Queen's Road Cell

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...

 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...

 Packing on 29/11/24 Outreach in church 7/12/24  

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...

 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...

 6. How do the believers respond to the Sanhedrin’s threats (see 4:23-31)?  They 'went to their friends' (v.23), reported what had happened Prayed (v.24), quoted Scripture (v.25), reviewed past events in the light of God's purposes (v.27) Asked for boldness and power (v.30)   7. What do they confess about God? Write down as many observations as you can (see 4:24-30). God is sovereign (v.24] He made the heaven, earth, sea and everything in them (v.24) Spoke through the Spirit through David (v.25a) Opposed by kings and rulers (v.26) Anointed Jesus (i.e. made Him Messiah) (v.26-27) Had a plan fulfilled by wicked people (v.28) Knows the evil of men (v.29a) Grants boldness to speak His word (v.29b) Heals and perform miracles in Jesus' name (v.30) Gives visible evidence of answered prayer in shaking and speech of the apostles (v.31) 8. What do they ask God to do (see 4:29-30)?   Look at the threats of the authorities (v.29a) Grant boldness to speak (v.29b) Show His p...

1. What happens in 4:1-31, and how is the passage connected to 3:1-26?    The apostles are called to account for the authority by which they healed the lame man and proclaimed their message - they we put on trial.   3. The Sanhedrin did not doubt that a healing had occurred; they only demanded to know by what authority (power or name, see Acts 4:7) the apostles were preaching and healing. Peter responded that his authority came from Jesus. Specifically what did Peter claim about Jesus (see 4:8-12)? Jesus was the 'Christ', crucified and raised from the dead The stone rejected that has become the cornerstone (Ps 118:22) Salvation is only through Him For Thought and Discussion:  a. Why were the priests and other Sadducees so upset that the apostles were proclaiming Jesus resurrected (see 4:2; 23:8)? The Sadducees did not believe in the Resurrection. That the apostles proclaimed Jesus' resurrection went against their understanding of theology and rebuked them for their ...

For Thought and Discussion: The Crucifixion signified God’s curse (see Galatians 3:13). Still, what event proved that God regarded Jesus as holy and righteous, not accursed (see Acts 3:15)? The Resurrection proved His innocence. 6. How did Peter describe Jesus in this speech (see 3:13-15,22)? God's glorified servant (cf. Php 2:7)  Holy and Righteous One Author of life, resurrected from the dead  A prophet like Moses 7. In what senses is Jesus “the author of life” (Acts 3:15) or “the Prince of life” (KJV, NASB)? (Optional: See John 1:3-4,12-13; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 5:11-12.)  John 1:3-4,12-13 Jesus made all things and gave them lfe. He has life in Himself.  He gave us spiritual life and made us born again by His will Colossians 1:15-23     He made all things, sustains all things, reconciles all lthings, will save us to the end Hebrews 2:14-15 Through death he destroyed death 1 John 5:11-12. God gave us eternal life through His...

1. How does Acts 3:1-10 reflect Jesus’ words in John 14:12-14?   "do the works that I do" "greater works than these will he do" "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it" Jesus' disciples asked in His name A miracle was done like Jesus would have done For Thought and Discussion: How does the former cripple respond to his healing (see 3:8)? Is there an example here for us? Compare Luke 17:11-19.  Like the healed Samaritan leper, he demonstrated his healing and praised God. He entered (3:8) the temple with Peter and John, associating publicly with them. He 'clung' to them (3:10) showing dependence. So he testified to those who had affected the healing. We must be humble enough to give credit to those who have ministered to us. Optional Application: Have you experienced any kind of healing by Jesus’ power? If so, how should that affect what you do?      2. The beggar asked for money (see 3:3), but Peter and John met quite a different need. ...