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Study 15. Acts 6:1-8

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14. It’s risky to decide that because something is done in Acts, we should do it today. However, does 6:1-7 have any lessons relevant to us?  The need to be fair to all members in church, and to be seen to be fair. The need for those who teach and preach not to be distracted from their ministry The advisability to assign diferent duties to different people in church The need to pick good people for responsible positions in church. For Thought and Discussion: What does laying on of hands signify today?  Impartation of the Spirit or of a spiritual gift , intercession in prayer. OT references include the commissioning of Joshua (Nu 27:23, Dt 34:9) and the blessing of Jacob (Gen 48:14) The NT speaks of laying hands for healing (as in Jesus' ministry, (Mk 16:18, 28:8) commisioning for ministry (6:6, 13:3, 1 Ti 4:14, 5:22; 2 Ti 1:6) and impartation of the Spirit (8:17-19, 9:12-17, 19:6)   For Thought and Discussion: a. What qualities did the apostles require in the chosen seve...
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Study 14. Acts 5:1-11.

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10. Examine 5:1-4 carefully. Exactly what was Ananias’s sin? (For instance, was it wrong in itself not to sell all his property and give it to the church?)  He misrepresented the extent of his gift. He lied to God  11. What do you think might have motivated him to do this?  He wanted to be thought of as  being as generous as others in the church, even though he wasn't.  He sought credit for more than was due. He was calculating and hypocritical. His actions were not toward God, but towards men. He was transactional. 12. What did God teach the early believers by striking Ananias and Sapphira dead (see 5:1-11)?  He is an awesome and holy God. The church is not a place where worldly standards of purity and outward show apply. God looks on the heart. He knows everything.    13. Is there a lesson here for us? If so, what is it?  In our service and contribution we are to remember that we are serving and giving to God, not so that we look good to p...
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Study 13. Acts 4:32-37

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7. Why did the believers sell their goods to support others who were in want (see 4:32)? They had " all things in common":(2:44) They were of "one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common" There as a radical sense of unity and loss of personal boundaries. Personal transformation led to a change of social relationships For Thought and Discussion: Besides their meetings in the temple, the early believers met in their homes for prayer, fellowship, teaching, the Lord’s Supper, and common meals (see 2:42,46). Why is eating together a support to fellowship? Eating is a sign of trust It is a shared activity  It looks forward to the great feast in heaven.  It is an intimate activity that evokes family relationships We learn about each other's personal preferences and history  For Thought and Discussion: Why were the early believers “filled with awe” (2:43)? Are you filled with awe, and sho...
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Study 12. Acts 2:42-47

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 For further study a. Using a concordance, do a word study on sharing, participation, communion, partnership, or fellowship in the New Testament.    The Greek word ' koinonia ' is found in these places: Act 2:42. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Rom 15:26. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 1Co 1:9. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1Co 10:16. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 2Co 6:14. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2Co 8:4. begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 2Co 9:13. By th...
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Cell Christmas outreach 2024

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 Packing on 29/11/24 Outreach in church 7/12/24  
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The Joy of Forgiveness - sermon at FFMC 24/11/24

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The King’s Authority In His Kingdom: Forgiveness   And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.  9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” A...
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Study 11. Acts 5:12-42

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 10. Peter said that the apostles and the Holy Spirit were both witnesses to Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation (see 5:30-32). The apostles were testifying to these facts through  preaching and miracles (see 5:12-16,21). How was the Holy Spirit witnessing to Jesus’ identity?  The Spirit had been 'given' (v.32) by Jesus to those who obey Him. It was He that was performing all these things through the apostles, witnessing through them.   For Thought and Discussion: What does question 10 tell you about your role and God’s in witnessing about Jesus? Our role is to tell of what we know of Jesus; the Spiri alone convicts of sin and righteousness and judgment (Jn 16:8) The human role cannot be accomplished without the Divine role in empowerment in boldness and miracles, or the Divine role in convicting the elect of their need for the truth. Luke describes how the Jewish rulers were unaware that the apostles had been miraculously freed from prison and were alre...
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