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...

 9. How was it possible that the Messiah was both David's descendant and greater than David? (see Rom 1:3-4)   The Jews regarded earlier generations as greater and wiser than the present one. David was the ideal king - not to be surpassed. For them, the Messiah, as David's Son (18:38–39; Matt. 21:9) saw the Messiah as someone who would defeat all Israel’s foes and bring in a new kingdom of David.,   Luke is not denying Jesus' Davidic descent (1:27, 32, 69; 2:4; 18:38f.). The Messiah will truly be a descendant of David (2 Sa 7:12-14, Ps 89:4, Is 11:1, 10, Jer 23:5)   But David himself referred to the Messiah as Lord (Ps. 110:1). The Messiah is therefore more than David’s son. He is unique and has greater honour than David.  Jesus challenged the presuppositions of the Jews.   10. Jesus condemned the teachers of the law for certain practices. What character traits did those practices show? (20:46-47)   Desire for public recognition, receiving approval ...

 21. In 16:10-13, Jesus commends a particular character trait of a good disciple: faithful or trustworthy stewardship. Jesus spoke this parable to 'the disciples' (16:1), but the Pharisees are still in the background (16:14). This parable is difficult to interpret because Jesus appears to commend dishonesty.  The likely explanation is that the steward is commended, not for his dishonesty, but for taking resolute action in a crisis. The coming of Jesus forced people to decision. When even dishonest worldly people know how and when to take decisive action, much more should those who follow him. T. W. Manson reminds us that there is a world of difference between ‘I applaud the dishonest steward because he acted cleverly’ and ‘I applaud the clever steward because he acted dishonestly’ (Morris) The text also makes it clear that Jesus commended the steward for forward planning by buying friends with money - something intangible with something tangible. We are asked to do the same. ...

We considered what it was that made an organization  (like the OCF or VCF) different from a church. Although these gatherings of Christians are also part of the universal church, these organizations are called parachurch organizations. True churches are characterized by 'true preaching' and by administration of the sacraments. Parachurch organizations may have the former, but not the latter. Parachurch organizations also usually make it explicit in their goals that they exist to come alongside and assist the church. We listened to an excerpt from a sermon from a preacher who noted that many OT saints were very rich, said that God gives wealth and happiness ( "The blessing of the Lord makes rich   and he adds no sorrow with it" Pr 10:22) and that poverty is a curse that God does not desire His children to suffer. His thesis was that Jesus was rich. This seems very unlikely from the testimony of scripture: His parents offered 2 birds rather than a lamb at his dedicat...

Giving and the grace of God 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints- 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you-see that you excel in this act of grace also. 8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Chr...