The Sanhedrin had arrested Jesus. The elders and the teachers of the law and the high priest waited for him. The scriptures record that Peter followed the Lord afar off. Collected together in the temple were the most brilliant religious minds of that day. They had been ruling Israel for years. This was the elite group who thought themselves above the Jews. "Thou was all together born in sin, do you now teach us?" "Our father is Abraham, are you greater than our father?" The elite were so sure of themselves that they had ready decided that the defendant was guilty as charged. They had witnesses to testify and support their verdict. Religious systems persecute the true witnesses of’ God. History has taught us that the old will not embrace the new and the old is often in conflict with the present.
To move in the things of God, we must allow him to open our eyes to his present truth and pray we do not kill others
with our truth. Knowledge can be a very dangerous thing. The Sanhedrin had made up their minds. They sought the confirmation of lying witnesses. The great religious ones spat on the Lord and hit him in the face. I wonder what they thought when Titus came into Jerusalem and plowed the Judgment Hall under several feet of dirt. Perhaps even some of them were buried at that time.
The old religious structure believes it has the full insight into the word of’ God. Often, they cannot see a new day. Clothing themselves with their own righteousness blinds them to the righteousness in Christ. The religious hierarchy created nonprofessionals to serve them, and the "laymen" are as puppets supporting the ones in power...how unlike the scriptures.
1Cor.14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
There are no "laymen" in the true church of God, only sons. The day of spectators and fans, rah-rahing around those in power is over. It is this mindset that we must ask God to break loose in us so we can move into a greater understanding of his purposes in the earth. We represent the body of Christ in the earth. We are not a religious structure of denominations and sects. Religion killed the Son of God. Religion is nothing but the “self-life” making it self-worthy. It is self, putting on its own robes of righteousness. It is Adam making the fig leaves to cover his nakedness. It is the Pharisee thanking God that he is not like other men.
Peter said unto him, “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I, but before the cock crowed twice he had denied him three times.” The number three shows us that his denial was complete and represents the best the flesh can do for God. What a picture Peter provides for us. A living lesson that, even good intentions derived from self is not the answer to serving God.
What a contrast we see later in Peter when he stands up with the eleven, boldly declaring the word of God on the day of Pentecost. We know he was in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our only covering before God. We will have a metamorphosis if we wait on the Lord for the power from the Holy Spirit. Isa. 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Rom.10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. The only way we can submit ourselves unto God is to embrace his Son, Jesus Christ who is our righteousness.
The name Simeon appears in the bible about fifty-two times. James referred to Peter; Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. We shall explore some of the events surrounding these men who appear throughout the bible. They represent qualities and characteristics that the Holy Spirit is developing in us.
We first read of Simeon in the book of Genesis. He is the second son born to Leah. God gave Simeon to Leah because her husband loved her less than he loved Rachael. Leah said, "...because God has heard me." Leah had pleaded for children. Like Leah there is a cry going out from the church to the Father in this day. It is the cry to have a son. It is a collective cry birthed in us by the Holy Spirit.
God desires sons in the earth. We are praying what is in the heart of God and he is hearing us. The Lord is answering our prayers. Heaven is agreeing with earth because earth agrees with heaven that the only hope of the world is the anointing of the sons of God. What a revelation to know that the Father is hearing us. What an honor to know our Father's heart. We know the world does not respect the heavenly. The world despises and hates us. This is the same attitude that many Arab nations have toward Israel--utter contempt and hate expressed in their desire to annihilate the Jews from the earth. This is how the world feels about us. However, God has heard our prayer and we are giving birth to the sons of God. This is a great expression of love to the world by Father God.
In the book of Genesis there is a story concerning Dinah the daughter of Jacob, it is one the boldest stories in the
bible. Gen 34:7 And. Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land 2 And. when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with
her, and defiled her. In this story of Dinah, her twelve brothers devised a plan to redeem her. Simeon and Levi took up their swords to avenge their sister. Simeon is the second son, (he took away the first that he might establish the second Hebrews 10:5-7) and Levi is the third son representing the priesthood. The second represents in scripture the grace of God and the ending of the law. The second sons are overcomers through the grace and mercy of God.
The Holy Spirit is developing these two ministries in the earth today. The two are serving notice to the gentile world their time is short. Their control of the world is ending. Let the sons of God in this day be like Simeon and Levi. These two ministries are rising up with the sword of the Lord.
They bring with them the power to change the world. Let us not fear the world but let the world fear us. Jacob was
very worried when he heard that his sons had destroyed all the males of the Hivites. Jacob's family was a small band of thirty-three surrounded by nations. He was afraid the nations might annihilate them. However, the opposite happened. Gen 35:5 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob. Dinah tried to make friends with the world. She met Shechem, the son of Hamor who took advantage of her. The name Hamor means the son of a mule or an ass. Shechem thought he could do anything he wanted without consequences since he was the prince of the country (The prince of the world). He did not go to Jacob to ask for Dinah's hand.
He took her without going through the proper marriage channels. Later he tried to make amends by going to his father to ask for Dinah. The son of' a mule brought anguish and fury to her brothers for such abuse toward their sister. Hamor humiliated Dinah. It brings anguish to the sons the way the church acts and is treated in this day. The church thinks they can make friends with the world. She will not receive respect from the uncircumcised only their contempt. However, the sons of Israel, the sons of God will rise up and redeem her. Every thought and intent of the world's heart shall be revealed bringing obedience to the word of God in the earth. The sons of God through love and not violence will accomplish this work.
2Cor.7:7 says, In truthful speech and in the power of God with weapons of righteousness in the right hand
and in the left; (NIT) 2 Cor.10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
We will avenge our enemies by heaping coals of fire on their heads changing their minds. Rom.12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. All the sons of Jacob were shepherds. Shepherds feed
and care for their flock. They provide protection from the wolves and wild beasts. This is probably the greatest seal of sonship there is. Caring for the flock is the heart of Christ. Sonship is not about independence but it is about a genuine love for the body of Christ. No greater love has any man but to lay his life down for the brethren. When the Lord spoke to Peter, he asked him to "feed my sheep.” "Take care of my lambs."
John13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 1John3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.
Peter cared for the flock of God. He ministered in Jerusalem, fasting, praying and seeking the word of God in
order to feed the lambs. When we read his letters, we gain deep insight into his understanding. He informs us of the world that was, the priesthood, the lively stones, of judgment in the house of God, the purpose of fiery trials, that we have all things pertaining to life, exceeding precious promises, that we are partakers of the divine nature and much more. I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: Hear my cry Lord...
There is a great story of another Simeon in the bible. Simeon a devout man of God was "moved" one day by the spirit to go into the temple. There he discovered the son of God as a little baby. He held the baby Jesus up to the Lord. He began to pray and prophesied over the child. God had previously revealed to Simeon that he should not see death until he saw the anointed of God. Now Simeon was not a young man but he waited for the promises of God. We are like Simeon. Some of the old Simons of today have seen this truth for years and are still waiting. All of us are a company of Simons waiting for the anointed to manifest himself in us in a new and living way.
It is not as though we have not seen the Christ, but we expect to see more of his love and power manifested in us. We want to see him not as a baby but as a full manifested son walking in our temple with the full rights of sonship.
The sons of God are like Simeon: for it has been declared by the spirit to all the hearing sons "that Christ
should be revealed in us in the third day.” Mark 10:34...and the third day he shall rise again. We are praying and prophesying what the Spirit has moved in us to believe. For God has given us the authority to become the sons of God manifesting his divine nature in the earth. We are his lively stones building the temple of the Lord.
John 2l:16 He saith to him again the second time Simeon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? “ He saith unto me, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. l7 He saith unto the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou rne? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I lout thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, und walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
In Jerusalem there were multitudes saved and healed through Peter's ministry. Peter heard and acted upon the
words of Jesus. He fed and cared for the people of God. In the book of Acts there are many details recorded about Peter's ministry. Although his ministry took place 2,000 years ago, there is present day truth to glean from his works. The book of Acts records the miracles of Peter. Over 3,000 souls received salvation on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost is the third feast on the Jewish calendar. There were seven feasts celebrated according to the agriculture seasons of the land. The Feast of Pentecost is the first fruits of the harvest. The early fruit or crop
appeared before the harvest.
First fruits are an indication of what the harvest will be like. It is not the harvest. There are other feasts the Lord has for the church to celebrate. The church has yet to experience and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the harvest! There were three thousand souls saved during Pentecost; how many more will there be at Tabernacles? The bible states, "When the day of Pentecost had fully come and in due time God brought forth a son.” Soon we will read, "When the day of Tabernacles had fully come and God brought forth his sons in due season there began the greatest outpouring of the spirit of God on the face of the earth."
The healing of the lame man at the temple was a catalyst to 5,000 souls converted to the Lord. (Act 3:11) This is a great picture of the world, lame and in need of healing since birth. This also symbolized a harvest of souls. This was the first fruits of the coming harvest of souls. The harvest at Tabernacles will be the greatest ingathering of souls the earth has ever known. Matt 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
The laborers must not be like Ananias and Sapphira. (Acts 5:1) There must come a purging of our own hearts that will lead to only true believers joining themselves to the church. Let our hearts be pure to serve you, Oh Lord! This may well be the state of many of us in the church. We are not giving all of our land to the Lord but we are holding back part of the price. May we surrender our lives to him and be built up to know the Lord so there will be plenty of workers for the harvest.
Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. The word overshadows in the Greek means to envelope in a haze of brilliancy. This could imply that Peter caste a light as he walked. Peter's shadow represented the presence of God. The special anointing of the Holy Spirit cares, heals and protects the people of God.
The Psalmist made mention of the shadow of thy wings in reference to the protection of the Lord over him. Isaiah told us, Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, a declaration of future events yet to occur in the body of Christ. Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of' things to come; but the body is of Christ. The ministry of Peter is foreshadowing us. The day is here for us to do greater works.
The true power of God manifested can and does lead to miraculous changes in people's lives. Let us continue to believe for such manifestation of the Spirit. We can exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. As we believe in the resurrected Christ and discern the Lord's body, we will see a great outpouring of the power of God in the form of miracles. The manifestation of the sons of God is the body of Christ rising from dead traditions, religious symbols and embracing the truth of God. Until we all come to the unity of the faith unto a perfect man... the church, which is the fullness of him. Heb.4:5-6
Acts 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were used with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Many sick folks need deliverance from various diseases and ailments. We need a miracle in our lives. We all need healing. Moreover, there is healing in the body of Christ. There is everything we need for our health in the body. There is immortality waiting for those who will believe. The performing of miracles is normal to the body of Christ. Every seven years the physical body replaces all its cells. The body has the power to heal and repair itself.
Once we see that we have everything we need we will walk as the Christ in the earth. We will manifest Christ in the
earth. This truth will bring a new outpouring of the Spirit of God in the body of Christ. What occurred in the early church was only Pentecost. The church of today looks to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, a far greater manifestation of Christ in the earth; and like the Apostles, we will see the true signs of the Holy Spirit working in our midst.
Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God,
they sent unto them Peter and John: Acts 8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Even the Samaritans were being converted and receiving the Holy Spirit. This was a great day for them for the Jews treated the Samaritans as dogs. This was a beginning sign that a door of salvation was opening for all people, a merciful God sharing the crumbs from his table to the world, a picture of our own salvation. It is his mercy extended to us.
Acts 9:34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
It had been eight long years that Aeneas had the palsy. A word from God allowed him to pick up his bed and walk. The world tells us if we make our bed we have to lie in if, but the word of God tells us to rise-up and walk. We can have a new beginning in our lives and in the church if we will hear the words of our Father. Our response to God will cause many to turn to the Lord. Acts 9:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
Acts9:33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Acts 9:38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them Acts 9:39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened, her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 4l And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. The name Dorcas means gazelle. Gazelles spend most of their time in high places.
Chapter 2: Peter: Part Two
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CHAPTER 2: PETER PART ONE