Introduction

Good day to all! Finally, it is time to revisit the Book of Acts. From now on, we will re-examine the scriptures we have studied in the past. I found the upgraded version of the Genesis study just concluded to be quite good because, upon reviewing it, I realized that I had not fully grasped God's intentions before. I am not afraid of people saying that I did not get it right in the past, as I often say so myself. This study will differ from previous ones because I have grown, and I cannot remain stuck in absurd understandings.

We must all enter into continuous growth and upgrading. Never go backwards while failing to grow; that would be troublesome! If someone says, How come you speak differently than before these years? it is because you have grown! Some people only increase in age and the ability to discern good and evil, but nothing else, which is a disaster.

We will begin with Chapter 1 of the Book of Acts, with the theme being, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and you will receive power. This is written in the Bible, yet, as I look around, there are so many Christians without power! Many quickly deviate from the teachings of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and you will receive power, these were among the last words spoken by the Lord Jesus before His ascension. However, many churches have gotten it wrong because they neither believe nor listen to Jesus' words, and this has deep historical roots.

The Book of Acts as a Continuation of the Gospel of Luke

Here, I suggest that those who have not understood the Gospel of Luke should first listen to it. The theme of the Gospel of Luke is Many will rise, and many will fall, and this should be imprinted in your minds. In the Book of Acts, similarly, many rise and many fall. Where do they fall? They fall on the rock, Jesus Christ, because of unbelief. The gospel preached in the Book of Acts is consistent with the gospel Luke presents. The Gospel of Luke is where Jesus Christ personally demonstrates the gospel to us, while Luke writes the Book of Acts with a degree of disparagement towards Peter, but the latter part, concerning Paul, is distinctly different.

The gospel preached by the Apostle Paul is consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Luke because the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will receive power. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ preached the gospel with great power, and the Apostle Paul likewise preached the gospel with great power. Jesus Christ wants us to imitate Jesus Christ, and the Apostle Paul wants us to imitate the Apostle Paul. The Apostle Paul said, Imitate me, as I imitate Jesus! Now, I also say, You should imitate Jesus; if you cannot imitate Jesus, then imitate Paul. If you still cannot imitate Paul, then imitate me, for I imitate Jesus and Paul.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is consistent, but it must not be changed, or you will fall on this rock. The Holy Spirit guides Jesus in the will of God, and the Holy Spirit filled Jesus Christ without limit. If the Holy Spirit fills us without limit, we will certainly be like Jesus. The continuation of the Gospel of Luke is in the Book of Acts, where many fall and many rise.

As a continuation, I would rename the Book of Acts Bearing Witness to Jesus Christ. What does bearing witness mean? I will share this with you gradually. Let us carefully observe how many have continued the Gospel of Luke and imitated Jesus Christ? And how many have continued the Book of Acts and imitated the Apostle Paul? This is important because many have gotten it wrong, and many have fallen because of it.

The Command of the Lord Jesus

The Book of Acts begins with the ascension of Jesus Christ. The scene of Jesus Christ ascending into heaven on a cloud must have been spectacular; regrettably, we were not born in that era. At that time, there were Mary, Jesus' brothers James and Judas, as well as the apostles and disciples, about five hundred people. Let us examine how Jesus Christ commanded them.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:1-5)

Being baptized with the Holy Spirit is what Jesus Christ said, but some churches are afraid of even mentioning the Holy Spirit. Before ascending, Jesus said, Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the Holy Spirit, which my Father promised, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, this is very important!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Here, it is very clear that the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and you will receive power. However, many do not adhere to or follow this, resulting in the transformation of the gospel of Jesus Christ into a gospel without the Holy Spirit. Is a gospel without the Holy Spirit still the gospel? Some constantly call others heretics, but they themselves are the greatest heretics. Jesus Christ's command is very clear; if one has no power, how can one bear witness? Bearing witness means doing what Jesus did, that is bearing witness to Jesus Christ, and not just saying that Jesus appeared to them.

The Apostle Paul spoke of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ being in us. Therefore, Jesus Christ preached the gospel, healed the sick, and cast out demons, and so do we. Jesus Christ trained disciples, and so do we. Some say, Not many should become teachers. As a result, one person is exhausted from doing everything, and still think it is good. That is not what Jesus did! Jesus commanded us to bear witness for Jesus Christ. But if there is no Holy Spirit, how can we bear witness? Some people randomly say things when bearing witness, saying someone's life is good just because they come to church on Sunday to arrange the chairs.

I find it strange; is life considered good just by arranging chairs on Sunday? I am not criticizing other churches, but criticizing those who do not act according to God's word. I am only trying to convey the correct concept to everyone; as for the wrong ones, don’t follow them. Bearing witness for Jesus means doing what Jesus did. If you are not like Jesus, not doing what Jesus did, but doing a lot of what Jesus did not do, then it is a disaster! That is bearing witness for oneself, doing things like organizing a happiness cell group, preparing food and drinks. Jesus did not do these things.

This is the command of the Lord Jesus Christ, the most important thing is that the Holy Spirit must come upon you, and you must receive power. Then, in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, bear witness for Jesus Christ, which is doing what Jesus did, and you cannot do it without the Holy Spirit. Bearing witness also means having the image of Jesus Christ in us. This is the command of the Lord Jesus Christ; if you do not listen to Jesus' words, then who should you listen to? Some say they believe in Jesus and love God very much! I ask them: How do you believe in Jesus, how do you love God, have you done what Jesus said? In fact, they did not follow Jesus' words at all, but followed their own words.

God often gives us clear instructions. Jesus Christ told us very clearly: Do not leave Jerusalem—leaving is useless. If you are not filled and poured out with the Holy Spirit, not baptized with the Holy Spirit, what can you do? Some people subtly change the concept, claiming that they have already repented and believed in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit dwells within them. This is not what Jesus said. The disciples in Jerusalem all had the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, so why did they still have to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? Because without being baptized with the Holy Spirit, they are useless, with no use in leaving.

How Easily People Become Self-Righteous

This is the focus of this chapter; there are especially many self-righteous people in this world. God tells them to go east, but they go west; tells them to chase dogs, but they catch chickens, and when asked why they caught chickens, they say they caught them while chasing dogs, thinking that going west is following God's word. This phenomenon is especially common. We see how self-righteous people can be, going off track right from the start. This is not just in the Book of Acts, but also in the Gospel of Luke, so we must be careful.

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:4-6)

The disciples followed Jesus for so many years, and having listened to what Jesus said, they did not understand, nor did they ask what it meant to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. After Jesus rose from the dead and spoke to them, they did not say, Jesus wants us not to leave Jerusalem, we will wait to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Instead, they asked, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? At this moment, I can feel how tiring it was for Jesus! When did Jesus ever teach them to restore the kingdom to Israel? Jesus corrected them by saying,

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The things in their heads were too evil, going too far off-topic. It was entirely a chicken-and-duck conversation, completely irrelevant. How self-righteous can people be to do this? The things inside people are truly evil, full of self-righteousness. I often find it difficult to talk to people. I hope to clearly discuss one thing, but the other person starts talking about something else. I think to myself: How can these people not understand such a simple instruction from Jesus Christ?

After Jesus finished speaking, He ascended into heaven on a cloud, and the people stood there watching. There were probably many questions they had not asked, but it was better not to say anything with such off-topic questions. After watching Jesus ascend, these people gathered in Jerusalem, which looked like they were listening to Jesus, staying in the Upper Room, and persistently praying with one heart. After a while, some people who had a bellyful of words that were not spoken at the time, now had the chance to speak. The one taking the lead was Peter.

There is a Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s walk away. Then the disciples returned to Jerusalem from there, and when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)

So they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)

Peter stood up among the assembly and spoke at length, then cast lots to appoint an apostle, completing the twelve. He said it was to bear witness to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. If the Lord Jesus intended to appoint an apostle, He would certainly have instructed them on how to do so. Peter was prone to doing things Jesus did not instruct, preferring his own methods. This is a common phenomenon in the church, where people like to do their own thing. I fail to grasp the connection between bearing witness to the Lord Jesus and appointing an apostle.

I see no connection whatsoever. Furthermore, Matthias, chosen by lot, merely filled the vacancy to make twelve apostles. And who knows what else Peter did. In reality, the position was intended for Paul, but they filled it by casting lots, preempting the appointment of the Apostle Paul. In his later epistles, Paul wrote that though there were twelve apostles, he was by no means inferior to them. If you are a fan of Peter, you are of Cephas. I do not wish to be a fan of anyone. I simply want to share this.

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry. (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’ (Acts 1:15-20)

In fact, the Bible had long foretold that Peter would do something foolish. Peter’s words strayed further and further from the point, and Luke’s account does not directly say that Peter digressed. Otherwise, people would not have been guessing for two thousand years, assuming that it was what God said. I feel that Peter's words had nothing to do with the Lord Jesus’ instructions. It was just a game of making up numbers, complete with the title of apostle.

Therefore, I say that Acts is a continuation of Luke. Many will fall, and many will rise. Luke’s purpose in writing Acts was to cause many to fall and many to rise. If God does something miraculous among us, it is to raise us up among all nations. Because we do not want to go astray or be self-righteous. We just want to say, God! If you tell us to do it this way, we will do it this way. If we have questions, we will ask according to what you have said. We will not engage in pointless activity.

Luke deliberately wrote it this way, so that many would stumble here. We have finally figured it out. We must no longer be self-righteous, but adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ and act like Him. Nothing could be simpler. What the Holy Spirit did in Jesus, He also does in us. We also preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons, because Jesus Christ preached the gospel, healed the sick, and cast out demons. As Jesus Christ trained His disciples, so we also train our disciples. As the Lord Jesus sought treasures, so we also seek treasures, no longer engaging in empty and illusory pursuits.

Consider carefully that the Bible had long buried a foreshadowing, allowing us to carefully examine and understand God’s will. Peter did not imitate Jesus or do what Jesus did. Later, Luke described Peter as becoming increasingly excessive. We cannot see it on the surface, but few of the things Peter did were what Jesus did. Why are there so many churches today that do not do what Jesus told them to do, but engage in a pile of things Jesus did not do? It actually started with Peter. I reiterate, we cannot help those who wish to fall. We only hope that God will raise us up among all nations.

The Office God Gives Us is to Witness God's Power

For it is written in the Book of Psalms: “Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it”; and, “Let another take his office.” (Acts 1:20)

Did Judas actually have an office? Judas’ only mission was to betray Jesus. It would be bad if someone wanted to take his office. Let another take his office is quite ironic. Luke’s satire is quite acute. Peter said, “Let another take Judas’ office.” Luke wrote Romans and Acts when the Apostle Paul was arrested by the Jews in Jerusalem. After Paul was imprisoned in Israel for two years, he was sent to Rome. It is said that Theophilus was a prominent noble in Rome at the time.

When Luke wrote, “Let another take his office,” Peter’s office was actually taken by Paul. Even if God has chosen you, if you often digress, are self-righteous, and engage in reckless behaviour, God will find someone else. If God tells you to go east and you go west, tells you to chase dogs and you catch chickens, wouldn't God have to find someone else? It is good to do what God tells you to do! The office God gives us is to witness God's power.

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

That was written to the church in Corinth, which was thrown into chaos by Peter and his fellows. We must know that the demonstration of the Spirit and of power is to witness God's power.

always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:10)

What Apostle Paul said is very interesting, it is very ironic for someone to take his office. When Luke wrote Acts, Peter had already ruined the church in Jerusalem because he had lost the office of building God's glorious church. The reason for this outcome is that Peter digressed from the very beginning, and the slightest deviation led to enormous errors. In fact, God gave him chance after chance. We must carefully observe and obey God’s word, and carefully understand God’s will, so that we can observe and obey it.

The most important thing is to eliminate self-righteousness. If you still have a lot of self-righteousness, you will suffer! We must know that the office God gives us is to witness God’s power. Chinese Mingding Destiny is not just about healing and casting out demons. Some say we have the gifts of healing and deliverance, but that is not entirely true. The gospel we preach is the gospel preached by Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul, a demonstration of God's power.

We train disciples and seek treasures according to God’s requirements. We must understand God’s requirements. It is impossible not to follow God’s requirements. I told many pastors that for Jesus Christ and for the kingdom of God, people give up, and their reply is: How is that possible? Many years ago, I built a church according to what I said, and some pastors poured cold water on me: If you do this, will anyone come? After listening, I could better understand the heart of the Lord Jesus. That was really chilling.

Even if there is no one else, but only me, I will implement it according to God’s standards, because what is impossible with man is possible with God! As a result, I saw God manifestly with us. I have no courage to digress, nor do I have the courage to reshape God’s standards according to my own. Therefore, carefully observe and obey. We do whatever God says. This is Chinese Mingding Destiny. The Holy Spirit will come upon us, and we will receive power. We will be witnesses of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. We have truly reached the end of the earth. Wherever there is internet access, the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ can be heard.

Conclusion

Obeying the Holy Spirit is obeying God’s word. Stop doing your own thing, and be careful. Read this passage a little, and if you are not superstitious about the title of Apostle Peter, you will know at a glance that what he said and did digressed. We must implement it according to God’s word and obey the Holy Spirit to receive eternal life. People may be confused as to why Peter was crucified upside down later, which seems impressive. But why upside down? Was this an attempt to surpass the Lord Jesus and be greater than Him? In fact, it is all for show. As for how to nail, sideways or upright has no meaning. It is better to choose to carefully observe and obey God’s word while alive, implement it according to God’s word, and build God's glorious church.

Some people feel that they are not worthy to be like the Lord, and they ruin the church, and then they nail themselves to a cross in this way. In fact, all of that is meaningless! They play games their whole life, and in the end they also play games. In fact, it is still their own way. They don't even want to emulate Jesus when it comes to being nailed to a cross. How the Lord Jesus was nailed, we will also nail; how the Lord Jesus preached the gospel, we will also follow. How the Lord Jesus trained His disciples and sought treasures, we will also follow. Even being nailed to a cross must emulate Jesus. Don't deliberately make it seem as if you are not worthy to do what the Lord Jesus did. Being nailed to a cross upside down seems very impressive. Is this not struggling before death? Do you still have to do the opposite? We brothers and sisters must be upright throughout our lives and emulate Jesus to the core.

May God bless you all!