I've always wanted to know what it would have been like to experience the first church. The Holy Spirit has come down, giving men the Spirit of God and the desire to go and tell the world. This is something that I have to confess, that I've never had passion like they did. As I read this book, which is basically the story of Acts with chapter summaries by Brain McLaren, I've stumbled upon a verse in Acts that I've always overlooked. Peter and John are walking past the Beautiful Gate at 3 in the afternoon, a time when people were very spiritual. They approach a man who is always brought there to beg. The man, of course, just as I might if I were crippled and unable to work for a living, asks them for money. Peter says to the man, "Look at us." As the man looks up, thinking that he will be getting money, looks at them intently. Peter then says this, "I want to give you something, but I don't have any silver or gold. Here is what I can offer you: stand up and walk, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Liberating King." Woah! I've heard Jesus described as Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, Rescuer, Father, but I've always overlooked this verse where He is called Liberator. God has freed me from sins that I will commit in the next day, week, month, year...He is a Liberator. We are people in captivity. He frees us. Jesus=Liberation=Freedom from Sin=Life apart from sin.
Thoughts?
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