1888 Message Study : To Love Mercy

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2019-q3/to-love-mercy

"TO LOVE MERCY"

 

Syntax

Syntax is the arrangement of words and phrases which create well-formed sentences; in other words, it is the way in which words are put together to form phrases or clauses. Syntax denotes the rules for using words, phrases, clauses and punctuation. The word itself originates from the Greek word: suntaxis – a compound word, formed from sun - 'together' + tassein, meaning to 'arrange.' Hence the literal meaning is to arrange together, in a systematic way.

Each language has its own rules, or syntax, which indicates how the speakers or writers of the language will organize the words to make grammatical sense and give meaning. In general, English and Spanish languages use a similar basic sentence structure. However, when describing nouns, the general rule in Spanish indicates that the noun goes before the adjective and in English, the adjective precedes and modifies or describes the noun. For example, the red book, translated into Spanish, is "el libro rojo" (The book red), distilled water is "agua destilada" (water distilled), and the remote control, remote being the adjective and control being the noun, is "control remoto". Same meaning but the nouns and adjectives are switched.

The rules of each language, its syntax, also indicate the arrangement of concepts. Therefore, in the English language, explanations are expected to begin at the cause and lead to effect. Contrast this with the Hebrew language where the rules are different. Let us take for example Micah 6:8 to explain this. It reads,

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

This is the verse par excellence for biblical ethics and describes the true Christian lifestyle. In order to better understand what God is saying through Micah, we need to become acquainted with one crucial feature of biblical Hebrew thinking. When biblical authors want to explain a sequence of different actions, they describe them usually from the effect to the cause. This principle works from the visible to the invisible, from the superficial to the real, from the outside to the inside. We think and speak differently today; we explain things from cause to effect.

This means that to understand what Micah is really saying, to catch his message, we need to reverse his sequence of thoughts. We need to begin to study this verse, starting from the end. Therefore, the proper sequence for us today is:

First, "Walk humbly with the Lord!" This is the cause of all other actions described.

Second, "Love mercy!" This is the first result.

Finally, "Act justly!" This is the additional consequence.

Thus, walking humbly with the Lord leads to loving mercy, and acting justly— feats the carnal man is incapable of doing on his own. He will either love mercy or act justly, but not both. In turn, those who humbly walk before the Lord will both do justly and love mercy. There is no need to find a balance: for God's mercy is just, and His justice is merciful. If you only have one of these traits you are not walking humbly before the Lord. Ellen White says,

The laws of the nations bear marks of the infirmities and passions of the unrenewed heart; but God's laws bear the stamp of the divine, and if they are obeyed, they will lead to a tender regard for the rights and privileges of others. . . . His watchful care is over all the interests of His children, and He declares He will undertake the cause of the afflicted and the oppressed. If they cry unto Him, He says, "I will hear; for I am gracious."

A man of means, if he possesses strict integrity, and loves and fears God, may be a benefactor to the poor. He can help them, and take no more interest [on the money he lends] than can be mercifully exacted. He thus meets with no loss himself, and his unfortunate neighbor is greatly benefited, for he is saved from the hands of the dishonest schemer. The principles of the golden rule are not to be lost sight of for a moment in any business transaction. . . . God never designed that one person should prey upon another. He jealously guards the rights of His children, and in the books of Heaven great loss is set down on the side of the unjust dealer. {BLJ 170.3}

And, let us not forget that "…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me" (Matthew 25:40).

~ Raul Diaz

1888 Message Study : Living The Advent Hope

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2019-q3/living-the-advent-hope

"LIVING THE ADVENT HOPE"

 

Today's lesson, "Living the Advent Hope" is important as have been all the other lessons. On page 145 of the Teacher's Quarterly, we are challenged, "to live each day with a burning hope for God's coming kingdom while bringing those kingdom values to bear in our lives and the lives of those whom we serve. …We empathize with the prophetic cry for a hastened return of Christ in His kingdom. While we wait for the kingdom of glory, we are reminded of the opportunities for ministry right now, as we let Christ live out His life within us." I agree with all of this except for a sad reality. We are not supposed to still be here, and empathizing with the prophetic cry may not be enough. Hear these words from Ellen White:

"Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God."—Testimonies For The Church 6:450 (1900).

 

"I know that if the people of God had preserved a living connection with Him, if they had obeyed His Word, they would today be in the heavenly Canaan."—The General Conference Bulletin, March 30, 1903.

 

"If every watchman on the walls of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound, the world might ere this have heard the message of warning. But the work is years behind. While men have slept, Satan has stolen a march upon us."—Testimonies For The Church 9:29 (1909).

 

We cannot help but note the dates of these quotes, all written after the 1888 General Conference session. "We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel; but for Christ's sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action."—Letter 184, 1901.

As time, has gone on, many tragedies have devastated our planet, from wars to natural disasters like hurricane Dorian wreaking havoc in the Bahamas, to immense hatred that we see occurring and increasing here in our own country and abroad and politicians unable to lead, or leading poorly and our cry is that of Habakkuk, "O Lord, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, "Violence!" And You will not save." Habakkuk 1:2. Or John the Revelator in Revelation 6:10, "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

Indeed, the word of God tells us that the whole of creation groans.

"19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God…. 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now". Romans 8:19, 21 and 22.

It is not only we who groan. It is not just the creation that groans. "Those who think of the result of hastening or hindering the gospel think of it in relation to themselves and to the world. Few think of its relation to God. Few give thought to the suffering that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ's agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God. Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him. When there came upon Israel the calamities that were the sure result of separation from God, — subjugation by their enemies, cruelty, and death, — it is said that "His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel." "In all their affliction He was afflicted: ... and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old." Judges 10:16; Isaiah 63:9.

 

His Spirit "maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." As the "whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together" (Romans 8:26, 22), the heart of the infinite Father is pained in sympathy. Our world is a vast lazar house, a scene of misery that we dare not allow even our thoughts to dwell upon. Did we realize it as it is, the burden would be too terrible. Yet God feels it all. In order to destroy sin and its results He gave His best Beloved, and He has put it in our power, through co-operation with Him, to bring this scene of misery to an end. "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14." Ed 263.1,2.

We get to turn the television off but He cannot! He sees every act of injustice, every act of hatred, every evil committed against our fellowman, and all suffering, and all oppression. He sees our hearts. It is true, that as we have received the good news of the gospel, our hearts overflow with gratitude to God and love for our fellowman in acts of service.

 

Tuesday's lesson covers Matthew 24 and 25. At the end of Matthew chapter 23, Jesus has just lamented over Jerusalem and the failure of the Jewish nation to accept Him as Messiah. It was the last day of His teaching in the temple. "There stood the young Galilean, bearing no earthly honor or royal badge. Surrounding Him were priests in their rich apparel, rulers with robes and badges significant of their exalted station, and scribes with scrolls in their hands, to which they made frequent reference. Jesus stood calmly before them, with the dignity of a king. As one invested with the authority of heaven, He looked unflinchingly upon His adversaries, who had rejected and despised His teachings, and who thirsted for His life. They had assailed Him in great numbers, but their schemes to ensnare and condemn Him had been in vain. Challenge after challenge He had met, presenting the pure, bright truth in contrast to the darkness and errors of the priests and Pharisees. He had set before these leaders their real condition, and the retribution sure to follow persistence in their evil deeds. The warning had been faithfully given. DA 610

Now He retreats to the Mount of Olives with His disciples, and the question on their hearts as would be on our hearts is, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" Matthew 24:3. Jesus is standing in the shadow of the cross and everything He says will be full of meaning for the disciples and us! He gives much instruction and tucked amongst all His teaching is a verse that has been dear to the heart of every Adventist, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14. At least two things are noteworthy in this verse upon which we will focus for the rest of this insight. First, He says "this gospel". It's not just any gospel but "this gospel." It is not just a question of quantity, but of quality. It must be different. This gospel is complete, mature, and powerful enough to bring on the end of the age. The Seventh Day Adventist church has been called out from amongst God's people with a prophetic message. A message powerful enough to bring on the end. How do we know this? The message is the Three Angel's messages. If we look in Revelation 14 where these messages are found, we will see that immediately following the proclamation of these messages we have verses 14 and 15: "14Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."

When the Three Angel's Messages are proclaimed as a witness, it is the "this gospel" spoken of in Matthew that brings on the end of the age. Well what is the Three Angel's message?

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure." TM 91, 92.

 

"Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel's message, and I have answered, "It is the third angel's message, in verity."—The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.

 

 "The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel. There is no work in our world so great, so sacred, and so glorious, no work that God honors so much, as this gospel work." 6T 19.

 

On page 81 of the Teacher's Quarterly, two terms are introduced: Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy. Orthodoxy is defined as right opinion or right-thinking, or right-believing. Orthopraxy is defined as right acts, right practicing or right behaving. The author further states that orthodoxy is knowing the truth and orthopraxy is living the truth. "This gospel" – orthodoxy, "as a witness" – orthopraxy. When Matthew 24:14 says that "this gospel" is preached as a "witness", it is also speaking of living the gospel, orthopraxy, an important part of finishing the work. Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy, both important. We are comfortable with orthodoxy but may be less so with orthopraxy.

 

The title of the lesson and the author's focus is "Living the Advent Hope." How do we live the Advent Hope as we work and wait? Let us hear Ellen White.

 

"When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another." Thus, Christ on the Mount of Olives pictured to His disciples the scene of the great judgment day. And He represented its decision as turning upon one point. When the nations are gathered before Him, there will be but two classes, and their eternal destiny will be determined by what they have done or have neglected to do for Him in the person of the poor and the suffering.

 

In that day Christ does not present before men the great work He has done for them in giving His life for their redemption. He presents the faithful work they have done for Him." DA 637

 

Matthew 24 & 25 teach us about orthodoxy and orthopraxy: Orthodoxy-that which we believe. Orthopraxy that which we practice. Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 25, subsume both of these - "this gospel", orthodoxy and "as a witness", orthopraxy.

 

"But Christ beholds it all, and He says, it was I who was hungry and thirsty. It was I who was a stranger. It was I who was sick. It was I who was in prison. While you were feasting at your bountifully spread table, I was famishing in the hovel or the empty street. While you were at ease in your luxurious home, I had not where to lay My head. While you crowded your wardrobe with rich apparel, I was destitute. While you pursued your pleasures, I languished in prison.

 

When you doled out the pittance of bread to the starving poor, when you gave those flimsy garments to shield them from the biting frost, did you remember that you were giving to the Lord of glory?" DA 639-640

 

"Christ identifies His interest with that of suffering humanity. He reproved His own nation for their wrong treatment of their fellow-men. The neglect or abuse of the weakest, the most erring believers He speaks of as rendered to Himself. The favors shown them are accredited as bestowed upon Himself. He has not left us in darkness concerning our duty, but often repeats the same lessons through different figures and in different lights. He carries the actors forward to the last great day, and declares that the treatment given to the very least of His brethren is commended or condemned as if done to Himself. He says, "Ye did it unto Me," or, "Ye did it not unto Me." Letter 45, 1894.

"The tender sympathies of our Saviour were aroused for fallen and suffering humanity. If you would be His followers, you must cultivate compassion and sympathy. Indifference to human woes must give place to lively interest in the sufferings of others. The widow, the orphan, the sick, and the dying will always need help. Here is an opportunity to proclaim the gospel—to hold up Jesus, the hope and consolation of all men." The Medical Missionary, January, 1891

"Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, "Love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts." DA 641.

The opening sentence from the Ministry of Healing p.17 is compelling: "Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as the unwearied servant of man's necessity. He "took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses," that He might minister to every need of humanity. Matthew 8:17.

One day injustice, oppression and suffering will vanish and Revelation 21:1-5 will be a reality.

"1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.  2Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."5Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

 

Blessings – Lyndi Schwartz

1888 Message Study : Living The Gospel

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2019-q3/living-the-gospel

"LIVING THE GOSPEL"

 

As you ponder this week's lesson, I have two stories to share with you. I pray that they will both challenge and inspire you to let the Gospel go deeper into your heart and life. The first story is personal and unquestionably convicting. The second could be seen as a corporate wake up call for us to let the Gospel change the way we as a group interact and work within the world around us. Both are about vision and action: seeing ourselves and the world through God's eyes and loving the world and ourselves the way that God does. That is what living the Gospel is all about.

If you were a spider on the wall that day you would have seen two people reading and having devotions. Each was in their own chair. Both reading something different and spending time alone, yet together. Nothing exciting. Without the context, there would be no reason to look further; go back to catching bugs. Yet, with the context, the fact they were having devotions was remarkable and about to become supernatural. God was about to break into that time and space. Context and experience change realities.

As I sat there reading, all of a sudden, my wife, Penny, lifted her head and said something amazing, "we should pray for Susan Smith." That was it. She looked at me as the words left her mouth, and entered my ear canals. My ear drums took the message in, and miraculously translated the sound waves into intelligible thought. Yet, in the next milliseconds as my mind tried to comprehend her words, I failed to grasp what she could possibly mean. Within moments my face registered my absolute confusion, even anger. Pray for Susan Smith? Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?

My wife, who was still waking up some nights crying out for our babies who were stone cold dead and buried in Michigan, wanted to pray for Susan Smith? Susan Smith: the woman who strapped her children into her car, pushed it into a lake, stood and watched it go under, waited for the bubbles to stop breaking the surface of the water, and then called to report the car as missing. Susan Smith, a child murderer, pray for her? I will not tell you the thoughts that I was having in that moment. What could my wife want to pray about for Susan Smith? She and I were still reeling from our recent loss. We were only just beginning to function again and try to see God's love in the midst of our devastation. We had buried our children, she had killed hers.

Penny continued, "we need to pray for Susan Smith because she must have been hurting really badly to have thought that was the best choice she had to love her children." What??? Who was this talking to me? What could she, my precious, broken wife mean? In that moment, my wife was speaking for the heart of God. Because of something God was doing in her heart, she was responding to His amazing love and she was seeing the best in another. Penny's eyes discerned a desperate mother, hurting and trapped, with no more options, and my wife wanted to pray for Susan Smith's aching heart. Wow! That is God's love for the world. Let's listen to what Sister White has to say about God's abounding love.

"Theme for the most profound meditation! The matchless love of God for a world that did not love Him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul and brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. The more we study the divine character in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice and the more clearly we discern innumerable evidences of a love that is infinite and a tender pity surpassing a mother's yearning sympathy for her wayward child." Steps to Christ, page 14 (depending on pagination).

That day those words became a reality. By the grace of God, we were beginning to see the world differently around us. Not because of anything we had or could do, but because of God's amazing grace. God wants us to see the world through His eyes of love like that.

The second story is shorter. More of an illustration really. I heard about this ancient Jewish group activity while listening to the book, Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg. Imagine a group of people who would meet together on a regular basis to talk about others. Not too hard to imagine is it? Could be a church gathering, a prayer meeting, friends gossiping about others outside of their current circle. Lots of groups talk about others, often in less than flattering ways. But this group was different, almost divinely so.

Imagine a group who would meet together to think of good and plausible reasons for why people do rude things. People gathering together to construct possible reasons for why that person cut you off in traffic: maybe he was racing to the hospital to see his child who is dying. Or, the boss who bit your head off: maybe his meds were a little off and he was barely coping that day. Or, the person who hung up on you: perhaps they just dropped a mug and it exploded into a hundred sharp shards on the floor so they had to go. Over and over, whatever rude action, no matter how intentional or personal that could be thought of, the group would work to find a good reason. Like positive peer pressure to always see the best in another, each working together to come to a place that they could almost never be offended and always look upon others with grace, mercy, and love. They were thinking of forgiveness as an attitude! Likening it to a teflon coated pan that won't let anything stick to you. What a group! Wouldn't you love to be around people loving and living like that? A group too busy loving and seeing the best in others to ever succumb to petty offenses trying to sidetrack them from love. A group loving like Jesus, seeing the best in the world, even forgiving them as they nailed him to the cross!

This is the kind of love that Jesus had. It's the kind of love that we need in the last days and every day. This love comes when we realize that all of us are in exactly the same condition. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. No one is better than another and whenever we serve another it is because of the love we have already received not something we are doing to receive love. As one author says, "we work from love, not for love." Living the gospel means experiencing it firsthand and then sharing it with all we meet for the rest of our lives.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 ~Bryan Gallant

"MINISTRY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH"

THIRD QUARTER 2019
SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #9
AUGUST 31, 2019
"MINISTRY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH"
 

Our lesson this week, covers the ministry of people in the New Testament with whom we are very familiar, Peter, James, John, the Apostle Paul, all whose stories have blessed us. The lesson draws our attention to two passages in Acts 2 and 4 which describe uncommon and unusual behaviour.

The two passages were Acts 2:40-47 and Acts 4:32-37. The passage in Acts 2 reads, "42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

The second, Acts 4: 32-37 says, "32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet."

My first thought was "Isn't that amazing!!!" But this was followed very quickly with a thought. "Oh no. This is a hard saying" Imagine working hard to secure your future retirement and then giving it all away or saving for a fabulous trip or home, only to realize, "the Lord has need of them". 32 "…Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common."  This begs the question, what was it that brought about this response in their thinking and experience? What is it that made them tick?

Context is important. At first glance these accounts seem to support communism or socialism. Certainly, in our current political climate, we hear these terms tossed about. "In political and social sciences, communism (from Latin communis, "common, universal") is the philosophical, social, political, and economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of the communist society, which is a socioeconomic order structured upon the common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money, and the state." Socialism: "Originating within the socialist movement, social democracy has embraced a mixed economy with a market that includes substantial state intervention in the form of income redistribution, regulation, and a welfare state." But are either of these what we see going on in Acts 2 and 4. Was there some sort of mandate in the book of Acts, that they sell all and equalize society? I think not.

Our lesson looked at these two passages in isolation and the fallen side of us wants to say, yes, we need and must do this and more of that. However, Acts 2 and 4 have a context and the context is found in Acts 1: 13,14 where it says "13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." Acts 2:1 Continues: "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."  The chosen passages in Acts 2 and 4 follow the account of the upper room, Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Something happened in their thinking, their minds and hearts that caused them to, of one accord, give of themselves and their possessions.

As Ellen White put it, "The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a fullness that reached every heart. The Infinite One revealed Himself in power to His church. It was as if for ages this influence had been held in restraint, and now Heaven rejoiced in being able to pour out upon the church the riches of the Spirit's grace. And under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence and confession mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven. Words of thanksgiving and of prophecy were heard. All heaven bent low to behold and to adore the wisdom of matchless, incomprehensible love. Lost in wonder, the apostles exclaimed, "Herein is love." They grasped the imparted gift. And what followed? The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief. Thousands were converted in a day."  {AA 38.1}

So, when Peter got up to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified in Acts 2:14-41, he preached out of an experience with Jesus Christ that evoked a response in all who heard it. Space does not allow a rehearsing of that sermon here. But certainly verses 36-39 bare reproducing. 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." Peter was bold because he had been with Jesus and had finally come to know and understand what His mission and ministry were about. As the apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:3 3 "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."  It is important to note the elements in Peter's sermon in Acts 2:38,39, the preaching of the cross, a call to repentance (which was heeded), and a message for all people ("all who are afar off" is a reference to the Gentiles). So, Pentecost came and 3000 plus "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

How about Paul? Two days are devoted to him in this week's lesson. The lesson points us to Romans 12. In the first two verses of Romans 12, we find these words, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which I is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." How are our minds renewed? Paul says in verse 1 that it is by dwelling on the mercies of God. This is what brings about the resetting or renewing of our minds that causes us not only to share but to look forward to sharing all we have with others, esteeming others more worthy. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." This defines the difference between what is happening in Acts 2 and 4, and communism and socialism. Titus also helps us: "4 when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior." He was motivated by a self-emptying love. This is what motivates us and shows our grateful response of service in contradistinction to communism and socialism.

So, what about us as the Seventh-day Adventist church, those who "love His appearing", who are "looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God", who are longing for the outpouring of the latter rain? I will let the servant of the Lord, Ellen White speak, "More than eighteen centuries have passed since the apostles rested from their labors, but the history of their toils and sacrifices for Christ's sake is still among the most precious treasures of the church. This history, written under the direction of the Holy Spirit, was recorded in order that by it the followers of Christ in every age might be impelled to greater zeal and earnestness in the cause of the Saviour."  {AA 593.1}

     "The commission that Christ gave to the disciples, they fulfilled. As these messengers of the cross went forth to proclaim the gospel, there was such a revelation of the glory of God as had never before been witnessed by mortal man. By the co-operation of the divine Spirit, the apostles did a work that shook the world. To every nation was the gospel carried in a single generation."  {AA 593.2}

     "Glorious were the results that attended the ministry of the chosen apostles of Christ. At the beginning of their ministry some of them were unlearned men, but their consecration to the cause of their Master was unreserved, and under His instruction they gained a preparation for the great work committed to them. Grace and truth reigned in their hearts, inspiring their motives and controlling their actions. Their lives were hid with Christ in God, and self was lost sight of, submerged in the depths of infinite love."  {AA 593.3}

"What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world. As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded to the power of this message. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united with believers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions. The prophecy was fulfilled, "He that is feeble. . . shall be as David; and the house of David . . . as the angel of the Lord." Zechariah 12:8. Every Christian saw in his brother a revelation of divine love and benevolence. One interest prevailed; one subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom."  {AA 48.1}

     "With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." Acts 4:33. Under their labors were added to the church chosen men, who, receiving the word of truth, consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that filled their hearts with peace and joy. They could not be restrained or intimidated by threatenings. The Lord spoke through them, and as they went from place to place, the poor had the gospel preached to them, and miracles of divine grace were wrought." {AA 48.2}

Neither communism nor socialism are operative in Acts 2: 42-47 and 4: 32-37. The love of Christ constrained them. Love was the motivating force. In closing, these two quotes from Ellen White, sum up these verses and likely what God is hoping for in our church so that He can return to claim His likeminded children, "All who would bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ must first fall into the ground and die. The life must be cast into the furrow of the world's need. Self-love, self-interest, must perish. And the law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away. So in human life. To give is to live. The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man. Those who for Christ's sake sacrifice their life in this world will keep it unto life eternal."  {DA 623.5}

"Christ's followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service--service to God and to their fellow men. Here Christ has presented to the world a higher conception of life than they had ever known. By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the connecting link which binds us to God and to our fellow men."  {COL 326.3}

I look forward to the day when we as a people fulfilling the will of our Father in heaven, "continue daily with one accord in the temple, breaking bread from house to house, eating food with gladness and simplicity of heart." Acts 2:46

 

~Andi Hunsaker