Num 13-14, Some decision are irrevocable

The Expedition
Num 13:1-2, 17-25 (NIV) The Lord said to Moses, 2 "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders."
. . .
17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, "Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)


21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.


• Where are we in the trip from Egypt to Exodus, timewise?
• It turns out, that it was not God's original plan to explore the land, but rather God accedes to the wishes of the people
• Deut 1:22-23 (NIV) Then all of you came to me and said, "Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to." // 23 The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe.
• The concern is the route. Interestingly, when they finally do attack, the go after the two main fortified cities in the middle of the country, Jericho and Ai
• What other reasons might there be for exploring the land?
• God's perspective: it shows his faithfulness in providing exactly what he promised
• Moses' perspective: it helps in determining where to divvy up the various tribes according to their particular gifts and strengths
• Could be the first signs of doubt
• James 1:6-8 (NIV) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
• I think this verse is easily misunderstood. Faith is not getting what you want, but believing God will answer your prayer in his wisdom (which could be NO or WAIT)
• Three specific items are mentioned as produce, what are they?
• Grapes, pomegranates, and figs
• Num 20:4-5 (NIV) Why did you bring the Lord's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!"
• We will discuss this "grumble" later as it is very significant in the NT, but while the issue is water, the mention of the three items leads us back to the "spy event," why?
• The missing items are a constant reminder of their disobedience
• APPLICATION:
• Do we believe God always answers our prayers?
• Do we demand our answer from God?
• Is there issue of disobedience in my life that I have not repented and sought God's help?


The Report
Num 13:26-33 (NIV) They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."


30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."


31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."


• What was the original purpose of the spy's trip and what had it diverged into?
• Originally, they were looking for an attack route and an understanding of the type of land to divide up among the tribes
• Ultimately it became an intelligence report on their probability of success
• By going beyond their assigned task, they do what?
• They usurped the authority of the leaders (they were not their tribe's leaders), and far more importantly of God
• This is an example of human opinion, philosophy, and worldview juxtaposed against God's direction and his word
• APPLICATION: How quick do we consider the world's opinion against God, ignoring the absurdity of comparing man to God in knowledge?


The People's Response
Num 14:1-9 (NIV) That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."


5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them."


• Obviously, the ten spies cause a huge emotional response from the people (actually, the report is exactly as God said -- a land flowing with milk and honey), but why the response of the people?
• They focused on the GIANTS, not on the promises
• What were they expecting? A cakewalk, go around the circle and wait until your number is chosen
• They focused on the things of the world, and not the things of God
• BOTTOMLINE: They did not believe God!!!
• Four men (Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb) fall down before the people. They argue the truths of God's word. They remind them of truths they should already know
• APPLICATION: We have the word of God. There is no excuse for not reminding ourselves of his truths by regularly reading God's word


God's Test
Num 14:10-19 (NIV) But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites. 11 The Lord said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they."


13 Moses said to the Lord, "Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. 14 And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, O Lord, are with these people and that you, O Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. 15 If you put these people to death all at one time, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, 16 'The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath; so he slaughtered them in the desert.'


17 "Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 18 'The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.' 19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now."


• God tells Moses that he will destroy the people and start over. This reminds us of another incident with a similar response, what is it?
• The golden calf
• This is an extremely important moment in the history of Israel …
• Heb 3:16-19 (NIV) Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?  19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
• Israel cannot enter their rest because of unbelief
• This is Israel's irrevocable decision. They can choose to do what God says or they can choose to do what the world tells them is best
• They choose the judgment of man and forfeit spiritual rest
• We've talked about the warning in Hebrews before. Essentially, if believers do not continue in faith toward maturity in their walk with God, they will miss out on a sabbath-rest for believers. This is not heaven or losing their salvation, but the peace that comes from a life lived devoted to God
• Just as before, Moses intercedes for the people, as I believe God intended
• APPLICATION: Certain decisions in life are irrevocable spiritually. You cannot lose your salvation but they can determine the direction of the rest of your life. You can be forgiven but you can not escape the consequences of certain decisions


God's Judgment
Num 14:20-38 (NIV) The Lord replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, 22 not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times —  23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. 25 Since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea."


26 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 27 "How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. 28 So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: 29 In this desert your bodies will fall — every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. 30 Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. 32 But you — your bodies will fall in this desert. 33 Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. 34 For forty years — one year for each of the forty days you explored the land — you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.' 35 I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this desert; here they will die."


36 So the men Moses had sent to explore the land, who returned and made the whole community grumble against him by spreading a bad report about it —  37 these men responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord. 38 Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived.


• Is God merciful or a hard judge? How many times has Israel rebelled? What signs and wonders has God shown them?
• How does the punishment fit the crime?
• They worried about dying in Canaan. They are to die in the desert
• They Adults rejected Canaan, so God gave it to their children
• They spent 40 days essentially figuring out if they could take the land, they would spend 40  years (one day for one year) traveling in the desert
• God judges the ten spies who brought the bad report. They die of plague, but Joshua and Caleb don't
• APPLICATION: when God gives you a job, do the job, don't tell God how the job should be done


The People's Inability to Obey
Num 14:39-45 (NIV) When Moses reported this to all the Israelites, they mourned bitterly. 40 Early the next morning they went up toward the high hill country. "We have sinned," they said. "We will go up to the place the Lord promised."


41 But Moses said, "Why are you disobeying the Lord's command? This will not succeed! 42 Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies, 43 for the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you there. Because you have turned away from the Lord, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword."


44 Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord's covenant moved from the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.


• What do the Israelites remind you of?
• Children who broke an expensive vase who decide to make it better by gluing it back together (Ashley)
• We too can fail to receive our reward if we disobey God, both here (the Sabbath-rest) and in eternity
• We also need to accept the discipline of God and not fight against God

Num 11-12, Be careful of the company you keep

Num 11:1-3 (NIV) Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. 3 So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the Lord had burned among them.


• Note the first rebellion was three days out of Egypt.  We are now (potentially) three days out from Mt Sinai (Num 10:33)
• The first issue is what?
• Hardship
• Not really explained
• What were not their hardships?
• Food -- manna
• Clothes and shoes -- did not wear out
• Shelter -- they had tents, but not fixed structures
• Protection -- God was protecting them
• Family -- living with their families, extended and otherwise
• What might their hardships be?
• Carrying water
• Living out of suitcase (so to speak)
• Strange to say "in the hearing of the Lord," why?
• Because God hears everything ("where can we flee from his presence?")
• God sees all our actions, there is nothing we do that he does see and hear
• It's as if they wanted to make sure God heard what they said ...
• What is the punishment?
• God sends fire (?from Heaven) to burn some on the outskirts of the camp
• Follows a principle that is associated with sin -- that if you play too close the fire (dabble near sin), you will get burned


Num 11:4-6,10-21 (NIV) The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost — also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!"


10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. 11 He asked the Lord, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? 13 Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, 'Give us meat to eat!' 14 I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now — if I have found favor in your eyes — and do not let me face my own ruin."


16 The Lord said to Moses: "Bring me seventy of Israel's elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.


18 "Tell the people: 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, "If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!" Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. 19 You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20 but for a whole month — until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it — because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?" '" 


• Note that the rabble were non-Israelites who came out of Egypt with Israel
• What is the rabble's argument?
• Manna is boring
• Egyptian food was more exciting, different
• So what is their objective in life? to satisfy the lust of the flesh
• There is a proverb that suggests bad company corrupts good morals. You hang around with people who do not view sin as God views sin, then you are playing with fire
• We don't want to pull out of the world. The NT (2 Cor) tells us not to
• But we do need to be careful about our degree of involvement
• How does Moses respond and why?
• He takes it personal
• He sees it as a rejection of himself as leader
• He is trying to make people happy and satisfy them
• He is worn out and tired -- Why is he so worn out? Because he is trying to make people happy ...
• What does God see as the problem?
• Moses does need help. Specifically, he needs others who will represent the Lord before the people
• The people have rejected God not Moses.  Technically, they would rather be slaves in Egypt then free under God
• This is the same thing today.  Do you want to be a slave to sin or free to worship and serve God? Many choose the latter
• You can complain to your parents or your pastor about your Christian life, but you are rejecting God himself, not me, not your parents, and not your pastor ...


Num 11:24-30 (NIV) So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the Tent. 25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again.


26 However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. 27 A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp."


28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!"


29 But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!" 30 Then Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.


• This interesting story about the giving of the Holy Spirit. We can see a number of principles as we look across scripture
• Scripture emphasizes certain points in history through the use of miracles
• How is this similar / different from Pentecost?
• OT: prophesied (did not speak in tongues) / leaders / inaugurated an event (slightly later)
• NT: spoke in tongues the gospel /leaders / inaugurated an event
• How many times do these OT saints who receive the HS prophesy? Once. Why? Because the miracle is used as a sign
• NT use of tongues
• Four cases described in Acts (all attest to a genuine conversion)
• Clearly the usage is of a known language (people understood the gospel in their native language)
• Acts 2 - Jews had come from foreign countries (sign to the Jews)
• Acts 8 - half Jew, half Gentiles come to the Lord (sign to Samaritans)
• Acts 10 - Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile, (sign to Gentiles who already believed in God)
• Acts 18/19 - This last group is "religious" people who had repented of their sin but had not believed in Jesus (they had only heard the message of John the Baptist). The baptism of the spirit confirms that faith now must be in the person of Jesus and no one else
• Interestingly, tongues occur whenever Jews were present as a sign to unbelieving Jews (also fits with 1 Cor 1:22; 14:21-23) [Bellshaw, Bsac 120:478, Apr 1963]
• Three chapters in 1 Corinthians (expository)
• Use of the word "unknown" in 1 Cor 14 is not in the original text [ibid]
• 1 Cor 12:13,30 makes it clear that all believers had received the baptism of the Spirit, but not all spoke in tongues [ibid]
• Rules on exercise of gifts in church
• Gift to be exercised by 2 or 3 persons (14:27) but no more
• An interpreter must be present (14:28)
• Women are not to participate in this experience (14:34) suggesting that women were not given the gift. And no where in scripture do women speak in tongues [ibid]
• No other book in the bible explicitly references this gift (it is only prominent in a church that was notorious in its sin and poor theology)


Num 11:31-35 (NIV) Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail in from the sea. It brought them down all around the camp to about three feet above the ground, as far as a day's walk in any direction. 32 All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers. Then they spread them out all around the camp. 33 But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. 34 Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.


35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth and stayed there.


• A lot of food and unlike the manna we are given a logical explanation (kind of). Why not just say "God created quail meat?" Because the bible is true and this is what happened
• When did the people gather meat and how much? All day and into the next day. An average of ten homers
• How is that different from the manna? The manna was just enough; it was only gathered on the day; and it averaged an homer
• What is the difference? One represents lust; the other represents trust
• Lust - as much as you can get
• Trust - as much as you need
• Lust - stockpile extra
• Trust - use it, don't live for it
• Lust - get sick on it
• Trust - stay healthy
• Is your life characterized by lust or trust?


Num 12:1-16 (NIV) Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the Lord heard this.


3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)


4 At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, "Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you." So the three of them came out. 5 Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, 6 he said, "Listen to my words:


"When a prophet of the Lord is among you,
I reveal myself to him in visions,
I speak to him in dreams.
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?"


9 The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.


10 When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam — leprous, like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had leprosy; 11 and he said to Moses, "Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother's womb with its flesh half eaten away."


13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, "O God, please heal her!"


14 The Lord replied to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back." 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.


16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran.


• The statement "hasn't he also spoken through us" implies what?
• Aaron was one of the seventy, i.e., when he prophesied
• Miriam, Aaron's sister, is already recorded as prophesying when she broke out in a song
• Two godly spiritual leaders, a man and a woman, and yet they fall into sin.  What is there sin?
• Starts with comparison
• 2 Cor 10:12 (NIV) We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
• 2 Cor 10:12 (AMP) Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.
• Comparison leads to gossip -- "Hasn't he also spoke through us …"
• They have obviously discussed this issue among themselves
• Gossip can cause bitterness and envy
• Notice that the judgment only comes on one person, why?
• Miriam is probably the cause
• Yet Aaron is guilty too for not standing up to his sister when he should have
• Finally, the whole camp waits seven days before moving because of Miriam (our sin can and does affect others)

Acts 14-20, Baptism of the Holy Spirit -- what does the bible really say?

Acts 14:2-3 (NIV) But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.


• Here we see God confirming the message through miraculous signs and wonders (although tongues are not mentioned in this case). This is an important verse because we see that the purpose of miraculous gifts are to confirm a work of God


Acts 14:8-10 (NIV) In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.


• Paul saw his faith, and healed him. This passage does even record water baptism, but he had faith and that is the key to salvation


Acts 14:21-23 (NIV) They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.


• Large numbers came to Christ. There is no mention of speaking in tongues. Paul warns the believers that they will face hardships in this life (quite the opposite message from the Health and Wealth gospel types)


Acts 15:5-9 (NIV) Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."


6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.


• This is a very important passage (all of Chapter 15). Jewish believers, who were the heart of the early believers are seeing more and more Gentile believers come into the church. These Gentile believers have not been circumcised, nor do they follow the strict dietary guidelines that Jewish believers have continued to follow. The Jewish believers are saying that in order to be a Christian, one must first be Jewish or follow Jewish law, because Christian faith is a fulfillment of the law.
• Peter gets up and relates the incident where he first led Gentiles to the faith. He is drawing on the "sheet" incident, and the fact that he saw the Holy Spirit come upon the Gentiles, as evidenced by their speaking in tongues. Once again, speaking in tongues confirms a new work of God. It is not necessary as a regular condition, but it does signify something new happening
• It is because of Peter's testimony that the church leaders in Jerusalem (all Jewish) agree that the OT law is not required for Gentiles believers to follow


Acts 16:13-15 (NIV) On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.


• Once again we see Gentiles coming to faith. They were given water baptism and there was no speaking in tongues


Acts 16:29-34 (NIV) The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"


31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole family.


• The jailer also recognizes God's hand in Paul and Silas and wants to be saved. The condition is simple, believe. They speak to the members of his household and all experience water baptism. There is no mention of speaking in tongues nor any exhortation to seek it


Acts 17:1-4 (NIV) When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.


• Again people come to faith and there is no mention of even water baptism. The interesting thing about this passage is that Paul presents a "reasoned" explanation of the gospel (apologetics), and individuals are persuaded by his argument. The emphasis is on the mind and not on the emotions, although I would argue that salvation involves our intellect (believing), our heart/emotions (desire to repent of sins), and our will (choosing Jesus).


Acts 17:10-12 (NIV) As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.


• Again, another strong emphasis on the intellectual response to the claims of the gospel. No mention of speaking in tongues


Acts 17:32-34 (NIV) When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.


• This time Paul's apologetic arguments are not as well received (in Athens), but some do believe. There is no mention of speaking in tongues


Acts 18:7-9 (NIV) Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.


• He gets a better reception in Corinth which is a city known for pagan sexual worship. Many believe. There is no mention of speaking in tongues, although we know from the first letter to the Corinthians there was speaking in tongues in the church. First Corinthians is the only book in the NT (outside of Acts) with any discussion or mention of tongues. It should be noted that the entire letter to Corinth is a letter concerning problems. They are the most problem-centered church in the NT and yet 1 Cor 1:7 says that they don't lack any spiritual gift. So, clearly an emphasis on spiritual gifts is clearly not any magic formula for a successful Christian life


Acts 18:24-19:7 (NIV) Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.


27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.


19 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"


They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."


3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"


"John's baptism," they replied.


4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.


• This is the last of the 4 instances of speaking in tongues in Acts and so I copied a larger part of the text to get it in context
• We have already seen "speaking in tongues" used in 3 contexts: the first Jews to come to Christ; the first Samaritans to come to Christ; and the first Gentiles to come to Christ. In each case, the gift of tongues confirms that this group in part of the church
• So, that makes this passage unusual, since all groups (Jews, Samaritans (half Jew/Gentiles), and Gentiles) have all had the confirming sign of tongues
• This story starts with Apollos, a man speaking in Ephesus, who has studied the scriptures in depth and has heard of John the Baptist's message of repentance. He apparently has not heard of Jesus' message and so Priscilla and Aquilla explain to him the gospel. He then heads on out to Achaia and is very effective with his old knowledge of the scriptures and his new knowledge of Jesus. Paul arrives in Ephesus (where Apollos had preached) and finds religious people. They knew the scriptures (OT at time), and they believed John's message of a coming savior, and they were baptized into repentance. That knowledge would have saved you prior to Jesus' death, because you had faith, but that is not enough once Jesus has died. So Paul tells them about Jesus and baptizes them. The speak in tongues and prophesy
• So why this group of people? This is a unique group that falls in between two covenants. Prior to Jesus death, faith in God was all that was required for righteousness (see argument in Galatians about Abraham), but with Jesus' death, our faith has to have the right object, and that is Jesus. Jesus is the focal point of salvation, not religiosity or even just belief in God. The giving of the Spirit, in my mind, confirms that our faith must be in Jesus, not religion or repentance or good works -- else we are lost


Acts 20:22-25 (NIV) "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.


• Again we see the warning from the Holy Spirit (not in tongues) of a life of prison and hardships. Again, not necessarily the message that Health and Wealth gospel people want you to hear. Of course the argument is that persecution is different from health-related issues. So, why God does want us to be healthy if he has called us to be persecuted and harmed in that way? I'm sure someone has an argument for that question, but it doesn't make sense to me

Acts 10-13, Baptism of the Holy Spirit -- what does the bible really say?

Acts 10:30-32, 34a, 43-48 (NIV) Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' . . .


34 Then Peter began to speak: . . . 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."


44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.


Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.


• The Jews (or circumcised believers) were surprised that the Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles (vs 45).
• Therefore, the speaking in tongues is a clear sign to Peter (the leader of the church) and to the other Jews, that Gentiles can receive the Holy Spirit. This will be very important in Acts 15:7-11, when Peter defends the ministry of Paul and Barnabas based on what he saw happen to Cornelius.
• Incidentally, if speaking in tongues always occurred after belief, then why was there such an argument in Acts 15?
• Also why does Peter reference this situation and no other examples? Clearly, speaking in tongues after salvation was a rare event
• This is the first time that Gentiles are saved. Just as before, at Pentecost and then again when Samaritans believed, the gift of tongues is a sign that this group has also received the Holy Spirit
• Note that the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit prior to "baptism" and upon "belief." There is no laying on of hands and no second baptism. The baptism here is water baptism in obedience to the command of Jesus Christ. The HS is given upon believing (Eph 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of his glory.)


Acts 11:19-21 (NIV) Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.


• This is the next group to believe and there is no mention of speaking in tongues


Acts 13:1-5 (NIV) In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.


4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.


• The Lord clearly leads and guides by the Holy Spirit. There is no mention of speaking in tongues as part of the leading and guiding. In fact, no where in scriptures are tongues used to lead or guide people. I have seen some stuff that suggest people teach that and it is clearly a false doctrine


Acts 13:9-12 (NIV) Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun."


Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.


• The proconsul believes and there is no mention of speaking in tongues


Acts 13:42-45, 48-50 (NIV) As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.


44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 
. . .
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.


49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.


• Two different groups on two days. People believe and follow, and there is no mention of speaking in tongues or second baptisms


Acts 13:50-52 (NIV) But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.


• Being filled with joy and the Holy Spirit says nothing about speaking in tongues. They were excited because they were obedient and suffered persecution for their witness (funny why we never teach this thought)

Acts 1-9, Baptism of the Holy Spirit -- what does the bible really say?

Acts 2:1-6 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

• This is the first instance of speaking in tongues. This day ties to a very specific feast in Israel. Jesus told his disciple to wait for this day. Since this is the first time believers are given the HS, it is different from their time of belief. Its usage is as a sign, the beginning of the church. The audience is entirely Jewish. The tongues are all known languages (vs 6)

Acts 2:37-39 (NIV) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."

• Peter promises them that will receive the gift of the upon believing (vs 38). There is no recorded information that they spoke in tongues nor any discussion of a second baptism

Acts 3:2-3, 6-8 (NIV) Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. . . .

6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

• The crippled is healed and apparently saved (he is praising God, vs 7) and there is no mention of speaking in tongues. Additionally, there is no discussion about a need for a second baptism

Acts 4:23-24, 29-31 (NIV) On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. . . . 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

• After standing up to the Sanhedrin, Peter and John go back to the disciples and pray. After praying, they are filled with the Holy Spirit. It says nothing about speaking in tongues, but rather they spoke the word of God boldly (the common sense hermeneutic would be in their own native language)

• "Filling with the Holy Spirit" here occurs among the disciples, some who were already at Pentecost (like the Apostles). Therefore the filling is not a "second baptism" but a regularly repeated lifetime event, otherwise Peter and John would not need to be filled (vs 31 says "and they were all filled …")

Acts 7:54-60 (NIV) When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

• In this passage, being filled with the Holy Spirit (7:55) has nothing to do with speaking of tongues. Rather, it is the unbelievers who are yelling at the top of their voices. Stephen simply prays in the common language (56, 59-60)

• It says that Stephen is filled with the HS even though one would have expected that had already happened to him (under the second baptism argument), therefore this fits with the previous passage showing that the filling of the Holy Spirit is a regularly repeated even for every believer

Acts 8:14-17 (NIV) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

• Apparently, these are the same individual that Philip shared the gospel with but have not received the Holy Spirit. This is one of only two stories in scripture where the giving of the Spirit is separated from belief. In this case, this is the first time that non-Jews (actually half-Jews) believe. It is a significant event because Jesus said (Acts 1:8) the gospel would move from Jerusalem and Judea (Jews) to Samaria (half-Jews) to the entire world (non-Jews or Gentiles).
• The giving of the Spirit at the hands of the apostles signifies that they are equal to Jews. Tongues is a sign that Samaritans received the Spirit just as Jews did

Acts 8:34-39 (NIV) The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"  38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

• This eunuch would actually be Jewish (proselytized) because he is reading the Jewish scriptures. The scrolls are very expensive and the common person did not have copies laying around

• Philip shares the gospel and baptizes the Eunuch. There is no mention of the Eunuch speaking in tongues, just rejoicing, indicating a new birth

Acts 9:17-19 (NIV) Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

• It really is not clear when Paul believes. For three days he doesn't eat or drink

• He is still blind when Ananias visits him

• He does receive the Spirit by the laying on of a hands, but Paul is also called to be an Apostle of the Gentiles and so there may be some significance in that fact

• He does not speak in tongues upon believing, although we do know from his own statement to the Corinthians that he does have the gift

Acts 9:40-43 (NIV) Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

• Many people believe after Peter's miracle with Tabitha. There is no mention of speaking in tongues