Snoopy Approaches Acts

[paradox3]

So this is the infilling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? The disciples are being equipped for the task of creating and spreading the early church?

And they already had the indwelling Holy Spirit?

How does the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Mary fit in here? What about mentions of it in the Hebrew Scriptures?

 

[GordW]

Meh, they just got the latest AI translator app.

I have used a Star Trek example (the Universal Translator) when preaching this story

 

[unsafe]

How does the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Mary fit in here? What about mentions of it in the Hebrew Scriptures?

Again AI gives you a good description of how the Holy Spirit was used in the Old Testament --

-As Far as Mary goes --the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary --this was a divine act of conception which kept Jesus free from sin and gave Him His duel Natures ----Human and Divine ----


AI Overview


In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon certain individuals to empower them for specific tasks or roles, rather than dwelling within them permanently like in the New Testament. Examples include prophets, judges, and skilled craftsmen who received the Spirit's enablement for their work.

Elaboration:
The Holy Spirit's presence and activity in the Old Testament differed from the New Testament. Instead of a permanent indwelling, the Spirit came upon individuals temporarily for specific purposes.

Examples of individuals who experienced the Spirit's temporary presence in the Old Testament:

• Prophets:
  The Spirit would come upon prophets like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and others, enabling them to deliver God's messages.
  
  
• Judges:
  Figures like Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson were empowered by the Spirit to lead Israel in battles and deliver them from enemies.
  
  
• Skilled Craftsmen:
  Bezalel and others who built the tabernacle were filled with the Spirit to design and execute the artistic and practical aspects of the structure.
  
  
• Other Individuals:
  The Spirit also came upon individuals like Joshua, David, and Saul, equipping them for leadership and service.
  

Key Differences from the New Testament:

Temporary vs. Permanent:
In the Old Testament, the Spirit's presence was temporary and for specific tasks, while in the New Testament, believers receive the Holy Spirit as a permanent indwelling presence.

 

[paradox3]

Actually the Holy Spirit had a very specific purpose in mind for Mary when coming upon her.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Actually the Holy Spirit had a very specific purpose in mind for Mary when coming upon her.

Don't think of this bit too closely, but if the Holy Spirit, who is as clearly a "she" as God and Jesus are a "he" is the one overcoming Mary, then Jesus is a product of lesbian coitus, and how that produces a male child is confusing.

 

[Mendalla]

Don't think of this bit too closely, but if the Holy Spirit, who is as clearly a "she" as God and Jesus are a "he" is the one overcoming Mary, then Jesus is a product of lesbian coitus, and how that produces a male child is confusing.

With God, all things are possible, eh.

 

[unsafe]

but if the Holy Spirit, who is as clearly a "she"

A ----But the Holy Spirit is a He unfortunately in Scripture ---so how you get the Holy Spirit to be a She is by wanting that in our own minds --

then Jesus is a product of lesbian coitus,

So this your theory here is thinking -----I think

The Holy Spirit in Scripture is referred to as ----- the comforter --advocate ---counselor and this Noun is Masculine in gender ----- Just to clarify

Greek word for this is

Lexical Summary
paraklétos: Advocate, Helper, Comforter, Counselor
Original Word: παράκλητος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: paraklétos
Pronunciation: pah-RAH-klee-toss
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak'-lay-tos)
KJV: advocate, comforter
NASB: Helper, Advocate

 

[paradox3]

I prefer not to use any gendered pronouns for God or the Holy Spirit. It is a particular way of talking/ writing but I have grown accustomed to it.

It has probably been decades since I defaulted to he/ him for God. Or He/ Him.
Occasionally I default to "it" or "she" for the Holy Spirit but I try not to.

For Jesus I use he/ him or He/Him.

 

[GordW]

A ----But the Holy Spirit is a He unfortunately in Scripture ---so how you get the Holy Spirit to be a She is by wanting that in our own minds --


So this your theory here is thinking -----I think

The Holy Spirit in Scripture is referred to as ----- the comforter --advocate ---counselor and this Noun is Masculine in gender ----- Just to clarify

Greek word for this is

Lexical Summary
paraklétos: Advocate, Helper, Comforter, Counselor
Original Word: παράκλητος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: paraklétos
Pronunciation: pah-RAH-klee-toss
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak'-lay-tos)
KJV: advocate, comforter
NASB: Helper, Advocate

Except Ruah and Pneuma are feminine in gender. So different ways of referring to the Holy Spirit can take a different tack.

 

[unsafe]

Except Ruah and Pneuma are feminine in gender. So different ways of referring to the Holy Spirit can take a different tack.

GordW ---All scripture refers to the Holy Spirit as HE -----

Here is the Thing ----God has no Gender----- Period ---so the Holy Spirit is really of NO Gender but for the purpose of Scripture God Himself who Scripture says---- Inspired All Scripture ------ the Holy Spirit is a HE not a she -in His word ---

New International Version
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

I say --------So here is what we need to know -----does the gender of the word in Greek or Hebrew qualify as gender identity -----

AI
No, the grammatical gender of words in Greek and Hebrew does not equate to gender identity in the modern sense.
While these languages have masculine, feminine, and sometimes neuter grammatical genders for nouns and pronouns, this is a grammatical feature of the language and doesn't necessarily correspond to the sex or gender of the entity being referred to.

• Examples:
  • In Greek, "spirit" (πνεύμα, pneuma) is neuter, but in the New Testament, it is sometimes referred to with masculine pronouns due to the influence of the masculine word for "Comforter" (Παράκλητος, Parakletos).
    
    
  • In Hebrew, the word for "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach) is feminine, but the Holy Spirit is often referred to with masculine pronouns in English translations.
    
    
  • In summary, while grammatical gender in Greek and Hebrew is a linguistic feature, it is not the same as gender identity. The grammatical gender of a word does not dictate the gender identity of the entity it refers to.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 2:14-41

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 2:14-41 - New English Translation

Peter’s Address on the Day of Pentecost - But Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: “You men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen carefully to what I say. In spite of what you think, these men are not drunk, for it is only nine o’clock...

www.biblegateway.com

Today's reading is a long one, with quotes from Joel 2 and Psalm 16.

Peter addresses the crowd. He assures the people that the disciples are not drunk. It is only nine o'clock in the morning!

Peter looks to the Hebrew Scriptures to explain Jesus.

God has raised Him up because death could not contain Him. Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God. God has made this Jesus who was crucified both Lord and Christ.

The people are distressed and ask Peter and the disciples what they should do. Peter replies:

Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for all who will be called by God.

Those who accepted his message were baptized. That day about 3,000 were added.

 

[paradox3]

Seems to me that Peter does not expect God to call everyone.

The reading suggests that not everyone who hears the message from the disciples will accept it.

But this new movement is developing quickly. The number of followers has grown from fewer than 150 to over 3,000 in a single day.

 

[unsafe]

Seems to me that Peter does not expect God to call everyone.

The reading suggests that not everyone who hears the message from the disciples will accept it.

Just to clarify ----God's always calls on everyone to accept His Graced Gift offer of a Heart change ---but not everyone accepts God's offer---We have free will to choose to accept or reject the call ----Hardened hearts will not accept the Message ------the Pharisees are a good example of that ----

My thoughts on this
Peter I don't think would have any idea in the crowd he was speaking to who had excepted God's call and who hadn't as it involved a hardened Heart Change to a soft Heart --Peter was just Preaching to the crowd and later knew that out of the crowd 3,000 accepted God's call of a Heart change -----

It is the same today -----the Minister preaching has no idea who has accepted God's call of a heart change that is setting in the pews of the Church building ---only God knows that -----

 

[paradox3]

Just to clarify ----God's always calls on everyone to accept His Graced Gift offer of a Heart change ---

Well, you and I might believe this. But I don't think it matches what Peter is saying here in v. 39.

Here is the link to the verse in several translations.

Acts 2:39 - Bible Gateway

www.biblegateway.com

It doesn't say that God will call everyone.

 

[unsafe]

So we see that Peter is telling the people that the Disciples are not Drunk but this is the beginning of what was prophesied in the Old Testament

So we can see how the Old Testament is shedding light on what is going to be happening in the New Testament ----Peter is reminding Israel of what was said in past times -----by giving them a reminder of what Joel 2 said ----Kind of like a Bible study LOL

We see Peter raising His voice -----this is the power of the Holy Spirit working in Peter --he speaks with confidence and courage and boldness -----this is Peter the one who denied Jesus 3 times -----who has now been empowered to Preach boldly God's word ----

And Peter is speaking with no pre-prepared sermon --Folks ---the Holy Spirit is guiding him ---

Peter goes on to explain the Resurrection of Jesus by quoting Psalm 16 ---another short Bible study for the Israelite's LOL -----

So here in theses verses Peter is reassuring the People that David was given a prophecy -----as he was dead and buried ----and was enlightened by God to this information -----

Verses
29 Brothers, I may confidently and freely say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

30 so, being a prophet and knowing fully that God had sworn to him with an oath that He would seat one of his descendants on his throne,

31 he foresaw and spoke [prophetically] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),

So we see here that Peter is calling for Repentance which requires a Heart Change ---Hardened Hearts will not Repent ----

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I say --to Truly Repent you need a Change of Heart -----God Draws the Person to Him and Changes their Hardened Heart to a soft heart to accept His message -----we can refuse this Draw ----God does not force people to Accept Him -----He gave us Free will to choose ------

verse 39
39 For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.”

https://www.gotquestions.org/repentance.html-------Read all for yourselves I just posted this part

Repentance is not a work we do to earn salvation. No one can repent and come to God unless God pulls that person to Himself (John 6:44). Repentance is something God gives—it is only possible because of His grace (Acts 5:31; 11:18). No one can repent unless God grants repentance. All of salvation, including repentance and faith, is a result of God drawing us, opening our eyes, and changing our hearts. God’s longsuffering leads us to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), as does His kindness (Romans 2:4).

I say -------Peter here is pleading with people ---to listen and obey ------

40 And Peter solemnly testified and continued to admonish and urge them with many more words, saying, "Be saved from this crooked and unjust generation!”

41 So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].

I say ---so Only those who accepted to truly Repent through their hearts being Changed by God the Father heard the message -----and were Baptised in the Holy Spirit ------

 

[paradox3]

Peter is emerging as a strong leader here.

 

[unsafe]

40 And Peter solemnly testified and continued to admonish and urge them with many more words, saying, "Be saved from this crooked and unjust generation!”

This verse resonates strongly with me ----as Peter has hits the nail on the head for then and Now ---- this world is so divided ---so corrupt -----and so crooked ---it is clothed in Darkness -for the generations coming up it offers moral and spiritual decay ---God is so far pushed back by this wicked world ------

So sad

 

[Mendalla]

Peter is emerging as a strong leader here.

Well, he is considered to be the first pope by a certain branch of Christianity.

Peter is clearly talking about them being in the last days here, isn't he? Interesting how that passage from Joel still get trotted out today. Are we always in the "Last Days"? Is "Last Days" more metaphorical than real? Or have Christians really just not known when the "Last Days" are and keep getting it wrong when they try to interpret events in light of scripture? Jesus himself suggested that none would know until it happened (Matthew 24:36) and that only the Father knew, not even the Son (i.e. he didn't know). So how can Peter be sure he is in the Last Days anymore than anyone else?

That said, given the situation post-Resurrection and Pentecost, it's a good bit of prophecy to use and he seems to deliver it well given reactions.

 

[unsafe]

Peter is clearly talking about them being in the last days here, isn't he?

I think Peter here is telling Israel that God promised the Holy Spirit would be poured out in the last days as predicted in Joel ---so this was fulfilling a prophecy that was made in the Old Testament and the people would have or should have known this scripture and would have seen that what was predicted has come to pass ------

this is verse 17 from Joel
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.

The Disciples are now building the Church ----and so the Church Age is the start of the last days -----and we are in the last days today as we are still in the Church Age ---The Rapture happens at the end of the Church Age --so we are still in the start of the last days ---cause as soon as the Rapture happens ---the 7 year Tribulation starts ------



The question is
is peter saying he is in the last days here in acts 2 by quoting Joel

AI

Yes, in Acts 2, when Peter quotes the prophet Joel, he is saying that the events of Pentecost, including the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, are a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy about the "last days". This indicates that Peter believed the beginning of the church age was also the beginning of the "last days


This is a chart ---that shows you we are in the Church Age Still ---the Rapture comes at the end of the church age

 

[unsafe]

Jesus himself suggested that none would know until it happened (Matthew 24:36)

Jesus here is talking about His Second Coming to separate the sheep and the goats and pass judgment after the 7 year tribulation is over -----this is just before He sets up His New Kingdom on this earth -----

36 ;“But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone.

37 For the coming of the Son of Man (the Messiah) will be just like the days of Noah.

38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah entered the ark,

39 and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be [unexpected judgment].

40 At that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken [for judgment] and one will be left.

41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken [for judgment] and one will be left.


I say ---------So here you see the one Taken is Judge so this is the person who did not get Saved after going through the Tribulation and the one left is the saved person who will remain in the New Earth ------