Replacing Judas Acts 1:19-26

 Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Acts 1:19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.

Judas hanged himself and according to Mat 27:5, perhaps the limb broke for in Acts 1:18 he fell headlong to the ground. It is not how he died that matters, it is that he went to eternity not forgiven, having sought forgiveness in the wrong place.The high priests he sought for forgiveness were equally guilty. There is but one way given to man in which we may be saved.

Judas was with the disciples when Jesus showed them the way.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

This criteria is used as the qualifications of an apostle. They must have been with Jesus and learned from him. Peter adds that they must have been with him through his entire ministry. This disqualifies any future apostles, if we use these criteria. These were Peter's best reasonings, yet the thoughts of Peter.

Paul became an Apostle, having seen Jesus and he was taught by him, by revelation, but was not with him during his ministry. So the true qualifications for an Apostle are to have an encounter with Jesus, and to be sent to a new ministry. There are no new apostles, nor any new addition to the Bible.

Jesus had personally chosen his disciples, after the Father gave them to him. In Jesus' absence and without the Holy Spirit, how shall we make a replacement for Judas? What is the procedure?

Peter comes up with a common sense solution. Perhaps this is what Jesus wanted, and again perhaps he should have waited for the promise to come. The Holy Spirit of truth, then he would truly have the mind of Christ.

Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,

Wisely they prayed first, my question is if we limit God to two choices when we pray, is this his perfect will? The request was a good one, show us which one, but they wanted a quick answer. My thoughts are they were being like Sarah who in her own mind chose a way for the promised son to be born, seeking another way then God's plan, having grown impatient in waiting.

Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

They used the old testament way of choosing, throwing lots. Are we to rely on this method of choice now that the Spirit of truth has come? Do we open the Bible and point at a passage, by chance finding God's will? We have the word to study and the Holy Spirit of truth and prayer to guide us. Often we must wait.

The disciples were in obedience when they chose, they were in fellowship, they were in prayer, they were in the Word, they wanted to do God’s will, they used sanctified common sense, and they did what they could do to rely on God without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Soon the Holy Spirit would come, and they would be fully equipped to serve in Spirit and in truth.

Perhaps Paul was God's choice for the replacement of Judas? Paul considered himself an apostle, but one born out of due time.

1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

An Apostle was to build on the foundation which is Jesus Christ the word.

Breath of God

 Jesus had risen from the cave tomb having shed his blood for the sins of the world. Whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16)  He appears in a closed room where his disciples were gathered in fear.

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath 

sent me, even so send I you.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, 

Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose 

soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

This is what Jesus had meant by being born again of God’s Spirit.

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a 

man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We remember that at creation God breathed life into his creations giving life.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed 

into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

When Adam and Eve sinned, their spirit was dead, no longer in fellowship with 

God, their creator. God our heavenly father sent his son, who had no sins to die in 

our place and to rise from death restored back into eternal life.

Jesus had earlier sent forth seventy witnesses two by two, with his authority. 

10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are 

subject unto us through thy name.

Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and 

over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; 

but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

What did they say to the Jewish people? They had the prophets who told of future 

events. Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

Isa 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched 

them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that 

giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and 

will hold thine hand, 

and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the 

people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Isa 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and 

them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, 

neither my praise to graven images.

Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: 

before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath 

given me life.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of 

them by the breath of his mouth.

Psa 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last 

Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; 

and afterward that which is spiritual.

1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from 

heaven.

1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the 

heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the 

image of the heavenly.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God 

unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it 

is written, The just shall live by faith.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are 

passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus 

Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 

2Co 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not 

imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of 

reconciliation. 

2Co 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech 

you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might 

be made the righteousness of God in him. 

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out to the believers in Jesus.  This was

the beginning of the Church age.

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one 

accord in one place. 

Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty 

wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 

Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat 

upon each of them. 

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other 

tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

The Big Green Carp Windsock

I found a big green carp windsock in a sack behind the couch.It was something Grandma bought and stored. I hung it up in the backyard where I could see it from the kitchen window. It really looked out of place. I have had this cough for a week and feeling somewhat out of place, so that windsock reminded me of how I was feeling out of sorts. It is difficult to make plans when under the weather. Just after taking this picture there was a knock on the door and two ladies stood with watchtower tracts. I was glad that they came, I was able to share about Jesus as Lord who left behind the Comforter,(John 14:26) the Holy Spirit to give us power and truth and peace, (John 14:27). He is a person, not a force, not an it. There is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that are the one God.The lead woman said that she had been a Catholic but now she was in the truth. I told her that we never have all of the truth and that she needs to keep reading the Bible on her own. She agreed that Jesus is Lord of Lords , King of Kings, but that the Father is greater. I said in authority the Father was greater, but the father gave all authority to Jesus. She said but he is in heaven now, yes, but he gave his authority to his witnesses and the power of the Holy Spirit. It was through the blood of Jesus that we are redeemed. She somewhat agreed. They left, but I was feeling I still had a reason and purpose. I was not hung out to blow in the breeze like that carp windsock. We are here to be witnesses of his truth.

About that Carp windsock; it is from Japan and used for a traditional calendar event called Koinobori, Children's Day. This takes place on May 5 when landscapes across Japan are decorated with koinobori from April to early May, in honor of sons and in the hope that they will grow up healthy and strong. May our sons and daughters grow up healthy and strong and may they be true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eaglewings Ministries

Endurance

Psa 102:25  Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 

Psa 102:26  They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 

2Co 11:23  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 

2Co 11:24  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 

2Co 11:25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 

2Co 11:26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 

2Co 11:27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 

2Co 11:28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 

2Co 11:29  Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 

2Co 11:30  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 

2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

2Ti 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 

All these Manzanita trees face this peaceful lake. We may be afflicted, aged, worn, and yet still standing, as these trees. We have God's peace because we are in his presence day and night.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

In the sky

The sky was alive with clouds and streaks. The sky will show signs. Signs of the devil's activity, signs of man's presence and power and end time signs of the coming of the Lord.

Eph_2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

We were subject to the prince of the power of the air, the devil and sin. God broke this power over us by coming as Jesus, the Son of God to destroy the work of the devil and to redeem us with his shed blood. He gave us a great commission.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Signs of two angels , a dead tree (the cross) and a cloud.

Act 1:9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 

Act 1:10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 

Act 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 

Jesus is coming in the clouds. Do you hear the sound of a trumpet?

1Co 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 
1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

Luke 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 
Luke 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 
Luke 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

Luke 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 

Looking ahead

Looking back there was one goal that was realized. That was to again do a daily Bible study. There was not a day that an Eaglewings Journal entry was not sent out. I hope these have some fruit and I just know that the word of God will accomplish it's purpose. We are to be faithful, not looking to man for approval. If we look to man we get discouraged and quit. In the early days of the ministry a family of saved young people  who we called the "Free family", would receive the Daily Bible lessons and save them in notebooks. They would seek others, from bad places and from off the streets, give them a place to live and get them saved with Bible studies as a requirement. They knew the importance of God's word for a new life. They were disciples making disciples of Jesus Christ. In time they went there own way, but this ministry gave them a fresh start in a new life in Jesus. I was as a father to them, but even a father must let the children have their own purpose to fulfill.

2Ti 2:1  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 
2Ti 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 
2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

2Ti 2:5  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 

Keep the faith and stay in the word. Look to God, not to man for approval and he will reward you when you see Jesus, face to face.

Brotherly Love

 Brotherly love requires that we have the same Father. God's love "agape love" reaches out to all people.

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Be as a families love and affection to one another in the Lord's family, with;
brotherly love - philadelphia - love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren

1Th 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
in honour preferring one another;

Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,


Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Affectionate brotherly love is for the family of God, we cannot be on the same level of affection with the unsaved, they do not have God's spirit, but we are to have compassion. We are to tell them about God's love for them and show them Jesus with prayers and kindness.

Jude 1:20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jude 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:22  And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jude 1:23  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 

Berea

A friend wrote to me that people read everything I write to see if it is true. It is good to search the Bible to see if what is read is truth. Personal stories cannot be checked by the Bible, so they should be used only to illustrate a Bible truth. There is another group of people who want to find fault with or to condemn what you say. They sometimes say they are doing it for the sake of truth, but usually they are coming from pride or envy, to destroy and not to encourage. I respect those who see the good and encourage the good while helping to keep truth as taught in the Holy Scriptures.

 

Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Act 17:12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Act 17:13  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Act 17:14  And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

Act 17:15  And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. 

The Bereans searched the scriptures to see if what they were hearing was true. They were more noble, with higher aspirations, well behaved, honorable. There was another group who followed Paul and Silas in order to silence them and to destroy them, because of envy and lack of faith. They stirred up the people against the true witnesses. Paul was sent away, but Silas and Timothy staid behind for a time. Are you called to witness in difficult places? Preach the word and be faithful to the word of God as the Spirit leads you.

 

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Philip and the Eunich

Philip filled with the Holy Spirit, is led out into the desert to an Ethiopian Eunuch in need of help. 

Act 8:26  And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
Act 8:27  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Act 8:28  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Act 8:29  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Act 8:30  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Act 8:31  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Act 8:32  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Act 8:33  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
Act 8:34  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Act 8:35  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Act 8:36  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Act 8:37  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Act 8:38  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Act 8:39  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Act 8:40  But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

 

Philip preached to him Jesus from Isaiah 53. The eunich believed and desired to be baptized in the near bye water. After baptizing the eunich, the word of God says that he was caught away by the Spirit and was found in Azotus.

 

Strong's concordance defines "caught away" as to seize, carry off by force; to seize on, claim for oneself eagerly; to snatch out of the way. The phrase is also translated, catch up, pluck, take by force. It appears that Philip was in one place and was caught up by the Holy Spirit to another place.

 

The Ethiopian was full of joy, a fruit of the Holy Spirit. There was no separate receiving of the Holy Ghost, it appears that he received it all at his water baptism.

 

We are to be ready and willing to be led by the Spirit to someone who desires to know about Jesus and salvation. I witnessed on the Internet for a year before the Lord led me to Sarah. What a miracle of salvation she received, but that is another story.

 Hiding Place (by Sarah).

Stand up for Jesus, like Stephen

 

The Deacon Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost is speaking to his accusers at the Jewish council. He gave them a history lesson of God's dealing with Israel

 

Act 6:8  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Act 6:9  Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Act 6:11  Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Act 6:12  And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,...
Act 6:13  And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Act 6:14  For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Act 6:15  And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

 

 Being filled with the Spirit, he gave them a history lesson of God's dealing with Israel and was concluding the message...

 

Act 7:51  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Act 7:52  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 

Act 7:53  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Act 7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:55  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Act 7:57  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
Act 7:59  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Act 7:60  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

Stephen died because he told the truth. Those who were in power did not want to be told the truth. Oh how we need truth in our nation. Corruption and lawlessness is in the very halls of government. Devious minds, then and now, but they need to hear the truth and repent. Are we willing to die for the truth of Jesus Christ, if it need be so? Stand up for Jesus and he will stand up for you. He will receive you into his everlasting presence and it will be glorious. The love of Christ Jesus gave you the right to speak the truth. Hate kills, but the love of the God of Israel brings hope and truth. The Son of God brought truth and salvation to as many as would receive Him.

Witnesses of truth

It seems that in the world there is much sin and darkness. Instead of finding truth we hear more lies and the blaming of someone else. There is no truth and righteousness. Jesus came to bring the light of truth and righteousness. The leaders denied him then and they deny him now, but those who receive his truth are made the children of light and the adopted sons of God. We need the true light of the world.

John 8:12 Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

13 The Pharisees replied, "You are making false claims about yourself!"

14 Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me.

15 You judge me with all your human limitations, but I am not judging anyone.

16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone -- I have with me the Father who sent me.

17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.

18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other."

19 "Where is your father?" they asked. Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, then you would know my Father, too."

20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.

Jesus knew who he was and he knew that he was the light and truth for all to follow. He came from his Father in heaven to show us the way of life in a sin darkened world.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Two witnesses were required by the law to confirm a truth. Jesus spoke that he spoke the truth and the Father in heaven is the second witness. They did not see the other witness, the Holy Spirit that was with Jesus. The Spirit witnesses the truth of Jesus and the Father, almighty God. The Holy Spirit's witness is true, although the Spirit does not speak of himself, he is one with God the Father and Jesus his son.

1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1Jn 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
1Jn 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

We are to be witnesses also of the three witnesses of truth. God has revealed himself in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the three are one God. We are to be one in spirit with God through faith in Jesus Christ. His blood paid for our sins, the water of his word cleanses our minds and the Spirit makes us alive in him; we receive eternal life with God. Now we are to witness to others the way of life. Jesus is the light of the world, follow him.