Thoughts from a Crosseyed Jesus Freak

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? 

The Holy Spirit and What He Does

• True & False Quiz:
  • The holy Spirit has His own unique personality- T
  • The main job of the holy Spirit is to work miracles in people’s lives-F
  • The Holy Spirit did not indwell people until after Jesus’ ascension-T
  • A person must have the Holy Spirit to be saved-T
  • The Holy Spirit will always bring you joy & comfort-F
  • The work of the Holy Spirit is different in the N.T. versus the O.T.-T
  • The baptism, filling and indwelling of the Spirit all mean the same thing-F
• How important is the Holy Spirit to our salvation?
  • Romans 8:9
  • 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.
• The Person of the Holy Spirit
  • Personality Attributes-
  • Romans 8:27 & 1 Corinthians 2:11
    • 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
    • 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
  • What two things are shown here that the Holy Spirit has? 
  • A mind and knowledge…
    • the Holy Spirit has the knowledge of God
  • Does the Holy Spirit have here love and affection?
    • See Romans 15:30
    • 30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.
    • Love and affection, the love of the spirit
  • What does the Holy Spirit have a will?
    • See 1 Corinthians 12:11 
    • 11 One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.
      • A will, Just as He determines
  • Since the Holy Spirit has a mind, knowledge and a will, consider the following verses…
  • What can happen to the Spirit? Ephesians 4:30, Acts 7:51, Acts 5:3
    • Ephesians 4:30
    • 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption.
      • He can be grieved
    • Acts 7:51
    • 51 “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also.
      • He can be resisted.
    • Acts 5:3
    • 3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land?
      • He Can be lied to.   
  • So all of things we can do to a  person.
• What are the Divine attributes of the Holy Spirit
  • Is the Holy Spirit eternal?
    • See Hebrews 9:14 
    • 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?
  • Is the Holy Spirit omnipresent and omniscient?
    • See Psalm 139:7-10 & 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
    • Psalm 139:7-10
    • Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon, 10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me.
    • 1 Cor. 2:10-11
    • 10 Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
  • Does the Holy Spirit have the power of God?
    • See Luke 1:35
    • 35 The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
      • Note: The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is also called or described as:  the Spirit of Grace, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of glory, and the Spirit of Life. Who else would we use words like these to describe? God the Father and Jesus.
  • How do we often see the Holy Spirit mentioned with
    • God the Father and Jesus the Son?
• The Work of the Holy Spirit
  • Where do we first find the Holy Spirit in the Bible?
    • Genesis 1:2
    • 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
  • What was the Holy Spirit doing? Was the Holy Spirit involved in creation? I think so as well as the Father and the Son.  In Genesis 1:26… “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…  Who is the, us?
  • Then in Genesis 2:7
    • Father, Son and Spirit are involved in the giving of life.
    • 7 Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
  • What does the Holy Spirit give?
    • See Romans 8:11 and John 6:63
    • what do we see the Spirit doing?
      • The Spirit gives life
      • Romans 8:11 
      • 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.
      • John 6:63 
      • 63 The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
  • How does the Spirit’s creative ability affect use personally?
    • See Titus 3:5 
    • 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
    • The Spirit brings rebirth and renewal often called regeneration…
      • The New creation we become in Christ. What we see here is Christian baptism and the giving of the Spirit.
  • NOTE: So the Holy Spirit is involved with creation at the beginning, with the giving of life and our recreation in Christ.
• How Do We Receive the Holy Spirit
  • See John 16:8  & Hebrews 4:12
    • John 16:8 
    • 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment 
    • Being convicted of their sins. What are they exposed to bring this about? 
    • Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
    • When someone sees their sin as wrong what do we call that?
      • Conviction… they hear God’s Word, the gospel, Where they learn Jesus died for their sin so they could be forgiven.
      • The Holy Spirit works through the Word to bring about conviction.
  • What does conviction need to lead to?
    • See Galatians 3:5 
    • 5 So then, does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law? Or is it by believing what you heard—
      • There must be belief in the gospel message.
  • Belief in the gospel leads to the question, what must I do?
    • See Acts 2:38
    • 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Conviction and belief leads to Repentance and baptism into Jesus Christ, where ones receives the Holy Spirit. This would be the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
  • Can I have the Holy Spirit and refuse to obey the Lord?
    • See John 14:23
    • 23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
  • What does the indwelling of the Holy Spirit do for you?
    • See Ephesians 1:13-14  
    • 13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
  • What is the seal here?
    • The Holy Spirit, which proves and identifies we belong to the Lord. The Holy Spirit marks God as our owner.
  • Who is the deposit here?
    • Again the Holy Spirit. 
  • What is the Holy Spirit deposit doing?
    • Guaranteeing our inheritance. 
  • Until when?
    • Our redemption as God possession… 
  • When does that happen?
    • When Jesus returns and our redemption is totally complete with a new Body fit for eternity.
  • All this means a person is saved, a relationship between us and God, it is the new covenant we have entered into thru the blood of Christ. It is our adoption into God’s eternal family.  This is not hocus-pocus, nor mechanical.
  • If we receive the seal and the deposit of the Holy Spirit are we still free moral agents?
    • Yes we are free to choose how we will live.  The Spirit is given with conditions and remains with conditions.
  • Can I know I have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
    • See 1 John 3:23-24
    • 23 Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us. 
  • Self-test:
    • Meet the conditions of Acts 2:38.  
    • Do you believe in Jesus? Do you love God’s people?
    • Does your life reflect the fruit of the Spirit?  
    • See Galatians 5:22-23 
    • 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
• TAKEAWAYS
  • The Holy Spirit is a person, not an “it.” He is a Deity, God.
  • The Holy Spirit stands behind scripture. 
  • The Holy Spirit takes part in bringing us to salvation.
  • The Holy Spirit to mark us as belonging to God must indwell us.
  • Luke 11:13 
  • 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”