We all need to draw closer to Jesus. Anyone disagree? God gave his prophet Isaiah remarkable revelations for us. The section immediately preceding our study speaks of God's people as His servant and we may study that. But let's start with Jesus. Over the next weeks I hope you will join me in looking at 15 verses, Isaiah 52:13 through Isaiah 53:12. Let's have a closer look now at this morning's segment, Isaiah 52:13-15.

Hear these verses:

Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:22-26 ESV).

Our study is from the book of Acts. This week we are in Acts 5:12-42.

Jesus has been crucified--murdered--by the combination of church and state, Rome in connection with the local religious leaders. But, oops, Jesus was in fact God and after His crucifixion He rose again. He has launched His New Testament church and the authorities are having a bit of a time.

The early church was not only busy, it was persecuted. We continue our study with chapter five. We recall the story of Ananias and Sapphira but often make the mistake of thinking of them apart from the very Scripture content that gives the incident its context. So we actually want to begin at Acts 4:32-37:

Today, Acts 3-4: God's church is on the move! But the authorities are interfering. His church is preaching and teaching Jesus as Messiah. The secular authorities are uneasy. Why?

In our day we have to ask that question. That is because in our day, the state is, effectively, god. It decides, for example, which activities are essential and which, non-essential. Churches are closed by decree; abortion clinics are open by decree. The state decides we should keep six feet apart and we comply.

Last Sabbath with "Opening for the Church," we began a study of God's church in the book of Acts. But we can go no farther without considering the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus spoke of it. It is found in all four of the gospels. John's baptism of repentance is linked to the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

At the very beginning of the New Testament we learn about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is portrayed as a future event. Matthew 3:5-12:

God Sends Leaders with Commands

As a consequence of the COVID-19 virus, we are adapting to concerns about pandemic. In many places the holding of worship events has been suspended. And now might be one of the best times to revisit God's plan for church. "All who believe are to be gathered into one church" (Acts of the Apostles, p. 28).

Open your Bible to the book of Acts. We begin in chapter one.