Canonical Reading Plan for Nov 17, Act 11-13

Today's readings are Act 11-13.

In Act 11, we see the church, praising God for sending the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. This is evidence of the transformation the gospel has brought to these Jews who previously despised the Gentiles. Act 11:18 tells us God has "granted" repentance to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Some may struggle with the thought that repentance is granted (given) by God. Many people would rather believe that they decide to repent.  However, we see the same idea again in 2 Tim 2:25. Meanwhile, the command to repent appears several times in the Scriptures. These are all examples of the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility we see in the Bible. God is utterly sovereign over those who repent while holding accountable those who refuse to do so.

We also see the church expand beyond the borders of Judah, into Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. Here's the pattern, so far;

And here's a map of the "Diaspora," the scattered Jews after Pentecost

Believers begin to die for the sake of the gospel In Act 12. The non-believing Jews become increasingly hostile to the church. James is executed, and Peter is imprisoned. The new church unites in prayer for Peter, and he is, once again, miraculously delivered. Yet, in Act 12:18-19, others die because of Peter's deliverance.

In Act 12:20-23, Herod's word and his pride are his undoing thus perpetuating a pattern among prideful kings and leaders we see in Scripture.

Meanwhile, in Act 12:24, God's word causes the church to continue to grow. As He did with the Jews in the Old Testament, God will use oppression and suffering to refine and multiply His people. Keep an eye out for this in the Book of Acts. You'll see that abuse and anger towards the church inevitably produce stronger teaching and broader dispersion of the gospel.

Paul's first missionary journey is detailed in Act 13;

Acts 11:9 told us about Paul being "filled with the Spirit." We saw this phrase used in describing Peter in Act 4:8 and the other Apostles in Act 2:4. This may be interpreted to mean they were particularly inspired in their speech. It may mean that they are supernaturally enabled to speak boldly and accurately. Luke uses this phrase, most frequently to denote an "empowering gift of God's creative or prophetic presence" as it says in the Anchor-Yale Bible Commentary. But we also see the phrase used in Act 9:17, describing Paul and his conversion. It appears again in Act 13:52, describing the disciples as being filled with "joy and with the Holy Spirit."

None of these descriptive instances should be taken to mean that there are times when anyone has more of the Spirit than others. However, they are times when some folks are more inspired. There is no evidence in the Bible that some believers have the Spirit or more of Him while others don't. The Scriptures tell us the Spirit dwells in us if we are believers (ex. Jhn 14:17). It does not say "Some of the Spirit dwells in us" nor "Some of us have the Spirit and others are waiting for it." In our union with Christ (Jhn 17), we become one with Him. That makes us one with the Spirit, all of Him, all the time.

Reading Act 13:9 in context, we can see a contrast between Paul and Elymas, the magician.  Elymas is described, in Act 13:10, as being "full of all deceit and villainy." Paul is described as "filled with the Spirit" in vs. 9. Luke is describing the tension between Paul, who is godly and Elymas, who is not. One of the overarching themes in Acts is the constant tension between godly and evil forces. There are those who would like to use verses like this to support the notion that some are "spirit-filled" while others are not. Scripture does not support any doctrine that divides the body into "haves" and "have-nots" regarding the Holy Spirit.