Queen's Road Cell

For Thought and Discussion: What would you say to someone who asked why the resurrected Jesus appeared only to certain witnesses, not the crowds (see 10:41)? God is choosy about who He reveals Himself to, and who is entrusted with the responsibility of witnessing. He reveaols himself to those he can trust. cf. And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12  For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Mt 13:11-12)   For Thought and Discussion: Why was it necessary to baptize the Gentiles in water in addition to their experience in 10:44-46? Water baptism was commanded in Mt 28:19. It remains the initiatory rite that signifies the inner baptism of the Spirit. It was and is the visible sign of full inclusion into the people of God. It was the sign of cleansing from sin, and so of forgiveness (2:3...

For Thought and Discussion: Compare Acts 9:32-43 to Luke 4:18-19,38-39 and 8:40-42,51-56. Why do you think it is important for us to know that Peter healed the sick and raised the dead (see John 14:12-14)? (That is, why does Luke keep telling us these miracle stories?) Jesus’ ministry as prophesied by Isaiah was shared by the apostles.  The same Spirit that anointed Jesus was working through Peter. What Peter had experienced with Jesus' ministry he was himself now performing with the same authority to heal and raise the dead. There is continuity between Jesus' work and the work of the apostles.    Peter is going out of Jerusalum to teach and minister. The miracles led to people believing.    "Luke would have disagreed with the common modern suggestion that a faith based on miracles is not a true faith" (Marshall) The Christians in Joppa felt sufficient faith in the possibility of resurrection to send for Peter and bid him come at once.(Marshall)  (Peter...