WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.860 Henry: Welcome to immerse, the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:02.978 --> 00:00:03.588 Day eleven. 00:00:04.347 --> 00:00:08.157 volume two of Luke Acts, the book of Acts. 00:00:11.772 --> 00:00:15.522 In my first book, I told you Theophilus about everything Jesus 00:00:15.522 --> 00:00:19.092 began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven. 00:00:19.182 --> 00:00:22.842 After giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit 00:00:23.562 --> 00:00:28.002 during the 40 days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from 00:00:28.002 --> 00:00:33.402 time to time and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive and he 00:00:33.402 --> 00:00:35.202 talked to them about the kingdom of God. 00:00:36.402 --> 00:00:39.012 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them. 00:00:39.252 --> 00:00:42.312 Do not leave Jerusalem until the father sends you the gift. 00:00:42.312 --> 00:00:43.092 He promised. 00:00:43.182 --> 00:00:48.252 As I told you before John baptized with water, but in just a few days you 00:00:48.257 --> 00:00:50.232 will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 00:00:51.312 --> 00:00:55.362 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, Lord 00:00:55.542 --> 00:00:59.322 has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom. 00:00:59.997 --> 00:01:04.887 He replied, the father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, 00:01:05.007 --> 00:01:09.207 and they are not for you to know, but you will receive power when the Holy 00:01:09.212 --> 00:01:14.277 Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me 00:01:14.277 --> 00:01:19.617 everywhere in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 00:01:20.937 --> 00:01:25.557 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and 00:01:25.557 --> 00:01:29.997 they could no longer see him as they strained to see him rising into heaven. 00:01:30.297 --> 00:01:34.737 Two white robed men suddenly stood among them men of Galilee. 00:01:35.067 --> 00:01:38.487 They said, why are you standing here staring into heaven? 00:01:38.997 --> 00:01:43.587 Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from 00:01:43.587 --> 00:01:45.807 heaven in the same way you saw him go. 00:01:47.232 --> 00:01:49.902 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of 00:01:49.902 --> 00:01:51.972 Olives, a distance of half a mile. 00:01:52.452 --> 00:01:55.062 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the 00:01:55.062 --> 00:01:56.292 house where they were staying. 00:01:57.402 --> 00:01:59.082 Here are the names of those who are present. 00:01:59.472 --> 00:02:04.002 Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Thomas 00:02:04.152 --> 00:02:07.182 Bartholomew, Matthew James, Val. 00:02:08.067 --> 00:02:13.107 Simon, the zealot and Judas son of James, they all met together and were 00:02:13.107 --> 00:02:17.667 constantly united in prayer, along with Mary, the mother of Jesus, several 00:02:17.667 --> 00:02:19.827 other women and the brothers of Jesus. 00:02:20.727 --> 00:02:25.617 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter 00:02:25.617 --> 00:02:28.047 stood up and addressed them brothers. 00:02:28.197 --> 00:02:32.427 He said the scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who 00:02:32.427 --> 00:02:34.347 guided those who arrested Jesus. 00:02:34.857 --> 00:02:38.037 This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit speaking through 00:02:38.037 --> 00:02:42.537 King David Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us. 00:02:43.737 --> 00:02:46.497 Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his 00:02:46.497 --> 00:02:49.017 treachery falling headfirst there. 00:02:49.227 --> 00:02:52.767 His body split open, spilling out all his intestines. 00:02:53.247 --> 00:02:56.847 The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they 00:02:56.847 --> 00:03:01.557 gave the place the Aramaic name, AAMA, which means field of blood. 00:03:02.502 --> 00:03:03.462 Peter continued. 00:03:03.942 --> 00:03:07.962 This was written in the Book of Psalms where it says, let his home become 00:03:07.962 --> 00:03:09.732 desolate with no one living in it. 00:03:10.302 --> 00:03:13.272 It also says, let someone else take his position. 00:03:14.112 --> 00:03:17.832 So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who 00:03:17.837 --> 00:03:21.702 were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus from 00:03:21.702 --> 00:03:25.662 the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. 00:03:26.142 --> 00:03:30.342 Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection. 00:03:31.287 --> 00:03:35.517 So they nominated two men, Joseph called Barsabas, also 00:03:35.517 --> 00:03:37.887 known as Justice and Mathias. 00:03:38.277 --> 00:03:43.437 Then they all prayed, oh Lord, you know, every heart show us which of these 00:03:43.437 --> 00:03:48.117 men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry for he has 00:03:48.117 --> 00:03:50.547 deserted us and gone where he belongs. 00:03:51.327 --> 00:03:54.747 Then they cast lots and Mathias was selected to become an 00:03:54.747 --> 00:03:56.307 apostle with the other 11. 00:03:58.017 --> 00:04:02.097 On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place. 00:04:02.607 --> 00:04:05.667 Suddenly there was a sound from heaven, like the roaring of a 00:04:05.667 --> 00:04:09.087 mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 00:04:09.717 --> 00:04:14.157 Then what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared in, settled on each 00:04:14.157 --> 00:04:18.717 of them, and everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began 00:04:18.717 --> 00:04:22.707 speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 00:04:23.547 --> 00:04:27.717 At that time, there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 00:04:28.257 --> 00:04:31.497 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running and they were 00:04:31.502 --> 00:04:35.457 bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. 00:04:36.327 --> 00:04:37.887 They were completely amazed. 00:04:38.307 --> 00:04:39.417 How can this be? 00:04:39.687 --> 00:04:40.497 They exclaimed? 00:04:41.007 --> 00:04:44.997 These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking 00:04:44.997 --> 00:04:46.647 in our own native languages. 00:04:47.157 --> 00:04:47.967 Here we are. 00:04:48.267 --> 00:04:55.587 Parthians Meads, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, 00:04:55.737 --> 00:05:01.557 the province of Asia, regia, paraphilia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around 00:05:01.557 --> 00:05:08.517 Cyi visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs. 00:05:09.237 --> 00:05:12.597 And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about 00:05:12.597 --> 00:05:14.397 the wonderful things God has done. 00:05:15.057 --> 00:05:17.607 They stood there amazed and perplexed. 00:05:18.177 --> 00:05:19.317 What can this mean? 00:05:19.647 --> 00:05:23.307 They asked each other, but others in the crowd ridiculed 00:05:23.312 --> 00:05:25.077 them, saying They're just drunk. 00:05:25.077 --> 00:05:25.707 That's all. 00:05:26.637 --> 00:05:31.227 Then Peter stepped forward with the 11 other apostles and shouted to the crowd. 00:05:31.647 --> 00:05:35.937 Listen carefully, all of you fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem, 00:05:36.537 --> 00:05:38.307 make no mistake about this. 00:05:38.877 --> 00:05:42.447 These people are not drunk as some of you are assuming. 00:05:42.897 --> 00:05:45.507 Nine o'clock in the morning is much too early for that. 00:05:46.167 --> 00:05:46.617 No. 00:05:46.797 --> 00:05:50.097 What you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel. 00:05:50.907 --> 00:05:52.227 In the last days. 00:05:52.287 --> 00:05:56.307 God says, I will pour out my spirit upon all people. 00:05:56.757 --> 00:05:58.947 Your sons and daughters will prophesy. 00:05:59.187 --> 00:06:03.297 Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 00:06:03.897 --> 00:06:08.307 In those days, I will pour out my spirit, even on my servants, men and 00:06:08.307 --> 00:06:10.437 women alike, and they will prophesy. 00:06:11.037 --> 00:06:14.907 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below 00:06:15.357 --> 00:06:17.997 blood and fire and clouds of smoke. 00:06:18.537 --> 00:06:22.857 The sun will become dark and the moon will turn blood red before that 00:06:22.862 --> 00:06:27.957 great and glorious day of the Lord arrives, but everyone who calls on 00:06:27.962 --> 00:06:30.087 the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:06:31.062 --> 00:06:36.492 People of Israel, listen, God publicly endorsed Jesus The Nazarene by 00:06:36.492 --> 00:06:41.442 doing powerful miracles, wonders and signs through him, as you well know. 00:06:42.162 --> 00:06:46.752 But God knew what would happen and his prearranged plan was carried out. 00:06:46.752 --> 00:06:51.912 When Jesus was betrayed with the help of lawless gentiles, you nailed 00:06:51.917 --> 00:06:53.682 him to a cross and killed him. 00:06:54.327 --> 00:06:57.417 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised 00:06:57.417 --> 00:06:59.277 him back to life for death. 00:06:59.277 --> 00:07:01.107 Could not keep him in its grip. 00:07:02.007 --> 00:07:03.777 King David said this about him. 00:07:04.437 --> 00:07:06.807 I see that the Lord is always with me. 00:07:07.227 --> 00:07:09.957 I will not be shaken for he is right beside me. 00:07:10.527 --> 00:07:13.527 No wonder my heart is glad and my tongue shouts. 00:07:13.527 --> 00:07:14.397 His praises. 00:07:14.997 --> 00:07:20.457 My body rests in hope for you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow 00:07:20.457 --> 00:07:22.767 your holy one to rot in the grave. 00:07:23.397 --> 00:07:26.667 You have shown me the way of life and you will fill me 00:07:26.667 --> 00:07:28.407 with the joy of your presence. 00:07:29.307 --> 00:07:31.137 Dear brothers, think about this. 00:07:31.617 --> 00:07:35.907 You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn't referring to himself for 00:07:35.907 --> 00:07:40.737 he died and was buried and his tomb is still here among us, but he was a 00:07:40.737 --> 00:07:45.657 prophet and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David's own 00:07:45.657 --> 00:07:47.547 descendants would sit on his throne. 00:07:48.222 --> 00:07:51.702 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah's 00:07:51.702 --> 00:07:56.232 resurrection, he was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or 00:07:56.237 --> 00:07:58.542 allow his body to rot in the grave. 00:07:59.502 --> 00:08:04.602 God raised Jesus from the dead and we are all witnesses of this now. 00:08:04.602 --> 00:08:09.252 He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven at God's right hand, 00:08:09.942 --> 00:08:14.532 and the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out 00:08:14.532 --> 00:08:17.442 upon us just as you see and hear today. 00:08:18.072 --> 00:08:23.382 For David himself, never ascended into heaven yet he said, the Lord said to my 00:08:23.382 --> 00:08:29.022 Lord, sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, 00:08:29.322 --> 00:08:31.392 making them a footstool under your feet. 00:08:32.262 --> 00:08:37.632 So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you 00:08:37.632 --> 00:08:40.992 crucified to be both Lord and Messiah. 00:08:42.222 --> 00:08:46.422 Peter's words pierced their hearts and they said to him and to the other 00:08:46.422 --> 00:08:49.242 apostles, Brothers, what should we do? 00:08:50.052 --> 00:08:55.332 Peter replied, each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be 00:08:55.332 --> 00:08:58.992 baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. 00:08:59.682 --> 00:09:02.412 Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:03.012 --> 00:09:08.172 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away, all who 00:09:08.172 --> 00:09:10.062 have been called by the Lord our God. 00:09:11.232 --> 00:09:15.012 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging 00:09:15.012 --> 00:09:18.972 all his listeners, save yourselves from this crooked generation. 00:09:20.202 --> 00:09:23.862 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the 00:09:23.867 --> 00:09:27.222 church that day, about 3000 in all. 00:09:28.782 --> 00:09:33.222 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship 00:09:33.462 --> 00:09:37.602 and to sharing in meals, including the Lord's Supper and to prayer. 00:09:38.517 --> 00:09:42.927 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many 00:09:42.927 --> 00:09:47.547 miraculous signs and wonders, and all the believers met together in one 00:09:47.547 --> 00:09:50.067 place and shared everything they had. 00:09:50.667 --> 00:09:55.047 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 00:09:55.617 --> 00:09:59.097 They worshiped together at the temple each day, met in homes for 00:09:59.097 --> 00:10:03.597 the Lord's Supper and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. 00:10:04.062 --> 00:10:09.012 All the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people, and 00:10:09.012 --> 00:10:13.362 each day, the Lord added to their fellowship, those who were being saved. 00:10:14.922 --> 00:10:18.012 Peter and John went to the temple one afternoon to take part in 00:10:18.012 --> 00:10:19.512 the three o'clock prayer service. 00:10:19.962 --> 00:10:25.392 As they approached the temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in each day. 00:10:25.392 --> 00:10:29.862 He was put beside the temple gate, the one called the beautiful gate, so he could 00:10:29.867 --> 00:10:31.782 beg from the people going into the temple. 00:10:32.442 --> 00:10:36.312 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 00:10:37.152 --> 00:10:41.202 Peter and John looked at him intently and Peter said, look at us. 00:10:41.832 --> 00:10:46.062 The lame man looked at them eagerly expecting some money, but Peter 00:10:46.067 --> 00:10:50.172 said, I don't have any silver or gold for you, but I'll give you what 00:10:50.232 --> 00:10:53.022 I have in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:10:53.022 --> 00:10:55.782 The Nazarene get up and walk. 00:10:56.877 --> 00:11:01.617 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up, and as 00:11:01.617 --> 00:11:05.877 he did, the man's feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 00:11:06.357 --> 00:11:09.927 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk. 00:11:10.407 --> 00:11:13.557 Then walking, leaping and praising God. 00:11:13.797 --> 00:11:15.477 He went into the temple with them. 00:11:16.377 --> 00:11:19.947 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 00:11:20.487 --> 00:11:24.477 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the beautiful 00:11:24.477 --> 00:11:27.027 gate, they were absolutely astounded. 00:11:27.717 --> 00:11:31.767 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon's colon aid where the man was 00:11:31.772 --> 00:11:33.807 holding tightly to Peter and John. 00:11:35.037 --> 00:11:39.507 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd people of Israel. 00:11:39.717 --> 00:11:44.727 He said, what is so surprising about this and why stare at us as 00:11:44.727 --> 00:11:48.717 though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 00:11:49.137 --> 00:11:55.017 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of all our ancestors who 00:11:55.017 --> 00:11:57.267 has brought glory to his servant Jesus. 00:11:57.267 --> 00:12:01.617 By doing this, this is the same Jesus whom you handed over 00:12:01.617 --> 00:12:03.177 and rejected before Pilate. 00:12:03.387 --> 00:12:07.707 Despite Pilate's decision to release him, you rejected this 00:12:07.707 --> 00:12:12.057 holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 00:12:12.567 --> 00:12:16.977 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. 00:12:17.277 --> 00:12:21.507 And we are witnesses of this fact through faith in the name 00:12:21.507 --> 00:12:23.217 of Jesus, this man was healed. 00:12:23.487 --> 00:12:28.197 And you know how crippled he was before faith in Jesus' name has healed him. 00:12:28.202 --> 00:12:34.047 Before your very eyes friends, I realize that what you and your leaders 00:12:34.047 --> 00:12:38.997 did to Jesus was done in ignorance, but God was fulfilling what all the 00:12:38.997 --> 00:12:43.197 prophets had foretold about the Messiah, that he must suffer these things. 00:12:43.992 --> 00:12:49.512 Now repent of your sins and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped away. 00:12:50.082 --> 00:12:54.912 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord and he will again 00:12:54.912 --> 00:13:00.312 send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah for he must remain in heaven until the time 00:13:00.317 --> 00:13:02.352 for the final restoration of all things. 00:13:02.532 --> 00:13:07.752 As God promised long ago through his holy prophets, Moses said, the Lord 00:13:07.752 --> 00:13:12.492 your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people. 00:13:13.137 --> 00:13:15.357 Listen carefully to everything he tells you. 00:13:15.927 --> 00:13:20.157 Then Moses said, anyone who will not listen to that prophet will be 00:13:20.157 --> 00:13:22.347 completely cut off from God's people. 00:13:23.277 --> 00:13:27.717 Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 00:13:28.287 --> 00:13:32.337 You are the children of those prophets and you are included in the covenant 00:13:32.367 --> 00:13:34.227 God promise to your ancestors. 00:13:34.917 --> 00:13:38.907 For God said to Abraham through your descendants, all the 00:13:38.907 --> 00:13:40.917 families on Earth will be blessed. 00:13:41.622 --> 00:13:46.182 When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of 00:13:46.182 --> 00:13:50.772 Israel to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways. 00:13:52.122 --> 00:13:55.692 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted 00:13:55.692 --> 00:13:59.892 by the priests, the captain of the Temple Guard and some of the Sadducees. 00:14:00.462 --> 00:14:03.732 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching 00:14:03.732 --> 00:14:07.272 the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. 00:14:08.007 --> 00:14:11.217 They arrested them and since it was already evening, put 00:14:11.217 --> 00:14:12.567 them in jail until morning. 00:14:13.287 --> 00:14:15.987 But many of the people who heard their message believed it. 00:14:16.407 --> 00:14:20.367 So the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000. 00:14:22.137 --> 00:14:24.987 This concludes today's Immerse Reading experience. 00:14:25.137 --> 00:14:26.337 Thank you for joining us.