 Acts 1 - 7 Questions and Answers |
| Q. When was the Book of Acts written? | A. 33 to 60 A.D. |
| Q. How long was Jesus on earth after His resurrection from the dead? | A. Acts 1:3 = 40 days. |
| Q. Did the apostles believe Jesus was alive again? |
A. Acts 1:3 = Jesus had to prove it to them in many ways before they believed He was alive again. Note: How long does it take you to believe God is true to you? No matter; He will show He is true until you are convinced. Hallelujah! |
| Q. What did Jesus teach the apostles during this time? | A. Acts 1:3 = He taught them about the Kingdom of God. |
| Q. Where were the apostles when the Holy Spirit came upon them for their baptism of the Holy Spirit? | A. Acts 1:4�5 = They were in Jerusalem. |
| Q. For what purpose did the apostles think Jesus was raised from the dead? | A. Acts 1:6 = To free and restore Israel as a kingdom on earth. |
| Q. And they asked Jesus about this? | A. Acts 1:6 = Yes. |
| Q. How did Jesus respond? | A. Acts 1:7 = The Father set the date for Israel's restoration. The apostles would be busy about another work for God in the meantime. They would not know when Israel would be restored. |
| Q. Which was...? | A. Acts 1:8 = Evangelizing the world. |
| Q. How would they evangelize the world? |
A. Acts 1:8 = They would tell people about Jesus. Note: It's hard to relate to an invisible God. Jesus personified God. Everything He was, was also God. Knowing Jesus takes the fear out of nearing such an allpowerful Being. All that God was and was not was cleared up in the person of Jesus. He healed, He forgave, He delegated power and authority to do the same. This was true religion. Funny how man continues to mistake God for a powerful dictator who demands our devotion and deeds while declaring God too awesome to approach? Jesus had great news! God is exactly as He is as written in the Bible! Read David's Psalms and know God as David did. Understand in Psalm 139 how God sees you. How blessed is he who represents God as David does! |
| Q. Who replaced Judas Iscariot? | A. Acts 1:26 = Matthias. |
| Q. When did the baptism of the Holy Spirit take place? |
A. Acts 2:1 = Seven weeks after Jesus' resurrection. Note: This is forty days plus 9 days after Jesus ascended into Heaven. |
| Q. What happened? |
A. Acts 2:2�4 = 1) A sound from Heaven like a mighty roaring windstorm in the skies above them 2) which came right into the house they were meeting in 3) Flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them 4) All present were filled with the Holy Spirit 5) They began speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability. |
| Q. Who heard? | A. Acts 2:6�12 = Godly Israelites visiting Jerusalem from all nations. |
| Q. What did some say? |
A. Acts 2:13 = They assumed the apostles were drunk. Note: When God is doing something, let your guard down and enjoy the ride. Otherwise, you will misjudge the event. The difference between the skeptics and the believers is faith. Watch by faith. Nod your head up and down! Decide to believe. We believe with our heads: it is an act fo the will to believe. Practice believing with your mind. Your heart will follow eventually. |
| Q. How did the apostles respond to the accusation that they were drunk? |
A. Acts 2:14�40 = Peter, filled with the HolySpirit, got up and preached, denying the accusation first of all. Note 1: Study and meditate on Peter's sermon. Pray for boldness; that the Holy Spirit would help you to stand up to accusers and defend God as Peter did. I have had boldness before, but I was led by my flesh and ended up sinning and hurting others personally. When God is in it, people have conviction of sin. Preach without judging. Lasso your flesh each day and drag it to the cross. Put on humility and let Jesus get the job done through your squeaky clean vessel! Note 2: We live in cynical times where such discontent as never seen before in history spreads ugly thoughts and accusations, first at the Christians of this country, as if to point an accusing finger at God for the messes we make. Wouldn't it be nice to see more bold believers preaching the gospel to these miserable and frightened folks and offering them some rest by it? God is on His throne; everything is as it should be. The cynics will always see us as drunk and/or living in a dream world. Nothing has changed since Peter's sermon was uttered here in Acts. Aren't you relieved that God is right? |
| Q. What else can I learn from Peter's sermon? | A. Acts 2:16 = Everything happening in all parts of the earth happen according to God's plan of salvation. All of it is under the control of our awesome God, who has a reason for everything that happens. |
| Q. Everything? |
A. Yes. Nothing is outside of God's control. Consider this list of mighty trials and know that God is in total control: |
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1. Earthquakes 2. Tornadoes 3. Hurricanes 4. Famine 5. Pestilence 6. Fires 7. Birth defects 8. Evil running rampant 9. Terrorism 10. Politics 11. Volcanic eruptions 12. Orphans 13. Dysfunction in families 14. False religion 15. Hypocrisy 16. Dictators 17. Prejudice 18. Abandoned children 19. AIDS/HIV 20. Cancer 21. Abortions 22. Tragedy 23. War 24. Nuclear weapons |
25. Space 26. World powers 27. Accidents 28. Recession 29. Deceivers 30. Mental illness 31. Alzheimers 32. Our pets 33. Creation 34. Ecology 35. Economies 36. Auto repairs 37. Technology 38. Life spans 39. Suffering 40. Draught 41. Starvation 42. Idolatry 43. (Insert your pet peeves here) 44. Ghetto life 45. Poverty 46. Class systems |
| Here's some homework for you. Make your own list of things that bother you about life; things that you tend to worry about. Now declare God's ultimate control and sovereignty in each thing you wrote down. Each one is a care you need to cast onto Jesus. He can handle your list! When things come up, entrust them to God's care. Be a prayer warrior on behalf of these things. Applying an ounce of faith to each thing in prayer will change our world and your perspective from one of cynicism to one of joy. Remember, Paul wrote Philippians while chained to a big Roman guard in a cell that was like a sewer. He wrote of his greatest joy while in that cell. His perspective was absolutely right. How much more joy he had when a free man! |
| Q. What other lessons are in Peter's sermon? | A. Acts 2:16 = Always look to the bible for your answers. Everything happens in God's perfect command. Events should produce a sense of hope for us, not hopelessness. |
| Q. I have heard that miracles and wonders ceased with the apostles' passing. Is this true? |
A. Acts 2:16�21 = No. Miracles and wonders began at the beginning of time, continued with Jesus and will not end until God decides it them to end. Note: We tend to believe only those things which are documented and known far and wide. If Joel prophesied miracles and wonders to be and Peter declared this time to include them, then I'll have to assume they are still here and never stopped. We don't have every incident of God's intervention onpaper. Even Jesus' miracles and wonders were not all recorded by far. But God has moved. Consider that God works best in broken vessels. He moves easily in a tiny portion of our faith. |
| Q. What is the proper perspective to have at all times? |
A. Acts 2:17�21 = We are living in the days Joel prophesied about. If every believer would take up the call of Joel, we would all be living in a world of God's daily interventions and He would bless us with all kinds of blessings. This world would turn to God and at least in any list, out of the 46 issues I mentioned, salvation would affect 9 natural disasters, 47 sociological problems, leaving us all problem-free. Even with those statistics, people will choose sin over God, so here we are! Focus on the task. Be a Joel believer and care about those things God has asked you to care about. Leave the running of the world ultimately in His hands. |
| Q.What does Joel say we should be doing? |
A. Acts 2:17�21 = 1) We get filled with the Holy Spirit 2) We prophesy 3) Young men see the future 4) Old men dream God's dreams 5) We see God's wonders in Heaven 6) We see God's signs on earth 7) We see the Lord arrive 8) We tell others to call onthe Lord and get saved. |
| Q. How does God endorse the believers' message? | A. Acts 2:22 = God does miracles and wonders and signs through us, as He did in Jesus. |
| Q. So chaos in the world simply follows God's prearranged plan? | A. Acts 2:23 = Yes. Non-believers do what God plans for themto do in order to fulfill God's purposes for all men. |
| Q. What should this knowledge give me? | A. Acts 2:26 = Joy, rest and hope. |
| Q. Hope? | A. Acts 2:26�27 = Yes. When we die, it is not the end, but the beginning of life. |
| Q. How did God show man this truth? | A. Acts 2:27�28 = By raising Jesus from the dead. |
| Q. And evil still lurks on earth, though we now know we'll all be raised from the dead? |
A. Acts 2:34�35 = Yes. God is on His throne with Jesus at His right hand, waiting for the time to deal with His enemies, once for all. Note: God is in control, Hallelujah! |
| Q. And God made Jesus both Lord and Messiah at the proper time? | A. Acts 2:36 = Yes. |
| Q. If I learn to speak about the Good News as Peter did, what will happen to those listening? |
A. Acts 2:37 = 1) They will be convinced deeply! 2) They will identify with you as a fellow human being and trust you to lead them to God. Hallelujah! |
| Q. What does it take for people to believe my message of the Good News? |
A. Acts 2:40 = Your 100 percent believing this Good News is true, so that you preach it with conviction. Note 1: My Sunday school kids all came up for the altar call after teaching a very convicting message. My heart poured out in this message of how urgent it was to be saved and even these young ones were convinced. Note 2: How do I know I'm preaching the Good News right? Put your hand on your heart. The message comes from your spirit to theirs. Youll feel it coming from there! |
| Q. Is it enough to hear the truth about who God is and what Jesus accomplished on our behalf? | A. Acts 2:41 = No. You have to believe it. |
| Q. Okay, I'm nodding my head in agreement. Is that it? | A. Acts 2:41 = No. This knowledge will bring radical change to your life. You have become part of the church. |
| Q. What is the church's role? |
A. Acts 2:42 = 1) To join believers together 2) There believers devote themselves to learning the Word of God 3) Fellowship with the believers (encouraging one another, counsel one another and pray for one another) 4) Have communion with each other 5) Pray with each other. Note: Notice this behavior is social. Christians should never isolate themselves on purpose. Find a healthy, dynamic fellowship that will encourage you. The fellowship of believers needs your encouragement too. |
| Q. What is evident that one is saved? | A. Acts 2:43 = A deep sense of awe comes over him. This awe never departs! The heart is changed forever and even in one strays, that first encounter with God is never forgotten, leading him home again. |
| Q. How often do believers get together? | A. Acts 2:44 = Constantly and consistently. Being with believers brings refreshment and revives faith. I love knowing others God has also touched! |
| Q. What cemented the faith of those first believers? |
A. Acts 2:43 = Miraculous signs and wonders performed by the apostles. Note: This is another reason to stay in fellowship; God tends to perform signs and wonders in churches! They always build faith. |
| Q. What also happens in church? | A. Acts 2:44�45 = Love for one another develops so that even rich folks share with poor folks. |
| Q. Where did these early believers meet? | A. Acts 2:46 = At the Temple (which fell in 60 AD). |
| Q. Where did they have communion? | A. Acts 2:46 = At their homes. |
| Q. Were there hungry believers? | A. Acts 2:46. Yes. The rich shared their meals with the poor. |
| Q. What was the attitude of the rich believers toward the poor? | A. Acts 2:46�47 = They shared with great joy and generosity, praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. |
| Q. Is this why the church grew so quickly? |
A. Acts 2:47 = Yes. Note: Who wouldn't want to be ppart of a church filled with non�judgmental, loving, joyous Christians? Way to go, first churches! |
| Q. Who grows a church? | A. Acts 2:47 = Jesus does. |
| Q.Did these believers have prayer meetings too? | A. Acts 3:1 = Yes. |
| Q. What can I offer a beggar if I don't have any money? |
A. Acts 3:6 = Prayer. Praying for a specific miracle to happen for his obvious needs, physical healing, etc. Here is a prayer for the telemarketer: "Dear Heavenly father, I lift up this telemarketer to You right now. Hold him in Your loving arms and let hi feel Your awesome presence. Reveal Yourself to him as his loving Father, Provider and Blesser of all we need beyond his wildest expectations. Provide now for him a noble and excellent career in which he will be honored and blessed; one that will provide satisfaction and make him a leader in his community. Bless his family, his house, his life in every detail and raise him up a strong son who knows his purpose, ministry and mission. May he bless many with Your Words, teach many of Your love and kindness, and make this time one part of his testimony spoken before his new brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Keep him safe and send your angels to guard his life this day forward. I thank You, Father, for the privelege of praying for him. In Jesus' name, Amen." Note 2: Don't forget who you are: One clothed in unpierceable armor on a mission to preach the Good News to the poor. Read Isaiah 61:1�2 = daily and meditate on it: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me Because the Lord has appointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted And to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." |
| Q. What happens to people who receive healing? |
A. Acts 3:8 = They become the appointed ones of Isaiah 61:1�2. The lame beggar of this passage responded to God as any believer did. The apostles responded to God the same way when the HolySpirit came over them. In 1) Proclaiming the Good News 2) Proclaiming release that God provides for every slave 3) Proclaiming comfort to those mourning 4) Proclaiming healing to the brokenhearted 5) Proclaiming that God is here |
| Q. And the beggar did this without even thinking about it? |
A. Acts 3:8�11 = Yes! He 1) Proclaimed the Good News to unbelievers seeking God 2) Displayed in his life that healing was there for the asking 3) Comforting and astounding those who knew him as lame 4) Healing their broken hearts. |
| Q. How did the apostles see this beggar's experience with God? |
A. Acts 3:12 = As opportunity to preach a sermon to ready hearts. Note: There is nothing like a miraculous event to ready a crowd for salvation? |
| Q. What are common errors people make about God? |
A. Acts 3:14�15 = 1) They can be totally wrong about who God is 2) They believe that God would hold their sins against them and take a lifetime to decide whether they are good enough for Heaven. |
| Q. What is true? |
A. Acts 3:14�15 = 1) God's plan works out in spite of our sins, great and small 2) Salvation was already thought out before the first man was born. In due time, it was accomplished without our help or deeds. |
| Q. What is ironic about Jesus' death? | A. Acts 3:15 = Jesus is the author of life, killed by those He created. |
| Q. Yet God knew that His own people would do it, didn't He? | A. Acts 3:15 = Yes. |
| Q. And this wasn't a problem for Him? | A. Acts 3:15 = No. Death is not a problem for God. It is simply only our problem! |
| Q. Why did this happen? | A. Jesus' sacrificial death was the final sin offering following 3,000 years of sin offerings required of every man in order to draw near to God. This Jesus' offering covered all past, present and future sins. The Levitical law was negated with a new law in its place; one of love. Love literally covered a multitude of sins. |
| Q. What is the irony of the law of love Jesus set in place by His death? | A. The rituals of the Levitical law were negated, yet people still look for false ways to earn the right to be near God. |
| Q. Why? | A. It is the sin of Cain still active. Cain tried to be accepted by God by the labor of his own hands. |
| Q. How do some people respond to the truth that they can't save themselves by their deeds? | A. In anger�even murderous anger at God and at those who draw near to God on His terms, which is through the law of love. Think about this: Abel had just made his offering to God, which God accepted by burning it up with a holy lightning bolt. Cain witnessed this. All the sudden, while in God's presence, Cain murdered Abel. Hisown brother! But what a way to go! One moment Abel is praying, the next, he is with God physically! |
| Q. What happens when one is murdered? |
A. His blood cries out for justice, which God gives. Note 1: Who have you hurt? When we sin, people get hurt. Ask God if you need to apologize to someone right now. Just for the purpose of covering all ground, repent of any hidden sadistic tendencies in you. By sadistic, I mean subconscious or blatant tendencies to exact revenge on people who may have hurt you. Gossiping about someone is one subtle way we take revenge. We are saved by the cross, but until we are made perfect, we are affected by Hell's lies and our own weakness for self�serving actions. Woe are we! I am humbled by that truth! God, show me my ways and keep my eyes up and my deceiving heart kneeling before You! Note 2: We need to search out hidden agendas in our lives. If there is a wrong behavior you have trouble with, no matter how hard you've tried to deal with it, cried and prayed for it to be lefted, it probably has its root in a bitter root tendency, which needs to be extracted like a bad tooth. It is important to learn what this root is so that it is possible to godly behavior in that area to be realized. Get to Cleansing Stream and allow God to show you how to do this. You will be blessed with more than you can ask or think as bad behaviors are removed permanently. Remember that your attitude toward your parents reflect in all your relationships. Bitter roots are born in grudges toward your parents. Lessons are learned in forgiving them for those same sins you can't seem to conquer. |
| Q. What are true about things out of our control? |
A. 1) God is the blessed controller of all things 2) God takes care of the sparrow; He'll take care of the problem even moreso 3) God laughs at tomorrow 4) Evil is always turned for good 5) I learn to trust God through releasing my problems to his care and anticipating what He will do with it 6) I don't need to carry any burdens. God can handle anything and He knows I cannot 7) God comforts and draws close to us at trying times 8) Psalm 23 "The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows, He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk Through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely Your goodness and unfailing Love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live inthe house of the Lord forever." |
| Q. So when trouble comes my way, can I still bless people? | A. Yes! Especially those who hate you. But when you know you are under attack but can't figure out where the enemy is coming at you from, pray a blessing on all your enemies, betrayers, weaker believers, relatives, children, etc., which covers all bases and will silence Hell. Here is a sample prayer: |
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"Dear Father in Heaven, Your name is holy and Your Kingdom cannot be stopped. I know this from reading Psalm 23:6. Hallelujah! Your will cannot be affected by the traumas of my life, so Psalm 23:4 says. I am so grateful for Your steadfastness, as it is written in Psalm 23:6. Bless my stomach with food this day (Psalm 23:1) and forgive me for my sins. I forgive any and all people this moment. My enemies, betrayers, the weaker believers in my life, relatives, friends, my children, my spouse, etc., for any and all sins committed toward me (Psalm 23:5). I know that You will not let any of these precious ones go too far so that I am hurt beyond repair (Psalm 23:1). Where they reject me, You, God of the universe, accept me (Psalm 23:6). Where they fail me, You are faithful to me (Psalm 23:6). Where they accuse me, You never accuse me (Psalm 23:5). Where they betray me, You are loyal to me (Psalm 23:5). Where they misunderstand my intentions, You know me perfectly (Psalm 23:4). Where they dishonor me, You lift me up (Psalm 23:5). Where hidden agendas rear their ugly heads against me, You are predictable in Your faithfulness to me (Psalm 23:5). You lay yourself open and bare in Your Word, so that You are not misunderstood (Psalm 23:3). Your ways are clear. Where I grow weary (Psalm 23:3) of these people, You never grow weary and will help them (Psalm 23:3). Where I give up on them (Psalm 23:3), You remain faithful to call them to Yourself (Psalm 23:6). Where their actions burden me, You gladly carry them for me (Psalm 23:5). Where they make daily life so difficult for themselves, You know how to lighten life and show them how to lighten their life, just as You show me how(Psalm 23:1). Where they don't seem to listen, Your Word is alive and seeds are planted (Psalm 23:3). Where they forget You, You never forget them (Psalm 23:3). Where they reject Your Word, you don't let one Word pass away (Psalm 23:6). When my life seems too heavy, it is because I am carrying things I shouldn't and You sometimes relieve me of those things without asking me to (Psalm 23:3). You are the living God who wants only the best for me (Psalm 23:6). Your will in my life is unstoppable (Psalm 23:6). Your sovereignty keeps me in aw of You (Psalm 23:6). Because of all these truths about You, I put on humility (Psalm 23:2). Have Your way in me (Psalm 23:3). Go ahead of me and show me Your highest purpose for me (Psalm 23:6). In Jesus' name, Amen." Note 1: It is best to insert the name of whoever is on your last nerve, one at a time, if there is more than one, and repeat the prayer on each one's behalf. Write down the names here. Say a generic prayer on behalf of whatever category you think no one is in. We forget! Don't forget to pray for your parents! Print out this prayer and insert the names of people who affect you now. "Dear Father in Heaven, Your name is holy and Your Kingdom cannot be stopped. Halleluiah! Your will cannot be affected by the traumas of my life and I am so grateful for Your steadfastness. Bless ________________'s stomach with food this day. forgive _________ for his sins. I forgive any and all people this moment. My enemies _______________, betrayers _________________, weaker believers _______________, relatives _____________, friends ____________, my children ________________, my spouse ______________, others _____________________________________________- for any and all sins committed toward me. I know that You will not let __________________ go too far so that I am hurt beyond repair. Where ___________rejects me, You, God of the universe, accept me. Where _________ failed me, You are faithful to me. Where ____________ accused me, You never accuse me. Where ___________ betrayed me, You are loyal to me. Where ____________ misunderstood my intentions, You know me perfectly. Where ___________ dishonored me, You lift me up. Where hidden agendas rear their ugly heads against me, You are predictable in Your faithfulness to me. You lay Yourself open and bare in Your Word, so that You are not misunderstood. Your ways are clear. Where I grow weary of _____________, You never grow weary and will help him. Where I give up on _______________, You remain faithful to call him to Yourself. Where _________'s actions burden me, You gladly carry it for me. Where ___________ makes daily life so difficult for himself, You know how to lighten life and show him how to lighten his life, just as You showed me how. Where ___________ doesn't seem to listen, Your Word is alive and seeds are planted. Where ____________ forgets You, You never forget him. Where ________ rejects Your Word, You don't let one Word pass away. When my life seems too heavy, it is because I am carrying things I shouldn't and You sometimes relieve me of those things without asking me to. You are the living God who wants only the best for ____________. Your will in ___________ life is unstoppable. May Your sovereignty keep ___________- in aw. Because of all these truths about You, May ___________ put on humility. Have Your wan in __________'s life. May You go ahead of ___________ and show him Your highest purpose for him. In Jesus' name, Amen." Now just to keep the balance, here is a prayer of blessing. Let God's love bless those all around you. For a mother... ___________, May your life be blessed and be a blessing to all those around you. May God grant you wisdom in your daily mothering decisions, finances and career. May you forgive and honor your parents and thus heal all your relationships. May you be an excellent mother to your child. May you be confident in your decisions for your life. May Jesus go before you in all that you do. May you remember to let Jesus carry all your burdens. May you desire to know God better through His Word. May you find happiness in all you do. May you never lose hope. May you have discernment and knowledge. May you reach the goal weight you desire. May you see your true worth through God's eyes. May salvation come to you and your family. May God's angels protect and keep you. For a daughter... ______________, May God bless your spiritual gifts and anoint you for service to Him forever. May your future husband be a godly man who will praise you in the gates. May any shadows over you be lifted. May your communication be pure and understandable. May your companions be pure and holy. May you honor your parents always. May you let Jesus carry your burdens. May your friendships be restored. May goodness wash down on you. May your heart be pure. May you know God's peace and forgiveness. May you know the joy of repentance. May You always let God lead you in your daily walk. In Jesus' name, Amen." |
| Q. What lie does the devil consistently repeat to the world? | A. Acts 3:15 = That men killed Jesus and therefore they killed God. That we have no hope and no God. |
| Q. What is true? |
A. Acts 3:15 = In God's power, death has no sting. What men did to Jesus was supposed to happen in order to save us. The miracle of the resurrection demonstrated this to man. Note: God reveals Himself when He has our attention. He had the world's attention at the cross. All knew, except for a few, that Jesus was wrongly accused. The world was captivated by Jesus' sentence of death by His own people. Remember that Jesus healed numerous people from all over the world and He was made famous by it. What a great plan God had for raising Jesus from the dead while a captive world looked on! Jesus healed, God raised Him. Welcome to the next level! Our calendars mark the day. A.D. stands for "after resurrection." |
| Q. How did the lame man get his healing? |
A. Acts 3:16 = 1) In the name of Jesus 2) By his faith in Jesus' name. Note: Simple! Heal in the name of Jesus, believing Him able to and wanting to heal. |
| Q. Does God hold the Jesish leaders and teachers responsible for killing Jesus? | A. Acts 3:17 = No. |
| Q. Why not? |
A. Acts 3:18 = God was at work, fulfilling the Scriptures in Jesus' death. Note: God doesn't hold our foolish deeds against us, but always works in them to accomplish His will. |
| Q. What is God's will? |
A. Acts 3:19 = 1) That we turn from our sins 2) That we turn to God 3) So we can be cleansed of our sins. Note: I repent, God cleanses. No striving to try to be good. I turn from sin. I stay away from sin by focusing on God, not by trying not to sin. God cleanses me. |
| Q. What is true of Jesus? | A. Acts 3:18 = Jesus was required to suffer all He did in order to save us. |
| Q. Needlessly? Not because of His sins? | A. Needlessly. A sacrifice in its very essence is taking something pure and giving it up. No reward for myself, but it blesses others.. In this case, it made permanent salvation possible for us, negating the Old Covenant and installing the New Covenant which began with Jesus' death. The temporary animal blood for the permanent Jesus' blood. |
| Q. What benefit is there on earth to being a believer? |
A. Acts 3:20 = 1) We have wonderful times of refreshment from being in the presence of the Lord God (and can live this way permanently) 2) We know Jesus will come again when the time is ripe. |
| Q. When will Jesus come back? | A. Acts 3:21�22 = At the final restoration of all things. God promised the prophets long before this would happen. |
| Q. Where does it say in the Bible that this is return of Jesus will happen? | A. Deuteronomy 18:15, 19; Leviticus 23:29; Acts 3:23. |
| Q. Who began talking about the events of Jesus' coming and dying? | A. Acts 3:24 = Samuel. |
| Q. What familiar verse states God's plan through mankind? | A. Acts 3:25; Genesis 22:18 = "God said to Abraham, "Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed." |
| Q. What did this verse mean? |
A. Acts 3:26 = 1) God's servant came through Abraham to the Israelites to bless them (this happened in the apostles and their commission) withthe ability to turn from their sinful ways. Note: All this was not possible before Jesus' death. We are blessed to be living in the New Covenant times, where we have permanent help with victory over sin, thanks to the Holy Spirit. Samson's life was a tragedy because he didn't have the benefit of being inthe presence of God. We can turn from our sins, but with no steady focus on the presence of God, we return to ourselves and our sin. Thank you, Jesus! Samson is saved too! |
| Q. What did Jesus' resurrection do? | A. Acts 4:2 = Jesus' resurrection showed God's power to save men and showed us too that there was indeed life after death. |
| Q. How do I answer people who demand an explanation of my faith? |
A. Acts 4:8 = Wait for God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Be humble and let God speak only. Note: The flesh rises up when attacked. Don't respond to the attack right away, or your flesh will take away God's opportunity to work. When my flesh rises up, I tremble. Do you have a cue as to when you need to wait on God to speak? |
| Q. When did Jesus become the cornerstone of the church? | A. Acts 4:10 = After He was raised from the dead. |
| Q. Was this prophesied? | A. Acts 4:10 = Yes; in Psalm 118:22. |
| Q. How does God reason with sinful men? |
A. Acts 4:8�31 = The same way we need to share about what we are here for: 1) Wait for the filling of the HolySpirit (v.8) 2) State the accusation plainly (v.9) 3) Ask what question the person wants answered (v.9) 4) Give him a full answer�with boldness�in as short a time as possible. (Intend to expound on the details later. I love Peter's answer: "...in the name and power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead." Note: Break down this answer and see how complete it is: 1) A name is given (v.10) 2) His supernatural strength is stated along with His name (v.10) 3) His position in the universe is given next (v.10) 4)The relationship that the seeker has to Jesus (v.10) 5)The person's sin against him (v.10) 6) God's sovereignty over this sin (v.10) 7)God's sovereignty that controlled every outcome, as confirmed in prophecy (v.11) 8)The final answer that God planned salvation and it went exactly according to plan (v.12). |
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Q. Now here is an exercise for you. Ready? Learn how to introduce yourself to an unbeliever and in the meantime, remind yourself of the truth of who you are in the universe. |
A.Sample answer: "Joseph, Pool Technician of North Hollywood, California, are you questioning me because I pray for and feed the poor? Do you want to know how this man's prayers were anwswered? I'll state it clearly to you and all the USA that he was healed in the name and power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, theman you chose to disobey every day, but who is not stopped by death or your sins. There is salvation in no one else. Note: The irony stands. Instead of believing because a person is healed, people are focused on the source of the healing. They question us because we heal instead of giving praise to God who reveals Himself in miraculous works. The only way to talk with such folks is in great faith. State plainly whose name you come in. "In the name and power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!" |
| Q. How do I learn to speak like Peter? | A. Acts 4:32 = Peter spent three years with Jesus, who taught him everything he needed to know about God's plan for us from the beginning of time. So read the Scriptures. The effectiveness of your Words is only as powerful as your knowledge of the Scriptures. Your courage to speak plainly about God's Word and plan comes with your meditations onGod's Word. God tells us all about who He is in the Word. Meditation intensifies His Word. Then when we are confronted directly, the Holy Spirit will fill us and our excitement about God will be overwhelmed by Him. The passion of God is revealed in us and we have to burst forth with the truth. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! "There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of Heaven for people to call on to save them!." (Acts 4:12). |
| Q. Are there a variety of ways to eternal life? | A. Acts 4:12 = No. There is only one God; one way. That is through Jesus; the way He died opened wide the gates of Heaven for everyone. |
| Q. Who can evangelize the world? | A. Acts 4:13 = People who have been with Jesus. They spend time in His Word and in prayer and relationship with Him. This makes for boldness too! |
| Q. Is it necessary to provide physical evidence or documentation when declaring God's healing? | A. Acts 4:14 = If you can, physical evidence helps to silence doubt. God will provide what you need to minister to unbelievers. Surprisingly, most just need to hear that God loves them and wants them near. |
| Q. Even with evidence present, do people still doubt God's people? | A. Acts 4:15�18 = Yes. They may not deny the miracle itself, but they will reject Jesus, in whom they spoke the miracle into happening. |
| Q. What did Peter and John preach? |
A. Acts 4:20 = Their own personal testimonies about all they saw and heard while with Jesus. Note: Is your testimony clear? Are you still excited about what God has done in your life? When you list your blessings, when you speak of answered prayers and God's personal care for you, when you recall and consider all that is happening in your life, you will be excited! Homework: What has God done in your life this year? What are you thankful for? ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Acts 4:20 = "We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard." Note: I like to keep track of the events of my life so that I can recall God moving in them. I will track these events month by month, starting from six months back. If you do this exercise, you will see God working in your life. Have fun! Oh, and use your wall callendar as a quick place to write things down for use later on. |
| Q. How blinded were the members of the Jewish Council? | A. Acts 4:21�22 = So blind that they didn't consider that everyone around them was praising God for miracles of healing happening right before them. |
| Q. How long had this man been crippled? | A. Acts 4:22 = More than 40 years. |
| Q. What prophecy was fulfilled when these leaders blatantly rejected Jesus in this man's miracle? | A. Acts 4:25; Psalm 2:1�2 = God forsaw these leaders rejecting their Messiah, so they'd reject miracles done in His name as well. |
| Q. What did Peter and John do after their release from jail? | A. Acts 4:23�28 = They went to the other believers and stood together in awe of God and the ancient prophesy having been fulfilled before their eyes.. They prayed and quoted the Scriptures. |
| Q. In light of this, what else did they pray? |
A. Acts 4:29�31 = They asked God for greater boldness in their preaching, for healing power and that many miraculous signs and wonders be done through Jesus, His holy servant. Note: Boldness comes from God for the asking. If you feel timid, ask for courage; if you feel weak, ask for strength; unloved? Ask for God's love, etc. We have a variety of emotions. The devil distracts us so that we don't ask God for what we lack. Only He can distribute His gifts. Make a listof how you are feeling today. Ask God in Jesus' name, to give you what you lack. |
| I feel... | I ask God for... | Scripture |
| troubled | peace | ? |
| sad | happiness | ? |
| angry | forgiveness | Matthew 5 |
| insecure | assurance | Psalm 139:1�2 |
| frustrated | trust in Him | Psalm 23 |
| worried | trust in Him | Psalm 23 |
| Anxious | trust | Psalm 23 |
| persecuted | peace | Psalm 52:4�5 |
| judged wrongly | trust | Psalm 23 |
| resentful | forgiving | Matthew 5 |
| intimidated | courage | Psalm 140:12 |
| overlooked | validation of me | Psalm 139:17 |
| insignificant | significance | Psalm 139:17 |
| rejected | acceptance | Psalm 142:7 |
| ignored | notice | Psalm 139:17 |
| devalued | value | Psalm 139:13�18 |
| alone | comfort | Psalm 139:18 |
| Q. Did God answer Peter and John's prayer? |
A. Acts 4:31 = Yes. All the believers got boldness and were filled with the Holy Spirit. God even shook the building to confirm Himself. Note: Sometimes I feel like I am on the outside of what the Holy Spirit is doing in a church. I'm not all too sure of the direction that a church is taking is of God and I have so many unanswered questions. But when God fills that place with His undeniable presence, I rest in Him to fulfill His plan. Being God's servant, we go forward by faith, letting Him direct our steps. "A man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his steps." God is able to teach any church body how to follow Him. If the thoughts and intentions of the body of Christ in a church is pure, it will be okay. Hallelujah! |
| Q. What does prayer do for the body of Christ? |
A. Acts 4:32�37 = 1) Prayer unites hearts and minds 2) Prayer Gives you a right perspective on wealth and what it is for 3) Prayer makes you not overlook your brother in need 4) Prayer Makes us speak boldly for God, with humility, so that we're not merely speaking in the flesh 5) God's favor comes on everyone praying so that the rich really know how important the poor are to God. But they support the church leaders, trusting their money to them to distribute to the poor. Note 1: How trustworthy is your church with equalizing the poor? Whatever a poor person may say to one offering him a coin, he needs much more to get out of his poverty. Equalize the poor; set them on their feet, so that they can function fully. As a bonus, they will learn how to do this for others. And their passion to help others will be all the more genuine, as they know where the poor are coming from. Note 2: There was a group of people in their 20s and 30s who bought a piece of land in the country, intending to share everything they had. They lasted a very short time. They built a community center and were working on individual houses when they decided to call it quits. It was a beautiful, creative work. So what happened? They wanted an Acts 4 church! I believe they didn't have the prayer covering going into the project, nor the humility to stick to it. Non of them were ever the same thereafter and there was much disappointment all around. Folks, we need God's power resting on us before and during church�planting. If we don't yield to Him every jot and tittle of it, we operate in our own limited gifts, talents and abilities. Humility trusts in God by faith. God only bears good fruit. God uses all churches to accomplish His will, if will will submit to Him in humility. I want to be part of something new. I know that God will provide partners and finances to see it through in His timing. Meanwhile, I praise Him for being God and wanting to do the work of guiding and appointing. If any goal is to show God in a real and practical way to the people, then I only need be His vessel of honor in it and let Him move freely about through it all. Father God, I want to do something new for You. Like Peter and John, I am just a poor vessel, willing to yield to Your will in it all. Help me to stick to Your Word, to desire the Acts 4 church's perspective, to truly and permanently bring relief to poor believers. Inflation is not a factor to You, Father. Grow this church up Your way. Shove me violently out of the way if I get stubborn. Raise up whom You will to take part in this work. May it be a church like the house You are building for us now in Heaven. I fall under Your protection. In Jesus' name, Amen. Note 3: My challenge right now is carving this path toward new things for God apart from my secularly placed, career�oriented husband's path. He is content to follow me in on my path, but is himself used up completely at the end of each working day. I've had to pull away from my vision to consider long�range goals. I realize that my husband doesn't need to do significant things in this work that God is leading me in, nor is it his calling, though he is a pastoring engineer at work! But he is enthusiastic to see what happens next. I'm sure that the Proverbs 31 woman didn't bring her husband with her to the four corners of the earth to get something on sale! The whole picture of her is that she is busy with her own calling and her husband praises her for it. I realize that God wants me to do something new, so I am laid out as God's servant. I've been the servant of my family, but my children are now grown. Are you in this same place, fellow mothers? What work for the Kingdom of God is laying on your heart today? |
| Q. Do we have a biblical model of a church very different than what we see today? | A. Acts 4:24�37 = Yes. The biblical model of a church touched on all the people's strengths and dealt practically with the use of money. |
| Q. How so? | A. Acts 4:24 = 1) The Body of Christ was a refuge. Not a building, but a family of support and folks who were there to learn about current events as they crossed a Kingdom path. We should be able to run to fellow believers when we've been beaten up by Hell�and they should respond with help. |
| Q. How? |
A. Acts 4:24 = 1) Lifting up their voices with you in prayer 2) Acknowledging God as Lord of all 3) Speaking to mankind in the Old Testament about these current events 4) Declaring what is happening now as being God's sovereign will and plan 5) Acknowledging God as hearing the threats made against you 6) Asking for boldness to preach anyway 7) Asking for power to heal, do miracles and wonders in Jesus' name. |
| Q. What happens when I pray this way with my brethren? |
A. Acts 4:31 = 1) Maybe the building will shake 2) You will be mightily filled with the Holy Spirit 3) Boldness will come 4) There will be equalization in cash flow in the body 5) God's favor will come. |
| Q. Why did Ananias and Sapphira die? |
A. Acts 5:2�11 = They lied about their generosity. Note: Do't lie to anyone. Especially the people of God! If you want to do something for god, don't make yourself look better by exaggeration. Please God by spending time with Him each day, letting Him teach you His Word and praising Him, who owns all things. Get your heart right. Life is like a game of chess. Don't make a move until you've considered all the options. In the believer's case, let Jesus get between you and every decision. He will play for you, having all�knowledge of the best moves already. Pause and pray before making decisions, before speaking, before responding. I try to visualize Jesus walking before me when I'm on the move; or be aware that He is beside me when I'm making a decision. Where is God when you go about your day? Even when I write these words, I ask God for wisdom. Jesus sits beside me to teach me His Word. If you have incorporated a steady picture of Jesus in your moment by moment life, you won't think to sin like Ananias and Sapphira because you will see Jesus even when you speak! |
| Q. Did the group of believers who prayed in Acts 4 get their prayers answered? | A. Acts 5:12 = Yes. They performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. |
| Q. Where did they meet? | A. Acts 5:12 = At the Temple in the area known as Solomon's Colonnade. |
| Q. What did the high priest and his Saducee friends think of these miraculous works done on behalf of anyone who asked for a miracle? | A. Acts 5:17 = They were violently jealous. |
| Q. Were they a viable threat to the apostles? |
A. Acts 5:18 = Yes. They held power to arrest them and did! Note: What a contrast in displays of power! The apostles held God's power and the high priest held human power. |
| Q. Did the apostles' ministry to the people suffer for it? |
A. Acts 5:19�21 = Not at all. They were visited by angels the first night in jail and freed by them. Formerly, they performed miracles to show God wsa with them. Now they could preach to the people in the same Temple about their angelic deliverance! It gave them a testimony to share. Note: Be sure to speak of all that God is doing in your life. We take for granted God's protection and daily deliverance. Remember that the world doesn't know God is on a one�to�one level with His people. People want to know that God cares about them on a personal level. |
| Q. What did the Israeli leaders think of this divine jailbreak? |
A. Acts 5:24 = They were perplexed by it, but only because this miracle complicated their plan to stop them. Note: Unbelief is looking at miracles and declaring they don't mean a thing. This is the state of many medical professionals who see miracles on a daily basis. They know beyond a doubt they had nothing to do with a particular healing, yet they move on to the next case without really considering the ramifications of the event. It's a borderline ungrateful response! |
| Q. How did Satan work in the minds of the Israeli leaders of this time? | A. Acts 5:31�32 = Peter preached a loving, forgiving God to them; a God who arranged that the death of His Son would mean salvation of everyone�the Holy Spirit who was given to all who believed�and all the Israeli leaders could think of was murder to the messengers of this Good News. This is Satan's method. If he can scream lies in your ears about what is going on now, you'll miss the Good News message completely. |
| Q. What fear trapped these leaders' minds? |
A. Acts 5:28 = They thought the apostles would have them sentenced to death for killing Jesus. Note: Fear factor! What do you fear that is a total lie from Hell? Make a three�column list. In the first column, write the lie. In the 2nd column, write the truth. In the 3rd column, find a verse to confirm this truth. I'll get you started with my list: |
| Lie | Truth | Verse |
| My body is spent because I'm middle�aged | God heals me for the asking at any age | Deuteronomy 33:25 = "May your strength match your days." |
| My children are lost. | God saves our children. We begin raising them, but God finishes it. |
Proverbs 14:26 = "Those who fear the Lord are secure. He will be a place of refuge for their children." Philippians 1:6 = "And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." |
| Q. Did any of the Israel leaders consider what the apostles preached? | A. Acts 5:34 = Yes. An expert of religious law named Gamaliel said that if what they preached were just another false messiah's lie, they the apostles' teaching would just fade away as did two others did before them. |
| Q. Who rose up claiming to be Messiah before Jesus came? | A. Acts 5:36�37 = Theudas and Judas of Galilee (not Judas Iscariot). Both were killed and their followers scattered. |
| Q. What concerned this man, Gamaliel, about Jesus' claim to be Messiah? |
A. Acts 5:39 = He didn't want to be in a position where he was representing God and fighting Him, which is impossible to do. Note 1: Wishy�washy people! Gamaliel neither believed nor disbelieved. He would not consider for himself this teaching from the apostles' lips, but used his cleverness to try to evade judgment from God for rejecting Jesus. God can see us and knows immediately who seeks whole�heartedly after Him. This is who He loves. The heart believes by faith. The miracles confirm what the heart suspects is true. Try applying faith. Trust God in all things. Bless always by faith. No matter how bad your circumstances are, God has asked us to bless enemy and friend alike. We do it by faith in God. The sheep of this world can be distracting. Stick your head above the flock and keep your eyes on the Shepherd. Note 2: Fighting against people is something we just don't do. God loves every human ever born. Don't fight or hate those God loves. He asks us to pray for enemy and friend alike. Pray for enemies He loves. |
| Q. What are some sacrifices a person makes when becoming a Christian? |
A. Acts 5:41 = 1). A Christian may suffer dishonor because he left the devil's camp, which makes him the devil's enemy.
2). A Christian may suffer dishonor because spiritually blind people want to be our leaders and we walk away from them to follow God directly. We end up showing them up by miracles and healing they never could do, but always desired to do. Note: If you think about it, both the devil and unsaved men are mad at God for saving whomever He wishes and granting them special abilities too. Instead of being mad at God, one should approach His throne and become one of His children for the asking! |
| Q. Did the Israeli leaders listen to Gamaliel's advice? | A. Acts 5:40 = Yes. But they still had the apostles flogged before releasing them with a warning to shut up about the Good News. |
| Q. Did that discourage the apostles? | A. Acts 5:41 = No. They rejoiced that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus' name. |
| Q. Where did the church meet? |
A. Acts 5:42 = At the Temple and in homes. Note: Ever feel like having a party to gather people together for some fun? Consider having a home church or meeting. Christian gatherings are theme parties. We sing to God, share what God is teaching us this week in His Word, we pray, we lift up each other and learn a bit of His Word together. All are welcome and no one has to have their keys taken away from them at the end of the evening! It mustn't be a brief get�together. Studies have shown that in any human gathering, it takes 45 minutes for folks to relax and enjoy themselves. There is a good reason why people linger after church on a Sunday morning. We crave intimate fellowship. |
| Q. Did the apostles stop their message preaching? | A. Acts 5:42 = No. They upped the game and were even more busy teaching Jesus' Messiahship. |
| Q. What happens in a growing church? | A. Acts 6:1 = Discontent; problems that need fixing. |
| Q. What did one church struggle with? | A. Acts 6:1 = Christian Jews were favoring their widows over Greek Christian widows. |
| Q. How did they handle the problem? | A. Acts 6:3 = The apostles had a meeting and decided it wasn't their calling to deal with anything but prayer, preaching and teaching the Word. They told the believers to chose seven leaders who would qualify well to deal with this problem. |
| Q. What qualified them? |
A. Acts 6:3 = 1) They had to be well�respected by all 2) They had to be full of the Holy Spirit 3) They had to be filled with wisdom. |
| Q. And who would put them in charge officially? |
A. Acts 6:3 = The apostles. Note: Democracy at its best! |
| Q. What is the lesson here? | A. Acts 6:4 = Everyday problems distract ministers from praying, preaching and teaching the Word. God bless those who watch over the sheep who need special help! |
| Q. How were the seven selected initiated into their offices? | A. Acts 6:6 = They were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. |
| Q. How did the Good News spread? | A. Acts 6:7 = In ever widening circles in Jerusalem first. |
| Q. Did Israelite leaders tire of this? | A. Acts 6:7 = Yes, and many of them were saved! |
| Q. Did other people besides the apostles perform miracles and signs? | A. Acts 6:8 = Yes! Stephen did. |
| Q. How did God qualify Stephen? |
A. Acts 5:8 = 1). Stephen was a man full of grace. Note: Grace is a wonderful qualifier! It means that a graceful one doesn't judge or presume on anyone, and that he understands God's mercy on even the most unapproachable, vulgar, filthy, stinky, sickly, oozing, drooling, unlovable, AND self�righteous, pharisaical, judgmental, beautiful, rich, poor, shamed, humiliated people on earth. He knows God loves and wants us all saved and so approaches people that way. All these kinds of people and more make up the whole of mankind. 2) A merciful one is given power by God to perform amazing miracles and signs among the people. |
| Q. What happened to other lay preachers at that time? | A. Acts 6:9 = They began their own synagogues. One was called "Synagogue of Freed Slaves." |
| Q. Did they stick to God's Word? | A. Acts 6:9 � 10 = Not really. They began debating with Stephen. This is never a good thing, as God's Word is ignored, bringing disunity and shame to the church. |
| Q. Were these folks Gentiles? | A. Acts 6:9 = Yes., coming from areas outside of Israelite country. |
| Q. What did they lack? |
A. Acts 6:10 = Wisdom of the Word and the Holy Spirit's leading. Note: I am a lay preacher. Stephen's testimony lights me up today. Wisdom alone cannot reach people. The Holy Spirit knows how to reach each one of us. Otherwise, we attempt in vain to reach the lost. |
| Q. So we need wisdom from God's Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us to speak rightly? | A. Acts 6:10 = Yes. |
| Q. What did these debaters want from Stephen? |
A. Acts 6:11 = His life. Only a well�planned and planted lie could get him in trouble with the Jewish leaders. Note: Be on your guard! Don't debate. God will defend Himself. Debaters argue! Satan argues! God does not argue or debate with us. He reasons with us in His Word, gently and lovingly as a father trying to convince His errant child to return home to Him. |
| Q. What were the lies said about Stephen? |
A. Acts 6:11 = 1) Blasphemy against Moses and God 2) That he spoke against the Temple constantly 3) That he spoke against the law of Moses constantly 4) Claiming that Jesus would destroy the Temple 5) That Jesus intended to change the customs Moses handed down to the Israelites. |
| Q. What did Jesus teach about the Temple? |
A. 1) Mark 11:17 == It is a house of prayer, which was turned into a den of thieves, thanks to the Jewish leaders. 2) Mark 13:2 = The Temple will b completely demolished, but not by Him. 3) Luke 2:46 = Jesus taught in the Temple when He was twelve years of age. 4) Luke 2:49 = Jesus called the Temple, "My Father's house." 5) Luke 5:14 = Jesus told the healed leper to go to the high priest (in the Temple) to be examined. He took the required offering as Jesus instructed him. 6) Jesus was dedicated in the Temple, as Moses instructed. 7) Luke 6:3�5 = David ate bread set aside for the priests alone, then gave some to his friends. They broke the law of Moses, yet God let them live because they broke it because they were hungry. In other words, the law is not so rigid as the Jewish leaders thought. |
| Q. What did Jesus teach about the Law of Moses? | A. Luke 10:25�38 = Jesus clarified the Law of Moses for everyone. |
| Q. What did Jesus teach about the customs Moses handed down to them? | A. Luke 11:42 � 12:3 = That the customs Moses handed down were misused and twisted to please the Pharisees. |
| Q. What else did Jesus teach about the Temple? | A. Luke 12:11 = People would be dragged to the Temple and falsely accused; even the religious leaders who accused them would blaspheme the Holy Spirit in order to find these innocent ones guilty. Jesus had prophsied about Stephen's death previously in Luke 12:11�12. |
| Q. What else did Jesus teach about the Law of Moses? | A. Luke 13:15�17 = He clarified the Law of Moses again. |
| Q. What else did Jesus teach about the Temple? | A. Luke 13:34�35 = The Israelites took ill care of the Temple and it would be empty. That they ran away from their God (Jesus yearned for their return), but one day, they would hail His return. |
| Q. What else did Jesus teach about the Law of Moses? |
A. Luke 14:1�6 = 1) He clarified that the Law of Moses was not rigid 2) That the Law of Moses spoke of attitudes of the heart. |
| Q. What else did Jesus teach about the Temple? | A. Luke 22:53 = He wasn't arrested in the Temple because the powers of darkness couldn't go near it. The powers of darkness had full power to arrest Jesus outside, through its work in weak and lost souls. |
| Q. What else did Jesus teach about Moses and the Old Testament? | A. Luke 24:25�27 = In it is all the prophecies of Jesus' coming death and resurrection. Also read about it in Luke 24:44�46. |
| Q. Did the disciples forsake the Temple after Jesus ascended into Heaven? | A. Luke 24:53 = No. They returned to the Temple and spent all their time there praising God. |
| Q. So basically all the charges they brought against Stephen were direct lies? | A. Acts 6:11 = Yes. And I just showed you how they were lies, so you could see how the devil twists truth to destroy us. Pray and fast! Fellowship and guard your heart with the true Word of God. |
| Q. After the religious leaders and the people were in an angry lather, what happened? | A. Acts 6:15 = God made STephen's face to shine as bright as that of an angel! |
| Q. Who witnessed this event? |
A. Acts 6:15 = The religious leaders. NOte 1: God is my defender! Hallelujah! Note 2: Why give revelation only to the council members, the religious leaders? Even this unfortunate event was destined to teach some people truth. These councilmen needed to see God and then having faced the stark truth, to decide to follow Jesus or not. It means they honestly did not know that God had been with them on earth in Jesus. I'm so glad that God can pick me out of a crowd of staunch unbelievers! |
| Q. How did Stephen defend himself before the council? | A. ACts 7:1�50 = Since he was accused of blasphemy and speaking against Moses and the prophets, he told the entire story in a nutshell, of the people of Israel from Abraham to present, quoting Scriptures all the way. Not one false word was spoken; nothing could they disagree with! He confirmed in the SCriptures that he was innocent. |
| Q. Why did they become angry at him then? | A. Acts 7:51�54 = Because he then told them that they had to be heathens and deaf to not see that he spoke for God and not against Him. |
| Q. What was the problem behind their inability to see the truth? | A. Acts 7:51 = They resisted the Holy Spirit�an act of the will. |
| Q. Is this why Israel as a nation disobeyed God? | A. Acts 7:51 = Yes. |
| Q. What does not listening to the Holy Spirit do to us? |
A. Acts 7:52�53 = 1) It makes us persecute God's annointed. These include all the prophets and John the Baptist, and finally, Jesus Hiself 2) It makes us deliberately disobey God's Word, though we know God's Word was received from the hands of angels. This was referring to those angels who heralded Jesus' birth. Note: I was accused falsely by an intelligent Christian man who loved the Lord, but who relied on his gut feelings instead of the Holy Spirit. I feel for Stephen and sympathize deeply! |
| Q. And they refused to acknowledge the truth still? |
A. Acts 7:54 = Yes. They threw a mighty temper tantrum. NOte: As humiliating as it may be, especially in front of a crowd, acknowledgment of sin and repentance following is better than acting like a trapped rat. Even so, God gave them another chance to see Himself. |
| Q. How? | A. Acts 7:55�56 = Stephen saw God and asked them to look with him at God in wonder. |
| Q. Did they? | A. Acts 7:57 = No. They put their hands over their ears and drowned out Stephen's voice with their shouts and rushed at him, dragging him out of the city and stoning him to death. |
| Q. How did Stephen respond? |
A. Acts 7:59-60 = 1) Asking Jesus to receive his spirit 2) not to charge his murderers with this sin. Note: When it comes down to it, we go see Jesus, either ending in violence or peace. Let God be God. Step aside so He can work unfettered by our imperfections and lame attempts at being holy. The battle is already won! Jesus' house awaits! |