The Cut and Paste Bible for the Doctrinally Challenged
For years I have enjoyed email messages from a pastor. Last week I received another writing of his, which contained the following statement:
On rereading it, I'm not sure exactly sure what he means. Is he writing off the entire book of Acts or only the historical parts??? How do you tell the difference? In any respect, I have heard other denominational preachers specifically say, that there is nothing on which to build doctrine in the book of Acts. . .In a most blasphemous statement, I heard one radio evangelist say (as closely as I can quote it) that the book of Acts was given to confuse Christians. . .
The book of Acts records the birth of the church. You can actually say that the New Testament. . the new covenant. . .the new agreement. . .doesn't begin until the book of Acts. The gospels record the life and ministry of Jesus, but the new contract did not come into effect until Jesus died on the cross. . .
Jesus last words before ascending into heaven were:
2 significant statements here. First you shall have power when the Holy Ghost is come and secondly you shall be witnesses to me unto the uttermost part of the earth. The uttermost parts of the earth were not ministered to. . .witnessed to by the Apostles or in the time of the Apostles. Jesus was speaking to those far beyond the time of the Apostles. . .He was speaking to us, who minister in all parts of the world today!!!
When did the promised Holy Ghost come?
In the next chapter of Acts. On the day of Pentecost
What happened when the Holy Ghost came?
The 120 were gathered in the upper room, praying in one accord when the Spirit of God fell upon them.
How did the people know that the Spirit of God had fallen. . .what evidence was given of that?
Wasn't that unique. . .only for the time of the disciples?
Note it says that God would pour out His Spirit on ALL flesh. . .
and again Peter speaking:
Note again: the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. . .
Peter says specifically that this is not limited by time (unto the next generation) or location (and to all that are afar off).
Mainline doctrine, often says that the Spirit of God automatically falls at the time of baptism, but in Acts 10 the household of Cornelius received the baptism of the Holy Ghost (as evidenced by their speaking in tongues) before being baptized and and in Acts 19 the believers were baptized weeks or months before being filled with God's Spirit. It is clear, from Biblical example that water baptism, and baptism of the Spirit often do not occur at the same moment.
Jesus said that they should have POWER when the Holy Ghost was come. . .What spirit is it that doesn't want the believers to have power???
For any doctrine which ignores the book of Acts, is a doctrine which robs the believers of power which they sorely need. . .A cut and paste doctrine. . .must also have a cut and paste savoir. . .
New covenant doctrine must be founded on
the teaching sections of the New Testament
the teaching sections of the New Testament
(the teachings of Jesus and the epistles)
and not from the historical sections in the gospels and Acts.
Otherwise, you will go into error.
On rereading it, I'm not sure exactly sure what he means. Is he writing off the entire book of Acts or only the historical parts??? How do you tell the difference? In any respect, I have heard other denominational preachers specifically say, that there is nothing on which to build doctrine in the book of Acts. . .In a most blasphemous statement, I heard one radio evangelist say (as closely as I can quote it) that the book of Acts was given to confuse Christians. . .
The book of Acts records the birth of the church. You can actually say that the New Testament. . the new covenant. . .the new agreement. . .doesn't begin until the book of Acts. The gospels record the life and ministry of Jesus, but the new contract did not come into effect until Jesus died on the cross. . .
Jesus last words before ascending into heaven were:
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
2 significant statements here. First you shall have power when the Holy Ghost is come and secondly you shall be witnesses to me unto the uttermost part of the earth. The uttermost parts of the earth were not ministered to. . .witnessed to by the Apostles or in the time of the Apostles. Jesus was speaking to those far beyond the time of the Apostles. . .He was speaking to us, who minister in all parts of the world today!!!
When did the promised Holy Ghost come?
In the next chapter of Acts. On the day of Pentecost
What happened when the Holy Ghost came?
The 120 were gathered in the upper room, praying in one accord when the Spirit of God fell upon them.
How did the people know that the Spirit of God had fallen. . .what evidence was given of that?
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Wasn't that unique. . .only for the time of the disciples?
Acts 2:16-17
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (17) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Note it says that God would pour out His Spirit on ALL flesh. . .
and again Peter speaking:
Acts 2:38-39
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Note again: the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. . .
Peter says specifically that this is not limited by time (unto the next generation) or location (and to all that are afar off).
Mainline doctrine, often says that the Spirit of God automatically falls at the time of baptism, but in Acts 10 the household of Cornelius received the baptism of the Holy Ghost (as evidenced by their speaking in tongues) before being baptized and and in Acts 19 the believers were baptized weeks or months before being filled with God's Spirit. It is clear, from Biblical example that water baptism, and baptism of the Spirit often do not occur at the same moment.
Jesus said that they should have POWER when the Holy Ghost was come. . .What spirit is it that doesn't want the believers to have power???
For any doctrine which ignores the book of Acts, is a doctrine which robs the believers of power which they sorely need. . .A cut and paste doctrine. . .must also have a cut and paste savoir. . .
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