A Lamp for Today

Acts 5:1-11, a very difficult passage, teaches us about the importance of unity, truth, and the fear of the LORD. It also teaches us about the mysterious nature of the Holy Trinity. We look to Joshua 7; Matthew 9:4, Psalm 94:9/LXX 83:10, and 2 Cor 6:14-7:1 for light on this passage, as well as to the Church Fathers who used it to teach about the living God.

This week we consider the prayer of the community and their life together as described by Luke in Acts 4:23-36. For light upon this intriguing vignette of the early Church, we look to passages in Exodus 16, Psalm 2, Psalm 145 LXX / 146 Hebrew, Nehemiah 9:6, and Revelation 10:6. The creating God calls His people into a unity that mirrors the generous life of the Holy Trinity.

We look today at the result of the healing of the paralytic and the trial of the apostles Peter and John before the Jewish leaders, seeing Acts 4:1-22 in the light of Exodus 34:29-35; Deuteronomy 13:2-4; Psalm 118; Isaiah 43:11, 45:21-23; Luke 20:1-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; and Philippians 2:5-11. God uses the humility of the fishermen to bring 5000 men (with their families) to the LORD, and makes them “most wise” in their hour of trial.

We read Peter’s stirring sermon in Acts 3:11-26, understanding his references to Deuteronomy 18, as well as Genesis chapters 15, 18, 22, 26, and 28, and considering the wonder of how the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ, bringing blessing to both Jew and Gentile, knitting them together into one body, and healing each person who trusts in His Name.

We read of the merciful miracle of the Apostles Peter and John in Acts 3:1-11, which allowed the lame beggar to enter the Temple in joy, and join the company of believers. We are helped in understanding his predicament by putting the story alongside Leviticus 21:18-23, 2 Sam/1 Kingdoms 5:6-8 and Jesus’ actions in Matthew 21:14.

This episode concerns the response of the crowd to Peter’s sermon, and Luke’s description of the early Church in Acts 2:37-47, illumined by some of the fathers, and with reference to Deuteronomy 30:6 and 32:5, Joel 2:28-32, and Ezekiel 36:26-27. We learn about how the Holy Spirit enlivened the community and worship of the early Church, centered around the Apostles, and nurtured by the sacrament that our LORD has given for the life of the world.

We read the apostle Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:22-36, noting how he uses Psalm 15 LXX/16:8-11 and Psalm 109 LXX/10:1 to explain Pentecost to the crowd, and connecting other parts of his sermon with Luke 24:13-45, Phil. 2:5-11 and 2 Peter 1:19. With this Pentecostal witness to Jesus begin the mighty acts of the apostles through God, the Holy Spirit.

We read Acts 2:1-21, which tells the wonders of the first Pentecost, in light of Genesis 10-11, Exodus 24:17, Leviticus 23:15-17, Joel 2:28-32, 3 Kingdoms/1 Kings 8:27-30; 41-43, and Hebrews 12:18. Here is the great reversal and first sign of unity; here is the beginning of the mighty Acts of God seen in the Apostles.

We read Acts 1:15-26, understanding Peter’s instruction in the light of Joshua 18:10, 1 Kingdoms/Samuel 10:20–21, 1 Chronicles 24:5, 25:8, Psalms LXX 68, 108 (MT 69, 109), Proverbs 16:33, Luke 24:3, 1 Cor 8:6, and 2 Peter 1:16-20. Especially important is how the apostle directs the praying community to look to the Old Testament for light upon their understanding of the LORD Jesus and what God is doing in their midst.

Encouraged by our father St. John Chrysostom, we begin a close look at the Acts of the Apostles, especially at how it uses the Old Testament to illumine its narratives and its teaching. In episode one, we read Acts 1:1-14, understanding it through the promise of the prophets regarding the kingdom or rule of God, and the triumph of the Son of Man in Daniel 7. Our God does wonders!