Celtic Wanderer

The Father sent the Son and the Holy Spirit to bring believers into fellowship with Himself, and into fellowship with one another. · The Father's blessings, grace and salvation flow only through Christ (cf. Joh_10:7-18; Joh_14:6). He is the Way. The only Way. He is the Door- the only door. (NB: All of God the Father's blessings flow through Christ and only through Him.) What does it mean for me to be "in Christ" It means:- - to be identified with Him. (Solidarity with Him) - To be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Him. - To be incorporated into Him!. Or to be part of Him - To be adopted as sons through Him. (Brothers and sisters in His family) - To be chosen by/in Him before the foundation of the world! - To be made holy and blameless before Him. (Growing in His likeness) It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me! Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. This such a powerful verse! Crucified with Christ – when He died .. I died! When he rose from the dead .. I rose with Him. I no longer live! He lives in me! He loves me! He gave Himself for me! Lord I want to live in the Spirit. To be guided by you in a sinful world. To shine with Your life and presence in me. Open your Word to me afresh. Let me be an open book that is read by others.

Q3. (Acts 10-11; Acts 19:1-7) The Holy Spirit comes upon new believers in both Caesarea and Ephesus accompanied by speaking in tongues (and prophecy and praise) like on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4). Does He always come like this initially? What about the times when people are saved in the New Testament but tongues aren't mentioned? Are they filled with the Spirit also? - The manifestations involving people speaking in tongues (foreign languages) and prophesying were special events where the Spirit fell on them in power as a sign. - People are often saved and receive the Holy Spirit without manifesting the gifts of tongues and prophecy; not do they exhibit ecstatic praise. - The Holy Spirit is at work in all believers at all times.

Q2. (Acts 4:8, 31) What does it mean that Peter and the believers are "filled with the Holy Spirit" in these passages? Are they "re-filled"? Is it possible for a believer to have many "fillings" of the Holy Spirit? Why or why not? They were empowered for service in order to meet a particular challenge, or calling, of God. Their initial filling of the Spirit came at the point of being regenerated. The Holy Spirit “takes up residence” at that time – He abides within us and never leaves us. Hence we are not re-filled, but to keep being continually filled.

Q1. (Acts 2) What happened at Pentecost that was different than anything that had happened in previous history? The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples (in a house where they were gathered) He filled the house, and He filled all (120) of them! Something like tongues of fire rested on them and they began to speak in other languages (tongues). Devout men from many nations heard them (in their own language) telling the mighty works of God! This event was unique in a number of ways : It was spontaneous. No person initiated the event. What looked like flames of fire rested on the disciples and they spoke in a number of known languages. (Separately or in unison?) The sound of a mighty rushing wind was heard by many people This was a completely new thing. A new age of grace commenced. The gospel was preached The church was born, 3000 people were baptized. The gift of the Holy Spirit was offered to the hearers of Peter’s message. People were added daily to the church. What word analogies are used to describe this phenomenon? The Holy Spirit rested upon them, He is referred to as the gift of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was poured out, and the people were filled with the Holy Spirit. Are these word analogies essentially used synonymously with others in Acts 2? Yes What did the Jews from foreign lands hear and see? Devout men from many nations heard them (in their own language) telling the mighty works of God! How did Peter interpret what they heard and saw? (Acts 2:14-21) Peter understood that the outpouring of the Spirit was in fulfilment of the prophecies of Joel and ushered in the “last days”.

Q4. (John 2:6-10) Why did Jesus perform this miracle behind-the-scenes? Who was he trying to protect? What does the quantity of the wine tell us about Jesus' glory? What does the quality of the wine tell us about Jesus' glory? It was not yet time to go public. Jesus needed to fulfil all things written of Him and to complete His ultimate calling. This meant that He needed to adhere to the Father’s timetable. His disciples needed to be trained and He needed to preach to many more people. The quantity of the wine was very large (approx. 600 litres). The energy required to change this quantity of water into wine instantaneously has been calculated at some 250,000KJ. About half the energy contained in an average lightning bolt! Jesus did this quietly! He was able to create things. Nothing in all of creation was made without Him! https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i4/Water-Wine-Gummy-Bear-Testing.html This miracle showed the disciples that Jesus was God in the flesh, He was the Creator. It manifested His glory quietly. All of nature does this and leaves us without excuse. “The Great Creator became my saviour and all God’s fulness dwelleth in Him.”

Q1. (John 2:1-2) Why are we sometimes “too busy” to spend time with friends and relatives? What does Jesus’ attendance at this wedding tell us about him? How can we apply that learning in our own personal lives? He maintained contact with his relatives and friends. He was not like John the Baptist who was not a "party person". Interestingly John was derided for living simply and Jesus was criticized for mixing with all sorts of people along with eating and drinking. The main point, however, is this, that Jesus accepted the invitation for the entire group. He was not an ascetic. He came eating and drinking (Mat_11:19). Jesus cared about people and wanted to help make this wedding celebration memorable for the hosts and their guests. We too should look out as to how we can bless others socially – not being self-absorbed and "doing our own thing". Be alert to people and their needs.

This was a social embarrassment and Mary wanted to help so she said to Jesus “the wine has run out”. She was insinuating that Jesus could do something about it – she knew who He was and that He had extraordinary capabilities. If anyone could solve the problem Jesus could – He did not rebuke her. He said in effect “lady, I have a calling that you cannot partake in and I must fulfil it.” My calling goes beyond being your son.” She must now see Him as her Lord. Every detail of His life was marked out by His Father and He must act only as the Father directs. Quoting from the BNTC - The words, “My hour has not yet come,” clearly indicate Christ's consciousness of the fact that he was accomplishing a task entrusted to him by the Father, every detail of which had been definitely marked off in the eternal decree; so that for each act there was a stipulated moment. (See also Joh_7:6, Joh_7:8; Joh_7:30; Joh_8:20; Joh_12:23; Joh_13:1; and Joh_17:1.) When Jesus knew that this moment had arrived, he would act, not before. Somehow Mary understood that Jesus would do something at the proper time and instructed the servants to do whatever He asked of them. The Father must have indicated what Jesus was to do. This was a notable miracle and John records it as “the first of his signs”, that is the signs that He was the promised Messiah. Six stone jars holding a total of 100 to 150 gallons! News of this would have travelled fast! Jesus went ahead with this miracle because it was in the centre of His Father’s will.

It applies to Him as the one who rules an everlasting kingdom comprising all people, nations, and languages. The Son of Man will return at the end coming in the clouds as King of Kings. All prophecy will be fulfilled concerning Him (the Son of Man). After this there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

Jesus meets Nathanael right “where he is at”. His question about Nazareth is valid. He knows his Bible. A personal encounter with Jesus changes everything. I can only be a messenger, not a Saviour. I can carry my King’s authority and pray powerfully and speak in His name; but the enquirer needs to meet Jesus personally. To hear Him speak and to kneel before Him. When Nathaniel meets Jesus face to face he cries out – You are the Son of God, You are the Messiah!

Andrew went and found his brother Peter and brought him (introduced him) to Jesus. We can do the same thing. We of course cannot take people to meet the physical Jesus, but we can introduce them to our friend Jesus and explain how we know Him and what he means to us.

Q2. (John 1:38-39) Why doesn't Jesus tell his inquirers where he is staying? Why was it important for disciples to "be with" Jesus? What does "being with" Jesus mean today? This was not a chance meeting – Jesus was led to these men – He wanted them to follow Him (in more ways than one) and he said, “come and see where I am staying”. They did follow Him and spent the rest of the day with Him. Jesus was then able to communicate with them, and vice versa. Today “being with Jesus” ought to mean the same thing – “walking” with Him. Journeying with Jesus. Allowing Him to shape our lives. Being in harness with Him, following, obeying, learning.

John the Baptist said to Andrew and (John the writer of this gospel?) “Behold the Lamb of God” and they began to follow Him. They knew what this term meant because the previous day when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming he said, “Behold the Lamb of God to takes away the sin of the world!” John the Baptist saw two of his disciples walk away – this was not a great cost really because the coming of the Messiah fulfilled the calling of John the Baptist. He had pointed them to the Messiah.

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance – it was a demonstration of repentance. Baptism in Jesus name was done as an act of recognition and consecration (giving ourselves) because of what had already been done in the believer’s heart and life. The empowering of the Holy Spirit releases rivers of living water from within. It is an empowerment for service. The Holy Spirit equips us, leads us, comforts us, and teaches us. The work of the Holy Spirit is internal – He fills us and lives within us.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" (1:29) That He was “the lamb of God’s providing”. Lamb of God’s providing Lamb of Calvary All sins claims were met in Thee Grace and only grace I see Lamb of God’s providing Lamb of Calvary – S.E.Cox God gave Him to us. He came to share God’s great love and to free us from the penalty of sin. The Lamb of God came to take away the sins of the world! Like a lamb he was silent as he was lead to death. He was the perfect sacrificial lamb. The lamb of God i.e. the lamb that belongs to God and is sent by Him. Jesus is His Lamb! Gen 22.8 God provided Abraham with a lamb. A lamb for sacrifice in place of Isaac his beloved son. God provided His Son to be that lamb for sacrifice - in place of me and in place you!!

John says that he is not worthy to untie the sandal straps (thinking of washing His feet) of the One who is coming. John said (in effect) I am not even going to compare myself with a lowly servant who washes peoples feet! John lived a frugal life in the wilderness. He did not have an ego problem and spoke the Word of God without the fear of man. God gave John the Baptist a voice, and God caused him to live in a humble environment. He was a great man, a powerful preacher and leader. This did not go to His head because he heard the voice of God clearly and constantly throughout his daily life in the desert. (How I need to spend lots of time alone with God!!) It is the key to quashing foolish pride, and it is the key to learning the wisdom and fear of the Lord that comes through humility.

John says that he is not worthy to untie the sandal straps (thinking of washing His feet) of the One who is coming. John said (in effect) I am not even going to compare myself with a lowly servant who washes peoples feet! John lived a frugal life in the wilderness. He did not have an ego problem and spoke the Word of God without the fear of man. God gave John the Baptiser a voice and God caused him to live in a humble environment. He was a great man, a powerful preacher, and leader. This did not go to His head because he heard the voice of God clearly and constantly throughout his daily life in the desert. (How I need to spend lots of time alone with God!! It is the key to quashing foolish pride, and it is the key to learning the wisdom and fear of the Lord that comes through humility.

John was raising the concerns of the nation’s leaders, he was becoming widely known and threatened their authority. Was he a danger to the nation’s security? Who was he? Was he an important Biblical prophet? Was he the Messiah? John told them that he was not 1. the Messiah, 2. Elijah, or 3 The Prophet (Moses). John said that he was the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said (Is 40.3-5) He was a forerunner preparing the way for the coming king. Bringing people to repentance in readiness for His appearance. The leaders, both political and religious, rebelled at John’s call for repentance. A deep rot had set in amongst these leaders. By and large they were proud, wicked, fleshly people. They were not aware that the time of their visitation had arrived, and they really should have been ready. Because John was a straight shooter and told them that they needed to repent these proud leaders reacted against him.

Jesus is the unique, one of a kind, only begotten, Son of God. In this prologue to the Gospel of John we learn of: · Jesus as the Word - God’s unique expression and communication – we are told that He was with God in the beginning and that He was God · Before anything existed -He was there with God · All things were made through Him – He is co-creator with God · In Him was life · He is the True Light · If we receive and believe, by inviting Him into our lives and trusting Him exclusively, we are given the right to become children of God! · He took on human flesh and dwelt among us. · He revealed His glory to mankind as God’s only Son being full of grace and truth. · No one has ever seen God (He is invisible to human eyes) but the Only God who is at the Father’s side He has made God known to us. Armed with this extraordinary array of power-filled revelation we can deduce that Jesus who is called God’s only begotten Son, is one and the same with God and yet He is also unique and distinguishable as the Son. Jesus said “I and the Father are one”. We would never have come to this conclusion by human reasoning! It is amazing! Jesus also told us that He and the Father would make their home in us - ( through the indwelling Holy Spirit). John 17:20-23 ESV "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, (21) that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (22) The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, (23) I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (This is the “Trinity” in operation.)

(John 1:12-13) What does it mean to "receive" Jesus? What does it imply to "believe in" Jesus? What is the spiritual relationship to God of those who receive and believe in Jesus? Of those who do not? Joh 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 3 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Q. What does it mean to "receive" Jesus? A. To personally invite Jesus, accept Him, allow Him to have access into our lives and being. To recognize Jesus’ authority. Q. What does it imply to "believe in" Jesus? A. To trust and have complete confidence in Jesus. To entrust ourselves completely into His hands and will. Literally to “adhere to, trust in, and rely on”, AMP Bible Q. What is the spiritual relationship to God of those who receive and believe in Jesus? Of those who do not? A. Those who receive and believe Jesus are accepted into the family of God and we receive the right to become His children. This enables us to be born of God (v3) He then becomes our Father!! Those who do not receive and believe Jesus i.e. invite Him to have access and to trust, adhere, rely on Him cannot be His children and cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

John was a forerunner who was commissioned by God to announce the coming of Jesus in fulfillment of OT prophecies. He bore witness about the light. We also have been commissioned by God to share and bear witness to our co-travelers about the “Good News” concerning about Jesus. As with John the Baptist we are sure to experience opposition to the message about the light that came into the world. On the other hand, there are many people who will embrace the message, and be very thankful that we shared it with them. I am so glad that people prayed for me and took the trouble to share the message about Jesus “The light of the World”.

Q1. (John 1:1-3) a. According to the Apostle John, is Jesus fully God? b. What does it mean that Jesus is the “Word”? c.What does this say about him and his ministry? a. Astonishingly yes! - Jesus is fully God. I once struggled with this statement, however without a doubt this is what the Bible teaches. Jesus is the very Son of God, and He is God! He and the Father are one. (There are realities that we as human beings cannot comprehend because God exists in dimensions that we cannot see or know with our human faculties, however He is there, and He is not silent. b. Jesus is God’s communication. He is God’s expression to a desperately needy world. God speaks through the Word, He created all things by and through “the Word”. c. Jesus teaches us about God, He shares God’s love for the world, He speaks and reveals God’s words to us.

Q5. (John 1:18) What does it mean that Jesus is the "Only God" or the "Only Begotten God"? Does the Apostle John seem to make a distinction between God the Father and God the Son? What does all this mean for our understanding of the Trinity? 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. He is a unique, one of a kind, God-man. He was begotten as a human man by God the Father. He took on flesh as His earthly tent. He was at one and same time God and man. Through the incarnation He has made God known to us. This is an astounding thing that we can only marvel at. God that Father are distinguishable but they are also inseparable. The Trinity, or Godhead, is unaffected by this. I like the Nicene Creed’s succinct statement. "We believe ... in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten[27] Son of God, begotten[28] of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made...."

Q4. (John 1:14) Why is the idea of God "becoming flesh" so important to the basis of the Christian faith? What would Christ's life, crucifixion, and resurrection mean if he were only pretending to "become flesh"? In what ways have you personally experienced his grace? In what ways has his truth changed your life from what it was? Jesus had to become totally identified with us. He thus became a man. He was fully God and fully man. This is a paradox, yet He showed us that He was, and is, exactly what He claimed to be! Only a God-man could become our deliverer. His amazing grace is poured out upon me every day. He rescued me from the pit and has raised me up to fellowship with Him. It’s all of grace. By His grace I have been given new life!

Q3 (John 1:12-13) What does it mean to "receive" Jesus? What does it imply to "believe in" Jesus? What is the spiritual relationship to God of those who receive and believe in Jesus? Of those who do not? "12 Yet to all[16]who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (1:12-13) To receive in this sense means to recognise Jesus’ authority as the Son of God and to personally come under His authority. Surrendering our autonomy and coming under His authority. To believe in this context means to accept the absolute truth of what is offered and to completely trust Jesus and His ability to cause us to be born anew as children of God. We thus become God’s children – we are adopted into His family! Those who do not receive and believe in this way are left outside the family of God and thus He cannot be their Father.

Q2. (John 1:7-8) What did it mean that John was sent to "testify" to the light? In what sense are you put here with the purpose of "testifying" to the light? How are you doing in this regard? What happened to John the Baptist? What might happen to you if you testify clearly? What might happen to the people to whom you testify? He was a forerunner – Elijah – that was preparing the way for Christ the Light. He gave witness, or testified, that Jesus was the Messiah and he announced He had indeed come as the Light of mankind. Am I shining brightly for the Lord and thereby pointing those who will listen to Him? This is my desire. What is distracting me from this calling? This is really basic stuff that I need to keep remembering and obeying. Lord please help me not to be dull and because of this not to be able to reflect your light. Could I face severe persecution like John did? I will undoubtedly face opposition. At present it is nowhere near as severe as the opposition that John the baptiser faced. Can I expect to be filled with power to witness like John was? Yes I beliove so. Luk 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Eph 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Act_1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Mat_28:19; Mar_16:15; Luk_24:46-49; Joh_15:27 Can I expect to see people repenting and turning to God? Yes I believe so. It is not the human vessel that brings repentance it is the conviction of sin brought by the Holy Spirit. God will give the gift of repentance to those with open hearts.