2026 Bible Study Thread

[GodfatherPartTwo]

Acts 3

[11] And as the cripple which was healed, held Peter and John, all the people ran amazed unto them in the porch which is called Solomon’s. [12] So when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so steadfastly on us, as though by our own power or godliness, we had made this man go? [13] The God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom ye betrayed, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had judged him to be delivered. [14] But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be given you, [15] And killed the Lord of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses. [16] And his Name hath made this man sound, whom ye see and know, through faith in his Name; and the faith which is by him, hath given to him this perfect health of his whole body in the presence of you all.

The Apostle Peter heals a man. Rather, God heals a man and grants it to Peter to do the miracle. Peter, being a true believer, rejects any credit for this miracle and gives the glory to God. When I read this, I can't help but think of how many "holy men" that claim to have the ability to perform signs and wonders. Even more shame on the heads of those who ascribe the power of miracles to them. Do any of them speak like the Apostles? Do any of them say, "It is not I who does the miracle, but it is the power of Jesus Christ"? Speak like the Apostles and not like these make-believers.

[19] Therefore, repent and turn, that your sins may be put away, when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. [20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, [21] Whom the heaven must contain until the time that all things be restored, which God had spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began. [22] For Moses said unto the Fathers, The Lord your God shall raise up unto you a Prophet, even of your brethren, like unto me; ye shall hear him in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. [23] For it shall be that every person which shall not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed out of the people. [24] Also all the Prophets from Samuel, and thenceforth as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. [25] Ye are the children of the Prophets, and of the covenant, which God hath made unto our fathers, saying to Abraham, Even in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. [10] [26] First unto you hath God raised up his Son Jesus, and him he hath sent to bless you, in turning every one of you from your iniquities.

One of Martin Luther's rediscoveries was that the Scripture teaches repentance, not penance. To repent means to turn away from your false beliefs and evil works. To do penance is to take it upon yourself to pay for your evil works. This text reinforces that metanoia, repentance, does in fact mean to change or turn away. By truly placing your faith in Jesus Christ you are turning away from your own works, your superstitions and broken beliefs. You know that these cannot save you, but Jesus can. You may see a key example of repentance in that great Apostle Peter. He rejected the crucifixion before it even happened, yet here, he says that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and die, his mind having been opened by the Lord to understand the Scriptures.

 

[GodfatherPartTwo]

Acts 4

[10] Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, whom God raised again from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you, whole. [11] This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is become the chief cornerstone. [12] Neither is there salvation in any other; for among men there is given no other Name under heaven, whereby we must be saved.

The Apostles Peter and John are arrested for a good work. When interrogated, they profess that they are doing the will of Jesus. This is one of my favorite verses. There is salvation in no one else and there is no other name given under heaven by which men must be saved than the name of Jesus Christ.

[18] So they called them, and commanded them, that in no wise they should speak or teach in the Name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered unto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God, judge ye. [20] For we cannot but speak the thing which we have seen and heard. [21] So they threatened them, and let them go, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people, for all men praised God for that which was done.

This is where the divine law, the preaching of the Gospel, comes into direct conflict with the human law, the prohibition of the Gospel. In this case, follow the example of the Apostles. We must obey God rather than men. These aren't always opposed to each other, but when they are, fidelity to God separates the true believers from the make-believers.

[24] And when they heard it, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord, and said, O Master, thou art the God which hast made the heaven, and the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, [25] Which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people imagine vain things? [26] The Kings of the earth assembled, and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against his Christ. [27] For doubtless, against thy holy Son Jesus, whom thou hadst anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel gathered themselves together, [28] To do whatsoever thy hand, and thy counsel had determined before to be done. [29] And now, O Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word, [30] So that thou stretch forth thy hand, that healing, and signs, and wonders may be done by the Name of thy holy Son Jesus. [31] And when as they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God boldly.

The Apostles pray to the "Despot", the Master, God. They consider the scribes and Pharisees to be spiritual Gentiles for rejecting Christ, they cannot be true Jews. The crucifixion of Jesus was predestined by God. As the Apostle Paul says, if the rulers of this world really knew what they were doing when they crucified Jesus, they never would've done it. So humble yourselves in that God is wiser and more benevolent in His predetermination than you are in your free-will. Without God's predestination, no one would be saved and as Revelation says, Christ was crucified before the foundation of the world.