29, 31 - Speaking to Adam and Eve in a perfect environment) and ending in Revelation 22 (Rev 22:7, 12 = Speaking to every son and daughter of God!). In English the verb "behold" means to "see with attention!" Perhaps because "behold" is used so frequently, we become somewhat "numb" to it's presence and purpose. But that should not be! In the Scripture "behold" is virtually always an imperative or command (in the Septuagint, the OT uses of hinneh [= "behold" in Hebrew] are usually translated with the Greek imperative idou). Here is the point -- "Behold" is not just a suggestion but a command to pay attention! And truth be told, every time we open the Book and ask God's Spirit to open the eyes of our heart (Ps 119:25 "open" = Heb galah = uncover what is hidden, Lxx = apokalupto in the aorist imperative = a pleading by the psalmist!), we should be prepared to "see with attention!" (And to heed without hesitation). As C H Spurgeon wisely said (parenthetically most everything Spurgeon said was wise!) - "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." THOUGHT - I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" Next time you are doing your daily reading of the Word, use it as an opportunity to practice the "5P's" - Pause to Ponder the Passage then Practice it in the Power of the Spirit. Three men are looking for you - Peter has the supernatural vision repeated three times and now receives additional supernatural confirmation regarding the three men sent by Cornelius. While the number "three" occurs twice in this story and several times in Peter's lifetime, it is difficult to ascribe a definitive significance to the number. Bengel on the Spirit's instructions - Peter was prepared by degrees for receiving this new direction (suggestion) of the Spirit. Believers are led gradually, so far as is sufficient for the time being, in each particular case. Looking is seeking, the Greek verb zeteo (present tense) speaks of making an effort and implies their utmost diligence to the task their master Cornelius had given them. Luke's uses of zeteo - Lk. 2:48; Lk. 2:49; Lk. 5:18; Lk. 6:19; Lk. 9:9; Lk. 11:9; Lk. 11:10; Lk. 11:16; Lk. 11:24; Lk. 11:29; Lk. 12:29; Lk. 12:31; Lk. 13:6; Lk. 13:7; Lk. 13:24; Lk. 15:8; Lk. 17:33; Lk. 19:3; Lk. 19:10; Lk. 19:47; Lk. 20:19; Lk. 22:2; Lk. 22:6; Lk. 24:5; Acts 9:11; Acts 10:19; Acts 10:21; Acts 13:8; Acts 13:11; Acts 16:10; Acts 17:5; Acts 17:27; Acts 21:31; Acts 27:30 Adrian Rogers - Learning to Yield to the Holy Spirit - Let me give you a few suggestions about yielding to the Holy Spirit. Remember that his guidance is promised in the Gospels by Jesus himself. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come" (John 16:13). Also his guidance is shown in the Book of Acts. "While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee" (Acts 10:19). "After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not" (Acts 16:7). And in his Epistle to the Romans, Paul makes clear that the Spirit of God leads the people of God. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Ro 8:14). How can we tell, however, if it is the Spirit of God or some other voice? How can we assure ourselves that the Spirit is leading rather than autosuggestion or human impression? Many foolish and hurtful things have been done by people who claim to have been led by the Spirit of God or some "inner light." One of the keys that I've found is to be aware of anything that disturbs our peace with God. Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts." The Greek word translated as rule is a verb form of the word for a judge or a referee in an athletic game. I can tell when I'm "out of bounds" because the Holy Spirit will blow the whistle. If you are walking in the Spirit, you will hear the whistle. There is authority everywhere, and we must yield. I was with some friends at a restaurant. We wanted to move some tables together so we could sit together. The waitress said, "You can't do that." To me it was obvious that we could and for practical purposes should. Had I been a manager in the restaurant, not only would I have encouraged it; I would have seen that it was done. At the time of this event, I was serving as president of the Southern Baptist Convention—the world's largest evangelical denomination. Here's a waitress telling us that we could not do a very reasonable thing. My first impression was to just do it anyway, and so I started to move the tables. At that moment the Holy Spirit blew a whistle and said, "Adrian, you're out of bounds. She is in authority here." Indeed she was. I submitted, and I am glad that I did. I have found that to yield to him in small things, everyday things, practical things makes it so much easier to yield in times of crisis. Oh, there is so much more in Jesus! We need to know it, reckon on it, and yield to it. Then, the mighty Spirit of God releases the awesome power of Kingdom Authority, and we can shout that "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Ro 8:2)! (The Incredible Power of Kingdom Authority) Charles Stanley - TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT IS TO OBEY THE INITIAL PROMPTINGS OF THE SPIRIT - To whom do you turn for daily guidance on how to live, what to do, where to go, whom to see, how to make decisions? The Scriptures tell us that the only Guide worth trusting is the Holy Spirit. He is the only One who knows our past completely, from the moment we were conceived to the present, and who also knows our future, from this day to eternity. Only He fully knows God’s plan and purpose for us, today and for each day of our lives. Only the Holy Spirit knows what is fully good and right for you. Any other opinion can reflect only part of the full truth, which the Holy Spirit knows completely. Jesus repeatedly referred to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth. Note what He said about the Holy Spirit’s activity in your life: “He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13). The Spirit of truth is like an inner compass in our lives—always pointing us toward what Jesus would be, say, or do in any given moment. od desires to make His will known to you. He wants you to know what to do and when to do it. Trust the Holy Spirit to be your daily Guide!Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus guided every day by the Holy Spirit. After God poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples, they too found themselves led in profound ways by the Holy Spirit. The verses below give just a few examples of how the Holy Spirit dealt with His people in ways that provided very personal and specific guidance. What He did for them then, He desires to do for you today. Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing (Acts 11:12).As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2).Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia (Acts 16:6). The leaders of the early church relied on the Holy Spirit to give them this kind of specific, personal guidance, and we are wise to do likewise. Both Romans 8:14 and Ephesians 5:18 refer to our being “led by the Spirit”—the norm of the Christian life. You may ask, “Are there any conditions placed upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives?” Yes. First, we must stay yielded to the Spirit. (ED: WE MUST CONFESS AND REPENT OF ANY KNOWN SIN LEST WE GRIEVE OR QUENCH HIM!) We must say yes to the Spirit when He prompts us to take a certain action or say a certain word. We must give mental assent to the Spirit’s direction, and then we must actually obey His prompting and follow through by doing or saying what He has called us to do or say. The Spirit often speaks to us in the stillness of our hearts with a word of conviction or assurance. When the Holy Spirit is directing us away from something harmful, we very often have a heaviness or a feeling of trouble, foreboding, or uneasiness in our spirits. When the Holy Spirit is directing us toward helpful things we tend to feel a deep inner peace, an eagerness to see what God will do, and a feeling of joy. How can you know if you are yielded to the Holy Spirit? You are yielded to Him when you can say to Him, “Here is what I desire. But if Your answer to this is ‘no,’ it’s all right. I’ll do what You say.” Second, we must believe for His guidance. We are much more likely to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say to us if we are actively listening for Him to speak. We are much more likely to see the Holy Spirit’s direction if we are looking for His signs. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God is a “rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” We are to be diligent in seeking His guidance, asking for it, watching for it, anticipating it, and receiving it. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal the truth to us. He has come in His all-knowing ability to impart to us what we need to know in order to live obedient and faithful lives. Trust Him to guide you, now and always. (Amen). (Life Principles Bible) Tuned In Read: Acts 10:1-23 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you." —Acts 10:19 God speaks to us primarily through His Word, the Bible. Sometimes, however, He directs in ways we do not expect. “I just asked my girlfriend’s mother that question,” said the man, “but she didn’t know.” “You mean you want to become a Christian?” Gary asked. “Yes, I do!” he replied. Still incredulous, Gary asked him again and then shared the plan of salvation with him. That night a young man met Jesus as his Savior. Some might call this a coincidence, but there’s a biblical parallel in Acts 10 with Cornelius and Peter, two men who were in touch with God’s Spirit. Not all believers have equally dramatic experiences. But if God’s Word, prayer, and obedience are a daily part of our lives, we will be tuned in to the Spirit’s leading and be ready to convey God’s love to others. Father, thank You for Your Spirit, Fill us with His love and power; Change us into Christ's own image Day by day and hour by hour. —Anon. When you open your heart to the Lord, He opens your eyes to the lost. Acts 10:20 "But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself." KJV Acts 10:20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. NLT Acts 10:20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don't worry, for I have sent them." get up Acts 8:26; 9:15; 15:7; Mark 16:15 for I have sent them Myself Acts 9:17; 13:4; Isaiah 48:16; Zech 2:9-11 Acts 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PETER'S DIVINE APPOINTMENT But (alla) is a Term of contrast. The Spirit is still addressing Peter. Here we see the contrast is sitting and reflecting in Acts 10:19 which needs to be changed to standing and responding. It is time to obey. Get up , go downstairs and accompany them - Get up (arise, stand up) indicates Peter was most likely on his knees, a good posture when communing with God! The Spirit gives two commands, go downstairs in the aorist imperative means "Do this now without hesitation or delay" and accompany them which is in the present imperative signifying keep on accompanying them, the idea being to accompany them until they reach their destination, a destination Peter still does not fully comprehend. Matthew
Atos 10
Piper: We have peace with God only when his anger at us because of our sins is put away, and replaced by peace. (Exalting Jesus so the Spirit Falls) Peace (1515)(eirene from verb eiro = to join or bind together that which has been separated) literally pictures the binding or joining together again of that which had been separated or divided and thus setting at one again. Luke's uses of eirene - Lk. 1:79 (Jesus' visited earth "To guide our feet into the way of peace.”); Lk. 2:14; Lk. 2:29; Lk. 7:50; Lk. 8:48; Lk. 10:5; Lk. 10:6; Lk. 11:21; Lk. 12:51; Lk. 14:32; Lk. 19:38; Lk. 19:42; Lk. 24:36; Acts 7:26; Acts 9:31; Acts 10:36; Acts 12:20; Acts 15:33; Acts 16:36; Acts 24:2 Paul Apple - No Peace if Jesus is not Lord – the flesh wages war against the Spirit; the kingdom of God is at enmity with the kingdom of Satan; you cannot be a friend of the world and a friend of God – you must be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ to experience the precious peace He came to offer He is Lord of all - Here is the phrase that shows the sun of the Son has shined in Peter's heart who now sees Jesus as Lord of all! This emphasizes both Jesus’ deity, since the Lord is God, and His absolute authority. It also alludes to the universal scope of salvation blessings available in Him. Peter later emphasizes Jesus' authority declaring that Jesus "has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead." (Acts 10:42). Of all opens the door of salvation not only to those who are near (Jews) but to those who are far off (Gentiles). Now we know that “all the people” (Lk 2:10) includes the Gentiles. God had declared this truth even in the Old Testament... Creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near,” Says the LORD, “and I will heal him.” (Isaiah 57:19) In Romans 10:12+ Paul writes "For (term of explanation - explaining "“WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” Ro 10:11) there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; Robertson on He is Lord of all - A triumphant parenthesis that Peter throws in as the reason for his new truth. Jesus Christ is Lord of all, both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 10 Commentary) Larkin - When the shattering good news “Jesus Christ is Lord of all people” is heard and heeded, the church is liberated from its cultural parochialism, set free to witness “across the tracks” and across the world. (The Mission Is Inaugurated Through Peter Acts 9:32-11:18) Swindoll - The title “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36) was significant to everyone in the room, but for different reasons. Romans sometimes conferred deity upon their emperors, whom they saw as rulers of the world even beyond their borders. Pagan worshipers used the title in reference to their mythical gods. And Peter gained a new appreciation for the title “Lord of all”—not just the Lord of the Jews—as a result of his recent experience. (see Insights on Acts)
Atos 10
Piper - Jesus is stronger than the devil. Jesus rescues people who are oppressed and harassed and tormented and tempted by the devil. Peter lifts up this truth. He wants Cornelius and his family— and us—to know this and believe it and experience it. When the Holy Spirit comes, he comes to make Jesus real as a deliverer from satanic oppression. (Exalting Jesus So the Spirit Falls) Paul Apple points out that "We do not think much about the power of the devil and how he presently is oppressing people." And healing all who were oppressed by the devil - Jesus healed all, not some, and so He continually manifested to everyone that His power was greater than the Devil's power. Peter recognizes the devil as a reality, not an imagined being. (cf Lk 13:16+; Lk 11:14–23+)