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Bible 9: KtB101 ch 9. The Book of Acts: The Church is Born. Acts 2:42. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. . Acts 2:42.
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Bible 9: KtB101 ch 9 The Book of Acts: The Church is Born
Acts 2:42 • They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42 • They _______ themselves to the apostles’ _______ and to ________, to the _______ of bread and to ______.
The Rocket Ship called the church • The church of Jesus Christ, which was born after Jesus ascended into heaven, is like a rocket ship on an amazing journey. • You are one of its many astronauts on a mission. • Don’t just read the Book of Acts as a history book. Read and study it as a manual for your Christian life.
First, a Little history & How’d it happen? • Acts was written by Luke the physician, the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament. • Acts is really a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. • Acts gives the context for every N.T. letter except 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. • How did it all happen? The mission, means, message, and method designed by God Himself.
The mission: go into all the world • The book of Acts starts with the Great Commission. • Jesus’ mission: tell the world about me. • The disciples watched as Jesus “was taken up into the sky” long enough for angels to tell them “So what are you waiting for?”
When were Christians First called Christians? • Christian is the common designation of anyone who believes in salvation through Jesus Christ. • It only appears 3 times in the Bible. • Acts 11:26 – “It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.” • Since it has lost some meaning in today’s culture we use the term Christ Follower.
Reflective Writing #11 - p254[Revised #2] • List some ways you can “go into all the world” without ever leaving your hometown. Is anything preventing you from doing these things right now? Due Tuesday
Bible 9: KtB101 ch 9 The Book of Acts: The Church is Born
Acts 2:42 • They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42 • They _______ themselves to the apostles’ _______ and to ________, to the _______ of bread and to ______.
The Means: by the power of the Holy Spirit • Jesus left the means to carry out the mission. The fuel to burn in the rocket ship is the Holy Spirit. • Seven weeks after Jesus returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers on a day known as “the day of Pentecost.”
The Holy spirit in the life of the believer • God the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the Trinity, which also includes God the Father and God the Son. • God is not just near us; he is inside us – forever. • Wherever and whenever God has acted, the Holy Spirit has been present. • eg– Creation, writing God’s Word, Jesus’ Birth etc.
The Holy spirit in the life of the believer, cont. • The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles and Christians: • Power – to perform miracles, cast out demons, and speak in other languages. • Understanding – of Jesus’ teachings and the Bible. • Comfort – the Holy Spirit is also known as “the Comforter” bringing divine encouragement. • Guidance – to guide and direct believers. • Inspiration – breathed into writers of the Bible.
Bible 9: KtB101 ch 9 The Book of Acts: The Church is Born
Acts 2:42 • They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42 • They _______ themselves to the apostles’ _______ and to ________, to the _______ of bread and to ______.
The Message: Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. • Peter was an unlikely candidate to lead, but he preached a powerful message on Pentecost. • Acts 2:21 – “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” • Peter became the first leader of the new church and its most powerful preacher. • When you get an opportunity, be ready to explain what your faith in Jesus is all about from a perspective that is both personal and historical.
Don’t say you’re sorry Apologetics Theology The study of God. A theologian is one who has thoroughly studied Bible doctrines, which are the beliefs and principles presented in the Bible. • Not the same as “excusing yourself.” • An apologist is someone who knows how to answer questions about the Christian faith.
The Method: The Church • Peter invited the people listening to receive Jesus into their lives. • The Bible says that “about three thousand in all” were added to the church because they “believed what Peter said.” • God was initiating his method– the vehicle to carry the message to the ends of the earth was – and still is – The Church.
Discussion • Read Acts 2:42-47. • How do our modern churches differ from the early Church? • What do we have in common?
The Church is a body • The church is not a place. • The true church is made up of believers who share the common experience of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. • When you become part of a local church, God uses you and your unique and special gifts to help spread his message.
The World’s greatest missionary [paul] • Saul hated the Christians and their message. • Jewish leaders trumped up charges against Stephen and sentence him to death. • Saul was a witness at Stephen’s execution. • Stephen became the church’s first martyr, which is a name given to anyone put to death for professing his or her faith. (discuss other ways the term “martyr” is used for clarification)
The least likely candidate [paul] • Saul’s conversion experience is on the road to Damascus (where he was going to persecute more Christians). • Saul was knocked to the ground and Jesus called out from Heaven, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me!” • In an instant Saul was transformed from the greatest persecutor of Jesus and his followers intoPaul, the greatest advocate the church would ever have.
compare/contrast • Compare and contrast Peter & Paul • Occupation: Luke 5:1-11, Acts 18:3. • “Religious” training: Acts 4:13, Mark 1:16-17, Acts 22:3, Acts 23:5-6. • Healings: Acts 3:1-10, Acts 5:15, Acts 14:8-10, Acts 19:12. • Legal history: Acts 4:3, 5:18, 12:3, 16:23-24, &21:27-36. • Who they preached to: Acts 4:5-12, Acts 5:29-32, Acts 22:30-23:6 & Acts 26:1-29 • Views on Gentiles: Acts 15:1-12 • Mission Field: Page 245 in KtB101 • Published Works: See Bible Index
To the ends of the earth [paul] • Paul personally established dozens of churches. • Missionary Journey #1 – Asia Minor – 45AD • Paul teamed up with a man named Barnabas • Missionary Journey #2 – Europe – 50AD • Paul built a new team that included Silas, Luke (the biographer), and Timothy. • Missionary Journey #3 – Turkey • Paul was arrested in Ephesus and eventually sent to Rome
The legacy of acts • Justin Martyr – the earliest Christian apologist. • Irenaeus - refuted Gnosticism and explained doctrines. • Origen – defended the Christian faith against heretics. • Jerome – translated the Bible into Latin. • Augustine of Hippo – the greatest thinker between the early church and the Reformation.
Discussion • Read “How they died” on p 251. • Suffering was a common factor in Christian life and in the membership of the early Church. Why was suffering so common back then? • Why is it not as common today? • Is this a good thing or a bad thing?