ScottA
Well-Known Member
Acts 1
The words are to "O Theophilus" meaning "friend of God." Which is to say, to one who was then in the local context friendly to God. But now being part and parcel as the eternal word from God, the greater context is also to include all who are friends of God. In other words the book of Acts was not to enemies "already at work" within the church, but specifically to those who are friends of God (1 John 4:3, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:7).
Remembering that there are two different contexts for what follows, one local of that time, but also for all included until the end of time: then came the confirmation that Christ gave of His sending the Holy Spirit, soon to come.
The narrative then goes immediately to the transition point between flesh and spirit, showing Jesus becoming "firstfruits" of those born [again] of the spirit of God. When Jesus came saying, "Follow Me"--this is where He was going--and this is where all who would be born again of the spirit of God are to be lined up and following. The indication of this is made known by Jesus being taken up and a "cloud" receiving Him. Another indication is the enactment and mention of "forty days." Forty days is a reference to the forty years Israel wandered in the desert before entering into the promised land. Which Israel had done in the world and in the flesh, which pointed to that moment of Jesus entering into heaven (being the spiritual realm and rest of God). The "cloud" signified this just as it did in the desert, by day. These things were made manifest here again by God to show what is otherwise unseen according to Jesus' explanation of "everyone who is born of the spirit", meaning: invisible (John 3:8). The distinction here that is most commonly made in error, is that because these things were made manifest and visible for a witness, is that He entered or inherited the kingdom in the flesh, against what Jesus had previously explained. In other words, you can't have it both ways, and no, Jesus did not contradict Himself. As the greatest act of spiritual transition unto God as firstfruits--not the firstfruits of flesh but of the spirit--He could have just made it all only visible in the spirit and otherwise invisible to men of flesh and blood. But then there would have been no clear direction as to all that was intended and included in "Follow Me." This was the "like manner" by which Jesus would return, referred to by the two men standing by in white apparel. All of which was to be included in the witness given unto the ends of the earth.
The explanation then given by Peter regarding Judas was in reference to Satan, who just as Jesus was cut off in the middle of the times of this world, was also cut off...in the middle (Acts 1:18). Just as Jesus would then go to the Father and come forth in spirit to those who would answer His knocking at the door (Revelation 3:20), as the fulfilment of God pouring out His spirit upon all flesh as foretold by Joel (Joel 2:28), announced by Jesus, and confirmed by Peter--Satan too was poured out. Thus, these times of the gentiles where the Holy Spirit and the spirit of antiChrist coexist as wheat among tares.
Interestingly, Peter quotes part of Psalm 69 that seems to fit the context of those current, local times. Except for our times and that of the greater context of the times of the gentiles, one ought to look at the details of the Psalm. Peter gave a double entendre, again, having two different contexts. "Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it" as opposed to: "Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents" (Psalm 69:25). Meaning--for the greater context--let none assume to dwell in their flesh. ... Does that mean Peter misquoted or broke context? No, on the contrary, he executed the context to the full on all accounts.
Both contexts, of their times and of ours, was then given by God in the replacement of Judas (of Satan) with Matthias (meaning "gift of God"). Which is to say, God replaced Satan...with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The words are to "O Theophilus" meaning "friend of God." Which is to say, to one who was then in the local context friendly to God. But now being part and parcel as the eternal word from God, the greater context is also to include all who are friends of God. In other words the book of Acts was not to enemies "already at work" within the church, but specifically to those who are friends of God (1 John 4:3, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:7).
Remembering that there are two different contexts for what follows, one local of that time, but also for all included until the end of time: then came the confirmation that Christ gave of His sending the Holy Spirit, soon to come.
The narrative then goes immediately to the transition point between flesh and spirit, showing Jesus becoming "firstfruits" of those born [again] of the spirit of God. When Jesus came saying, "Follow Me"--this is where He was going--and this is where all who would be born again of the spirit of God are to be lined up and following. The indication of this is made known by Jesus being taken up and a "cloud" receiving Him. Another indication is the enactment and mention of "forty days." Forty days is a reference to the forty years Israel wandered in the desert before entering into the promised land. Which Israel had done in the world and in the flesh, which pointed to that moment of Jesus entering into heaven (being the spiritual realm and rest of God). The "cloud" signified this just as it did in the desert, by day. These things were made manifest here again by God to show what is otherwise unseen according to Jesus' explanation of "everyone who is born of the spirit", meaning: invisible (John 3:8). The distinction here that is most commonly made in error, is that because these things were made manifest and visible for a witness, is that He entered or inherited the kingdom in the flesh, against what Jesus had previously explained. In other words, you can't have it both ways, and no, Jesus did not contradict Himself. As the greatest act of spiritual transition unto God as firstfruits--not the firstfruits of flesh but of the spirit--He could have just made it all only visible in the spirit and otherwise invisible to men of flesh and blood. But then there would have been no clear direction as to all that was intended and included in "Follow Me." This was the "like manner" by which Jesus would return, referred to by the two men standing by in white apparel. All of which was to be included in the witness given unto the ends of the earth.
The explanation then given by Peter regarding Judas was in reference to Satan, who just as Jesus was cut off in the middle of the times of this world, was also cut off...in the middle (Acts 1:18). Just as Jesus would then go to the Father and come forth in spirit to those who would answer His knocking at the door (Revelation 3:20), as the fulfilment of God pouring out His spirit upon all flesh as foretold by Joel (Joel 2:28), announced by Jesus, and confirmed by Peter--Satan too was poured out. Thus, these times of the gentiles where the Holy Spirit and the spirit of antiChrist coexist as wheat among tares.
Interestingly, Peter quotes part of Psalm 69 that seems to fit the context of those current, local times. Except for our times and that of the greater context of the times of the gentiles, one ought to look at the details of the Psalm. Peter gave a double entendre, again, having two different contexts. "Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it" as opposed to: "Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents" (Psalm 69:25). Meaning--for the greater context--let none assume to dwell in their flesh. ... Does that mean Peter misquoted or broke context? No, on the contrary, he executed the context to the full on all accounts.
Both contexts, of their times and of ours, was then given by God in the replacement of Judas (of Satan) with Matthias (meaning "gift of God"). Which is to say, God replaced Satan...with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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