Queen's Road Cell

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...