Gospel of Luke Ch. 22 and Acts of the Apostles Ch. 5

"And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing."

"And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

And in this passage, we find several non-negoiable commandments of the Lord to His chosen Disciples, that were yet to become His Apostles, who would be expected to train the disciples that they will have recruited to join their Company of Spiritual Warriors, passing along the standards of the New Covenant culture committed to them:

Matthew 28:19, 20 (AV; bolding added for emphasis, explanatory superscripts)

¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach*^{recruit disciples from} all nations^cultures, baptizing*^{inducting into service} them^{the recruits} in the name^{singular entity} of^{under the authority delegated to you by} the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
²⁰Teaching*^instructing them to observe^{preserve unchanged and undiminished} all things whatsoever I have commanded you^{to do and teach}: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
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Note:
* = each is a commandment, in the sense of this context.

So here is one particular commandment, one that has been preserved in the Second Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, as taken from today's Scripture reference:

Luke 22:35-40 (AV; bolding added for emphasis)

³⁵And he said unto them,
"When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?"
And they said,
"Nothing."
³⁶Then said^{ordered, issued a command} he unto them,
But now, he that hath a purse, let him take* it, and likewise his scrip^{money, ID, passport}: and he that hath no sword**^{deadly sidearm}, let him sell* his garment, and buy* one. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this that is^{stands, perfect tense} written^{(Isaiah 53:12)} must yet be accomplished^{fully fulfilled} in me,
And he was reckoned among the transgressors:"
for^because the things^prophecied concerning me have an end ^{right now at this point of history}.
³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords**.

And he said unto them,

It is enough^{to mark you all as being counted as a band of transgressors}.

³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. ⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them,

Pray that ye enter not into temptation^{to use the swords as insurgents}.
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Notes:
* Each of these verbs is in the active voice, imperative mood, therefore a command
** μάχαιρα (machaira, pronounced makh'-ahee-rah), a short sword sidearm like those ordinarily carried by the soldiers or police of that time, and by citizens; a sidearm to be carried, fit for closeup personal defense, but without interfering with normal conduct in employment or social interactions.

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What we are to gain from this is that, contrary to the demands made by falsely indoctrinated opponents of the principle of personal duty of Constitutionally bearing arms for their own defense and also that as an adult citizen of this nation preserving our liberties, the spiritually mature servant of Christ should see that the Lord Himself has issued a non-negotiable command to keep and bear portable personal defense sidearms, such as firearms, knives, sprays, collapsible batons or other deadly or incapacitating mechanisms for their own delivery from physical harm; and furthermore, that such arms-bearers be not rejected from regular attendance and involvement in the activities of the local assembly of believers, as it was in the beginning, then in Biblical times, and now when the spiritual enemies are gaining an ever-increasing prevalence among the heretofore civilized societies that are showing a great hatred for those pledging allegiance to our Father God and the Flag representing a Christian nation.

To forbid a professed (male or female, as all New Covenant regenerated believers were and are), Bible-trained (those disciple commanded by Christ were). spiritually mature (all of them were but Peter), physically able (as the company of disciples were), a professed servant of Christ (as all truly regenerated believers are), who lawfully carries a defensive firearm (as any assembly constituent should be) from being armed in the precincts of the church house or Gospel Hall, would be to defy the unarguable demand of Christ made of the dutiful fully committed believing justified, saved, Spirit-indwelt set apart child of God who is imputed to be as righteous as Himself, able to discern both good and evil, and to react responsibly.

But this matter of carrying judgment--of life and death--in one's holster, is of great concern, and should be regarded as such.

How much more needs to be said on this Scripture-authorized and -ordained possession and immediate personal access to peace-making instruments?

Luke 11:21 tells us ,,,,,,“When a strong man, ‘fully armed, guards his own mansion’, his property is safe.”

It’s written in 1 Timothy 5:8 .......“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

It is also written in Psalm 144:1.... “Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.”

We learn in Nehemiah 4:16-18 ......“From that day forward, half of my men were doing the work and half of them were taking up spears, shields, bows, and body armor. Now the officers were behind all the people of Judah who were rebuilding the wall. Those who were carrying loads did so by keeping one hand on the work and the other on their weapon. The builders to a man had their swords strapped to their sides while they were building.”

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