Queen's Road Cell

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...

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...

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 ...

 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...