Achievement (with concerns)

It is reported that Elon Must published the statement that the first human got a brain implant. 

On one hand there are at least three intertwined reasons to celebrate. First, from the stand point of science in general this is a great achievement. Implant getting connected to the brain neurons... Great achievement! Second, many people who suffered needed a replacement of a limb due to tragic accident or serving on the military duty can get reconnected to a proper usage of a new limb. Or SCI, or ALS... again, many potential lives can be positively impacted. Third, putting the first and the second together, this breakthrough and be a beginning for something even more grandiose that we (non-IT laymen) even can not foresee now. 

On the other hand, I have some serious concerns. I am sure that the educated and fully-instructed people can give a proper answer. I just want to put them out for the sake of on-going dialog in the realm of the faith and science. Please, don't take me wrong - I am not willing to identify the Neuralink's exercises with Revelation 13:16 - the mysterious mark on the forehead. My concerns are primary in the daily life plain of reality. These concerns are two-fold. First, theology of human body. Second, security of personals boundaries. 

Theology of human body. People like comfort. I like comfort and don't argue for reversing the time to primal age when we would chaise the food with a rock and stick in our hands. As Musk' add states - what if you will be able to connect with your loved ones only be the power of your thought. Honestly, as a sinful man (1 John 1:8-9) I am not sure I want all of my thoughts to be reflected on a screen ;) [an aspect of control is for discussion next]. 

Second, as a lazy one by nature, I understand that my tendency would be not to move at all. If I can turn on my computer and then "dictate" my sermons, letter, articles etc. without leaving my warm bed, why should I? Yet, I think the LORD had something deeper in mind when He ordered to work or overcome some resistance of nature as a result of the Fall or "the Garden incident." 

I support a help to the needy full heartedly, but there will be a point when the marker demand will be lower than supply. What then? People who will be able to afford it will turn into a generation of very smart sloths.                        

Security of personal boundaries. This concern is based on the reading of 1 Corinthians 6:12  "I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything." This concern if three-fold. First, the device' charging system is not a built-in one. Which means that at a particular point in time one or a group of patients, or the whole number of patients can be denied an option of charging. Or that option can be used to force them to submit to undesirable behavior. 

Second, this might sound as a better developed previous point. What about EMP attack? Under a regular circumstances person's equipment might/will suffer. After the implants will be a regular practice the suffering part will be a person's brain. 

Third, most bothersome for me personally, who runs the show. Who is the master? Will the person be in charge of the implant fully? Or someone else: doctors, curators... ? Along with these lines of thought - can we be sure that implant will not impact the developed of new habits or behavioral patterns to force a patient's perception of the world? 

I understand that all of my concerns might sound as a robophobian paranoia. For sure, I, Robot is one of my favorites. Therefore, I want to restate: I am not against progress, I am for the help and cure for all the sick, suffering, and wounded. Yet, I want this help to be an exercise of God's grace and not an exhibition of another prideful rebellion attempting to overcome the limits appointed for us from time to time by the Creator - loving Father.                    

Peter addresses the crowd

Peter addresses the crowd  

The Passage: Acts 2:14-39

Structure:

A. 2:14-21, I will pour out my Spirit

  B. 2:22-24, Jesus which you crucified – God raised Him up,

    C. 2:25-28, Prophecy of David

      D. 2:29-31, Descendant of the throne

        E. 2:32, God raised this Jesus

      D’. 2:33, Exalted to the right hand of God

    C’. 2:34-35, Prophecy of David

  B’. 2:36, God has made Him both Lord and Messiah, Jesus which you crucified

A’. 2:37-39, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

  

Historical and geographical context: This is the second part of the larger story (ch. 2).  We need not need to discuss context at length. Just a short reminder – everything happened in Jerusalem, but NOT at the Temple.

Theology:

The role of St. Peter – Note that St. Peter being reinstalled into the ministry (John 21) after his denial plays a very active role at the starting point of the church development. He “speaks” in an official capacity more than anybody. His address toward 120 led to the election and ordination of St. Matthias. He speaks to the crowds at the Day of Pentecost. He shares the Gospel in a such a way that the sick is restored (ch. 3). He defends the faith in resurrected Jesus in front of the Great Gathering (Sanhedrin). Not surprisingly, people sometimes see him as the head of the church. Yet, we need to remember that it is Jesus who is the head of the body, which is the Church (Col. 1:18) and he had to be corrected by St. Paul on a number of issues (cp. Gal. 2:11-16). Also, what Jesus promised to St. Peter (Matt. 16:19) is given to the apostles (Jn. 20:22-23).         

Usage of the Scripture in Peter’s sermon. The sermon as we have it is not everything what St. Peter said (cp. 2:40). Out of what we have about a half is dedicated to the Scriptural passages. He simply states the facts of Scriptures from Joel (2:28-32a) and Psalms (16:8-11; 110:1) and lets the Holy Spirit do the job of convincing the hears of men (AC V).   

Presence of the Son (Second person of the Trinity) in the OT history. Seeing how St. Peter build his sermon, note that he takes the words of king David as speaking about Theophany of the Son (esp. v.25 – Ps. 16:8). Jesus is the incarnation of the Son who is the creator (Col. 1:15-16) and the God who speaks and acts within the period of OT history.    

The mystery of salvation – on one hand we are promised that “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (v. 21). On the other we know that people come to church, get baptized, even confirmed, and yet fall away. What we need to say is that God in Christ has reconciled world to Himself (2 Cor. 5:19; Col. 1:20). Salvation is available for everyone regardless of nationality, sex, or social status. It is complete by the Cross and there is nothing people can add to it. But they can reject the message, neglect the means of grace, and – as a result of continual push back of the Lord’s pursuits – fall away.       

Other themes:

Gift of the Spirit vs. gifts of the Spirit vs. fruit of the Spirit. What St. Peter talks at the end of his sermon if salvation – it is THE gift of the Spirit. Them in 1 Cor. 12 and 14 St. Paul talks about the gifts of the Spirit: languages, prophecy, management etc. These are the gifts and talents that vary from person to person. (1 Cor. 12:12-14) and are given for building of the body – the church. A Christian – the one who received the gift (salvation) should diligently exercise his gifts for the benefit of the church to produce the fruit (Gal. 5:22-24). Notice that St. Paul does not talk about many fruits, but the fruit – our “behavioral” representation of the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer. 

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Coming of the Holy Spirit

The Passage: Acts 2:1-13

Structure:

A. 2:1-4, Began to speak in different tongues  

  B. 2:5-6, People are astonished  

A’. 2:7-11, People listen to different tongues

  B’. 2:12-13, People are astonished

  

Historical and geographical context:

Note that 120 were not at the Temple during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit came on the disciples in the house. The [large group of] people gathered by the house and engaged in a dialog with the disciples (2:2,6). Even though disciples spend much time at the Temple (ch. 3-4, 6-7, 21) – the Spirit’s presence designate the “Temple-like” or the New Temple gathering.

People gathered for the feast of Pentecost. More on Pentecost – read Lev. 23:15-22 and Num. 28:28-31. Three main things: delivering of the Covenant at Sinai, invite your neighbor (Ruth – both the Book [in connection with the feast] and the story [she comes to Judea during Pentecostal period]); common [sacramental] meal.       

Theology:

Pentecost is a reversal of the curse of the Tower of Babel. Gen. 11 tells us the story of separation of people according to their distinct “lips”. People who worship differently do not get along – even within our church-body we have fractions: confessionals, CoWo, pro-bishop, fully Congregationalists. The outpouring of the Spirit will unite people with a variety of backgrounds: Jews-Gentiles, men-women, slaves-free (Gal. 3:28).        

Picking up on different languages – representatives of different territories – Good News was preached to “all the world”, cp. Mark 16:15-16. On one hand, the sharing of the Good News in Jerusalem was an act of reaching out to the whole world, on the other the disciples had to be ready to follow up going out of Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth (1:8) – as Jesus commanded them and showed in the non-verbal signs (Jn. 21:11). The disciples did not go out even after the [first] martyrdom of Steven (Acts 7).   

Rushing wind. God exhibited His power during the covenant at Sinia (Ex. 19) and the covenant of the Kingdoms (1 King 19). Therefore, we can see His involvement in the life of the whole creation (not only humans) – cp. Mk. 16:15; 2 Cor. 5:19.

Other themes:

Tongues of fire – tongues of language, cp. James 3. The tongues/languages can be used for the fire that worms up, cooks, or provides esthetical comfort. Or it can burn down, destroy, and kill.

The fire that rested on the heads of the Apostles turned them – visually – into the living sacrifices, cp. Lev. 1:1-9; Rom 12:1-2. We don’t burn people but are presenting ourselves as the ones fully consumed by the Fire of God and bringing His presence to the world.

The effect of the Spiritual intervention might look like being drunk (v. 13) – cp. Eph. 5:18. The outside people do not understand what the person is saying, not only because he/she says unclearly, but for the difference of the “influence”. As a result, we need to remember that the Divine Service first of all is a family gathering of the faithful children with God the Father for the sake of our “Brother” Jesus Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.