JOHN & ACTS

Today, I finished up in John and read 13 chapters into Acts.  Here are a few thoughts today: 1) A SERVANTS HEART-In John 13, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, and then said in verse 15: "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."  Jesus, the master was serving the servant.  He wants us to be servants as well.  Whether or not we are to wash each others feet of course is debatable, and some Christians still do, the the idea more apply expressed is that we ought to serve one another.  Washing the feet of guest was a job for the lowly servant, but Jesus did so for His disciples.  No doubt, it was for an example, because their feet would have been washed when they entered the house, just like some people choose to take off their shoes as they enter their homes.  What is timeless is the servants heart that Jesus expresses that all of us should have.  We should go out of our way to serve one another as we see a need arise.  Let us be looking for opportunities to serve one another! 2) THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK-The Holy Spirit will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; according to John 16:8-11.  These three things are needed for people to be saved.  They need to know they are sinners, they need to understand that righteousness only comes from Christ since ours is as filthy rags, and they need to understand that without Christ, there is only coming judgment awaiting us, and ultimately Hell for all eternity.  Once these things are shared, they then have to make a decision to trust Christ, or meet God on their own.  3) MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS- In Acts 1:3, this is what the scriptures tell us.  Jesus proved Himself alive by many infallible proofs for forty days being seen of men.  John later tells us in I John, that our eyes saw, and our hands have handled, the Word of Life... Jesus!  Peter talks about hearing, seeing, and handling Jesus, but the more sure word is the Word of God given to us.  The resurrection was carefully proven by Jesus to His disciples before they began their great start of sharing the Gospel on the day of Pentecost. 4) TONGUES- What does the Bible say about tongues?  Well, there is what is called:  The Law of First Mention in Scripture  Interpretation that says that the first time a thing is mentioned it sets the foundation for all of the other times to build upon.  In Acts 2:4-11, we see the foundation.  vs. 4- "All filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."  vs. 6-"and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."  vs. 8-"And how hear we every man in our own tongue, where in we were born?"  vs. 11- "we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God".  Here is the teaching: a. Tongues were a language  vs. 6,8, 11 b. Tongues were miraculous vs. 4 c. Tongues were a foreign language spoken to men about the wonderful things of God vs.11 d. Tongues had a purpose.  1Co 14:22  "Wherefore tongues are for a sign," e. The Tongues were all in Gentile languages  vs. 6 and vs. 9-11a list the different nations. f. These men who were there, were Jews who lived outside of Jerusalem  (vs. 5 says- "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven."  g. It was not JUST for sharing the Gospel, but every Jew knew Hebrew!!  It was a SIGN that the Gospel was open to the Gentiles, and tongues were used UNTIL the Jewish Christian finally understood this, and then tongues ceased!  It never was a HEAVENLY LANGUAGE or a PRAYER LANGUAGE, but a TOOL to show the JEWS that the GOSPEL was for ALL PEOPLE!!  This is the meaning of tongues according to the BIBLE.  Well, I've got to go for today!  Have a blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler