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Is this a prayer to the Lord Jesus in Acts 1:24, 25?

O

Olivencia

New Member
Although both lexicons and commentaries are divided as to Whom the recipient of prayer is in Acts 1:24, 25 I believe the evidence makes it more than clear that it is a prayer to the Lord Jesus. I will go step by step and deal with the words within the prayer to support my position.

Acts 1:24, 25 - And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two Thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

a. Kurios
1. Kurios is the appellation primarily for the Lord Jesus while "Theos" applies to the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6). There are a few times when they apply to the other such as in John 20:28 for the Lord Jesus and Acts 4:29 (cf. Acts 4:27) for the Father.
2. Kurios is applied to the Lord Jesus just before the prayer by Peter in Acts 1:21.
3. Kurios is applied to the Lord Jesus in Acts 1:6.
4. Peter refers to the Lord Jesus as "Lord of all" in Acts 10:36 as does Paul in Romans 10:12.
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b. Heartknower (kardiognostes)
1. Only used one other time in Acts 15:8 to "God".
2. Peter applied the same knowledge to the Lord Jesus
Kurie su panta oidas ------------> Lord, Thou knowest all things (John 21:17).
Su Kurie kardiognwsta pantwn ------> Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all (Acts 1:24)
I believe that after stating that the Lord knew his heart Peter would later affirm that the same Lord knew every heart in this prayer.
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c. Shew (anadeiknumi)
1. Anadeiknumi is used only one other time in the New Testament and that in association with the "Lord" in reference to the Lord Jesus in Luke 10:1.
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d. Thou hast chosen (eklegomai)
1. The same author that records this prayer uses "chosen" in association with the "Lord" only to the Lord Jesus (Luke 6:13 and Acts 1:2).
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e. Ministry (diakonia)
1. The 5 times it is used either of God or the Lord Jesus:
Jesus - Acts 20:24 (author: Luke)
Jesus - 1 Corinthians 12:5
God - 2 Corinthians 5:18
Jesus - Ephesians 4:11, 12
Jesus - Colossians 4:17 - The examination of this passage is vital for like in Acts 1:24 the simple "Kurios" is used together with "ministry". This is the only passage in the Bible where diakonia is used in association with "Lord".
a. "In the Lord" (Colossians 4:17) is found only two other times in the same book of Colossians and in both instances the appellation "Lord" refers to the Lord Jesus:
b. Colossians 3:18 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. The context reveals that the "Lord" applies to the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17 and Colossians 3:24).
c. Colossians 4:7 - All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord (Colossians 4:7). Notice that it reads, "faithful minister" and "fellowservant" followed by "in the Lord". Compare this with Colossians 1:7: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ. There are those two expressions again, "faithful minister" and "fellowservant" but whereas in Colossians 4:7 it reads "in the Lord" here it is in reference to Christ - the "Lord" Jesus Christ. One is able to know that it is the Lord Jesus in Colossians 4:7 by cross referencing it with Colossians 1:7. Thus out of 5 times ministry is used to describe either God or the Lord Jesus 4 of them refer to the Lord Jesus with Colossians 4:7 being of great importance.
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f. Apostleship (apostole)
1. There are two passages where "apostleship" is specifically used in reference to the the Lord Jesus (Romans 1:5 and 1 Corinthians 9:2).

Thank you
Olivencia
 
O

Olivencia

New Member
Because:
1. False Christian groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses deny the Lord Jesus is God and insist that only the Father is to be prayed to. I have used the above informtaion in debates with them and they are at quite a loss in responding.
2. Some anti-Trinitarian groups will insist that Christ can be prayed to but that does not entail that He must be God. However the Greek word for "prayed" in Acts 1:24 is proseuxomai and I haven't found one Greek lexicon that states it is properly due to any other but God.
 
ReformedBaptist

ReformedBaptist

Well-Known Member
Olivencia said:
Because:
1. False Christian groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses deny the Lord Jesus is God and insist that only the Father is to be prayed to. I have used the above informtaion in debates with them and they are at quite a loss in responding.
2. Some anti-Trinitarian groups will insist that Christ can be prayed to but that does not entail that He must be God. However the Greek word for "prayed" in Acts 1:24 is proseuxomai and I haven't found one Greek lexicon that states it is properly due to any other but God.
Click to expand...

How many false Christians have truly repented and turned to the Lord Jesus under your teaching?
 
O

Olivencia

New Member
Still licking your wounds from the Acts 2:38 debate...

I'm not sure how many. I just give the word. I know my old Korean girlfriend became a Christian after months of witnessing and just recently my wife renounced the necessity of the Sabbath (she being an SDA) after more than a year discussing it with her and praying about it.
 
ReformedBaptist

ReformedBaptist

Well-Known Member
Olivencia said:
Still licking your wounds from the Acts 2:38 debate...

I'm not sure how many. I just give the word. I know my old Korean girlfriend became a Christian after months of witnessing and just recently my wife renounced the necessity of the Sabbath (she being an SDA) after more than a year discussing it with her and praying about it.
Click to expand...

Actually, no wound licking here. lol

I judge men not by the ability to use the wisdom of men (debate) and their intellect but by the fruit of their ministry. My question was not an attack (as you seem to have taken it) but a genuine question. Salvation is of the Lord. No amount of reasoning or debate can truly convert a sinner to Christ.

Added in: Still waiting for a response why you claim to be Southern Baptist yet teach a different message than that of your denominations statement of faith? Also, you have not convinced me from Scripture yet that there is more than one way to be saved in Christ, as you have taught, that the Jew is saved by his baptism and faith, but the gentile by faith alone.
 
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O

Olivencia

New Member
No amount of reasoning or debate can truly convert a sinner? I agree but it is often needed - Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:4
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In terms of your other responses start a new thread. The subject of THIS THREAD has to do with Acts 1:24, 25 and prayer to the Lord Jesus
 
ReformedBaptist

ReformedBaptist

Well-Known Member
Olivencia said:
No amount of reasoning or debate can truly convert a sinner? I agree but it is often needed - Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:4
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In terms of your other responses start a new thread. The subject of THIS THREAD has to do with Acts 1:24, 25 and prayer to the Lord Jesus
Click to expand...

You have to agree if your not going to contradict the Scripture. lol

Sorry for the side track...I do wish to get to know a person before I seriously consider their new doctrines.
 
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