The Holy Spirit has fallen on the disciples. A multitude of people have come together from throughout Jerusalem and have heard Peter’s message and instructions for receiving the Holy Spirit which God had promised them (vs. 39): “For the promise (of the Holy Spirit-2:33) is unto you (Jews gathered in Jerusalem) and to your children (all Jews), and (as well as) to ALL WHO ARE AFAR OFF ….” Notice that Peter differentiated between Jews (those of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi) and those who were “afar off.” These are the multiplied millions of descendants of the so-called “Lost Ten Tribes of Israel” who seemingly disappeared following their defeat and enslavement by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. Note that 10 and 3 make 13 tribes. Explanation: Joseph was divided into two tribes by Jacob (Israel) just before he died in Egypt (Gen. 48). Israel prophesied over the two boys who would thereafter bear his name– “Israel.” Joseph’s sons–Ephraim and Manasseh–would become the two most powerful nations on earth. One would become the most powerful company (commonwealth) of  nations and the other the most powerful single nation–The British Empire and the United States respectively. The Apostle Peter was telling the Jews that God’s Holy Spirit had been promised to His Chosen People (and later to the Gentiles) whom He had scattered throughout His wrath for their sins. See White Fields and Replacement Theology for an explanation of who the Lost Tribes of Israel are today, where they are found and what part they play in His church. In sum: Peter told the Jews to return to their home countries and tell their fellow Jews about their crucified Savior. Later, God would send the apostles throughout the world with the same message to the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.

Verse forty: Peter’s brief final admonition says much more than its few Words would seem to when read casually. “Save yourself” means that once conversion has taken place the fight is not over; in Scriptural and spiritual reality, it has only just begun. It is at this point that Satan steps into the salvation process and lures God-seekers off God’s path and onto his (Mat. 7:13,14). Note by the first two words of verse 40 that the initiative must be taken by the seeker who must earnestly and fervently search for God’s instructions for the “walk” (life-style) he/she must take in order to qualify for eternal life. Unfortunately, with the exception of a minutely few seekers, Satan lures spiritual walkers away from God’s strait gate and narrow way (His true church) and to his (Satan’s) wide gate and broad way (Catholicism/ Protestantism). Today over two billion deceived people (Rev. 12:9) walk the devil’s so-called “Christian” way as they follow in the religious footsteps of the billions who have gone before them. The Lord’s prophecy that “few” would “find” His strait (difficult) gate and walk His narrow way has proven to be true. Today only a few thousand true followers can be found world-wide while Satan’s religious system numbers over 7 billion, 2 billion of whom call themselves “Christians.”

Verses forty-one through forty-three, forty-six and forty-seven: Notice in verse 41 that not everyone who heard the disciples speak in foreign tongues and listened to Peter’s sermon believed and embraced the Messiah. Approximately 3000 of them “gladly received (heard) his words” and “continued steadfastly” (believing) in what the apostles told them. These were baptized and converted from service to Satan to service to God. Over the following days they listened to the apostles’ messages “in one accord,”  meeting and eating together, praying and fellowshipping with one another in the Temple as well as in their individual homes as the fear of God came over them (vs 42,43). Throughout this time God performed many signs, wonders and miracles in their midst by the hands of the apostles. Question: If those in the New Covenant Church rejected all things “Jewish,” as we have been told by modern church leaders, why did the apostles and disciples continue to worship in the Jewish Temple (vs. 46)? The surprising answer will be brought out in future postings. L.J.