Category: God

Acts 13:1-12

• How would you feel about starting 1,300 mile journey but not knowing where destination would be?  
• Context:
  • We have seen the gospel go from Jerusalem to the city of Antioch, for just Jews to now open to everyone. In Acts 13 we will see the gospel headed to the ends of the earth.
  • Saul and Barnabas had taken the offering from the church in Antioch back to Jerusalem to provide relief for the poor Christians.  Once this task was done they returned back to Antioch with Barnabas’s nephew John Mark.
• Acts 13:1-3
• Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.
  • What do we find in the church in Antioch? See verse 1 Prophets and teachers and it appears we get the names of some of them. 
  • Name                               Origin      Ethnicity
  • Barnabas       Cyprus                              Greek Jew
  • Simeon Niger           N/A               Black African?
  • Lucius       Cyrene                              North Africa
  • Manaen         Israel                              Greek/Herodian
  • Saul Tarsus/ Jerusalem                   Hebraic Jew
  • How important were prophets and teachers to the early church?
    • See 1 Corinthians 12:28 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.  
  • What were they doing when the Holy Spirit communicated to them?
    • They were in the process of worshipping the Lord. The word for worship here is public worship rather than private.  These men had opened their lives to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, how? By the disciplines of worship, fasting and prayer.
      • Worship- The word worship in the Greek as it was used in the O.T. relates to priests making sacrifices. How does that happen under the New Covenant? Christians acts of sacrifice, in giving and helping those in need.  Paul writes in Romans 15:27 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. What did the church of Antioch recently send to Jerusalem?
      • Fasting- Why would someone fast?  The Jews did this on a regular basis twice a week was their custom at this time.   Some fasted as a regular part of worship.  Often we find prayer and fasting going together.  Especially when people are looking for God’s guidance.  It is an effort to set aside the physical to consecrate on the spiritual.  We know Jesus fasted 40days before beginning His ministry.  Jesus predicted his followers would fast in Luke 5:35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”
      • Prayer- The Apostles focused on the ministry of prayer and the Word  (teaching). So these leaders are doing the same things the apostles in Jerusalem were doing. It appears here the leaders prayed together.
  • What did the Holy Spirit want?
    • The Holy Spirit selected Saul and Barnabas for special work.  Why them, what do you think? These men could relate to the Jews and the Gentiles and knew how to share the gospel to people.
  • How does the church comply with the Spirit’s direction?
    • They fasted and prayed notice it say they laid their hands on them ( prayed over them). “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
  • What does it mean to set apart?
    • The laying on of hands. Here to commission them or ordain them to a particular service, task or ministry.
  • Do you think it was hard for these leaders of the church in Antioch to lose two of its key leaders to the mission field?
    • I am sure but they were not going to stand in the way of the Spirit’s direction. They knew the Lord could supply other leaders and they understood the global opportunity for the gospel. We might wonder were there not enough unevangelized people in the big city of Antioch to keep the church busy. But who is directing the church to keep moving out? The Holy Spirit  
  • Do you think Saul and Barnabas had an itinerary?
    • They may have picked the 1st location and left the rest up to the Spirit.  Later on Luke writes about on the spot guidance from the Holy Spirit
• Acts 13:4-5
• 4 So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant.
  • Where do they head to first?
    • Why begin in Cyprus? This is where Barnabas is from and could be he some contacts there, places to stay also there was fairly large Jewish population in Cyprus. Cyprus is where is Christians came from who first brought the gospel to Antioch. This is an act of spiritual reciprocity.
  • Where did they first proclaim the gospel message at?
    • Salamis was a substantial city. And it may have had several synagogues. In the Book of Acts every time the word synagogue is mentioned Saul/Paul is mentioned in in every one of them. Why start in the synagogue? Paul felt a spiritual obligation to do so. What didn’t happen here which in most of the other cities that go to? We are not told of any opposition to the gospel.
• Acts 13:6-7
• 6 When they had traveled the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God.
  • Where do Saul, Barnabas and John Mark head to next?
    • Paphos, on the other side of the island, this would have been a 100 mile walk along the coast. The center of the island is mountainous which they may have travelled.
  • Who do they meet there first?
    • See verse 6  There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus. Bar-Jesus in the Aramaic means “son of Jesus.” What is odd about this Jewish man?  He also goes by the name Elymas. Bar-Jesus is Jewish sorcerer.  Where do you think they met this man? Most likely in a synagogue! This is odd…what is going on? Why hasn’t this man been kicked out of the synagogue? In the first century sorcery was very popular, even among Jews.
  • Meeting Bar-Jesus leads to meeting Sergius Paulus.
    • Why would the Roman Proconsul on Cyprus want to hear the word of God? He must have heard of the visitors who spoke about the very words of God. In the ancient world it was common for political officials to consult with spiritual advisor to determine the will of the gods for their domain.  But this man will hear is the gospel!
• Acts 13:8-12
• 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (that is the meaning of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
• 9 But Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas 10 and said, “You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery, you son of the devil and enemy of all that is right. Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? 11 Now, look, the Lord’s hand is against you. You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then, when he saw what happened, the proconsul believed, because he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
  • Why do you think Bar-Jesus (AKA Elymas) suddenly opposed Paul and Barnabas as they shared the gospel?
    • It may be as simple as protecting his position.  If Sergius Paulus believes what Paul is telling him the status of Bar-Jesus may lessen. Remember he has been the advisor to this man. So he seeks to interfere with the conversion of Sergius. Who is Bar-Jesus really working for? The Devil.
  • What does Paul expose about Bar-Jesus?
    • What his heart is full of. 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?  How is Paul able to do this? What is Paul full of… The Holy Spirit!
  • How did Paul play off of Bar-Jesus’ name?
    • You are not a son of Jesus but rather a Son of the Devil.
  • Paul announced the curse on Bar-Jesus, why blindness?
    • Bar-Jesus is trying to keep the proconsul from becoming a Christian. What was Paul doing before he came to faith in Jesus? Trying to stop the church and the gospel, what did the Lord do to him? Blindness!
  • How are we supposed to handle opposition to the gospel?
    • See II Timothy 2:24-25 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…
  • Did Paul use gentle instruction here?
    • No! Paul used the Holy Spirit to curse this man…WHY?   Directed by the Spirit to do so and this was so evil it needed to be opposed strongly. Besides what did 3 days of blindness do for Paul?  Lead him to life in Jesus.
  • What impact did this confrontation have on Sergius Paulus?
    • He believed.  But what amazed him? The teaching of about the Lord. The gospel message.
    • So here we have the 1st named convert of the very 1st planned missionary journey and who is it… a Gentile Roman official.
• TAKE AWAY
  • Should we still seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit… is He still directing the church?  How should we do this?   Maybe we need to worship, fast and pray.
  • Do we have to go to some far off place to be effective?

Acts 11

• Does doing what is right and good exempt us from criticism?
• Context:
  • We read about the first Gentile conversion last time. The words of Jesus are being fulfilled from Acts 1:8. “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The last barrier is being overcome by the gospel and it is a big one, the gospel going to the non-Jewish people of the world.
• Acts 11:1-3
  • The apostles and the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.
    • Who hears about Gentiles receiving the “Word of God?”
      • The apostles and other believers.  So the news or rumor got to these people faster than Peter did. How did that happen? Remember Peter had stayed with Cornelius and his family for a few days.
    • What was the criticism against Peter, look at verse 2?
      • “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”    What were these Jewish Christians really upset about?   It was not so much that he shared the gospel with Gentiles but that he ate with them…which mean the food would have been unclean,  but it is more than that.    You see, Peter has blurred the line between the Jew and the non-Jew, the Chosen, versus the outsiders. 
    • In doing this Peter has set aside the superiority and privilege is critics understood they had as Jews.
    • Now we may think the other Jewish Christians critical of Peter are really wrong, that their attitude is terrible. But they haven’t had the vision, and Holy Spirit speak to them specifically about this.. Where would have Peter been without all this help of the vision and the help from the Holy Spirit?   Right where these other believers are at now. 
    • Why is this such a big deal?
      • How did Jews see their relationship with God? They understood that it was special. They had the Law and a code of ethics that separated them from the pagans.  So what Peter did is crossed a line in staying in the home of Cornelius, his behavior implied that the Jewish rules which differentiated from the pagans were no longer necessary. Including the Gentiles into the church will not just be added to it but rather a transformation of it.  The Jews will no longer have their status of Chosen because all are chosen in Christ
• Acts 11:4-14
• 4 Peter began to explain to them step by step, 5 “I was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a trance, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came to me. 6 When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 “‘No, Lord!’ I said. ‘For nothing impure or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice answered from heaven a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call impure.’ 10 “Now this happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house. 13 He reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 14 He will speak a message to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’
  • Do you think Peter knew he was going to have to explain his actions of taking the gospel to Cornelius?
    • See verse 12. Is there anything in the text to indicate the this… look at verse 12 These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.   Why would Peter have these 6 from Joppa with him in Jerusalem unless if left he needed their witness.  
• Acts 11:15-18
• 15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?” 18 When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”
  • When Peter recounts what happened did he make it about him?  Who did he put the focus on?
    • God, Holy Spirit and Jesus.
  • Peter reveals his thinking at the time of these events look at verse 16 and following… what comes to Peter’s mind?
    • See verse 16 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
  • What was the reaction to Peter’s defense of his actions?
    • Praise to God… they agree with Peter that this God calling the Gentiles.
  • Is this the end of this controversy?
    • No it continues for years.  Peter speaks of the validation of the Holy Spirit trumps circumcision as a mark of the inclusion in the Kingdom of God.  But this lesson is not learned by many
• Acts 11:19-24
• 19 Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.
  • Does the church immediately launch an all-out effort to preach the gospel to all the non-Jewish people?
    • Not really what we see is it? 
  • What does verse 19 remind the read of and who?
    • Persecution… and Saul.
  • Those who had been scattered by the persecution shared the gospel with who?
    • See verse 19 Jews only
  • Who did the men from Cyprus and Cyrene begin to reach out too?
    • Verse 20 Greek Gentiles.
  • How do we know God approved of this?
    • Verse 21 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 
  • Do we know who these men were?
    • No they were not apostles God is working thru other not just the apostles.   Evidently God thought it was important to have the 1st predominantly gentile church planted in Antioch.
  • Why this city?
    • 3rd largest in the Roman Empire 500K people 70K Jews in it… 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It was a very immoral city because of pagan worship. Other than Jerusalem this is the most important city to the early church.
  • What did the church of Jerusalem do when they learned of this Gentile church?
    • Sent people to check it out… Who did they send?  Do you like their choice?
  • What impact did Barnabas have on the growth of the church?
    • See verse 24 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
• Acts 11:25-30
• 25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, 26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. 27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. 29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. 30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.
  • What did Barnabas see there in Antioch and what did it cause him to do?
    • The door of evangelism was open there was need for more teaching and preaching and so he goes and finds Saul/ Paul  and  man who can  speak to Jews and Gentiles and be effective…maybe he knew of what God had said about Paul that he would be sent to the Gentiles.
  • What event shows the unity of the church?
    • The gifts that were sent to the church in Jerusalem.
• TAKE AWAY
  • When should we as believers defend ourselves or someone else before criticism?  When should we just walk away from criticism?
  • How should we handle controversies in the church where we don’t have a thus saith the Lord?
  • If you could choose anywhere to plant a new congregation what strategic city or place would you pick?  Does it make a difference where church is planted?
  • When churches are having a hard time in other places in the world and we learn about how should we respond?
  • The name you wear was coined in Antioch in the 1st century- Christian

Acts 9:32-43

• Can God put us in places where we can help people?
• Context:
  • Where have we seen the gospel message go so far?
    • Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, & possibly to Ethiopia.  Luke has introduced us to Saul, who soon goes by Paul but Luke brings Peter back into the picture as he writes the early church history.
• Act 9:32-35
• 32 As Peter was traveling from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,” and immediately he got up. 35 So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
  • The town of Lydda was about 22 mile northwest of Jerusalem towards the coast.
  • What is Peter doing away from Jerusalem?
    • Visiting the Saints (Christians). When we last read about Peter traveling, it was with John. Here Peter is traveling by himself. The apostles apparently had a pattern of visiting the saints living in nearby towns. Remember Jesus had taken them on such travels to different towns.
  • What about Aeneas, what is his problem?  How long had he been sick?
    • Bedridden for 8 years. As a side note, this is one of the verses which helps provide support that Acts was written by Luke, a physician, since we see the word “paralytic” used here.  What is Aeneas lying on?  Does this tell us anything? He is using a mat… rather than lying in a bed. This may indicate he is from a poor family. Since he can’t walk it makes it hard to help work and support the family.
      
  • Was Aeneas a Christian, what do you think?
    • Since Peter was visiting the Saints he probably was. 
  • Who acted in faith in this healing miracle?
    • Peter’s faith in the Lord and Aeneas’ faith to respond to Peter’s command to get up and his own faith in the power of God. Peter in claiming that Jesus has healed Aeneas and Aeneas in believing he spoke the truth. There is no mention of Peter reaching down to help Aeneas, Aeneas simply got up. I tend to believe that it was when Aeneas moved to comply, acting in faith, that he was healed.
  • How would you define a miracle if you look at what happened to Aeneas?
    • God does it, it is supernatural, it was immediate and it was complete. Who gets the credit? Jesus Christ!
  • Why do you think Peter heals Aeneas?
    • Compassion, prompted by the Spirit, 
  • Whatever Peter’s reasoning for the healing what did this incident create?
    • Opportunity to spread the gospel.
  • What impact did this miracle have on the people?
    • People turned to the Lord…Was it just because they saw or heard of this healing?  No it gave opportunity for Peter to preach.  The people knew the miracle was true; God was behind what Peter was saying therefore the message Peter brings must be true.  (The word Sharon refers to the area around Lydda… The plain of Sharon “it is a fertile plain running 50 miles roughly along the coast, from Joppa to Caesarea).  The news of this miracle spread far. What is the evidence of the miracle? Aeneas himself, look at verse 35 … Immediately Aeneas got up. 35All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
  • Can God still do miracles?
    • Yes! Who is it up to if a miracle is done? God’s sovereign will…. It is not up to us …all we can do is pray in faith asking God to heal and that He might be glorified in the healing.    If God does not respond with a miracle what then does that mean? Was my faith to weak, did I not say my prayer right… No. More likely God has another plan.
• Acts 9:36-38
• 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas). She was always doing good works and acts of charity. 37 About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.”
  • Joppa was a major port city of Judea. It is about 12 miles northwest from Lydda.
  • What was Tabitha / Dorcas known for?
    • Always doing good and helping the poor… We will see she was famous among the widows for making clothes. Tabitha is Aramaic, Dorcas is Greek. Both mean “gazelle.” In a culture where both languages were spoken it is not surprising she was known by both names. This may indicate she was respected by both the Hebraic and Grecian Jews.  
  • Do you ever wonder why someone who is doing good is taken from this life? 
  • Do we know what Tabitha dies from?
    • Just that she was sick.  How quickly is she prepared for burial? The very day of her death which was common for both the Jews and the Greeks at that time.
    • If burial was delayed it was customary to lay the body in the upper room.
  • After she died why do you think men were dispatched to get Peter?
    • A)   Was their hope that Peter would raise Dorcas?  
    • B)   Did they want Peter to pray and comfort those who loved her? 
    • C)   Did they think it was important for Peter to come and pay his respects?
• Acts 9:39
• 39 Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
  • What does Peter find when gets there?
    • Does this sound like a time of visitation and viewing of the body?
      • I imagine many there were people she had helped showing their lover and concern for her.
• Acts 9:40-43
• 40 Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. He called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner.
  • What is the first thing Peter does?
    • Gets them all out of the room. 
    • Where did Peter learn this?
      • From the example of Jesus. Peter was present at all three occasions recorded in the Bible when Jesus raised someone from the dead. In one story, in the raising of the Jarius’ daughter, Jesus had the crowd removed from the room first.
  • What does Peter do next?
    • See verse 40 … Peter gets on his knees and prays.
      • Why? Could it be Peter is asking what is the Lord’s will for Tabitha. Does the Lord want her brought back to life?
  • What is death for the Christian?
    • For the Christian, death is not an evil, but rather the way God calls us home.  Verse 36 tells us that she was a disciple, so it was not a case of an unbeliever being brought back from Hell so that she can have a second chance. No, if she was to be brought back, it had to be for another reason… what might that reason be? To glorify God and draw others to hear the gospel message. Tabitha responds as did Jairus’ daughter.
  • What great words does Peter use in this resurrection?
    • “Tabitha, get up.” Words of confidence and faith.  These words are one letter off from what Jesus said in raising Jarius daughter from the dead.  Where Jesus said “Talitha Koum” meaning little girl get up. Peter says “Tabitha koum” meaning “Gazelle get up.” This is the first recorded instance of anyone other than Jesus actually raising the dead. Now Jesus had given the power to raise the dead tom the 12 disciples back in Matthew 10:7-8 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
  • What impact does this miracle bring about?
    • 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Many people come to Christ as a result.
  • What does Peter do after this, see verse 43?
    • 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.  Why do you think Luke puts this tidbit in here?  Peter being a good Jew would He usually stay with someone who is ceremonially unclean… you see a tanner deals wither hides of dead animals many of them unclean animals. Peter’s decision to stay with him shows already a willingness to reject Jewish prejudice and prepares the way for his coming vision in the next chapter and the mission to the Gentiles.
• TAKE AWAY
  • How should we treat the sick, diseased and hurting?
    • Pray for them and encourage them. Show them the love of Christ.
  • Haven’t we all experienced God’s healing spiritually or physically at some time in our life?
  • We do not have Peter here to resurrect the dead but what can we do to prepare others for the greater resurrection?
  • Peter was moved to help fill the needs of people which lead the greater need of seeing the gospel message spread to others

Acts 9:19b-31

• What does it take for us to believe that a person has changed?
• Context:
• Last week in Acts 9 we covered Saul confronted by the risen Jesus.  The next part of the chapter focuses how all this changed Saul. Let’s look again at Saul’s conversion experience.  Ananias is sent by God to heal his blindness and tell him what he needs to do.  Acts 9:17-19a
  • 17 Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.
• When we consider conversions in the New Testament we don’t find people coming to faith in Jesus simply by dreams, visions, angels or voices from Heaven, do we? In Saul’s conversion Ananias presence is essential. Saul’s conversion is authenticated by 4 elements: 2 are physical and 2 are spiritual. God heals Saul’s blindness thru Ananias and Jesus granted Saul to be filled with the Holy Spirit to enlighten him.  Ananias baptized him and Saul broke his fast and regained his strength. Healing and eating are physical symbols which coincide with the spiritual realities of the Holy Spirit and baptism and Saul changes from persecutor and preacher! 
• Acts 9:19b-22
• Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. 20 Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
  • Why do you think Saul moved so quickly to preach that Jesus is the Son of God?
    • This is more than just new convert enthusiasm.  One reason Saul had just seen Jesus… another reason is that Saul must be keenly aware of how wrong he has been and don’t you think if would want to begin correcting the damage he has done?
  • Imagine the stir Saul conversion and preaching caused in the Jewish and Christian communities.
    • What was the question being asked? Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
  • What happens to Saul in the short time he is in Damascus according to verse 22?
    • He became more and more powerful in telling about Jesus and the gospel. Notice he baffled the Jews (meaning Saul bested them in their arguments)… proving Jesus was the Christ.  Verse 20 tells us what he was preaching… Jesus is the Son of God… proving thru scripture of the O.T. Saul had better training in the scriptures under Gamaliel, he is also filled with Holy Spirit and has his own personal experience with Jesus. And Saul was much more motivated in what he was doing.
• Acts 9:23-25
• 23 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plot. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.
  • How effective is Saul’s preaching?
    • Good enough that they now saw Saul as their enemy.  Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:32
      • 32 In Damascus, a ruler under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to arrest me.
      • So the Jews wanted him dead but king Aretas wanted to catch him and arrest him.
  • Where does Saul go after sneaking out of Damascus?
    • See Galatians 1:15-18
    • Luke doesn’t mention it here but we know that Paul says something about where he went soon after his conversion. It is found in Galatians 1:15-18 .
      • 15 But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
  • What do you think Saul was doing while in Arabia?
    • Most likely the same thing he was doing in Damascus preaching that Jesus is the Christ, God’s son.  This preaching would have happened in Synagogues in Arabia. 
    • NOTE: It is tempting to draw a parallel between Paul’s 3 years in Arabia as 3 years of training under a resurrected Christ and matching that to 3 years the 12 had under Jesus teaching. But that is not what Paul said. Remember Saul/Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit he was more than capable to preach the gospel.
• Acts 9:26-30
• 26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
  • Who does Saul try to join?
    • The Disciples; that could mean any of Christians not the 12 Disciples they were referred to now as apostles. To join means to have fellowship with them…worship with them share the Lord’s Supper with them. 
  • Do the Christians of Jerusalem have a right to be skeptical?
    • Saul been gone for at least three years and people still remember him as the chief persecutor of Christians.  They didn’t trust him.  Don’t you think it would be hard to forget the person who had one of your loved ones killed or imprisoned?
    • It is thought that the persecution of the church lessened with Saul’s conversion.
  • What does Barnabas do for Saul?
    • He vouches for Saul… Why? We don’t know for sure, both were from the same province…There is no way to know how Barnabas heard of Saul’s conversion and his preaching.  Barnabas would have been well known and respected by the church in Jerusalem.
  • Why do you think Barnabas took Saul to the apostles?
    • He thought they needed to meet Saul and if they accepted him then the rest of the church would do as well. This may mean the apostles had not heard of Saul’s conversion.
  • Exactly what Apostles did Saul meet with?
    • See Galatians 1:18-19  18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 
    • Maybe the rest were not in Jerusalem.
  • What did Saul do while in Jerusalem?
    • He spoke about Jesus   
    • Who did he speak too? It appears Saul returns to his old Synagogue…The Hellenistic Jews  Why them?… Remember Stephen: who was he preaching too when he was killed?  Saul maybe overestimated the influence he could have on them.
  • Again we see Saul’s preaching is effective… they cannot out smart him.  So what do they try to do to him?
    • They try to kill him. And Saul is sent off to his home town.
• Acts 9:31
• 31 So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
  • What is the situation for the church throughout Palestine?  What has eased off for a while?
    • Persecution.
• TAKE AWAY
  • The gospel and our Lord Jesus can still change people in a radical way today.
  • Does the church have the right to expect fruits of repentance from a convert?
  • Do we ever need a Barnabas?  Will we be a Barnabas for someone else?
  • We see in the Book of Acts that Christians looked after one another… they were concerned about each other. We need to continue to do likewise.

Acts 9:1-19a

• So we’ve seen the persecution of the Jerusalem Church begin with the stoning of Stephen, and then spread throughout the city, causing most of the Christians outside of the apostles to flee Jerusalem
• This has also now led to the Church spreading and growing, just like Christ had told the apostles it would before His ascension. 
• Samaria has received the gospel. Philip has converted the Ethiopian Eunuch.
• Now we return to the story of Saul, who is leading the charge against Christianity and is now looking to pursue Christians that have fled Jerusalem during the chaos
• Acts 9:1-2
• Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
  • This is the beginning of the story of the conversion of Paul, which is the most detailed story we find in the entire Book of Acts.
    • Luke includes this story in three different places in the book.
  • Luke describes Saul as breathing threats and murder against the disciples
    • This draws to mind the description of Saul giving approval of the stoning of Stephen at the end of Chapter 7/beginning of Chapter 8
  • He’s still pursuing new targets for his wrath, but not necessarily murder
    • What is he seeking to do? Arrest those participating in the Way, and bring them back to the Sanhedrin where they may receive the death penalty
  • He does this by doing what?
    • Going to the High Priest, probably still Caiaphas at this point, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus for permission to arrest those found to be participating in the Way
  • The question is actually whether any evidence supports a situation in which the Sanhedrin had authority over synagogues so far from home.
    • Damascus was about 150 miles from Jerusalem, a six day walk.
    • Luke does not say that the letters were papers of extradition, however, so the letters may simply have been letters introducing Paul and his mission, as well as recommending that such Jews be handed over to him. They wouldn’t have carried any official authority to enforce an arrest
• Acts 9:3-7
• 3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one.
  • Saul wasn’t far from his intended target, which means he had been on the road for more than 5 days at this point
  • Have you ever been blinded temporarily by a bright flash of a camera or something like that? This event would have been even more intense than that, bringing Saul to his knees
  • At the same time, a voice boomed from heaven, addressing Saul. What did the voice of Christ challenge him with in this interaction?
    • To account for his actions, especially in view of the fact that the persecuting of Christians amounted to the persecuting of Christ
    • Could Paul have had this event in mind when he penned II Corinthians 4:6, “6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.”
  • Was Paul convinced that he had been permitted to see the resurrected Christ, just as the other apostles had seen Him?
    • I Corinthians 15:3-8: “3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.”
  • Was Saul the only one on the road that experienced this manifestation of Christ?
    • According to Luke’s record, his travel companions heard a noise, but did not understand the conversation or see what Saul saw
    • Saul’s use of Lord here is more than likely a respectful sir, but he soon realized he was being confronted by someone with more power than he had ever experienced in his life
• Acts 9:8-9
• 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.
  • What physically happened to Saul because of this encounter with Christ?
    • He was blinded, and had to be led by the hand into the city
      • Put yourself in his shoes here. He was a powerful and proud man, who is now humbled and having to be led by the hand after encountering Jesus, whom he has just discovered he was persecuting
    • He also fasted for three days. What does this indicate about Saul
      • How completely devastated his spirit was because of this encounter
      • This period was likely a time for much reflection on what he had witnessed and what it meant regarding his place among the people of God
• Acts 9:10-16
• 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” “Here I am, Lord,” he replied. 11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
  • Put yourself in Ananias’ place here. What would you have done?
  • He more than likely was not one of the Christians that had fled Jerusalem during the persecution, because Luke describes him as having heard from many people about Saul.
    • He knew of Saul, and his reputation, but doesn’t appear to have first hand knowledge
    • He was still very wary of meeting someone with the reputation of Saul, and maybe even rightfully so
    • He also knew that Saul had authority from the Chief Priests to wreak havoc on those in the Way
  • How did God convince Ananias to go to Saul anyway?
    • He told Ananias what Saul’s mission was going to be, building in a layer of support for Saul after his acceptance of Christ.
• Acts 9:17-19a
• 17 Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.
  • What happened when Ananias obeyed God’s command and went to find Saul?
    • He laid hands on Saul, and something like scales fell from his eyes
    • Saul also received the Holy Spirit after being immediately baptized, before taking food to regain his strength

Acts 8:26-40

• Have you ever felt that God had you be at the right place at the right time to impact someone’s life?
• Context:
  • Tonight we are going to be looking at Philip, he was one of the seven that were set aside to oversee the food for the widows.  
  • After persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem where did Philip take the gospel?
  • The Holy Spirit has another task for Philip.
• Acts 8:26-29
• 26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”
  • Is there any reason to think Philip had exhausted his usefulness in Samaria preaching to the crowds?
    • No; Was there more work to be done there? Sure but it would be someone else doing it other than Philip. At least for a little while.
  • How does Philip respond to the angel’s request?
    • It appears he acted on it immediately. By the way that means Philip had to back track to Jerusalem and further south it was close to a 40 mile walk.
  • To anybody else this would look like a chance encounter of strangers on the road why do you think God wanted this man to hear the gospel?
    • The reason may go far beyond this one man’s conversion to where he will carry the gospel.  What influence might he have on the people and nation of Ethiopia?
    • We don’t know but God knows!
  • What does Luke tell us about this Man?
    • He is called a Eunuch… the term indicates a male who has been castrated.  What else does Luke tell us about the man? He is an Ethiopian or Nubian, which means “one with burnt skin.” Dark skin was not an object of ridicule… But being a eunuch could. Ethiopians’ at that time were revered for their wealth and gold. What else does Luke tell us about this man?  He is a Treasurer for Candace the Queen… Candace was a title not a name… sort of like Caesar. Candace was Ethiopian dynasty of matriarchs in charge of their nation. So he was in the upper level of leadership in that nation.
  • Why did the Ethiopian come to Jerusalem for?
    • To worship God. 
  • Was the Ethiopian a Jew?
    • We don’t know for sure… he could have been or he may have been a “God Fearer”. If he was a Jew and he is eunuch he cannot fully participate with the Assembly of God’s people in the temple.
      • Deuteronomy 23:1 No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the Lord.
  • Does this man show a passion to know God?
    • He shows it in traveling hundreds of miles to worship in the temple knowing he would not be allowed in. He could go to the gate, he could present an offering, he read the Torah but he could not enter the temple courts. I wonder if he felt like an outcast?
  • Philip finds him on his way home seeking to know God in the scriptures.
  • Was the Ethiopian wealthy?
    • I would think so… take a long trip to Jerusalem
      • What is he reading… most people could not afford their own scroll of the O.T.
• Acts 8:30-35
• 30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading? 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. 34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.
  • What is it Philip asks to break the ice with this man?
    • “Do you understand what you are reading?” Did the Ethiopian understand it?  No he needed help.
  • What was he reading? Isaiah53:7-8
    • What did the Ethiopian want to know from the scripture? See verse 34 “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?”   Can Isaiah be hard to understand in places?
  • Acts 8:32-33
    • 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.”
  • Isaiah 53:7-8
    • He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment, and who considered his fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion.
  • Can you find you find a way to talk about Jesus in these two verses?
    • Jesus was mocked, beaten and faced false witnesses in a farce of a trial but Jesus did not defend himself at his trial…. He was like a lamb for sacrifice… Jesus was unjustly crucified because of our sin… Reading what Luke wrote in verses 32-33 of Acts, what is it focusing on about Jesus? Primarily His rejection. Do you think the Eunuch could relate to rejection having just come from the temple he could not enter?
    • Philip began there… but do you think he went to other passages to tell more about Jesus? Maybe other verses from Isaiah 53. Maybe even, Isaiah 56:3-5
      • No foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord should say, “The Lord will exclude me from his people,” and the eunuch should not say, “Look, I am a dried-up tree.” 4 For the Lord says this: “For the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, and choose what pleases me, and hold firmly to my covenant, 5 I will give them, in my house and within my walls, a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give each of them an everlasting name that will never be cut off.
  • This single Bible Study changed this Eunuch’s heart. Here was a man who loved God but never thought he could share in all good things of the temple like other Israelites. Now in one afternoon Philip points to passage after passage that reveal Yahweh’s heart for the nations and particularly marginalized Eunuch from Ethiopia. He could never enter the temple of God in Jerusalem, but he could become the temple of God by becoming part of God’s church through Christ.
• Acts 8:36-40
• 36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip appeared in Azotus, and he was traveling and preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
  • Where did the Ethiopian get the idea of baptism is something he should consider?
    • I would say from Philip… Philip was baptizing people into Christ in Samaria.
  • Look at the question in verse 36 Why shouldn’t I be baptized? Or WHAT HINDERS ME FROM BEING BAPTIZED
    • I just wonder how this man asked this question. He has been disqualified to worship with the other Jews…maybe he is thinking this disqualifies him from being baptized
  • How many of you are missing verse 37 in you bibles?
    • 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”    
    • Why would that be left out?  Because it is found in only the late manuscripts from the 6 century…the thought being someone other than Luke added it later.
  • How do we know that the Ethiopian was not baptized by pouring water out of a bottle over his head?
    • Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized (immersed) him. 39When they came up out of the water
  • How did the eunuch respond after his baptism?
    • but went on his way rejoicing!
  • Don’t you think the Eunuch wondered what happened to Philip?
• TAKE AWAY
• What can we apply to us from Philip and the eunuch?
  • God wants people to hear the gospel and have an opportunity to respond to it.  If we are open to being led by the Spirit and look for opportunities chances are we will be able to influence others for Christ.
  • We don’t know what impact just one person may have for Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
  • Jesus is interested not only in the crowds but individuals. 

Acts 8:1-25

• In Chapter 7 of Acts we saw Stephen falsely accused, then put on trial. The man who looked like he had a face of an angel was stoned to death.  We may wonder what good come from the death of a godly man. We will see the truth of:  Romans 8:28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Look for the good God is working as we work through Acts 8:1-25.     
• Background:
  • This act of aggression and murder towards Stephen leads a wider spread of persecution against Christians in Jerusalem. This leads to the second major movement in the Book of Acts. The Gospel moves out of Jerusalem and goes to the Samaritans. 
• Acts 8:1-3
• Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.
  • What does this say about Saul?
    • Like Stephen, Saul is a Greek Jew who had immigrated to Jerusalem. We do not know if Saul and Stephen knew one another. Both were zealous over the issue of Jesus.  Stephen saw Jesus as the promised Messiah, where Saul saw Jesus as a false Messiah and His followers as enemies to God and the law.
  • Do you think Saul thought he was following God and doing His will in this matter?
    • Do you think Saul thought Jesus and His followers were threatening the Jewish religion?  
    • See Galatians 1:13-14 &22-23
      • 13 For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors…22 I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. 23 They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
  • What impact does this persecution have on the church in Jerusalem? See Verse 3
  • Had the Christians moved beyond the city of Jerusalem up to take the gospel elsewhere at this time?
    • The book of Acts does not record it. It is possible that individual Christians carried the gospel to other places. But for the large part the Christians were gathered in Jerusalem.
  • What do the apostles do?  And why?   See multiple choice
    • God told them to stay in Jerusalem.
    • The apostles were not threatened directly. Because the Sanhedrin was satisfied with Stephen’s death.
    • The Persecution was primarily against Greek speaking Jews followed Jesus.
    • All of the above.
  • Can you see how this bad situation is being used by God to do good?
    • Consider what Jesus says in Acts 1:8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
  • Who is the chief persecutor of the church we see here?
• Acts 8:4-8
• 4 So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6 The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
  • What did these Christians do once they left Jerusalem?
  • What is so strange about Philip a Jew going to Samaria to proclaim Christ?
    • Consider how did the Jews feel about the Samaritans in genera?
  • So why do you think Philip went there?
    • Just wanted to see that place.
    • Holy Spirit directed Him.
    • Saul would not go there.
  • What accompanied Philip’s preaching?
    • Why was this important? 
• Acts 8:9-13
• 9 A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God.” 11 They were attentive to him because he had amazed them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he followed Philip everywhere and was amazed as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.
  • What happened to the people’s allegiance to Simon, “The Great Power”?
  • What is the difference between Philip and Simon and the power they used?
  • How did Simon respond to Philip’s preaching of the gospel?
• Acts 8:14-17
• 14 When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 After they went down there, they prayed for them so that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them. 16 (They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
  • Why do you think the apostles send John and Peter to Samaria?
    • These two men were the clear leaders of the apostles.
      • They are confirming that the gospel is being accepted.
      • They are making sure these new Christians will be accepted by other Jewish Christians.
      • They need to go, because this is a big deal, so far the church has been centered in Jerusalem.
      • All the above. 
  • Did the Samaritan Christians not receive the Holy Spirit when they responded to the gospel?
    • Consider Acts 2:38 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Did God not keep His promise to these believers?
    • I doubt it. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is inward and invisible. The words, Spirit had not yet come on any of them… are words used for miraculous Spiritual power. This is often outward and visible.
  • Did Philip have the ability to pass on miraculous Spiritual power?
    • Philip was not an apostle and therefore unable to pass on miraculous gift to others. Remember the apostles had lay their hands on Philip and empowered Him.
  • Who has the ability pass on miraculous Spiritual power in these verses?
    • See verse 17.
  • Note: The Holy Spirit validates the apostles on the day of Pentecost not save them… The first Gentiles will be given a validation from the Spirit prior to their baptism…So the Samaritans receive validation from the Spirit thru the laying on of hands from Peter & John.
• Acts 8:18-25
• 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. 23 For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.” 24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” 25 So, after they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
  • Do you think Simon’s conversion was genuine?
    • Was he just caught up in what was going on… was he trying to attach himself to Philip to gain the power Philip displayed?
    • Or did he believe in the miracles and their power but lacked faith the saving faith in Jesus? 
    • All of the above.
  • What sin did Simon commit in Peter’s presence?
  • How would you describe Peter’s response to Simon’s offer?
  • Do you think Simon was being real when he asked Peter to pray for him? 
  • What do Peter and John do on the way back to Jerusalem?
    • Could this be viewed as an endorsement for what Philip has been doing?
• TAKE AWAY
  • How does this apply to us today?
  • The Christians took the gospel with them…What about us…how well do we do at taking the gospel with us?
  • Do we see what Jesus predicted coming true? 
  • Does God want anyone excluded from the gospel message?
  • Do we still have racial barriers today which might impede the gospel being spread by the church? 
  • Do you see the good coming from this persecution? 

Acts 6

• Context:
  • From this simple story a couple of issues emerge. Some see this text as a template for ordaining deacons in the church. Some see the principal of preaching being more important than ministries of compassion. But what is Luke trying to tell us by including this story in his account about the apostles. Luke is continuing to tell us of the expansion of the church which eventually will lead to Gentile territory. 
• Acts 6:1
• In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
  • What was happening to the church in those days?
  • Does growth bring problems?
    • Growth is good this means more people are learning about Jesus and placing their faith in him.
  • What was the complaint and what is a Hellenistic Jew and a Hebraic Jew?
    • Hellenistic Jew: Were those Jews who lived outside of Judah. They lived in the Greek world. They were of Jewish blood but lived on the fringe of Judaism this could create language and culture barriers in Jerusalem.  They could be considered an outsider
    • Hebraic Jews: Were those who born and raised in Judah. They spoke Hebrew and Aramaic. This was the home town crowd. They could be considered insiders.
  • What about the complaint?
  • Who is being overlooked?
    • Do you think the complaint could be valid? Consider the barriers the Hellenistic widows had in your answer.
  • How did these Hellenistic Jewish widows end up in Jerusalem?
    • These Jewish widows who lived outside the nation of Judah have returned to their Jewish roots in Jerusalem to die and be buried on sacred soil.
  • What must have happened when they heard the gospel?
  • Were the apostles trying to do what was good and right when it came to Christian widows?
• Acts 6:2-4
• 2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
  • Does this mean the apostles were personally involved in or overseeing the distribution of food to the widows?
  • The Apostles see the need to prioritize their work, which do they see as a priority?
  • What was unique about the apostles’ role in the early church that might cause them to prioritize as they did?
  • What exactly do the apostles propose to do to deal with this situation?
  • Would you consider this a win / win for the church?
  • Who is given the responsibility to choosing the 7 men? 
  • What qualities were these men to possess? 
• Acts 6:5-6
• 5 This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. 6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
  • How did the congregation feel about this?
  • Why these seven men?  
  • Could it be they had proven themselves faithful already?
  • What do the names of these men tell us about them?
  • They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. Do these sound like Jewish names?
  • What could have happened if the apostles had not dealt with the complaint concerning the widows?
  • How did the apostles confirm the seven selected men before the congregation?
  • Why lay hands on these men?
    • It shows these men were taking over the task and being given the authority to accomplish it . Also the apostles may have been imparting spiritual power for the task before them.
  • Were these 7 men the first deacons?
    • They are often considered that but they are not called deacons in the text. But they do serve which is what the word deacon actually means.
• Acts 6:7
• 7 So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
  • What was the result of this problem being resolved?  See verse 7
• Acts 6:8-15
• 8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. 13 They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. 14 For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” 15 And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
  • What do you notice about Stephen’s ministry here?
    • It’s the first appearance of the Holy Spirit working wonders and signs outside of someone other than the 12
  • Opposition once again surfaced as a result of the church’s ministry
    • Unlike previous resistance, this opposition came from Jews who were not connected with the Sadducees and the temple leaders
    • The “Freedmen’s Synagogue” was the source of the antagonism. Out of the many synagogues in Jerusalem, this one was attended by Hellenistic Jews from the Diaspora
  • What do we know about the synagogue system in general?
    • The synagogue was usually a center for the social, the educational, and the religious life of the Jewish community. Originally synagogues were houses of prayer. They were influenced more by the Pharisees than by the Sadducees, whose major interest was the operation of the Temple
  • What about this “Freedmen Synagogue” in particular?
    • Freedmen in the first century were slaves or descendants of slaves who had gained their release. The name of this synagogue implies that the freedmen were Jews who previously had lived in Cyrene or Alexandria in Northern Africa, or in the provinces of Cilicia and Asia
    • Quite frequently Jews moved from thees areas around the Roman Empire and took up residence in Jerusalem
      • Who do we meet later in Acts that was from Cilicia?
        • Paul, and he may very well have participated in this synagogue
  • What did the Jews from this synagogue think of Stephen’s message?
    • Highly offensive. From the charges they brought to the Sanhedrin it appears that their objections centered on whether the temple and the law were relevant in light of the gospel of Jesus. They took Stephen’s message to imply that “this holy place” and the law of Moses were no longer valid components in God’s dealings with His people
    • Stephen had probably emphasized  that salvation is to be found in Christ alone, not in the OT system of sacrifices. 
    • When their arguments failed to adequately refute Stephen’s message, these Jews resorted to stirring up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. Here for the first time opposition to the Christians came from the people, as well as the temple authorities
    • The Sanhedrin became involved and brought Stephen in for a hearing
      • Staring at Stephen, the Sanhedrin detected a man unafraid of the powers opposing the gospel. Something about his appearance seemed to say that his witness had come from the realm of the angels themselves. Stephen looked like a man who had been in the presence of God
• TAKE AWAY
  • Problems need to be addressed rather than hidden or ignored especially when they have the potential of effecting the unity of the church.
  • Productive ministry requires us to make a priority out of both the spiritual and the physical needs of people. To focus on one to the exclusion of the other can negatively affect our mission and ministry.
  • Problems can be opportunities for growth as we look for Spirit led solutions.

Acts 5:12-42

• Acts 5:12-16
• 12 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them. 14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women. 15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
  • What was purpose of the signs and wonders the apostles were working?
    • To draw attention to themselves
    • To show compassion to the sick and afflicted
    • To validate the their message was from God
    • B & C
  • What do you think it means, in verse 13, “No one else dared joined them.” and why would people act that way?
    • It is possible that this statement was directed more to the apostles rather than all the believers.
      • What happened earlier in Acts 5:1-11 that brought about great fear?
  • Why do you think the apostles and the church were highly regarded by the people?
  • What is happening to the church in verse 14?
    • Who is it specifically that is being added to the Body of believers?   
    • Consider how women were treated in the first Century.  Could woman become a Christian apart from her husband?  See Galatians 3:27-29 & Romans 10:11-13
  • Verse 15 begins with, “As a result,” what does Luke have in mind?
    • As a result the  growth of the church
    • As result of being highly  regarded by the people
    • As result of the signs and wonders performed by the apostles
  • Were the sick people hoping the shadow of Peter would fall exhibiting faith or superstition?
• Acts 5:17-21a
• 17 Then the high priest rose up. He and all who were with him, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life.” 21 Hearing this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
  • Why did the high priest and those that were with him have the apostles arrested?
    • Jealousy (of what?)
  • What did the apostles do when God freed them and sent them to the temple?
• Acts 5:21b-24
• When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full council of the Israelites—and sent orders to the jail to have them brought. 22 But when the servants got there, they did not find them in the jail; so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 As the captain of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, wondering what would come of this.
  • The next morning, they sent for the apostles in the jail, and what did they find?
  • The captain and the chief priests were baffled when they heard this. What would you have been thinking here?
• Acts 5:25-28
• 25 Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the commander went with the servants and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them. 27 After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, 28 “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
  • It’s reported that the apostles are already in the Temple courts, teaching the people
    • The chief priests and the temple police can’t even defend their own home turf from the name of Jesus
  • Who goes after the apostles?
    • Captain of the guard, 2nd in command to the chief priest, along with servants
  • How did they bring the apostles back to the gathering of the Sanhedrin?
    • Without force because they were scared of the people
  • The high priest starts the questioning. What does he seem most upset about
• Acts 5:29-32
• 29 Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
  • Peter again is the spokesperson. What’s his reply?
    • Have to obey God rather than people
    • Then he goes into another sermon about Jesus.
      • He mentions the God of our ancestors, tying Jesus to OT Israel
      • That they murdered Him by hanging Him on a tree
      • God raised Him and exalted Him to His right hand as ruler and Savior
      • To draw Israel to repentance and forgiveness of sin
      • And then he finishes that they are witnesses of all of this, along with the Holy Spirit who is a gift from God to those in obedience
• Acts 5:33-40
• 33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him. 40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.
  • The Sanhedrin went from annoyed to mad pretty quickly. What was their initial response?
    • Wanted to kill the apostles
  • Where else do we hear about the Pharisee Gamaliel?
    • When Paul is giving his defense in Acts 22, he states that he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel
    • Gamaliel is believed to have been the grandson of Hillel, one of the wisest and most well known Pharisees
  • What was Gamaliel’s advice?
    • Was his advice from himself or was it from God?
  • What was the end result of the trial before the Sanhedrin?
    • The apostles were flogged (39 stripes) and released with orders to stop speaking the name of Jesus
• Acts 5:41-42
• 41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name. 42 Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
  • What was the reaction of the apostles?
    • They didn’t cower in fear, they rejoiced that they were worthy of being mistreated in the name of Jesus
  • Did they heed the warning to stop speaking in the name of Jesus?
    • No, they continued on a daily basis, in the Temple and in various homes.
• TAKE AWAY
  • What does this scripture show us about the apostles?
  • What was God doing for His church?
  • What good might God be doing in the midst of our storm we are in?
  • Is the Lord still concerned about His church, His people?

Acts 2:42-47

• What was it like to be one of the first Christians? This morning in the temple courts you heard some Galileans speaking in different languages praising God and for what He has done. Then you heard people calling the men drunk but they didn’t act like drunk men. One stood up and talked about Jesus and how was the promised Messiah.  You remember hearing Jesus teaching in the temple court and were told about His many miracles.  This one who stood explained how prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus. You, had heard the news of Jesus crucifixion and then it dawns you… we have killed our Messiah the Son of God!  But then this news that Jesus is not dead but alive all 12 men said they had seen Him and touched Him.  You are cut to the heart and wonder what can be done, surely we will be punished by God.  You respond to the words of a man named Peter urging the crowd to repent and be baptized into Jesus to be forgiven of sins… and receive this gift of the Holy Spirit.  You want to be saved. Now, I am standing soaking wet in the temple courts… I have been praising God with others…no one wants to leave now there is so much joy but… what do I do next?
• Context:
  • This is where we are in Acts, the first full gospel sermon has been preached. There is not church building, pews or choir.  What do you do with 3000K brand new Christians? There is no programs for new Christians. No elders or deacons and In fact you don’t even have a written New Testament. What a way to start a church!
• Acts 2:42
• 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
  • Luke gives kind of a summary statement as to what happening in Christ’s kingdom on earth, what we call church- the called out ones; Ekklesia
  • What did these new Christians devote themselves too?
    • Apostles’ teaching,  to the fellowship, to the breaking of Bread and too prayer
  • What does this word “devoted” mean?
    • To continue steadfastly- To cleave faithfully with someone- to endure – to remain- those who continually insist on something or stay close to someone.  In this context it appears these new followers of Jesus Christ were continuing steadfastly in these four activities.
  • Why did they devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching?
    • Many would not know the full teachings of Jesus, in fact some of the people may have been calling for Jesus death 50 days earlier.  Many of this people became Christian convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and they as a people had crucified Him but they did have an idea what it meant to live as a follower of Jesus… so teaching was needed.
  • How important is the apostles’ teaching to the church?
    • See  Ephesians 2:19-20
      • 19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
  • What did Jesus say about teaching and making disciples to the 12 before He ascended?
    • See Matthew 28:19-20
      • 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
  • How were the apostles equipped to be good teacher of everything Jesus had taught them?
    • See John 16:12-15; The Holy Spirit was in them
      • 12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.
  • When did these new believers become part of the Church?
    • When they responded in faith, repented and were baptized into Christ receiving the Holy Spirit. These people were not voted on they were called thru the gospel message… remember God adds to His church.
  • NOTE: This means the knowledge that makes one a Christian or makes a group of Christians a church is not a particular set of facts or doctrines.  A Christian is someone who is in Christ and in whom Christ lives. A covenant relationship.  They seek to follow Christ in daily obedience to please Him and seek to live in loving relationships with others who follow Jesus.  Yet all this grows from teaching of Jesus, the prophets and apostles from God’s word.
• Now let’s consider the 2nd thing they were devoted to…the Fellowship
  • What was their common fellowship based in?
    • See I John 1:3 & Ephesians 4:3-6.
      • I John 1:3  3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
        • Based on the common relationship in Jesus Christ. 
      • Ephesians 4:3-6 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
  • This Word “Fellowship” Koinonia – It is not simply coming together but a community that is concerned about the needs of one another and fulfilling ministry and good works, encouraging one another sharing with one another.
• Next they were devoted to the Breaking of bread:
  • What do you think, “breaking of bread” is referring too?
    • The Lord’s Supper.
      • Does Luke tell us when they had the Lord’s Supper or how they had it?
        • He does not share frequency or the precise manner but I bet it was done differently than how we do it. It is believed the Lord’s Supper was often recognized with a love feast- shared meal.
  • Why was it important for them to be devoted to the Lord’s Supper?
    • Christ commanded it and it keeps the focus on Christi’s atonement
• Next they were devoted to prayer:
  • How important is prayer to the church?
    • Philippians 4:6 & 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 
    • Jews in Jesus day would traditionally pray 3 times a day.    How are the followers of Jesus to pray? 
    • Philippians 4:6 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 
    • Prayer is the church’s most direct link to the heart of God
• Acts 2:43
• 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
  • What did the early church have that we do not have today?
    • The 12 apostles … we have a record of their teaching in the N.T. but we do not have them and the wonders and signs done thru the apostles.  
    • Why were these signs and wonders being performed by the apostles?
      • It was to authenticate the gospel message and the messengers.
• Acts 2:44-45
• 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
  • How is the faith of these new Christians showing up in their lives?
    • In their love for one another.
      • 1 John  3:16-18 16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.
  • Does this mean the early church was communal living or an example of socialism or communism?
    • No, there is not demand that people sell their property, and private property is not prohibited.   
    • What it was, is Christian love being demonstrated.  These followers of Jesus were taking care of the needs of other Christians who needed help.
      • Galatians 6:10 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
• Acts 2:46-47
• 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
  • How often did these early Christians meet with one another?
    • Every day…does that mean that every Christian met with the entire congregation every day? I doubt it.  
    • Why would they meet so often? They want to learn from the apostles about Jesus, and how they were to live for the Messiah.  They were also worshipping together… Praising God.
  • Where were they meeting?
    • They had no church building. So they met in the temple courts. The temple courts were more than 25 acres.  So there various places for them congregate. It appears at this point there is no open conflicts between the apostles and the temple leaders. They were also breaking up into smaller groups into homes and ate together.
  • What did the community at large feel about the followers of Jesus?
    • At this point time the people outside the church favored them.  
    • Why do think that was?  How they took care of one another, especially the needy. Their joy and they may have noticed changed lives.
  • What was happening to the church, what was the Lord doing?
    • Adding to their number daily… those being saved were hearing the gospel message and responding to it like the first 3,000.
      • We often think of evangelism as one person sharing the gospel with another person. But here we see the impact of the church corporately and it’s example to the society it was in. Where the church attracted the attention of the people of Jerusalem.
• TAKE AWAY
  • Does the church today still need the apostle’s teaching, the fellowship, the Lord’s Supper and prayer?
  • What is the difference between the early church and us?
    • There doesn’t have to be a difference (other than we do not have the 12 apostles here to work wonders)  – we have access to the same Spirit – we can live with the same passion and abandon – and our influence can have the similar results
  • As followers of Jesus what are we devoted to?