____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ April 26, 1998 ____________________________________________________ Great Themes from Acts FULFILLED PROPHECY by Phil Roberts Though the Old Testament and New Testament are two separate parts of the entire Bible, they are welded inseparably together in such a fashion that either is unfinished and incomplete without the other. The Old Testament points to a Messiah without seeing the promise executed. The New Testament introduces a Messiah in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. The inauguration of this Messiah is cloaked in mystery without the illumination from the past. Jesus, divorced from the prophetic imperative, would have had no mandate for his manifestation to Israel. However, given the rationale that fulfilled prophecy was a lawful essential to the identity of the Christ, it is no surprise to note that the New Testament age opened with a sense of anticipation and closed with a sense of consummation: He who had been foretold had come to Israel. Fulfilled prophecy is the death knell to modernism and every system of doubt. Far removed from speculation and conjecture, prophecy foresees the future with a surety that acknowledges the existence of God. ``For no prophecy ever cane by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit'' (2 Pet. 1:21). While one might dare to argue with the declarations of the Bible about the existence of God (e.g., Gen. 1:1), one can scarcely argue with prophecy. Deity is an indisputable fact when One has the power to see the end of a thing from its beginning, an ability inconsistent with mortal man. Of course, there are proofs about the deity of Jesus in addition to that of fulfilled prophecy. The testimony of John the Baptist regarding his witness of the Holy Spirit (John 1:34), the voice from Heaven (Mt. 3:17), the transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-16), the teaching of Jesus, the work of Jesus (miracles, signs, wonders), and the resurrection, to name a few. But nothing ties the covenants together with more purpose and design than fulfilled prophecy. It shows the intent of God to bring a Messiah; it shows the selection of Messiah to be determinate and not accidental; it shows the power of God to guide world events to fruition; it welds revelation into one continuous whole. In the Book of Acts, Luke presents fulfilled prophecy as a testimony that Jesus is not self-deluded, confused nor an impostor, springing unannounced by God to an unprepared nation, but as the Messiah, indeed, foretold from creation (Gen. 3:15). Pointing like the finger of God, prophecy forever identifies and certifies Jesus as the Chosen of God, sent to save the world. Fulfilled Prophecy in Acts * Betrayal of Judas: Acts 1:16, 20 (Ps. 69:25; 109:8) * Kingdom of Christ: Acts 2:16 (Joel 2:28ff) * Resurrection of Christ: Acts 2:25-32 (Ps. 16:8ff); 13:32-39 (Ps. 2:7; Isa 55:3; Ps. 16;10); 24:14,15 (``law'' and ``prophets'') * Lordship of Messiah: Acts 2:34-36 (Ps. 110:1) * Suffering and Rejection: Acts 3:12-18; 26:22-23 (``Moses'') * Christ as Lawgiver and Prophet: Acts 3:19-24 (Deut 18:15) * Fulfilled Covenant - Promised to Fathers: Acts 3:25, 26 (Gen. 12:3; 22:18; etc.); 13:32, 33 (ibid) * Rejected Cornerstone: Acts 4:11 (Ps.118:22) * Conspiracy of rulers: Acts 4:23-28 (Ps.2:1, 2) * Scheme of Redemption: Acts 7:1-53 (Gen., Ex., Deut., Josh., Isa., Amos) * Suffering Servant: Acts 8:32-35 (Psa 53) * Bringing in Gentiles: Acts 10:1-43; 11:18 (``all the prophets''); 13:44-48 (Isa. 49:6); 15:7-15 (Amos 9:11, 12) * Seed of David: Acts 13:16-41 (2 Sam. 7:12ff) * Warning against rejecting Messiah: Acts 13:40-41 (Hab. 1:5) * Rejection of Jesus: Acts 13:27-29 (``voices of the prophets'') * Rejection of Gospel: Acts 28:25-28 (Isa. 6:9, 10) * Jesus is Christ: Acts 18:28 (``scriptures'') * Hope of Israel: Acts 28:20-23 (``Moses and the prophets''). Would to God that modern Jews would take the time to read the book of Acts and search the Old Testament scriptures that are so eloquent in their declaration of the Messiah. Jesus, and only Jesus, is the embodiment of the vision given to the prophets. It is a tragedy of the greatest dimension that His people (according to the flesh) have rejected their Messiah. But we who are Gentiles glorify God every day for the mercy shown to us in allowing us to become descendants of Abraham by faith (Gal. 3:26-29). It is by grace that we are the true ``Israel of God'' (Rom. 9:6-8). The book of Acts is Luke's record of apostolic preaching which has prophecy and its fulfillment as God's attestation of Jesus as the Messiah of promise. This volume, perhaps more than any other, spans the time between the covenants to make of them one complete statement and to give fleshly reality to the Messianic concept. This, among the other themes of this great book, is but one measure of the blessings we receive in our study of this wonderful text. ___________________________________________ OUR SPEECH REVEALS OUR HEART by Joe R. Price Jesus teaches us many lessons about mastering our hearts. The ability to rein in our emotions and direct them into positive channels is no small task. It takes a lifetime of diligent and persistent effort to master self (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). One area which immediately displays our success or failure in self-control is the use of the tongue. From one point of view it can be said that no one can tame the tongue (James 3:8). It is restless, always susceptible to an urge of misuse. And so, we are taught that the capacity to bridle the tongue evinces one's ability to control his whole body (James 3:2). We can all benefit from the proper use of our tongues. Jesus said, ``the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man'' (Matthew 15:18). Our speech makes us known to those who hear us (cf. Matthew 26:73). And, we need to be reminded from time to time that God hears every word we speak. He will therefore bring every word into judgment (Matthew 12:36-37). It behooves us to speak good words. Since the misuse of the tongue demonstrates the misuse of the heart, the place to begin when correcting evil speech should be clear. Here are some sins of the tongue. As we consider our tongues in view of these sins, please think of what they say about the heart. In this way we can better correct the problems of evil speech. 1. Profanity - Ephesians 4:29; 5:4. Such language indicates a heart that is influenced by the flesh and base desires. It doesn't take much brains to cuss, just a lack of self-control. Instead, the Christian is commanded to speak words which provide a lasting good to the hearer--words which edify and give grace (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6). 2. Lies - Ephesians 4:25. Truth is a commodity which is becoming quite rare these days. Some people will say almost anything if they see an advantage for themselves. Lies consume the one who speaks them and can destroy those against whom they are spoken. Truth must be in our hearts. Wouldn't you rather be defined as a truthful person than a liar? 3. Unkept vows (promises) - Ecclesiastes 7:4-5. Jesus said to let our ``speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one'' (Matthew 5:37). Our word should be our bond, and when we give it, we must not defer to keep it. A man who will not keep his word is not trustworthy. He cannot be depended upon. Let your speech show the dependability of your heart. 4. Idle words - Matthew 12:36. A three year old can be excused for talking to hear herself chatter, but some adults are the same way. Words which are worthless and provide no benefit are to be avoided. Surely this includes much of the slang and euphemistic language in society. Words which push to the brink of vulgarity substitute for the ``offensive'' term, and we are convinced we have said nothing wrong. But such words show a heart that is unconcerned with purity. 5. All evil speaking - Ephesians 4:31-32. Slanderous comments, angry outbursts, bitter condemnations, malicious innuendoes -- all these and more fall under this category of evil. The mouth that conveys such things reveals a heart which is immersed in self-vindication at the expense of others. It is a heart devoid of kindness, tenderness and forgiveness. What a fearful thing to face God with such a heart (Hebrews 10:31)! To the wise counsel ``keep your heart with all diligence'' (Proverbs 4:23) might be added, ``keep you tongue with all diligence!'' As Solomon said, ``He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction'' (Proverbs 13:3). Our goal must be sound speech which is appropriate for the occasion (Titus 2:8; Colossians 4:6). Sometimes that will mean encouragement, while at other times a rebuke will be in order (2 Timothy 4:2). But by always speaking truth in love, the body of Christ will be edified and all who hear us will hear the good things of our heart (Ephesians 4:15). ___________________________________________ Thoughts on Death and Sorrow by Tom Edwards Viktor Frankl, in his book, ``Man's Search For Meaning,'' made an excellent point about losing a loved one. He speaks of a man who was deeply grieved over the death of his wife and wished that he could have died before her. He just couldn't see any purpose for going on. It was pointed out to him, however, that if he had died first then it would have been his wife who would be the one suffering terribly. By viewing it this way, the widower was able to see meaning in his life: he was saving his wife from much grief and pain by bearing the burden of sorrow himself. As we realize, when a faithful Christian dies, death is sad for only the living. The deceased child of God, however, is already enjoying the blissfulness of Paradise (Luke 23:43). It was Paul's desire to be absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). In other words, he joyfully looked forward to his departure from this life -- and his ``arrival'' into heaven's glory -- and, therefore, viewed death as a ``gain,'' not a loss (Phil. 1:21). God, too, views the death of one of His godly ones as being ``precious'' in His sight (Psa. 116:15); and enables His children to overcome the ``sting'' of death, which is sin, through Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:56,57; Heb. 2:14,15). Perhaps we feel, though, that the young should be able to ``experience'' life before they have to pass on -- to be married, have a family, etc. And though these things could be a real blessing on earth, isn't that all it really pertains to -- this temporal earthlife? Will there be any regrets in heaven from those who never experienced the joys and contentment of married life, the happiness of having one's own family, etc.? I don't think so. Can we really conceive of anyone in heaven complaining or regretting over losses, disappointments, and unfulfilled dreams while on earth? Will the poor beggar in Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) be moping about and regretting in heaven that he hadn't been in better health while on earth? that he had been so poor while there? that he hadn't been able to enjoy great, sumptuous meals like the rich man? that he had (probably) lived a lonely, miserable life while on earth? ...When in heaven, will he even bother to spend time thinking of any of his sad and adverse circumstances he experienced while on earth? If so, he will certainly be seeing them from a different perspective. Even while on earth, Paul began seeing things from heaven's point of view; and he could, as a result, say, ``Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life'' (2 Cor. 4:16-5:4). Learning to see things from the proper -- or better perspective --can certainly help us better cope with life, death, and sorrow. ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Being the last Sunday of the month, tonight will be our sing night. We look forward to seeing you there. Let us continue praying for Shirley Stiff, Greg Frazier, and Mrs. Ernest Hamm that they may each be healed from their infirmities. Also, for our prayer list is Art Ogden of Somerset, Kentucky. He has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, with a prognosis of three to six months. His son Alex writes, ``My father's spirits remain very good. The hope set before us through Christ is truly an anchor to his soul. His faith and confidence in the Lord is an inspiration to all of us.'' Several days ago, I did a search on the InterNet for this bulletin using AltaVista. I was surprised to see links to about 130 editions of it. Using my name in the search also popped-up many of The Gospel Observer bulletins -- and even when searching for a couple of the individuals who have been mentioned in the bulletin's ``News and Notes'' section, they were also found. Why I found that so incredible was that about a year-and-a-half ago I read that the InterNet than had about 40 million pages of info--and I imagine much more than that now. What's that old saying about the "needle in the haystack"? Odds like this are not too difficult for the InterNet! Feel free to visit The Gospel Observer web site today! ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________