Restoration Church

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Jesus rose from the dead. It is the historical reality that serves as the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Despite what theological liberals and progressives claim, you cannot be a Christian and deny the bodily resurrection of Christ. Fortunately, there is profound evidence for the resurrection. This Easter Sunday, we discuss biblical and historical evidence for the resurrection, and we remember the joyful hope that we have since Jesus died to pay our sin debt and rose from the dead to give us new life. Pastor Daniel Samms teaches through 1 Corinthians and answers some recent accusations about the “pagan origins” of Easter. (Hint: there are no pagan origins of Easter).

In this sermon, we also discuss historical documentation of the New Testament. We also address quotes from Tertullian and Cyprian of Carthage regarding the system for documenting and preserving the New Testament.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Acts 15 provides two important accounts: One is the first church council (the Council of Jerusalem) at which the apostles and elders discuss whether or not gentiles need to become Jews and follow the law to be saved. The decision and the reasoning are foundational for the future of the faith. Also, it serves as a template for future councils. Praise God that we are saved by grace through faith, and that this salvation is confirmed by the Holy Spirit! The second account addresses how Paul and Barnabas part ways over a practical ministry disagreement. This is important as a model for faithful disagreement and even parting ways without sinning.

Scripture consistently teaches that men are to lead their homes and that godly men who lead their homes well are the ones qualified to lead in the civil arena as magistrates and in the church as elders/pastors. Ephesians 5, 1 Cor. 11, 1 Peter 3, and many other passages give us insight on this biblical patriarchy. Critical to understanding this is that these men are to oversee their homes in an understanding way, loving their wives and children. Proverbs 31 describes a woman who thrives under her husband's authority. She feeds the poor, invests in real estate, speaks wisdom, and is honored by her husband and children. Of course, this requires manly men who lead well, love God, and make disciples in their homes.

According to the StateofTheology.org survey from 2022, 65% of “evangelicals” do not believe that people are born guilty in the sight of God. This is a problem given that 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” The fact that the beliefs of “evangelicals” on this and many other topics seems to correlate with the culture as a whole reveals the fact that most are getting their theology from the culture rather than from the Word of God. In this sermon, Pastor Dan teaches from Scripture on Original Sin, equipping the saints and emphasizing the fact that just as in Adam all die, so all who are in Christ are made alive (Romans 5:12-21). The gospel of Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection is good news indeed!

Pastor Dan provides an overview of the global and national state of the Church before reviewing 2022 and presenting the proposed budget for 2023.

Our mission is simple: To glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ. This is in direct obedience to Matthew 28:18-20. Every dollar of our budget and every aspect of our ministry functions to fulfill this Great Commission.

Note: Statistical data correction. 57% of Americans are no longer attending church. However, that is of the total population, not former church goers. 1 out of 5 churchgoers from previous years has ceased to attend. Sorry for the error!

Acts 8 begins with Saul persecuting the church in Jerusalem, leading to the gospel spreading to Judea and Samaria in partial fulfillment of Acts 1:8. But, the focus soon turns to Philip as he explains the gospel to a God-fearing Ethiopian on his way to Africa. Praise God!

What Is Meant By “The Law”?

God's righteousness is universal, written on the hearts of men (Romans 2:12-16), predating the Law of Moses (Romans 1:18ff), reflected in the Law of Mosses (Romans 2:17ff), and still unchanging. God's righteousness remains, no matter what.

Law (Pentateuch)=First five books of the Old Testament, including commands given in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.

Law (Old Testament)=At times, the whole of the OT is referred to as "The Law" (Matt. 22:36; Luke 10:26; John 7:49; 10:34; 12:34; 15:25; 1 Cor. 9:8–9; 14:21, 34; Gal. 4:21) or "The Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 5:17; 7:12; 22:40; Luke 16:16; 24:44; John 1:45; Acts 13:15; 24:14; 28:23; Rom. 3:21; cf. Matt. 11:13)

Law (Commands of God)=At times, Paul refers to the Law in reference to God's commands themselves (Rom. 3:21; 9:31; 10:4; Gal. 2:21; 3:11; 5:4; Phil. 3:6, 9, Eph. 2:15)

What is the Purpose of the Law?

Mirror: The Law shows us we are sinful because we can't keep it, even when we try (Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 5:13; 7:7-11), and it drives us to seek forgiveness in Christ (Gal. 3:19-24).

Restraint: Applied to the civil sphere, the Law is used to restrain sin with the consequence of punishment (Deut. 13:6-11; 19:16-21; Rom. 13:3, 4).

Guide: God has prepared good works for believers (Eph. 2:10), and we are commanded to obey God's commands (Matt. 28:20) which shows our love for Him (John 14:15). We are free from the Law as a means of salvation (Rom. 6:14; 7:4, 6; 1 Cor. 9:20; Gal. 2:15-19, 3:25), but we are "under the law of Christ" as a rule for living (1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).

Errors Related to the Law:

Antinomianism: Shunning obedience to all of the OT Law, including the moral aspects of the Law.

Judaizers: Those who believed that gentile Christians must become Jews to be saved (circumcision, dietary laws, ceremonial laws, etc.)

Hebrew Roots: Belief that Greek and other pagan influences have dominated Christianity. Adherents (generally) believe that Christians must follow (all of) the OT Law and (generally) rabbinic tradition.

Seventh Day Adventist: Cultic group that follows the teaching of a false prophet Ellen White. They deny essential doctrines and focus on obeying certain ceremonial traditions such as Saturday worship.

Notes On Acts Chapter 5

Note: The main character of the book of Acts is the Holy Spirit.  He is working particularly profoundly as the Church is becoming established.  When something miraculous happens in Acts, we should ask: What does this say about the Holy Spirit?  And how does this advance the gospel? 

1-11 

Ananias and Sapphira seem to be copying Joseph (Barnabas).  They have not been told to sell their land and give it to the church.  They do it voluntarily, but they are deceptive about the amount.  They seem to be seeking some attention.  

Note that they are accused of lying to the Holy Spirit specifically.  While they have deceived the apostles and the church, their lie to the Holy Spirit is the biggest problem.  

Peter confirms that they could do anything they wanted with the land (4).  Yet they chose to lie.  

The Holy Spirit strikes Ananias down dead.

When Sapphira enders and is asked about the price of the land, the detail of the lie is clarified.  They indicated that they sold the land for a certain amount and gave all of it to the church.  However, they sold it for more and kept the difference.  Saphira is struck down dead as well. 

The result of the event is fear…the good kind that makes people want to obey God rather than lie. 

12-16

Just like Jesus’ ministry, many signs and wonders (especially healings) are being done through the apostles.

This indicates that the apostles are sent from God, declaring a faithful message of Jesus.  

Note that the signs and wonders are done through the apostles.  This confirms their teaching, much like prophets were confirmed with signs.  Christians should not expect to do the same signs and wonders as we are not functioning in the office of apostles or priests.  

17-21

Note that the party backing the high priest is the Sadducees.  The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, angels, etc. They also placed a high value on human volition and denied that God had determined events ahead of time.  Thus, statements by the apostles about predestination and the definite plan of God would upset them.

The high priest and Sadducees are jealous of the apostles, probably because they are gaining popularity among the people. 

The essential item here: The apostles were arrested on the orders of the high priest, but the high priest does not have magisterial authority.  The apostles are held in a public prison.  This is important later on because the persecution is being driven by religious authorities, but it is the roman state doing the enforcement.  

As with all the miracles in Acts, the apostles are freed from prison to preach the gospel. 

22-26

The high priest’s meeting with his council to discuss the apostles while the apostles are already preaching in the temple seems specifically designed to show that they don’t have any power.  They look foolish, and that is by God’s design.  

This is reiterated by the fact that the captain does not use force to bring them back to the high priest.  The high priest is no longer in charge because the High Priest is interceding for the saints!  (Hebrews 4:14-5:10)

27-32

This passage should be read in harmony with Romans 13 and Hebrews 13. Scripture teaches that civil and religious authorities are servants of God.  Civil authorities are tasked explicitly with applying God’s law, being a terror to evil, and as they affirm what is good.  However, all authority comes from God.  He is the Authority!  Thus, when one of His servant authorities begins to operate against His law, God’s people must obey God rather than human authorities (Daniel 1,3,6, Exodus 1, Joshua 2, and other passages provide examples of how to do this right).  Acts 5:29 provides the most succinct phrase related to obeying God when human magistrates are in error.  

We need to teach our people to obey human leaders in as much as they fulfill God’s commands because, in so doing, we obey God.  However, we must also teach that to obey authorities in sin is not only to sin with them but to sin the sin of idolatry as well, for in obeying sinners against God, one is placing the human authority above God! 

Even when defying the high priest, Peter proclaims the gospel!  

33-42

Gamaliel is one of the most prominent teachers of his day.  He is a Pharisee who taught Paul (though Paul has not come on the scene in Acts yet).  It is unclear whether Gamaliel has trusted in Christ yet, but his sympathies seem to be turning to the disciples, and he is alluding to the fact that God might be with them.  

In any case, God uses Gamaliel to spare the apostles, as he notes that groups that follow a messianic figure are usually scattered after that leader's death.  The opposite has happened with the apostles.  Jesus died, and now His following is growing!  This is one more evidence indicating that Jesus rose from the dead!  

The quote, “if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them,” is pretty cool.  It’s been about two millennia since those words were spoken.  You won’t find Pharisees, Sadducees, or an earthly high priest anywhere, but Jesus’ disciples are all over the world.  The gospel is the rock the opponents of God are broken against!  

The disciples still underwent a beating, but they left rejoicing to have been counted worthy to suffer in the name of Christ.  Praise God!  May we be so enthused to the Glory of God.  

They kept on preaching the gospel.  (This is the theme for the whole of the book)

The doctrine of the deity and humanity of Christ (hypostatic union) is critical to Christianity. In many ways, it is the "lynchpin" doctrine of our faith. Tragically, the 2022 State of Theology survey reveals that 43% of "evangelicals" deny that Jesus is God! In this sermon, Pastor Daniel Samms provides a biblical apologetic for the deity and humanity of Christ, citing several passages of Scripture and the creeds of Nice and Chalcedon. John 1 and 2 John are our primary passages.