From the pulpit
Sparks From The Gospel Anvil
Acts 1:4-8
Our scriptures bring us to our Lord’s final briefing with His disciples before His ascension. Verse 8, which is noted as the key to the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, not only emphasizes the promise of power, but a complete, systematic approach to world evangelism.
In verses 4 and 5 we see the promise that confined the disciples; they were told by the Lord to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. And for 10 days, the disciples met in the upper room and prayed. In verses 6 and 7, we see the prophecy which consumed them and like all patriotic Jews, the disciples longed for what the prophets had predicted, which was the restoration of the Kingdom to the House of Israel.
And when they were told to return to the city of Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father, they apparently thought the time had come. But the Lord said, “It is not for you to know the times and the seasons the Father hath put in His own power,” meaning the time table for future events rests with God the Father. And with that said, the Lord turned their attention to the pressing matter of world evangelism. It is in verse 8 we see the power which changed them, note the words, “but ye shall receive power.”
The two words used for power in verses 7 and 8 are not the same. In verse 7 Jesus refers to the Father’s power, meaning absolute authority, to do as He pleases, the risen Lord was also given this same authority; because He said, “All Smith power (or authority) is given…” His authority then, is the basis for the Great Commission; as He said, “Go ye, therefore…” in verse 8, the word for power means ability, might, strength, or force.
This aspect of God’s power is seen in Acts 4:33, “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ;” meaning they preached in the power of The Holy Spirit! There is a difference in preaching in the power of The Holy Spirit and preaching in the flesh, just read the accounts of John Wesley, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, W.P. Nicholson, Gipsy Smith, Billy Sunday, Angel Martinez, Amy Carmichael, Bailey Smith and William and Catherine Booth. They were not out there just for their own agenda, but preaching the Lord Jesus to the masses and calling on men, women, boys and girls to repent of their sins, forsake them, and follow Christ.
We also need to document the promise, it originated with God the Father, in fact it is called the Promise of the Father, the prophet Joel predicted God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. John the Baptist preached Christ would baptize His followers with The Holy Spirit and Jesus prayed for the Father to send “another Comforter” The Holy Spirit, which would “abide with the disciples forever.” And finally, the Apostle Peter proclaimed the promise fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when he said, “This is that which was…” The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual power and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles would not exist if The Holy Spirit had not acted through them. If you remove the 70 references to the Holy Spirit in Acts, you will remove the “supernatural” and all you have left is a helpless church in a hopeless world!
But thank God that what the Father promised, the Prophet predicted, the Baptist preached, the Lord prayed for, and Peter proclaimed, is fulfilled and is personalized by the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer.
Ancient Words — Propaganda vs Fake News
Propaganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. Propaganda is associated with the psychological mechanisms of influencing and altering the attitude of a population toward a specific cause, position or political agenda in an effort to form a consensus to a standard set of belief patterns. Propaganda uses methods like lying by omission, loaded language and selective perception to influence an audience.
Fake News: The deliberate production of misinformation or hoaxes. Fake news is published to mislead in order to gain financially or politically Johnson and fabricates a news story to increase readership and profit through financial rewards. Not much difference between the two.
Our TV news in the 50’s came on at 5:30 p.m. in Texas and lasted 30 minutes. This was national news and at this time we heard reports and saw pictures of newsworthy events for the country and sometimes even for the world. At the same time, we were taught in school about the evil of propaganda.
I suppose it is because of man’s quest for knowledge that TV news is now found 24/7 (as they say). Maybe it is an insatiable desire to know what is happening not just in our own backyard but in the backyard of everyone everywhere. Technology in electronic communication has advanced, of course, and now with billions of smartphones available, almost the entire world can keep up with what is going on at anytime and at anyplace.
Unfortunately, the simple news of old has quickly evolved into much complex fake news and propaganda in reporting. The reason is simple – $$$. News channels now must seek ratings which comes from viewership, which generate $$$ from advertisers.
The trustworthiness of most national news channels must be at an all time low yet the quest for the world to receive information continues to rise. Is there anyone, anywhere who is capable of broadcasting news without half-truths, biased editorials, opinionated underlying objectives, or manipulative reporting?
The propaganda and fake news of today is nothing new for mankind. About 1,984 years back a crucifixion of an innocent man took place in Jerusalem. Pilate was satisfied as he washed his hands, Herod was pleased as he got to meet the “miracle worker” before the death, Caiaphas was smug as his work for three years came to a conclusion, and the Jewish crowd who chanted “crucify” was certain the “imposter” met his justified death.
But wait…Sunday morning a group of women reported the tomb where Jesus was laid is now empty. The Roman guards who stood stonefaced while angels were in attendance ran to the city to tell the chief priests. They were certain not to tell Pilate as he had ordered them on Saturday to secure the stone lest the body be stolen so they went to Caiaphas and company. Propaganda and fake news is now in the making. The chief priests devise a plan for the soldiers to report as the official news line of the day: “Jesus’ disciples came during the night and stole the body while the guards were asleep.”
This plan was accompanied with $$$ so the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. They told this story to satisfy Pilate, the governor, and Matthew reports in chapter 28:15 that this story, this propaganda, this fake news, was still in circulation when the Gospel of Matthew was written, about 30 years later.
No wonder the disciples were confused and Thomas was doubting. The “news” of the day even on resurrection Sunday was that Jesus’ body was stolen from the grave. Thomas, a week later, demanded proof because, no doubt, he had heard this “news” as well.
The appetite for evil is insatiable, always craving but never satisfied, always conniving but never honest, always deceitful and never truthful. Evil loves propaganda and fake news. Nefarious objectives are seemingly accomplished when subjects succumb to the false narrative. Satan is still active in resisting the resurrection Sunday of the Son of God, he is still promoting the evil propaganda of yesterday. Innocent Christian worshippers (men, women, children, babies) were blown to pieces this past Easter in Egypt as they entered two church buildings for a Palm Sunday service.
To refute the propaganda/fake news of resurrection Sunday, Jesus opened the eyes of his disciples by showing the scars in his hand and side — saying you believe because you have seen, but blessed are those who have not seen yet believe.
“All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:.16-17).” No propaganda or fake news in our Bibles and praise God that the power of His Ancient Words still defeats any false narrative of our day. The power and truth of resurrection Sunday remains!!