Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:12-14 (New International Version)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Kingdom of the Spirit (a note on Acts 1:3-8)
I find it interesting in verse 3 that for forty days Jesus spoke to them of the kingdom of God...it reminds me of the 40 years wandering in the desert, where Moses spoke of the things of God. Jesus gave the disciples many convincing proofs that He was alive...as well did God His proofs in the desert.
v.4...also enjoy the fact that very often Jesus gave spiritual food while people were eating regular food, a relaxing and generally inviting and receptive environment for spiritual things to conceive in the heart.
v.5...always enjoy the comparison of water and the Holy Spirit...the natural with the supernatural.
v.6, 7, 8...in these verses the disciples are still looking for a natural, visible kingdom to be restored when Christ's intent is restoration of a spiritual kingdom, continuing to reiterate about the coming of the Holy Spirit, like He did in His final discourse before the cross..."when He comes He will...", and, "if I don't go away, He can't come."
When they ask about kingdom restoration Jesus says, "you will receive power and be my witnesses."
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Here are the verses from Acts 1:3-7
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
(Today's New International Version)
v.4...also enjoy the fact that very often Jesus gave spiritual food while people were eating regular food, a relaxing and generally inviting and receptive environment for spiritual things to conceive in the heart.
v.5...always enjoy the comparison of water and the Holy Spirit...the natural with the supernatural.
v.6, 7, 8...in these verses the disciples are still looking for a natural, visible kingdom to be restored when Christ's intent is restoration of a spiritual kingdom, continuing to reiterate about the coming of the Holy Spirit, like He did in His final discourse before the cross..."when He comes He will...", and, "if I don't go away, He can't come."
When they ask about kingdom restoration Jesus says, "you will receive power and be my witnesses."
-------
Here are the verses from Acts 1:3-7
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
(Today's New International Version)
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