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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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Qin’s commissioning service (26/1/25)

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 Photo credits to Joe and Kion ;)
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Study 16. Acts 6:9-8:3

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2. The Hellenistic Jews accused Stephen of speaking against the temple and the Law. Were these accusations true (see 6:11,13-14)? What does Luke say? The accusations were false - 'instigated' by those who could not withstand his reasoning. They had 'stirred up the people' and 'set up false witnesses' Stephen's countenance was not of one who had sinned against God (6:15). It was evident that there was a supernatural power and presence upon him. This should have made his innocence evident. 3. Stephen answered the charges and gave his testimony in 7:2-53. What pattern in Jewish history did Stephen trace through Joseph (see 7:9-16), Moses (see 7:17-39), and Jesus (see 7:51-52)?   The Jewish patriarchs sold Joseph into slavery. Pharoah honoured him Moses was brought up by Egyptians but betrayed and challenged by his own people.The Israelites refused to obey Moses in the wilderness and turned to other gods. The Jews had killed the prophets who announced Jesus'...
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