May 30, 2010
Morning Service

Act 12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

 

Mark (from e-Sword: Easton’s Bible Dictionary)

The evangelist; “John whose surname was Mark” (Act_12:12, Act_12:25). Mark (Marcus, Col_4:10, etc.) was his Roman name, which gradually came to supersede his Jewish name John. He is called John in Act_13:5, Act_13:13, and Mark in Act_15:39, 2Ti_4:11, etc.

 

Some History on John Mark

He was the son of Mary, a woman apparently of some means and influence, and was probably born in Jerusalem, where his mother resided (Act_12:12). Of his father we know nothing. He was cousin of Barnabas (Col_4:10). It was in his mother's house that Peter found “many gathered together praying” when he was released from prison; and it is probable that it was here that he was converted by Peter, who calls him his “son” (1Pe_5:13). It is probable that the “young man” spoken of in Mar_14:51, Mar_14:52 was Mark himself.

 

He is first mentioned in Act_12:25. He went with Paul and Barnabas on their first journey (about A.D. 47) as their “minister,” but from some cause turned back when they reached Perga in Pamphylia (Act_12:25; Act_13:13).

 

 Three years afterwards a “sharp contention” arose between Paul and Barnabas (Act_15:36-40), because Paul would not take Mark with him.

 

 He, however, was evidently at length reconciled to the apostle, for he was with him in his first imprisonment at Rome (Col_4:10; Phm_1:24).

 

 At a later period he was with Peter in Babylon (1Pe_5:13),  and he was with Timothy in Ephesus when Paul wrote him during his second imprisonment (2Ti_4:11). He then disappears from view.

 

Act 13:1  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Act 13:2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Act 13:3  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Act 13:4  So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Act 13:5  And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

(Mar 12:36)  For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

 

(Luk 1:35)  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 

John the Baptist:

Was told by the Spirit to watch for these signs.

 

(Luk 3:22)  And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

 

(Joh 1:33)  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

 

 

(Joh 14:26)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

(Joh 20:22)  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

 

(Act 2:38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

(Act 4:8)  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

 

 

(Act 9:17)  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

 

(Act 11:16)  Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

 

Today in modern America there are fellowships that call themselves the Church that don't even believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 

Are you allowing the Spirit of the Lord to live within YOU?