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Lesson 15

Paul, A Man on Fire

Acts 9:1-19

For years I have been interested in studying motivation. It is the whole idea of discovering what makes people do what they do. I want to know what drives a person to accomplish all they do in their lifetime. Why is it that some people are driven and some do not ever seem to have a desire to achieve anything of value. I have especially try to understand why some followers of Christ seem to be on fire in their faith and others just want to drift along.

What I have discovered which may not be universally true is that those who have lived lives in rebellion against God become dynamic Christians once they are transformed. One example is a former fellow worker of mine who until he attended the Air Force Academy was an avowed atheist. His conversion to Christianity came after reading C.S. Lewis’s “Space Trilogy.” From that point on he became a dynamic believer, memorizing Scripture, becoming involved with the Navigators and become an encourager to people like me. He actually helped me get started in memorizing Scripture and was willing to do it alongside me.

This is the way I see Paul.

One of our tasks is to look for those who have the potential to become leaders in our Church. There are those who have a drive that needs to be guided by all of us in encouraging them in their spiritual growth. For each of us we need to look within to see if somehow we are shortchanging God because of our apathy. He desires that each us become a dynamic follower of Christ who will impact the world around us. This cannot take place unless a true transformation has occurred in our own lives.

Acts 9:1-2

Verse 1 provides us with a person who is totally consumed with the task he has set out to accomplish. The idea of breathing threats seen here would indicate that all Saul thought about and talked about was ways to persecute the disciples.  His actions would indicative of man under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. His treatment of the people was his way of recoiling from the work God was doing in his heart. I am reminded of the scene in Quo Vadis when Nero became frustrated and angry because as the Christians were being martyred they were singing. We can see this in the actions of Paul the more those he was persecuting acted as Stephen did the more he tried to stamp out Christianity.

Questions that may come to mind are:

1. What characteristics would see as admirable in Saul at this point in his life?
2. Why was Saul so fanatical and vehement about persecuting believers?
3. What impact do you think that the death of Stephen had on his continuing actions against the church?
4. Why did he not go after the apostles?
5. How was his actions possible preparation for what God was going to do in Saul’s life.

For some reason Saul suddenly changed his strategy in attacking the Church. He asked for permission to continue his persecution of the followers of the way in the synagogues of Damascus in Syria.

1. Why did Saul suddenly shift from trying to destroy the church in Jerusalem to go into another country?
2. What did he hope to accomplish by going to Syria?
3. What does it say about the early disciples that Saul was going into the synagogues to carry out his mission?

Acts 9:3-9

Unknown to Saul his request for a letter authorizing him to arrest Christians was to lead him to a defining moment in his life. It was on his way to Damascus that he was confronted by Christ. Let’s look at the sequence of events that took place.

• There was the blinding light that knocked Saul to the ground.
• Jesus spoke to him asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
• Saul asked His identity but was given the answer, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”
• He was then ordered to go into the city and wait for instructions.
• The men with him heard the voice but did not see the vision.
• It was only when Saul arose from the ground to proceed into the city did he realize that he was blind.
• He was led into the city and waited three days in the dark neither eating nor drinking anything.

Saul had finally met someone more powerful than he.

1. Why did Jesus ask Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
2. Why was Paul willing to obey the instructions of Jesus?
3. Why could the men not see what Saul was seeing?

Acts 9:10-19

The Lord appeared to Ananias and commanded him to go to Saul and give him a message. Saul was to be a witness to the Gentiles. He was also to tell him that he would also face suffering for the Lord’s name’s sake.

After having reservations he finally obeyed the command of the Lord and went to Saul. When Saul heard the message he

• Received his sight
• Was baptized
• Stopped fasting and ate.

 

1. What happened to the men who had come with Saul?
2. What do you believe they thought of him now that he was blind and helpless?
3. As was asked above about Saul, What do you admire about Ananias?
4. How would you respond to a command like the one given to Ananias?
5. What does it say about Ananias that he was willing to obey the command of Christ?
6. What indication do we have that Saul was ready to hear what Ananias had to say to him?

Think back to the time when you responded to the call of Christ.

1. Why would God want us to be part of His kingdom?
2. What prompted you to become a Christian?
3. What did that decision mean to you?
4. What responsibility do you have because of your decision?
5. If you were called to obey Christ in the way that Ananias was what do you believe you would do?

We must take our call to follow Jesus seriously. God will do all that is within His power to reach us, but leaves the final decision to us. We may never face the situation that confronted Ananias. We should however always be open to listen to the Lord. There may come into our lives when someone like Saul may appear to be beyond hope or who in our opinion would not fit into the church. He or she may be the very person to whom God would want us to witness. We can never be sure that the one God brings into our midst may be a chosen vessel of His to accomplish great things.

 

 

 

Lesson 14

A Man Along Life’s Highways

Acts 8:25-40

I can remember as a teenager deciding to read through the book of Isaiah. Why that book was chosen has faded from my memory. What I discovered was that it was not easy I thought it would be, especially when the only translation available to me was the King James Version. After reading a few chapters I became so confused that I quit. I could not tell who was speaking. Was it God or Isaiah, I just could not tell. Because of my confusion the task became overwhelming. Having experience trying to understand I can identify with the Ethiopian Eunuch.

Even when I seriously began to study the Bible, I found that I needed to start with the easiest editions to understand what was being said. Some of the ones that helped me are no longer available. The Good News for Modern Man and the Living Bible both aided me in understanding God’s word. Even as I progressed into translations I often used the paraphrase Living Bible to get the meaning of the passage.

One of the reasons we do not feel comfortable and try to avoid situations like the one in which Phillip found himself is our lack of understanding of God’s word. Many of us would have to trouble to explain almost and passage clearly. We just do not spend the time in His word that it is obvious that the Jew and Christian did. Because of our biblical illiteracy the church has suffered in its attempt to face the criticism and to be able to argue on Christ’s behalf. The idea of arguing is to be able to defend truthfulness of the Scriptures against its opponents. Believe me they are increasing and are being emboldened by our lack of knowledge.

Acts 8:25

Peter and John spent time in Samaria reinforcing what the people had been taught by Phillip. They took advantage of the trip back to Jerusalem by preaching in other cities along the way.

Acts 8:26

Following his experience in Samaria Phillip was directed to go down to the Road leading to Gaza.

1. What did God not leave him in Samaria to help the church to grow?
2. How would you have responded to the strange command to leave a dynamic ministry to go to the road that descended from Jerusalem to Gaza?
3. What does Phillips obedience say about his character?

Acts 8:27-28

We begin to see the reason that Phillip was ordered to go to the Gaza Road out in the desert. Let us look at what the Scripture shares with us about the Ethiopian Eunuch.

• He was probably from present day Sudan and not the country we now know as Ethiopian.
• His position with Candace was that of a treasurer. Candace may have been a designation for the queen mother of his country and not a proper name.
• He had been to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home.
• His choice of reading would have been somewhat strange since the Jews did not accept the idea of a suffering messiah.

The narrative leaves us questions about this man.

1. Why would he have gone to Jerusalem to worship?
2. As a eunuch what could he expect his reception by the Jews to be?
3. Why would he have come to Jerusalem to take part in the Jewish religion?
4. What does this say about his relationship with God?

His pilgrimage to Jerusalem would indicate some things about him. Like many he had probably become disenchanted with the false religions that were so pervasive in his country. They left him empty thus causing him to turn to the religion of the Jews. He was either proselyte or a God-fearer. A proselyte would be a person, even though not a Jew by birth, who accepted the Law and was circumcised into the Jewish religion. The person who was a God-fearer was one who did not accept the idea of circumcision or like the Ethiopian Eunuch who because of his physical condition would not be allowed to worship in the assembly of the Jews but believed in the God of the Old Testament.

Acts 8:29-33

Other than the prompting of the Holy Spirit Phillip would have no reason to approach the chariot. Phillip was commanded to “go up to and join the chariot.” When he did he noticed the man was reading from Isaiah. Notice his greeting to the man. He said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” What an odd to ask someone whom you have never met.

1. Why would the Ethiopian have chosen Isaiah 53 to read?
2. Why did Phillip feel comfortable asking the question that he did?
3. How would you have done in the same circumstances?
4. What does this encounter say about the spiritual condition of the man?
5. Why do you think he was he had or had not found answers in his search for a relationship with God?
6. What might this say about the Jewish religion and its abilities to meet the needs of man?

The man then answered Phillip with total honesty. Having been to the seat of the Judaism he had not found the answers for which he was earnestly seeking.

Acts 8:34-35

The question the Ethiopian asked opened the door for Phillip to share with him the full counsel of God. The man asked an important question about the identity of the person about whom Isaiah was writing. We are told that Phillip began from Isaiah 53:7 and taught him about Jesus.

1. Why could the Jews not explain this passage to the Ethiopian?
2. What was Phillip able to tell him?
3. How could he go about convincing this man that Jesus was the fulfillment of this Scripture?
4. If this was the beginning point of his teaching what other evidences could Phillip use from the Old Testament?

Acts 8:36-39

1. What was the reaction to the teaching of Phillip?
2. How did the Ethiopian know about baptism? All proselytes would have been baptized into the Jewish faith.
3. What further explanation was needed before the Ethiopian could be baptized?
4. What was his response that convinced Phillip that the man was truly a candidate for baptism?
5. If you were to judge what took place there in the desert would conclude that the new found faith was based on fact or emotion? Why do you answer the question in the way you did?
6. What was the reaction of the man after being baptized?

Acts 8:40

Once again we see that Phillip’s task was complete as he was snatched away and found himself in Azotus. He continued from that point and preached all the way over to Caesarea.

Thoughts to contemplate over the next week

1. How would you react if confronted with a like unexpected situation?
2. What are doing in your life that will prepare you for some a time?
3. Do you see yourself more like the Ethiopian with more questions than answers or Phillip who was able to answer the questions because he was prepared both in knowledge and sensitivity to the Spirit?
4. Look for someone who might begin to mentor you if you believe that you need to grow in your relationship with Christ?

As a church we need to take seriously the responsibility of discipleship. We should never want to leave anyone in the position of the Ethiopian who left a time of worship in Jerusalem without the answers to life’s questions. We can accomplish this kind of discipleship by providing solid Bible teaching in on campus and off campus small groups. Those who are wise and mature in their faith should be willing to mentor those who need to grow in the faith. What would our church look like if this was one of the essentials to be addressed by all of us? We could then turn loose on the world Stephens and Phillips to be able to give answers for the fact of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. Are each of us ready to get in line to go to Samaria, Gaza, Azotus and Caesarea?

Other Notes:

RT-A person may go to the very seat of a religion and still come away spiritually empty. A religion can never satisfy the void in one’s life. It will always leave one famished and thirsty. Only when he has the truth come alive as revealed in God’s word can he experience the fulfillment which comes to him in Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:26-31)

C-After the events in Samaria Philip was directed by an angel to go to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza. There he encountered the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading from the book of Isaiah as he travelled, having come from worshipping in Jerusalem. Philip was told to go up to the man’s chariot where he began a conversation with the man by asking him what he was reading and did he understand it. The eunuch invited Philip into the chariot. Philip then explained the passage from Isaiah as it related to Jesus. Upon hearing the interpretation the eunuch wanted to be baptized having become a believer. He was baptized by Philip and went on his way home a new man. (Acts 8:26-38)

DM-Phillip was obedient to the instructions of the angel. He encountered the Ethiopian. He was the right man for the right time. Because of his knowledge of the Old Testament prophecy he was able to answer the questions in way that led the Ethiopian to receive Christ. (Acts 8:26-38)

DM-As important as it was for Phillip to be there on the Gaza Road, God was already preparing the heart and mind of the Ethiopian to hear what Phillip would share with him. He:

1. Had already been to Jerusalem to worship.
2. Was reading from the book of Isaiah about the suffering of the Messiah.
3. Was open to the interpretation of the Scripture given by Phillip.
4. Believed in Christ and was baptized.
5. Went on his way rejoicing at his new found faith.

(Acts 8:26-38)

S-Philip was sent down to Gaza. There he would encounter the Ethiopian. By this act of faith he was able to lead the Ethiopian to the Lord. (Acts 8:26-38)

OC-The Ethiopian eunuch had been to the very center of the Jewish religion. He came away from Jerusalem with questions unanswered that is until he met up with Philip, one of the seven deacons. Turning to the passage the eunuch was reading he used it to lead him onto the path to a new life. (Acts 8:27-37)

GC-People are to receive guidance in a way that they will understand what the Scripture says. This guidance implies a responsibility on everyone’s part to read and study on their own in order to gain understanding. (Acts 8:31; Rom. 15:4)

GC-Whenever we teach or preach about Jesus it should always from the background of the Scripture. (Acts 8:35)

GC-To be effective in our witness we must use the Scripture as our foundation to show Christ to the world. (Acts 8:35)

RT-The beginning point of every opportunity to witness is to be the Scriptures. Even though the exact words may not be quoted, it is the source of the salvation narrative and the plan of God. (Acts 8:35)

C-The Spirit of God snatched Philip away and he found himself in Azotus. He preached not only there but along the way until he came to Caeserea. (Acts 8:39-40)

S-What a way to be sent to a new mission field, Philip was snatch up after the Ethiopian was baptized and was plopped down in the middle of Azotus. He immediately began to preach as he went on his way. (Acts 8:40)

DM-Phillip preached wherever he was sent. (8:40)

GC-We are to share the gospel everywhere we go.                                                       (Acts 8:40; 13:5; Rom. 1:15; 15:19-20)

 

Lesson 13

Making Lemons into Lemonade

Acts 8

Over the years while working for the International Mission Board my boss would often encourage me to take an overseas mission trip. My standard answers were. First, I had not been called to serve as a missionary. Secondly, I always fell back on the verse found in 1 Samuel 30:24 which talks about the two hundred men who watched over the baggage. While others went to the mission field I believed that my task was to stay at home with the baggage and lend support and encouragement to those going.

All of the arguments disappeared as I was able to make four trips overseas, one to Venezuela and three to Russia from 2000 to 2003. I learned a great lesson from those experiences. I must be prepared to be used by God to reach those who do not know His Son.

It is so easy for all of us to get wrapped up in whatever becomes our “baggage” to watch. The kind of excuses I used can keep us from missing out on the exciting and challenges things God has for us to do. Our lesson today will talk about men who were prepared to take on new tasks as God opened the doors of opportunities for them. The question we might ask ourselves, Am I truly being sensitive to what God desires for me or am I closing my mind and heart by always staying by the stuff?

Acts 7:58-8-1

There are a couple items to be addressed before beginning chapter 8. In verse 58 Saul is mentioned for the first time. His task at this early date is to watch the robes while the others did the dirty work of stoning Stephen. Secondly, with the death of Stephen there is a shift in the strategy in dealing with the church by the Jews. Up until this point the apostles had been the focal point of all the persecution. Now a new tactic comes into play. The Jews broaden it to include the seven and then the entire church in Jerusalem.

1. What did they hope to accomplish with this new tactic?
2. What influence did witnessing the trial and murder have on what Paul was about to do?
3. Why would one who had watched the robes become so involved in the persecution of the church?
4. Why did Saul agree so strongly with the actions of his fellow “Freedmen”?

Acts 8:1-2

The treatment of the apostles was tame in comparison to what took place against the church after the death of Stephen. Luke described it as a “great persecution”. It was so intense that many of the believers fled from Jerusalem and were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. The one group that seemed impervious to what was taking place was the apostles. Acts 8:1 tells us that they remained in Jerusalem.

1. Why did Saul and the other men who had killed Stephen leave the apostles alone?
2. Why did these twelve men not leave Jerusalem?
3. Why did God allow the persecution to take place in the first place?
4. Why did the dispersed believers go to Judea and Samaria and not beyond those two regions?

One last thought as we leave these verses. Let us consider the possibility that the day that Saul began to persecute the church set in motion the events which would very soon lead to his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.

While havoc was taking place in the life of the church Stephen was buried by some men.

1. Why do their actions at the time of his burial seem strange?
2. How would you expect them to react?

Acts 8:3

The persecution of the church reach new heights as Saul now became the chief protagonist. We are told that he ravaged the church. In the Greek ravaging is to exercise brutal and sadistic cruelty. These are actions we might expect of a madman or fanatic.

1. Why did Saul attack the church so viciously?
2. What impact did Stephen have on Saul in the way he faced death?
3. What impact did the history lesson Stephen presented have on a man like Saul?
4. In what way might a man of Saul’s education and religious background take the words of Stephen as a personal attack?
5. What did Saul and the others hope to accomplish with their treatment of the men and women who followed Christ?
6. What resulted from the persecution?

Acts 8:4-8

We begin to see the answer to the last question as we see the believers leaving Jerusalem and were preaching in all the places they went. Even though Saul and others sought to destroy the church the persecution actually had just the opposite effect. In verse 5 we find Phillip travelling to Samaria. Remember this was part of Jesus’ command to the apostles to go into Judea and then into Samaria in an ever widening sphere where the gospel was to be proclaimed. Phillip was a perfect candidate to bridge the gap between Jews and Samaritans since he was a Christian from a Greek background. Thus he would not have all of the prejudices of the Jews to overcome as he shared the gospel.

1. From their reactions to Phillip what could say about the kind of people that he encountered in Samaria?
2. How did the Samaritans respond to the good news that was brought to them?
3. What was the importance of performing signs and wonders among these people?
4. What did the types of signs help in his sharing about Jesus?
5. Why was it so important that the healing taking place go beyond just the physical?

Acts 8:9-11

Simon, the magician now enters the picture. He is described as one who claimed to be someone great.

1. What was the source of his supposed greatness?
2. How does an individual like Simon hold sway over people?

Acts 8:12-13

When Phillip began to preach and heal the people believed the message Phillip brought about the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ and were baptized. We are told that even Simon believed.

1. What was the difference between the two messages being presented to the people?
2. Why did they turn from Simon to the message of Phillip?
3. What was it about what Simon saw that convinced him to believe?
4. What might be some red flags for us when we see someone like Simon saying that they believe in Jesus Christ?
5. What are individuals like him really believing?
6. What was still missing in the lives of all of the Samaritan believers? Verses 14-17 will answer that question for us.

Acts 8:14

Only when the apostles heard that something was taking place in Samaria did any of them venture out of Jerusalem to see what was happening. Peter and John, two of the leaders, were sent to investigate. Notice upon the arrival of these two men that Phillip faded into the background. His work, for the time being, was done.

1. Why did the apostles wait until someone else had done the ground work before deciding to leave Jerusalem?
2. What situation did the apostle find when they came to Samaria?
3. Why had Phillip not completed the task of helping them receive the Holy Spirit?
4. How can a person believe and baptized and not receive the Holy Spirit?
5. What did it mean for the people to finally receive the Spirit?

Acts 8:18-19

Simon is a prime example of one who may believe enough to be part of a fellowship. They may even be actively involved in the work of the church but who have not genuinely been willing to totally commit themselves to Christ. I am afraid that churches are full of people who think they are saved based on the fact that they are members and may have even been baptized but have never truly come to Jesus and accepted the Salvation He wants to give them. The church does these individual a terrible disservice by allowing them to remain in their unsaved condition.

How do we know that Simon was such a man? All we have to do is to see the reasons he joined the church in the first place and the fact that he was willing to buy the privilege of laying hands on others, probably for profit and power, that the selected people could receive the Holy Spirit.

1. What was the difference between what the apostles were doing and what Simon wanted to do?
2. What did Simon not seek? There is no indication that he desired to receive the Holy Spirit himself.
3. What was the real reason that Simon wanted the ability to give the Holy Spirit?

Acts 8:20-25

Peter responded to Simon very emphatically. He told him:

• The gift is now for sale
• Your desire shows that you are an unregenerate sinner
• You are going to perish
• You need to repent
• You need to seek God’s forgiveness

Let us think about how Peter responded to Simon

1. What does it say about the character of Peter?
2. What could have been the worse thing he could have done in this situation?
3. Why did he leave it up to Simon to pray?
4. What do you think about Simon’s response to Peter in verse 25?
5. What did indicate about him?
6. In what ways do we need to be like Peter in his handling of this situation?

Each of you know from your own experiences that difficult times have either already taken place in your lives or will at some point. The question each of you need to answer is how will you respond to your situation? Will you see difficult times when things are not going your way as an opportunity to be a witness for Christ or hide behind your problems? Sometimes when you are going through trials it will open your eyes to all of the suffering and those who are lost who need what Christ has to offer to them.

The early church took advantage of a very bad situation and used it reach out to others. As a result the church continued to grow in a way that could not have happened if all the believers had remained cloistered in Jerusalem.

The final lesson that can be learned this morning is let all of us to begin to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to be aware of those even among our members who may have never made a decision for Jesus Christ. It is so easy for us to assume that those who have been a part of the fellowship truly have an understanding of what it means to be saved. How can we as a church make sure that this does not happen?

1. Pray for discernment
2. Try to make sure that each person is involved in a small group
3. Provide a loving atmosphere where people are able to be open and honest about their walk with the Lord
4. There should never be an attitude of condemnation but a willingness to guide others into a true relationship
5. We should also never condone false doctrine
6. We are to be willing to pray with someone, like to Simon, who is caught in the throes of sin. Sometimes people may even feel incapable of praying for themselves because of a deep hurt in their lives.

Next week we will see Phillip at work again. The Ethiopian will provide us with a contrast to Simon.

Additional Random Notes:

C-The Jews began from that point to persecute the church. It was so severe that many of the believers left and went to other regions in Judea, Samaria and beyond even into Syria.   (Acts 8:1)

DM-The day Paul began to persecute the church set in motion the events that would lead to be his dramatic conversion. (Acts 8:1, 3; 22:4)

RT-Faced with being marginalized by society may the church use this subtle form of persecution to become insurgents into the world full of spiritual darkness. It is to spread the word of God under of the authority of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:1-5)

C-Paul became an integral part of the persecution that was taking place as he ravaged the church and putting many of the believers into prison. (Acts 8:3)

RT-As persecution began against the church those who were driven out of Jerusalem “went about preaching the word.” They were not defeated but spiritually energized. As Paul would say later, “They knew whom they believed. (2 Tim. 1:12) Philip, one of the seven, even carried the message to the despised Samaritans. (Acts 8:4-5)

C-Philip went to Samaria when the persecution came upon the church at Jerusalem. He began preaching there. The crowds were attentive to his words and he was able to heal and cast out demons. “There was much rejoicing in that city.” Not since the visit of Jesus had the people had such a reason for hope and joy as when they now heard the good news from the lips of Philip. (Acts 8:5-8, 12)

DM-Philip took to heart the command of Jesus to go into Samaria. When he did he found people waiting to hear the good news and many believed. (Acts 8:5-8, 12)

GC-With the proclamation of Christ there is rejoicing in the lives of the people touched by His saving power. (Acts 8:5, 8, 39)

C-Simon, the magician, who had been viewed as someone great by the Samaritans also became a believer upon hearing the words of Philip and seeing the miracles he performed. Somehow Simon understood that these acts were genuine and beyond anything he had been able to do with his slight of hand. (Acts 8:9-11, 13)

DM-To Simon salvation and the receiving the Holy Spirit was a greater magic than he had been able to perform. He was so impressed that he was willing to pay money to have it. Peter saw through his scheme and admonished him to repent of his sinful ways or perish. (Acts 8:9-13, 18-24)

GC-One who comes to Jesus turns away from what is false and believes in that which is true. We believe when the word was preached and were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:12, 37)

RT-John went from wanting to call down fire from heaven to destroy some of the Samaritans to proclaiming the good news of Christ to them. (Acts 8:14-15, 25)

C-The people who had believed received the Holy Spirit as the apostles laid hands on them. (Acts 8:15-17)

C-Simon, the magician, sought the authority to lay hands upon those he chose to bestow the Holy Spirit. He offered Peter money to purchase this power. Peter invoked a curse on him. Simon thought that what God gave as a gift could be bought like some commodity. Seeing that his plan was a detriment to his own eternal destiny he pleaded with Peter to pray that he might receive forgiveness for his actions. (Acts 8:18-24)

RT-The request of Simon may make us wonder if he was truly saved. We know by what is said about all of the Samaritans that he had not received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:15-17)

GC-The Holy Spirit cannot be purchased but is bestowed through God’s grace on those who truly commit themselves to Jesus. (Acts 8:18-20)

RT-Isn’t this what the whole idea of a religion based on works is all about, being good enough to buy God’s favor? (Acts 8:20)

GC-Our hearts are to be right before God. (Acts 8:21)

GC-Peter’s reaction to Simon’s request was to admonish him to pray that the sinful intent of his heart be forgiven. (Acts 8:22)

GC-Because of his predicament Simon asked Peter to make intercession for him. There may be instances when we might be called upon to pray for someone else or have them pray for us in this way because we may feel inadequate to speak to God at that time.   (Acts 8:24; 12:5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Beyond the Box

Lesson 12

Acts 6:8-7:60

As I reflect on my life up to now I have to wonder how many opportunities I have missed by failing to prepare my heart and mind for all that was open to me. In some ways it is too late to say, “If I had only ________________ .” (There are probably too many things to go in the blank) Having said that, it still amazes me the things that God has allow me to accomplish.   It has been a difficult lesson to learn that there is a world of difference between actual strengths and perceived weaknesses which are sometimes self-imposed. If someone had told me thirty some years ago that I would be writing, teaching and speaking as I am able to do I would have said there is no way that any of that would happen. The question I have to ask myself, who knows what I can do if I avail myself of working at the gifts that God has given me?

How often do we hinder ourselves and the church by hiding behind our supposed inadequacies? We fail to recognize that God has given each of us spiritual gifts to grow His kingdom and glorify him. We come up short because we do not want to spend the time and effort first to discover what those gifts are and then to mature them through study and service. We hold on to what is comfortable because we are not willing to pay the price of taking risks that may cause personal discomfort by will grow God’s kingdom. We need to remember it is not about us but God.

Stephen will be our focus for the lesson this Sunday. His ministry was short-lived but had great impact on the events that followed in the book of Acts. He was first introduced to us as one of the seven men in Acts 6:5 as a man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” The rest of chapter six and all of chapter seven will show how these characteristics manifested themselves in a greater way than the administration of the distribution of food.

Acts 6:8

As Stephen stepped onto center stage we are told of two other characteristics that he possessed. He was full of grace and power. It is easy to understand what is meant by power. Grace presents a little more of a challenge. The Greek work use here is charis. It is the word from which we get charisma. Some of the possible meanings are God’s favor, kindness and gifts. The context would indicate either God’s favor or His hand was upon him. How else would he have been able to perform the great wonders and signs mentioned this verse.

 

 

Acts 6:9-10

The fact that the men of the Synagogue of the Freedmen began to dispute with Stephen would indicate that he was also proclaiming the gospel. His audience was probably made up of the Hellenistic Jews. They would be a perfect fit for a Hellenistic Christian like Stephen. It would be questionable if he would have had much success among the home grown Jewish population.

So who were the Freedmen to which this verse refers? These men were either first generation or the descendents of those who had been enslaved by the Romans and then given their freedom. Although they had migrated to Jerusalem they had come from present day Libya (Cyrene), Alexandria in Egypt, and parts of present day Turkey (Cilicia and Asia minor) In the case of Paul who was from Tarsus in Cilicia, we know that the families were also given Roman citizenship.

Although they tried the Bible tells us that they were “unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

1. What would have been the difference between what Stephen was sharing and the arguments that the Freedmen put forth?
2. What does it say about the position of each of them?
3. Why could the Freedmen not refute the arguments of Stephen?
4. In what ways does Matthew 10:19-20 apply to this situation which reads, “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given to you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”
5. When we get into a discussion about our faith are we like Stephen or are we more like the Freedmen?
6. In what ways are we like either of them?

Acts 6:11-14

The actions of the Freedmen along with those they enlisted were very predictable. When the defense of their position failed the Jews resorted to twisting of the truth and personal attacks. Their claims consisted of the same old arguments made against Jesus and the apostles used before.

• Breaking of the Law of Moses thus blaspheming God
• Destruction of the Temple and the Law

 

1. What generally happens when a person is backed into a position he or she cannot defend?
2. As we have asked before who was really on trial here?
3. What do the accusations made by the mob indicate about them?

Acts 6:15

What a contrast Luke shares in this verse. Most of us have been on the receiving end of a look was described as “fixing their gaze on him.” Compare the intensity of their stare with the way Stephen appeared to them. His appearance was “like the face of an angel.” How many of you have been around someone who just seems to radiate with the Holy Spirit?

1. What does the gaze of the Council indicate about them?
2. How different were they from Stephen?
3. What could expected to happen at the trial?

 

Acts 7:1

The high priests gave Stephen the opportunity to respond to the charges.

Acts 7:2-53

For the next 51 verses Stephen gave his answer to their question. Instead of defending himself he began to share a short version of the history of Israel. We will deal with each section by first making one point about each of person then give a short explanation of the events of their lives as they interacted with God.

Abraham – God established His covenant with a people beginning with Abraham.

1. He was called to leave from Ur then Haran and move into Canaan. Acts 7:2-4
2. He did not receive an inheritance in the land into which he moved. Acts 7:5
3. He was promised that although the land would be his inheritance his descendents would be slaves in a foreign country for four hundred years and then they would return to the land.

Acts 7:5-7

4. The covenant of circumcision was given to Abraham at that time. Acts 7:8
5. Finally, the son of promise was born to Sarah and him. Acts 7:8
6. Isaac became the father of Jacob who became the father of the 12 patriarchs. Acts 7:8

Joseph- Through Joseph, the Israelites were preserved in Egypt during the time of the famine. Joseph   told his brothers that, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep alive by a great deliverance. Gen. 45:7

1. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. Acts 7:9
2. God intervened in his life and he finally became governor of Egypt, second in rank to the Pharaoh. Acts 7:10
3. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to purchase grain during the seven year famine. Acts 7:11-12
4. It was on the second trip to Egypt that Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. Acts 7:13
5. Joseph brought his whole family to Egypt to preserve them. Acts 7:14-15
6. After the patriarchs died they were buried in Shechem. Acts 7:16

The next verses set the stage for the coming of Moses who would bring about the redemption of the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt.

1. The people multiplied into a great nation during the 400 years of slavery of Egypt that God prophesized to Abraham. Acts 7:17
2. An important factor was that a Pharaoh came into power who forgot all that Joseph had done for Egypt. Acts 7:18
3. The Pharaoh treated the people harshly. Acts 7:19

Moses- The person who God chose to redeem His people out of Egypt came on the scene.

1. Moses was born and saved from destruction. Acts 7:20
2. He was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Acts 7:21
3. He was educated as a prince in all the field of learning available in Egypt. Acts 7:22
4. He murdered an Egyptian and had to flee for his life. Acts 7:23-29
5. After spending forty years in the exile, God called him out of the burning bush to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt. Acts 7:30-34
6. He became both ruler and judge to the Israelites to deliver them out of bondage. Acts 7:35
7. He led them through the desert for forty years. Acts 7:36
8. Moses told the people at one point that “God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren.” Deut. 18:15 and Acts 7:37
9. Moses received the living oracles from God to “pass on to the people.” Acts 7:38
10. While Moses was on the mountain the people were disobedient to God’s commands and wanted to return to Egypt and asked Aaron to make an idol for them to worship. Acts 7:39-40
11. God turned His back on them. Acts 7:41
12. During the forty years they worshiped the false gods Moloch and Rompha. Acts 7:42-43
13. The tabernacle was build according to the instructions given Moses in the desert and carried into the Promised land by Joshua. Acts 7:44-45

David and Solomon provided a permanent place for worship. David planned for the temple and Solomon actually built it. Acts 7:46-47

As we look back on what has been shared there are some questions to be answered.

1. Why did God use those particular men to do His work?
2. What were their strengths?
3. In what ways did they have to overcome their limitations?
4. What obstacles did they face in the journey prepared for them?
5. What hope does their story provide for us?

Acts 7:48-50

From Isaiah 66 Stephen shares the transcendent nature of God. Heaven is His home not any building that can be fabricated by men. He was the creator of all things. In the last verse of the passage from Isaiah there is a very important question asked, “Was it not My hand which made all these things?”

1. What was God asking the Jews with this question?
2. What was Stephen trying to emphasis by using this particular verse?
3. If God had done all of the things that Stephen had shared what more did He have in store for them?
4. How would you answer the question
5. Why it important for us to acknowledge what God did for the Jews in the past?
6. How did all of those things affect us today?

Acts 7:51-53

All that had been said before was preparation for the charges that Stephen was going to make in the following verses. He said of the Jews that, they:

1. Men who were stiff-necked meaning they were stubborn and determined to go their own way.
2. Men who were uncircumcised in heart. Their relationship with God was only external and not real.
3. Resisted the Holy Spirit.
4. Were persecutors of the prophets.
5. Killed those who prophesied of the coming Messiah.
6. Were those who betrayed and murdered the Righteous One.
7. Had received the law through Moses but had not kept it from the time it was given.

Acts 7:54-60

Rather than repenting they actually confirmed the words of Stephen by their response to him. Accused of these things we can understand the reaction of men who were guilty of each of them. What a contrast we have here between the anger of the men who had heard the words condemning them and the peace of one who was “full of the Holy Spirit.”

While they were:

1. Being cut to the quick.
2. Gnashing their teeth at him. We can almost imagine them growling.

Stephen was:

1. Gazing intently into heaven and seeing the glory of God.
2. Seeing Jesus at the right hand of God ready to receive him and possibly speaking on his  behalf before the Father.
3. Describing what he saw to his accusers.

 

These final statements caused the mob to

1. Holler
2. Cover their years
3. Rush upon him
4. Drove him out of the city.
5. Begin stoning him.

Stephen then asked to things

1. Lord Jesus receive my spirit
2. Forgive these men who do not know what they are doing.

And Stephen died.

During the coming week spend some time reflecting of those things that you think are limiting factors in your service to Christ. Begin to honestly look at your Spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, personality and experiences to see how they may be used in the Church.   If you have not taken class 301, which is available to you here at Bethany Place, consider participating in it. It will help you discover how God has wired you.

We need to look for those places in the Church where we may serve. At first they may not be comfortable because each will have with it a learning curve. We need to begin to understand that God has provided all of the resources for Bethany Place to minister in our community. We need to avail ourselves of all He has given and be willing to use them for His glory. We can make the whole greater than each individual part if we allow ourselves to operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let Stephen be our example of those who have a can do attitude.

Additional Notes:

Looking at the brief history shared in these verses here are some random thoughts.

1. What role did the people play in all that took place?
2. Who were the primary players and what was their part?
3. Who was the Director?
4. How did all of the events play out according to His plan for His people?
5. How much of their history looks like what has occurred in our own lives?

We too have a history.

1. In what ways are we like the Jews to whom Stephen spoke?
2. In what ways are we like Stephen?
3. If all of the events about which Stephen spoke were part of a giant mosaic what are the pieces that he would have said were missing in the lives of the Jews and possibly us as well?
4. Why are these pieces so important?
5. What might be the consequences in not having all of them to complete the design?

Summary of what has been discussed above. (In my own words)

God gave you (The Jews) to be His children through the covenant with Abraham. You were preserved and kept safe beginning with Joseph. He used Moses to bring about your rescue and redemption out of Egypt. As His people you received the law and both the tabernacle and the Temple for the sacrifices for sin and worship. You have however rebelled continually throughout your history against the very God who has provided you everything you need.

If all that was not enough you have persecuted and killed the prophets who were sent to speak against your godless actions and bring you back to the Father and who spoke of the coming Messiah. The final act of rebellion was to take part in the killing of the Righteous One.

Stephen

Refuted the charges by using what God had said in His word. While we might be quick to defend ourselves with the old standard, I am not or I did not, he proceeds to build a case with his selective telling of the history of his people. Although on the surface it does not appear to answer the charges, with the telling of the narrative found in the Old Testament he accomplishes what he set out to do.

The Holy Spirit directed him to use those examples in making his defense. Stephen was not really the one on trial. The Jews once again were the ones who had defend their rejection of the Messiah. They attacked him to stop the spread of the evidence against all they had done.

1. Why did Stephen not openly defend himself? (The cause of Christ is greater than any man.
2. Why did he use the approach he did? They had already heard the gospel spoken by Stephen and had see the miracles performed and had rejected all of the evidence. What more could he say on his behalf?
3. What was he saying about the men with the evidence he presented? For all of the opportunities they had been given they had hardened their hearts to what was being proclaimed and were disobedient in the fashion of their ancestors.
4. Although the Jews claimed that Jesus and now Stephen spoke of the destruction of the law and the temple, they had already broken the law and their refusal to believe in the Messiah would bring the downfall of the nation and the destruction of the temple. Stephen saw no need to defend that which would ultimately take place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church of Genuine Teamwork

Lesson 11

Acts 6:1-7

I would consider myself the typical male. If it comes to things to be done around the house I will try almost anything including those skills for which I have had no training. There are some projects like painting , carpentry , some plumbing and simple electrical work that my wife will let me do. There are times however when she puts her foot down and calls in a professional. I don’t understand why, but I submit to her wishes even though I just know I could have done the job.

GPS’s were made for people like me who will not admit to be lost. Even with those things I still think I can get us there another way. When I do that I usually make a wrong turn somewhere and wind up having to back track or taking a longer route thus wasting precious time.

My experiences at home have been a good lesson for me at church. Quite often I have to realize that there are many things I cannot do, well maybe I could try them but the results would be inferior at best. I leave the leading of the music ministry, drama, finances and building and grounds for example to those who know what they are doing. I need all of the other people in my life to help things run smoothly and to carry on God’s work.

The experiences of the past number of years have shown us that the church is not a one man/woman show. There is just too many things to be done even on a daily basis for one person to think that they have the capability to do everything. This attitude leads to confusion, frustration and an apathetic spirit among the members. Each person truly wants to be part of something significant. Deep down we realize that each one of us is part of the greater body for a reason. We should gain some amount of comfort from knowing that we are not expected to accomplish the task all by ourselves. Not including others causes us to waste time and energy. Bringing others along on the journey makes for a pleasant trip and everyone then knows where we are headed.

Before looking at the Scripture for today, let’s look at what brought the church to the situation found in today’s lesson of defining specific roles needed for the church to continue to grow.

• In Acts 1:8 the disciples were given the task of taking the gospel to the whole world.
• The day of Pentecost came and three were added to the church. These new converts needed to be discipled and become part of a new community. (Acts 2:41-42)
• An additional five thousand were added to the ranks after the arrest of Peter and John. (Acts 4:4)
• In Acts 5:14-16 we see the church continued to grow to the extent that the apostles could no longer minister the believers individually but that those who were sick had to be brought to the place where Peter might pass by to be healed.
• Finally we read that, “Every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:42)
• The lesson for today continues this theme of the growth of the church.

In each of the above examples there is a common thread that can be seen. The apostles were either teaching/preaching or healing.

1. What does this say to us about the ministry of the apostles?
2. What might be missing if these are their two primary responsibilities?

Acts 6:1

The ever increasing number of disciples caused a complaint to arise. It was not the numbers of new believers that brought on the problem, but the fact that now there were Jews with different cultural backgrounds involved.

1. Who were the two different groups?
2. What made them different?
3. Why would this lead to the situation in verse 1? The Hebrew Jewish Christians would believe they were superior because they had always lived in the homeland and maintained the Jewish traditions so they would expect preferential treatment. The Greeks were outsiders who had migrated to Jerusalem and brought the Greek culture with them and spoke Greek.

Acts 6:2-4

As leaders, the apostles stepped in to resolve the problem. They took a different approach than the church might have expected.

1. Why did the apostles not just go in and issue a decree to make sure the women received food?
2. What do you think of the approach they took?
3. What does the way they dealt with the problem say about them?
4. In what way was it a better solution?
5. What does this say to us about the way they now viewed the church?

As mentioned above the church had grown exponentially and it would was becoming more difficult if not impossible for the apostles to handle everything. They understood very clearly that to try to do too many things would not allow them to do any of them well. The church was therefore informed that they viewed their leadership roles as being the main teachers and the ones who would consistently pray for the church. This did not mean that they viewed any of these other ministry needs of the church less important.

The congregation was therefore called together to choose men to handle this ministry need. There are two important things happening here. First the congregation was given the responsibility of making the decisions of the church. Two, the men chosen were from within the body. Third, All of the men had Greek names. This means the congregation chose those who would have a clear understanding of the particular ministry need of the congregation.

Now there are three different roles in the early church.

• The apostles, who would be the teaching/preaching and praying leaders who cared for the entire church but not with a hands on involvement with every ministry. These men were the first church leaders who in our churches today would be the pastors, elders and overseers of the body.
• Those called Deacons in today’s church. A better term might be ministry team leaders. These men would administer the distribution of the food in Acts 6. After being selected they were affirmed by the apostles to carry on the work by the laying on of hands.

1. What kind of men did the congregation pick?
2. What were the outstanding qualities did they possess?
3. What was the significance that each of the seven had a Greek name thus indicating they were all Greek?
4. How would those attributes help them in the ministry to which they had been called?

• The congregation who would choose those who would lead, except for the apostles, and would participate in the ministry taking place at that time.

Acts 6:7

The apostles were allowed to continue to focus on God’s word in study and sharing of it. They were not shackled by everyday details, therefore the word kept spreading. Because the church dealt with the issue in a way that was God honoring, the church continued to grow.

All that was taking place finally began to break through the fortress of the law that the priests had built around them. Many of them became “obedient to the faith.”

Over the last two weeks you have heard explained in different ways what the biblical form of church leadership and the qualifications of those who would fill those positions. Now is the time for you to prayerfully consider the direction the church should take. You will be given ample opportunity to give your input on this matter. If is important that you participate in this study that could affect the church for many years to come. The more knowledge you have about church leadership the better decision you will be able to make.

Over the time period given to study leadership models we will come to understand what the New Testament from Acts through the Epistles has to say to us. We will notice that although given the model of leadership (form) that God’s word does not give us a set of rules by which we are to carry out the ministry of Bethany Place (function). What worked for the first century church in meeting the needs of the people may not and probably would not in our unique church setting and culture. Every church operates in a different environment and time.

Together we can determine what we want the church to look like under God’s guidance over the next few years. All of the details of how we will minister have been left to us to work out. Now is the time to possibly reshape who we are so that Bethany Place can be a viable part of God’s work in this community. We have the opportunity to impact the future in a meaningful way .

 

Lesson 10

More Than Damage Control

Acts 5:11-42

Many years ago before the age of GPS I was directed to go to New Jersey to look at a several Land Rovers for the International Mission Board. Directions were given to the hotel where I was to be staying and also the address where I would find the vehicles. Making it to New Jersey in the dark was adventure enough but when I tried to get to the hotel that became a real point of anxiety. I drove around for least an hour or more trying to find the entrance to a hotel that could be seen but which there seemed to be no way to get there. Finally in desperation after touring the same part of Newark several times I stepped beyond the box, made a management decision and went up a one-way street the wrong way and made it to the hotel safe but frazzled.

Doesn’t that sometimes represent the way we feel about our lives and what is occurring in the church universal? We seem to be going around in the same old circles and not getting anywhere. As we look around what needs to be done to get us healthy again seems overwhelming. How do we untangle the situation for which we have been partly responsible where we now find ourselves? We can look at our present circumstances and say everything for which I have work so diligently is falling apart. Some at this point may have the tendency to throw up their hands and ask is it worth all the effort to keep going?

The early church faced a dilemma much like ours today. We can put different names to it but it still involved the failure of man. As we saw in the last study many were in a panic mode. Today the lesson deals with how the apostles handled two very difficult situations.

Acts 5:11

Although this verse was the last one studied last time, it is a bridge between the events surrounding the actions of Ananias and Sapphira and what was to lie ahead for the church and the apostles. It says, “And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”

1. What was this fear?
2. What are some of the questions this may have invoked among the people?
3. How did it different from the fear of God talked about in many other places.

This had nothing to do with reverence of God. The people were terrified. Fear, terror/panic, comes from not acknowledging that God has us in His hands and that He knows the future and we do not. Reverence is submitting our will completely to the will of God and leaving the future to hand. To not hold God in awe is rebellion on our part and that was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira. As said above they were in panic mode much like is seen when an earthquake takes place or a Tsunami hits a particular place. The death of the couple brought great concern about future of the church. At this point they must have certainly been asking what would happen next.

Acts 5:12-14

The fear that had taken hold of the people was not evident in the apostles. They went about boldly and fearlessly performing signs and wonders among the people?

1. What was the importance of their actions?
2. What were the net results in the church to what was happening?
3. Why, even while the church continued to multiply, were there those who did not become a part of the church?
4. Why did the apostles continue to go to Solomon’s portico to speak?

By their actions they:

1. Proved to the people that the work of Christ could not be sidetracked or stopped by the sinful rebellious acts of two or a few. His kingdom work was to go on no matter what obstacles that the world may place before it. (Matthew 16:18)
2. Once again restored the faith of the people and calmed the fears of the people.

Acts 5:15-16

Even at this early stage it can be seen that the church was growing beyond the capabilities of the apostles to touch the lives of every person. It reached the point where Peter and the others could no longer go to everyone but that those needing help had to be brought to Peter. The news of what was happening led people from other cities to come to Jerusalem.

1. What was the danger for the church in what was taking place?
2. How did this fit in with the great commission that the apostles had been given?
3. Who did this leave out?

Acts 5:17-19

It was inevitable that a new confrontation would occur with the religious leaders. The Sadducees became jealous of what was happening and responded by having the apostles put in jail. The one thing they did not take into account was that “God’s word is not imprisoned.”

1. Why did God not leave them in jail until the next day?
2. What was to be accomplished by the angel intervening and telling them to go right on preaching in the temple?
3. What did the apostles show the people by obeying the command and began teaching again?
4. What did they expect to happen at this point?

 

Acts 5:20-26

You can imagine how surprised the guards and the council when word came to them that the apostles were no longer in jail. The greater consternation came when they received the news that they back at their old post teaching the people as if nothing had happened?

1. Upon delivering the news what could have happened to the guards?
2. What does it said about the position of the guards and the Sadducees with the people in the way they dealt with the men?
3. What was the reason that the people had gone from being the fearful to the ones to be feared?

Acts 5:27-32

Why did the Sadducees decide to arrest the apostles again? I contend that it was because panic, fear and desperation had set in among those men.

1. What did those powerful men have to fear?
2. How was it different from that experienced by the people?
3. What would happen if all the people would become followers of Jesus?
4. What would the Jewish religion look like?
5. Why would their fears continue after the confrontation with the apostles?

During the first trial the council questioned the authority and training of the apostles to be teaching and preaching as they were. As this trial unfolded there was a sense that they believed they were the focal point and the apostles were trying to lay the blame of Jesus’ death at their feet. They indicated that they believe it is about making personal attacks of them. Peter’s first statement indicated it was not about them and their personal feelings, but God. They were to do the His bidding not that of the Sadducees. The second part of what was said repeated the message that Peter shared in his first and second sermon and the previous trial that the death would not have occurred without the involvement of the Jewish religious leaders. It is interesting that the very words that put them on the defensive now are the very cries that they made at the trial of Jesus. The cry of the people urging of some of these very same religious leaders was, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25)

Peter finishes up this part of the trial saying that he and the others were witnesses of the death, resurrection and ascension. The Holy Spirit also gave evidence of these events also.

1. How different was this trial from the first one?
2. What conclusion can we draw from the statement, “(You) intend to bring this man’s blood upon us?”
3. What did Peters’ initial statement indicate?

Acts 5:33-39

The men of the Sanhedrin reacted in an all too familiar way. It was evident that they had no defense against what the apostles said. As they had done to Jesus they planned to kill them. This would have accomplished little but kill those few men it could not stop the ever expanding church.

Gamaliel a beloved, well respected, knowledgeable Pharisee stood and made the case for the apostles.

His points were:

1. If these men on trial were leaders of a cult the movement would die of itself.
2. He spoke of Theudas and Judas of Galilee who led short-lived revolts against the Roman government. Both of these men were self-serving, self-glorifying individuals who died and the movement they led disappeared.
3. Care must be taken that the Council not be found in opposition to God.

Acts 5:40

This verse tells that they heeded the advice of Gamaliel.

1. What part of the argument do you think persuaded them to let the men go?
2. What had happened to the Jews before when they disobeyed God?
3. Why do you think they added flogging to their warnings this time?

Acts 5:41

The apostles left the presence of the men in the Council.

1. How did they respond to the warnings of Sanhedrin?
2. How did the threats and commands of the council affect the ongoing work of the apostles?
3. Why did they continue teaching and preaching in the temple but also from house to house?

The contrast between the people, the apostles and the Sanhedrin should help you sort out what or who do you want to control your life. It will make a difference in the way you view things going on in your life and the life of the church. Surely you realize that the things that affect you in your workplace, school and home life sadly spills over into your relationships at Church. You do have an opportunity to work through what is the underlying causes of the way you act. Are you angry, fearful, grieving, frustrated etc. then begin to address those attitudes the way the apostles handled the crisis in the church? They looked at the future and decided that is where they needed to be.

We have the opportunity right now in the life of Bethany Place to take the advice of Paul in Philippians 3:13. He said,” One thing I do; forgetting what lies behind, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

We have to ask ourselves, what is the goal to which we need to point. Is it to live in a panic and fearful mode that cripples us or do we truly want to serve God in this community? How can this be accomplished?

1. Acknowledge the past but do not live there.
2. Take the lessons learned to help us move beyond where we are.
3. Focus on the future. The apostles did not look back at the flogging but rejoiced and continued to do the work to which they were called.
4. Medicate on how God has gifted you and determine to use those gifts for the kingdom.
5. Change those aspects of the church that may be hindering us from becoming a healthy church, but learn to do it as a community. This exercise will help us to be in a better position to witness for Christ where He has placed us.

Next time we will look at

1. How the apostles handled the growing needs of the church.
2. The kind of men God set apart to provide leadership to His Church.

 

 

Lesson 9

Deeds of the Heart

Acts 4:32-5:11

This particular passage being studied today has caused me to do so real soul searching. Although much of what is written here is a reflection of the past situation here at church. I am leaving these in this lesson as a warning of the dangers into which we can fall if we are not vigilant in our struggle against the wiles of the devil to destroy what has been accomplished over the last seven years. I have had to ask, have my words and actions been done with the purest of motives? Have I sometimes been more a part of the problem rather than the solution? I do not think that I am that much different than many of you. Many of the statements and questions in this study are the very ones to which I have given a great deal of thought. I am thankful to God that He just does not let us drift through life deceived by our own self-righteousness if we truly seek His face. In my mind I believe that I only want the best for our church, but is that always true or do I let my own desires and agendas cloud the issues we face. Paul really speaks to the heart of this matter when he talks about doing those things he does not want to do and not doing those things he wants to do. It is a struggle I face to keep my intentions pure and holy. Only by God’s grace can I hope to deal with my own heart issues and do any good.

(You may not want to use this section at all. It is a reflection of the experiences I have had at Bethany Place and where I believe we are right now. I do believe that we have hidden behind a mask of hypocrisy too long and we have lost our identity along the way. Hold onto your hats because here I go.)

These may seem like random thoughts to you but I hope it will present a bigger picture of where we are at Bethany Place. It should sadden all of us when we see so much continuing conflict and division in the church. While this is true of our church, it is happening in other churches as well. This does not take away from the fact that we must address the issues that affect us. It seems that the ways of the world have crept into the church to the point that we are no longer sensitive to the way that our words and actions are tearing us apart. We accept gossip as truth, rumors as something to be passed on and quickly join in the criticism when the difficult decisions by the staff are made. There are times when some are ready to believe the worse about others. Has our church focused more on those things and begun to see our foundation crumble instead of concentrating on growing our church stronger through worship, witnessing and discipling others?

If the undercurrent of discontent at work was seen for what it truly represents, we could then deal with it and move forward. We have all seen the affects of allowing it to fester for the last 24 years I have been here. This can be partly to blame for the reduction in attendance in our church from 600 and 700 each Sunday to less than 200 now. Our church members and others can place the blame on different things for our present condition. We cannot continue to hold responsible some “next issue or person” because in reality what we are dealing with is what has been going on all these years. It is a “heart issue”. We do not have to go back to the voting issues or personal problems but only need to look at recent events that have taken place to see that satan is still at work in our midst. You would think that after awhile we would stop running away and become so distraught over what is going on that we would fall our faces in complete humility and contrition and cry out to God to heal us.   If we do not purge this attitude, this sin from our midst it will destroy us as people.

After we look at the material for today I will share what the word has said to me.

4: 32-35

Luke in Acts has a way of sharing the history of the early church with all of its positive and negative attributes as a lesson for us in the twenty-first century. It is evident that even in a time so closely following the resurrection of Christ and the birth of the early church that they were not perfect and experienced some critical issues that could have made or destroyed the church.

In these verses there are four dynamics taking place in the early church that serve as examples to us. What were they? Why are they important for us to understand with our hearts and minds?

1. We see that they were had a sense of community.
2. They continued the practices seen in Acts 2.
3. They were of one mind and one heart.
4. There was no greed or hoarding taking place.
5. These strengths in the church provided the climate for a hearing of God’s word
6. The apostles were continuing the teaching and preaching about the resurrection of Jesus. This was done with Spirit filled power with the full conviction of what they believed.
7. Because of all that was occurring in the church, the sharing and teaching, God’s grace was being poured out on them.
8. There was not a needy person among them because others were providing for them by selling property and bringing the proceeds to the apostles.

4: 36-37

Barnabas now comes on the scene.

1. How are we introduced to him?
2. He was given the name of Barnabas because he was an encourager to those around him.
3. Like many others he sold property and brought the money to the apostles.
4. Why was he singled out by name from all of the others who had sold property and given money? Some possible reasons are.
5. He exemplified the character and nature of those in the early church.
6. He was to play an important role in the growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles.
7. He was an early mentor and ally of Paul and later became his travel companion on the first missionary trip.
8. Provide a stark contrast between a man of integrity and an encourager in the church to those like Ananias and Sapphira who we will meet in the next chapter.

5:1-11

In the next 11 verses we see the actions of Ananias and Sapphira and how the church dealt with them. This couple, like Barnabas and many others sold property to raise money to meet the needs of the church community. The only difference was they decided to keep part of the proceeds but tell Peter they had brought the full selling price. Before looking at Peter’s actions there are a couple of questions that should be answered if these two are like any of us in the church.

1. What character traits would cause these two to do what they did?
2. How were they different from Barnabas?
3. What could have been the consequences of their deception and lies?
4. How might their situation parallel that Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis?

Bringing this narrative closer to home:

1. If we are honest with ourselves, who are we more like Barnabas or the couple?
2. In what ways do we hold back when God calls for our very best?

When Ananias appeared before Peter he was asked two things and in a way three.

1. Although not written this way, it could said, “why did you allow satan to fill your heart?”
2. “Why did you give in and lie to the Holy Spirit?”
3. “Why did you keep part of the purchase price?”
4. “Before you brought your gift was not the money yours to do with as you pleased?”

Peter’s questions raise a couple more to be answered.

1. What percentage of the sale was Ananias and Sapphira actually obligated to bring to the church?
2. How did they think that they could get away with the deceit in such a close knit community?

What was Peter to do? He exposed what Ananias and Sapphira had done. The result was that both of them dropped dead. What caused their deaths?

1. The judgment of God
2. The guilt of being discovered
3. Dying from a heart attacked following complete humiliation

Ultimately we have to accept it was the judgment of God. So what kind of questions might we ask?

1. Why did God deal so harshly with these two?
2. What would have happened if they had not received the judgment?
3. In what way were the two given the opportunity to repent?
4. What was the result of their deaths?
5. In the Bible there are two different kinds of fear. The first would be defined as reverence or awe of God. The second would be terror or panic. Which type do we see manifested here?
6. How far reaching was this fear and what impact did it have on the greater community? This last question will set the stage for the next lesson.

Hopefully from what has been discussed today you will begin to try to understand how seriously God takes the condition of His Church. You can see the high standards He has set for it in the areas of holiness, purity and community. Here are some suggestions for you as you meditate on these areas.

• A search of the topic of holiness from the Bible would be a good place for you to start to see how you are doing. Books such as the “Pursuit of Happiness” by Jerry Bridges would be a good read.
• There needs to be a true soul searching to see if you have been part of the problem. You might look at the prayers of Daniel (Daniel 9:3-19), Ezra (Ezra 9:5-15), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4-11) and David (especially Psalm 51) to see how they viewed sin.
• Then there needs to be a true soul searching to see if you have been or are part of the problem. Take some extended time this week in prayer to reflect on your life. Ask the Lord to show you if there is any un-confessed sin in your life, any attitude that is not acceptable to Him, or maybe any relationship with someone that needs to be set right.

At this point we need to begin to look at Bethany Place as a community.

Here are some suggestions:

• Our actions and words should reflect a commitment to each other. We can do this by accepting the fact that we are truly responsible to each other for caring, discipleship and discipline.

 

This means that there are times when we should be there for each other when there is a need such as sickness. We may need to call on each other more often to find out how others are doing and volunteer to help.

This means that we should encourage each other in daily disciplines of Bible Study and prayer.

Finally it also means that there may be times when it is necessary to confront one another in love. For instance if there is gossip or listening to rumors, this needs to be confronted, but in a Christ-loving way. If there is an issue bothering us, we are to direct individuals to the leadership we now have in place.

• We need to guard the body of Christ.

We all need to make the conscious decision that selfishness and distrust do not have a place in the body of Christ.

As God continues to rebuild Bethany Place on His strong principles of the leadership of Jesus Christ who gifts some to shepherd His church, we should focus on our strengths and not our shortcomings. Let’s rejoice in those places where we see growth in our church.

There are those who may be saddened and still struggling with recent issues or those further in the past. Let’s encourage them and pray with them for God to bring healing.

 

Copyrighted

Richard T. Lipscomb

November 14, 2010

 

 

 

Lesson 8

The Apostles’ Non-Identity Crisis

Acts 4:13-31

As I think back on all the places I have been and the people I have met I do not remember if ever someone asking me, who are you? To be honest I have not been very good at going any deeper than the superficial questions dealing with weather, etc. I usually ask where do you work or what do you do for a living? From where do you come? What is the origin of your name?, etc. It is as I equate who they are with what they do etc. which has nothing to do with who they really are or what they believe.

In the church we have tendency to do exactly the same thing. We seem to assume that because a person has been attending for a long time that he or she is a member and have been saved. Very seldom do we ask the question, who are you in Christ? What is your true identity?

We have social security cards, driver licenses, credit cards, birth certificates, and passports that are use to identify us in this world system.

1. How does this compare to how we are viewed as followers of Christ?
2. Who is perceptive enough in the body to recognize that we belong to Christ?
3. What does this say about how well we know those in our church community?

This lesson could have also titled, “Who is on trial anyway?” It is clear that the council was on the defense. They did not know what to do with these men who closely identified themselves with Jesus. It was not long in the discussion before the Jewish leaders recognized this fact.

1. 13

Three things confronted the council concerning the events that had just occurred.

1. It says in vs. 13 they observed the confidence of Peter and John. If it was so obvious to them what was the source of this boldness? How did this differ from the picture we get of the Pharisees and Sadducees who initiated the inquiry?
2. The leaders based their lifestyle on salvation based on the law. Of course the Pharisees prided themselves on trying to keep the law perfectly.
3. Paul explained it in 2 Timothy 1:12 where he says, “I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” With this kind of guarantee it should not surprise us that these men displayed such confidence in the face of possible persecution.
4. The second thing we see in this verse is that the Jewish leaders determined that the two were uneducated and untrained. What did they mean by drawing this conclusion?
5. Their mannerisms and speech would have given them away. There certainly were not in leadership roles in Judea.
6. Although every Jewish boy would have had at least and elementary education and would have been taught the law, these men obviously had not gone through the Rabbinic system.
7. The final piece of the puzzle that they “began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” What were the characteristics that would have identified them as disciples and apostles of Christ?

Some questions that we might ask based on the above:

1. How did Jesus and His followers teach? Matthew 7:29, Mark 6:2 and Luke 2:47 are just three verses that may give us a clue? If all teaching was done as having authority what was the basis for that authority?
2. What would the Rabbinic system have taught them?
3. In what ways was the time spent with Jesus superior to the teaching of Rabbis?
4. What usually brought on the confrontation in most of the discussions between the religious leaders and Jesus?
5. How did this differ from what Jesus shared with the common people?

Vs. 14

Whatever case council may have thought they had against the apostles unraveled with the presence of the man who had been healed. Why was he there in the first place? Remember this trial occurred the following day. Two possible ideas might be put forth

1. The man had been arrested at the same time. What would have been justification for such an act?
2. They assumed that he was one of the apostles since he was clinging to them as they entered the temple grounds.
3. It was done in order to keep the man quiet.
4. He came early the next morning to once again to be with Peter and John. What does this say about the man?
5. He did not lack courage.
6. He was truly thankful for what God had done in his life.
7. He wanted to be identified with the men and their message.
8. He would be willing to come to their defense if necessary.

What we do know that his presence caused the Jews to change their plans. They must have seen him at the temple gate and could not deny that the man had been healed. Rather than being on the offensive they were now on the defensive. What do people do when they are backed into a corner as these men were?

Vs. 15-22

In these verses we see the strategy of the leaders and the response of the apostles. First let’s look at the actions taken by the council

1. They went into a closed door section.
2. Why could they not just make a decision based on the facts before them?
3. What did they hope to accomplish by further discussion?
4. They came up with a plan. It was composed of the same old ideas that result when man refuse to listen to the truth. What was the strategy they planned to use? What was their ultimate goal?
5. There was to be first a warning given to them.
6. When they confronted the apostles a command was given for them to no longer talk about Jesus.
7. Finally they threatened them but let them go. They could do no more at this time because everyone was praising and worshipping God having seen the healing of the cripple.

Why did the strategy of the council fail? How could it have succeeded? We need only to look at the answer the apostles gave. During this whole session before the council there is only the record of Peter and John speaking one time. It is found in vs. 19-20. What they had to say cause further threats to be spoken but also led to their release. Upon hearing these uneducated men speak the so called men of God were left with no answer. Should not the words spoken been from their mouths? How is it that it was left to Peter and John to utter what they needed to say? These two verses should set the standard of how the church should deal with the accusations and threats of the world. The apostles could not stop speaking because they had a message to share.

Vs. 23-31

Upon their release the apostles shared the news with the church.

1. What was the response as they reported all that had happened?
2. How did they see what had just taken place as a fulfillment of Scripture? See vs. 25-29
3. Instead of shrinking from the task ahead of them what did they ask as they prayed?
4. What was the result?

When placed in circumstances that may lead to a ridicule of your faith how do you respond? There may be more but two different options have been described for you. You can either submit out of fear to the innuendos or outright threats or you can respond as the apostles did to the council. It is important not only for the strengthening of your faith to be able to answer but also to say I indentify with the Savior of the world and therefore cannot be intimidated.

How can we go about making sure that know who has authority over our lives and with whom we identify? One way is for to be aware of what others believe. It is not possible to live in a cocoon and be able to give an answer for the hope that is in us. We must understand that the world is hostile to Christianity. How many of us know how to refute the smallest argument of a non-believer. The apostles spent three years with Jesus. We can only become strong as we spend daily time in God’s word, truly seeking to hear what He has to say to us. Each of us waste at least a few minutes each day that could be used in meditating on God’s word.   They knew that what was happening was a part of God’s plan. In what ways do we see the events going on around us in the same light?

We see in the lesson for today that upon their release that desired to share the good news with fellow believers to strengthen them. In what ways have we spoken positive life-changing words to someone in our fellowship?

Finally, we need to ask, is our prayer life like what we see in our study today? In their prayer what are some of the things that we might pray about that would give us a new perspective of what God would have us to do? In our prayer time this week we might work on one element of their prayer whether it is for confidence, healing or boldness in witnessing and just wait to see how God might answer.

All of these are needed if we are to be identified as belonging to Christ. Others must see our confidence, likeness to Him and the knowledge of Him that confounds the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 7

Authority Questioned

Acts 4:1-12

Over the years I have tried to understand and deal with the issue of authority. There have been times when I lost respect for people in positions of leadership because of the decisions they made and the way they treated the people who worked under them. Maybe, in all of this, there was somewhat of a sense of rebellion on my part because I had a different view of what the qualities of a person in charge of others should be. Those in leadership, in my opinion, should be men with a servant/ Leadership mentality and not that of a ruler.

Someone asked the other day how much authority does the Southern Baptist Convention, national or state, have over Bethany Place? The answer to that question is that each church in the SBC is autonomous and self governing. If that is true, who then has the authority to lead each of these churches? Primarily, Bethany Place has been a staff led church with the congregation involved in voting on almost all decisions.

In our present situation we might ask ourselves some questions.

1. How have we found this method of governance to work out in the life of the church?
2. How should we determine who it is that has the authority to make decisions for us that have an impact on our lives and the life of the church?
3. What are the qualities we should seek in the person who is called to have authority?

Let’s take a moment to reflect on what we have already studied that sets the stage for our look at the events in chapter 4.

1. The apostles spent 7 days in prayer and becoming of one mind. Chapter 1
2. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles at Pentecost. Chapter 2
3. Peter preached his first sermon. Chapter 2
4. Three thousand became new believers. Chapter 2
5. The early Church began to be discipled by the apostles. Chapter 2
6. They began to form community. Chapter 2
7. Signs and wonders were being performed. Chapter 2
8. The lame man was healed. Chapter 3
9. Peter preached his second sermon within the Temple grounds in Solomon Portico. Chapter 3
10. In both of his sermons, he exposed the participation of the religious leaders in the death of Christ who Peter now shared as the resurrected Savior of the world.

In chapter 4 we see the opening volleys in the ongoing conflict between two different views. On the one side were those who practiced a form of Judaism entirely based on the law and the followers of Jesus Christ. This was the crossroad at which choices had to be made. Everything hinged on the understanding of the source of authority in one’s life, the law or Christ. The narrative found here clearly shows us the position that the apostles had taken.

Acts 4:1-3

Immediately following these events the apostles were arrested.

1. Who composed the group that arrested the apostles?
2. What do we know about them?
3. What was the reason these leaders put them in jail overnight?

Acts 4:4

Even though the religious leaders responded in a negative way to the teaching of the apostles an additional five thousand souls were added to the church.

1. How is it that the people heard what the apostles had said and the leaders misunderstood?
2. What was the major difference between the people and the leaders?
3. Why did the event that was taking place on the temple grounds bother them so much?
4. If the temple was God’s house, who had a right to preach and heal on the grounds?

Acts 4:5-7

As the apostles were brought before the council they were asked a very important question. It was, “By what power, or in what name have you done this? What were they really asking? We see by the answer that the apostles gave that the real questions were:

1. Who gave you the right to go about healing and preaching?
2. What is the source of your authority?

Before we continue on with the apostles answer let us go back into Matthew to see how Jesus responded to a question much like the one being asked in this chapter in Acts. When asked about His authority he did not answer them directly but asked them about their understanding of John. If they did not accept John they certainly would not believe Him. (Mt. 21:23-27) In the last chapter He tells the disciples, that all authority had been given to Him. He then gave them the commission to make disciples. (Mt. 28:18) Unlike the Jews the apostles heard what Jesus was telling them before His crucifixion and resurrection.   Now, under the authority of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit they could answer the religious leaders.

They in Acts 4:8-10 shared in a very definitive way the role that Jesus played in the healing.

1. They took no credit for the healing. It was not in their power to perform such a feat.
2. They identified the source of the healing. It was the very man they had crucified the Messiah of Israel, the one called Jesus the Nazarene.

Acts 4: 11-12

1. By using the Scripture out of Psalm 118:22 what was Peter saying to his audience?
2. What does the last verse say about Christianity?
3. In what ways does this verse reinforce what John wrote in 14:6 of his gospel?

This lesson has been all about recognizing Christ’s authority. There are certain characteristics that must be recognized as inherent in the relationship each of you have with Christ. Possibly you have found in your own walk that it is sometimes more difficult to accept the truth than all of the lies with which the world is constantly bombarding you. To come to the realization that it is only God’s word that is infallible, inerrant and holds all truth you must totally submit your will to the authority of Christ. There are certain facts that are explicit in the text that the writer has shared with us.

1. Man is limited in what he can accomplish in his own strength.
2. There are certain things that can only occurred when you are empowered by the Holy Spirit and are acting in the name of Christ.
3. Jesus was raised from the dead after being crucified by those who opposed Him.
4. Only in Christ can man achieve eternal life. There is no such thing as universal salvation. It is the exclusive right of God to give it to whom He chooses.

Only by consciously accepting the above can you say that you are truly living under the authority of Christ.

Although each of you is called to make disciples, there are those who provide the leadership to equip the church for the ministry and provide the means for spiritual growth. (Eph. 4:11-12) This attitude is reflected in the way you view those to whom God has given the responsibility to lead the church. The questions that each of you must answer, as you deal with this whole issue of authority are:

1. In what ways is it evident to the world that Christ is truly living in you and through you?
2. What evidence is present that He has completely authority over your will?
3. How does your life reflect what you have read in Acts 4:12 and Matthew 28:18?

The world is observing your actions to determine under whose authority you act and speak. You will either answer by acknowledging by your words and actions that you are living out the commands of Christ, or, you have decided to live according to the world’s standards. It is really your choice.

Remember we always do things in the name of some cause, organization, or person. Everything then hinges on the understanding of the source of the controlling factors in our lives. How are we to deal with this whole issue? Here are some thoughts

1. Evaluate everything in the light of Scripture. Our lesson today gives us a picture of how the apostles were able to answer the question of the Jews in light of the commands given to them by Jesus, the Word of God. We can do the same.
2. Even though we don’t hear it much anymore, the statement, “What Would Jesus Do?” is still a true test for us before saying anything or taking action.
3. Remember that “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
4. Do not let the distractions of the world that creep into our lives and the church cause us to lose focus of the task we have been given according to the commands of Jesus to make disciples.

Next week we will look at the actual interrogation by the Jews. Think as you prepare for our time together about the question, “Who was actually on trial?”

 

 

 

Lesson 6

Healing Power of Christ

Acts 3:1-26

Over the years I cannot even number the opportunities that I have missed to share Christ with those who needed Him in their lives. I remember one young man who committed suicide. I had known him from my days at DuPont and then worked with him at another industrial plant. I never shared with him the good news about Jesus. When we talked the conversation was about business. I think of all the times I have passed people even within the walls of the church and had no idea was going on in their lives. Those are chances that will never come my way again. I have been guilty of deliberately ignoring people with whom I did not want to get involved? The question I must face is what if someone had treated me that way and I had never heard the gospel? Where would I be today?

We have to realize how crucial the answer to those last two questions is for each and every one of us.  Knowing this to be true, how then can we be so unaware of the spiritual needs that are all around us? We might ask, when have we missed those times when God may have brought someone into our presence and we did not respond with the good news? How many times have we passed someone in the hallway and not even seen them or acknowledge them in any way? There is hardly a Sunday that goes by that God does not bring someone new into our midst. How are they treated? Do we even know that they are there? In what ways do we take the time to make them welcome without being prompted? How often do our guests get away without someone at least introducing themselves and saying how glad we are they are there? Why does this happen? In our workplace, schools, clubs, sports venues and churches how do we ignore certain people not wanting to get involved in their problems? They may be the very ones who respond to the gospel if we took time to share?

In verse one it is written that Peter and John were going up to the temple for one of the times of prayer. These occurred at 9 AM, 3 PM and sunset.

1. What does this show us about the attitude of the early church towards Judaism?
2. How did the apostles picture themselves at this point?

As they were getting ready to go into the Temple they came upon a man who had been placed at the gate called Beautiful in order to beg. (Acts 3:2)

1. Why was he set in that particular place
2. Where was his spot located in relationship to the Temple? He was in the Court of the Gentiles. The gate to which we referred was located at the entrance to the Court of Women?
3. What does this say about how Judaism would have viewed him?

He began to ask Peter and John for alms. (Acts 3:3) In the next verse Peter and John stopped and responded to the man. (Acts 3:4)

1. Why did they pay attention to this particular beggar?
2. If there were other beggars in the area what did they see in this man that was missing in the others?
3. Why did they speak as they did?
4. In what way may they have sensed that he needed more than a few coins?
5. What was this whole episode about anyway?
6. How was this event somewhat like the one we find in John 9:1-41

Like the narrative in John 9 this event was not about the apostles, even though a healing took place, nor the man, although God loved and showed great compassion toward him, but for the glory of Jesus Christ.  The apostles saw beyond the asking of alms to the deeper need this man had. They met that need by first showing that God truly had power over the physical limitations he had.

Even though Peter reached down and pulled him up. It took real faith to believe that with that helping hand he could stand on legs that had not supported him his whole life. (Acts 3:6-7) Those truly healed like this man receive something far more important than the regaining of physical strength.

1. What did the man truly need to happen in his life?
2. What evidence is there that he received what he needed?
3. What was the result of his display of a new found faith?
4. How did his actions and words affect those who saw what was taken place?

This man experienced a whole new relationship with the Father as was evident by the walking and jumping and lifting of praises to God. Immediately the people in the court of Gentiles recognized him and understood some marvelous had happened. (Acts 3:8-10)

1. What doors did the healing open for the apostles?
2. In what ways could this opportunity been squandered?
3. How did the apostles handle the situation?
4. Who was to get the glory?
5. Why did the man continue clinging to Peter and John?
6. How could have his action been misunderstood by the people?

The apostles began to share what they knew was the truth. They remembered that it is only by Christ that man is made whole. We are only the messengers of that fact. Peter seized the chance and immediately launched into his second sermon. He very quickly dispelled any idea that the people might have that he and John had the power to heal anyone. He pointed out that the God of the living Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (See Matthew 22:32) is He who has glorified His Son Jesus Christ. Once again they are confronted with the fact that they had a part in rejecting and killing the One through whom this healing had taken place. (Acts 3:13-26)

As in his previous sermon who brings the people to the point of making a decision.

1. How did he accomplish this?
2. What evidence did he give to bring them to making a decision to follow Christ?
3. How did his approach differ from the way we sometimes try to witness to the lost?
4. Why is it so difficult for us to follow this way of presenting the evidence of Christ?

He laid out very clearly for the people who Christ was.

1. The prophets had prophesized about His suffering.
2. Moses spoke of the prophet who would be like him and must be heard.
3. God even told Abraham that it would be through his seed that the whole world would be blessed.

The consequences of his sermon will be seen in the next chapter.

It is important that you become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit when He brings before you one who may have a hidden need life the cripple in our story. You will notice that one of the critical pieces that must never be missing from your witnessing is an understanding that Jesus is the fulfillment of all Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Therefore it is important that you spend time in God’s word every day.

God will provide opportunities for us to share who He is to a world that is lost and dying. He often will bring those hurting individuals right into our midst. Each and every Sunday there are probably those come through the doors of Bethany Place that you do not know. One of the easiest ways to begin practicing the lessons that we have learned from what we have studied today is to look around for those guests and go to them and genuinely tell them how glad you are that they are there. Who knows but just that one word of encouragement may be what they need for that day. We can go even one step further and get their name and telephone number and call them during the week. We have no idea what this would do for the church.