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Study 22, Acts 11:19-30

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8. What was the relationship between the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch (see 11:22,27-29)? Antioch was under the authority of Jerusalem. On previous occasions (8:14; cf. 9:32) the leaders of the church at Jerusalem had sent representatives to follow up mission work outside the city Antioch was richer  Consider our relationship with those with whom we have a complex relationship - because we are older or higher in secular or spiritual authority, but compared to whom we are disadvantaged in other ways. It takes grace from both sides to navigate this well. 9. What laudable traits do Barnabas and the Christians at Antioch show in 11:19-30?    Barnabas was glad to see the gospel received even though it was unfamiliar territory He prioritized the spiritual well-being of the new converts and exhorted them personally 'a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith'. " no other man is described by Luke as good in Acts, and in his spiritual gifts he stood on a level with Steph...
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Stuty 21. Acts 9:1-31

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6. Why is it important for us to think about the early Christians’ willingness to suffer for Jesus’ name (see 5:40-42; 7:59-60; 9:15-16,23-30)? 5:40-42  " they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name" They rejoiced.  7:59-60   "stoning... he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them" -They forgave 9:15-16 " For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." The saw the necessity of testimony, acceptance  9:23-30 " the Jews plotted to kill him ... took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall" They helped one another. They escaped Suffering is normative. Jesus suffered to leave us an example  Their message was true. Their suffering authenticated their message We suffer because of persecution, active and passive We suffer because because of ou...
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Who Do You Say I Am?: Disciples Follow Their King (Sermon FFMC 19/3/25)

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27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. (Mark 8:27-30)  Mk 6:45 tells us that Jesus had crossed the Sea of Galilee and travelled north from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi. This was a city was located at the foothills of Mount Hermon, and was a centre of Baal, Pan and Caesar worship –previously called Paneas.  Perhaps it was the false worship prevalent there that prompted Jesus’ question to His disciples – but perhaps not. Jesus asks many questions in the Gospels – someone has counted 339. Some are to engage people and to begin a conversation. Some are obviously when He actually knows the answer and ...
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Study 20. Acts 9:1-31,

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 1. The episode on the Damascus road was a profound learning experience for Saul. What did he learn about …  who Jesus is (see 9:4-5,20,22; 22:14)?  9:4-5, "Lord", the one he was persecuting 9: 20,22 "Son of God" 22:14 "the Righteous One" ((cf. Is 53:11)   'threats'. He had been going about saying what he would do to the Christians if they did not cease their activities, namely that he would murder them (although the legality of this is uncertain)   what his own mission was going to be (see 9:15-16,20-30; 22:14-16; 26:16-18)? 9:15-16 a chosen instrument of God's to carry His name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. will suffer much for the name of Christ. There would be witness, at personal cost. He who had once caused Christians to suffer would himself suffer. 9:20-30; proclaimed Jesus, confounding the jews and proving Jesus was the Christ, disputing against the Hellenists. 22:14-16 To know God's will, see and hea...
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Study 19. Acts 8:26-40

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5. Keep question 1 in mind as you answer these questions.  a. Who accepted the gospel in 8:26-40?   An Ethiopian eunuch. If the man was a physical eunuch ihe could not have been a proselyte. He would have been a 'god-fearer' However, the term could also be used to refer simply to a court official.   The church did not simply ‘stumble upon’ the idea of evangelizing the Gentiles; it did so in accordance with God’s deliberate purpose (Marshall) A desert road 'at noon' (8:26, alternate reading) would be not well-travelled. Philip required specific divine direction for an improbable effort.   And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” - there was specific direction again.   God obviously does not reveal himself to all men equally. b. What status did this kind of person have with the Jews (see Deuteronomy 23:1)? Considered unfit to join the assembly of the Lord, to be a full part of God's people. c. How was this person’s conversion signific...
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Study 18. Acts 8:4-25

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1. Questions 1 and 5 will help you compare the two episodes in 8:4-25 and 8:26-40.  a. In 8:4-25, who is evangelized, convinced, and baptized?    The Samaritans, and Simon Magus   b. What do the Jews think of these people (see John 4:9)? Jews "have no dealings" with them c. How is this group’s conversion significant to the progress of the gospel? (Recall who has been converted up to now.)  Only Jews and proselytes (2:11). The conversion of the  Samaritans is both a fulfilment of prophecy (1:8) as well as the start of the church's mission to the world.  "the story may be seen as a step towards the greater problem of bringing Jews and Gentiles together" (Marshall) d. What convinces this group to become believers (see 8:6-8,12)? e. What is the apostles’ role in bringing this group into the church (see 8:14-17)? The crowds "heard" Philip and "saw the signs that he did": the casting out of demons and the healing of the sick.   The apostles sen...
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Study 17. Acts 8:1-3

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 11. How did the persecution of the Hellenistic Jewish Christians in Jerusalem serve the progress of the church? 1:8; 8:1,4 The gospel was spread through suffering. "you will be my witnesses" (1:8) is being fulfilled, but perhaps not as the church had intended or expectred.   The persecution appears to have involved mainly the Hellenist Christians. The action of the "devout men" with public lamentation was an act of great bravery in the light of the "great persecution" and the actions of Saul "ravaging the church". 12. What lessons for us does 6:8–8:3 offer? What sins of the Jews are we to avoid? They had a wrong attitude to the Law. They received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it. They had the privilege of revelation and therefore would have greater condemnation. They enjoyed the privilege, but did not allow the Law to transform their lives. Amos 3:2 : "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I w...
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