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Early Ministry of the Church and Opposition. Acts 3-7. Early Ministry of the Church. Questions for chapter 3 Where were Peter and John going? How long had the healed man been lame? Why was Jesus sent into the world?. Early Ministry of the Church.
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Early Ministry of the Church • Questions for chapter 3 • Where were Peter and John going? • How long had the healed man been lame? • Why was Jesus sent into the world?
Early Ministry of the Church • Peter and John's healing of the lame man and teaching (3:1-4:31). • Peter and John's healing at temple beautiful gate (3:1-10) • Healing drew people to hear the gospel message • Were going there at the "hour of prayer" (3:00 pm) • last prayer time of the day • many people present • Healed at the temple gate the man lame from birth who was begging for "alms" (gifts of charity). • In the name of Jesus • Immediate • People knew him as being lame • People were filled with amazement and wonder
The Temple Area Beautiful Gate?
Early Ministry of the Church • Peter's teaching of the people (3:11-26) • Peter teaches that the power is from God who raised Jesus(3:11-12). • Not by their own piety • This same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (3:13-15). • Glorified His Servant Jesus whom they had disowned even though Pilate was willing to release Him (Servant - Isa. 52:13f.) • Disowned the Holy and Righteous One • Asked a murder to go free • Put to death the Prince of life, "the one whom God raised from the dead" to whom they witness. • Healed on the basis of faith in His name, Jesus (3:16)
Early Ministry of the Church • Peter calls for their repentance (3:17-26) • They acted in ignorance like their rulers • Christ suffered to fulfill prophecy • "Repent and return" so sins may be wiped away • Period of restoration of all things (20-21) • God will send Jesus after time given for people to repent. • Spoken of by the prophets (Deut. 18:15, 19) • Prophet like unto Moses = Jesus • Listen to Him • Those who do not listen will be destroyed
Early Ministry of the Church • All the prophets from Samuel on announced the time when all the earth will be blessed through Abraham's seed (24-26). see Gen. 22:15-18 • They are sons of the prophets and the covenant made with Abraham (Gen. 15:16; 17:1-21) • God raised Christ first for them that they might be blessed and turn from their wicked ways. • New Covenant • Jer. 31:31 • Lk. 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25; 2 Cor. 3:6; Heb. 8:8, 13; 9:15; 12:24
Early Ministry of the Church • Important events to remember in chapter 3 • Healing of the lame man at the temple gate. • Preaching to the people to repent.
Early Ministry of the Church • Questions for chapter 4 • Who is arrested? • To what court were those arrested taken? • What charge was place against those arrested? • How old was the lame man who was healed?
Early Ministry of the Church • Jewish leaders actions toward Peter and John (4:1-22) • Peter and John arrested (4:1-4). • They were preaching Jesus and His resurrection • Placed in jail over night • Results of teaching: church grew to over 5,000 men. • As the church grew, opposition became stronger. • Jewish leader could not control.
Early Ministry of the Church • Peter and John before the Sanhedrin (4:5-22) • Sanhedrin was the ruling council of elders (4:5-6). • High court of the Jews • Annas= high priest (deposed by Rome but considered the High Priest by the Jews) • Caiaphas (A.D. 18-36) = son-in-law of Annas and successor • People of high priestly descent, John and Alexander • Decided on matters of Jewish religion. • Sanhedrin questions Peter and Paul's authority (4:7) • What power or in what name did they do "this."
Early Ministry of the Church • Peter's reply to the Sanhedrin (4:8-12) • Filled with the Holy Spirit (see Mat. 10:16-20). • "If" on trial for healing, it is by the name of Jesus. • By Jesus whom they crucifiedand God raised from the dead. • He is in good health because of Jesus (10). • Quote of stone rejected became the corner stone (Ps. 118:22). • Salvation only in Jesus (4:12)
Early Ministry of the Church • Sanhedrin's reply to Peter and John (4:13-18) • Noted the confidence and abilities though they were uneducated. • Recognized they had been with Jesus. • Recognize the lame man had been healed and it cannot be denied. • Sanhedrin was not sure what to do so confer in private to decide what to do about their activities. • Sanhedrin decides to forbid them to preach in the "name of Jesus.
Early Ministry of the Church • Peter and John's response to Sanhedrin (Read 4:19-22) • Released with more threats to quit preaching because they found no basis for punishing them and fear of the people who witnessed the miracle of healing a 40 year old man that they all knew.
Early Ministry of the Church • Christians response to Jewish leaders' threats (4:23-31) • Peter and John report back to the other Christians the events (23). • Church prays (24-30) • David prophesied through the Holy Spirit about the persecution (Ps. 2:1-2). • Gathered against "Thy Holy Servant Jesus." • Request to they will speak God's word with confidence. • Request God's hand to heal, do signs and wonders through the name of Jesus. • Results of the prayer (31). • Place they were gathered was shaken and filled with Holy Spirit • Spoke the word of God with boldness.
Early Ministry of the Church • The continued spiritual struggle and spiritual growth of the church (4:32-5:11). • Generosity of Christians (4:32-37). • Church was sharing with the needy. • Apostles were witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus. • Church members were bring gifts, even selling houses and property to be used for the needy. • Joseph the Cyprian (called Barnabas by the apostles) sold land and gave the proceeds to the apostles. • Barnabas means "son of encouragement."
Early Ministry of the Church • Barnabas - "son of encouragement.“ • Brought Paul to the Apostles (Acts 9:27) • Went on 1st missionary journey with Paul (Acts 11:22) • Defended the ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 15:2) • Disagreed with Paul on taking John Mark on 2nd missionary journey • John Mark was Barnabas’ cousin (Col. 4:10)
Early Ministry of the Church • Things to remember in chapter 4 • Peter and John before the Sanhedrin • Church prays for boldness and continues to teach even when persecuted
Early Ministry of the Church • Questions for chapter 5 • What was Annanias’ and Sahira’s sin and why did they do it? • Where were some of the activities of the early church taking place? • Who is arrested ? • Who defended the disciples that were arrested? Why?
Early Ministry of the Church • Hypocrisy and sin of Christians (5:1-11) • Ananias and Sapphira conspire to deceive the church. • They could have kept it all if they wanted to (4). • There sin was to lie to the Holy Spirit (3). • Also lied not to men but to God (4). • Great fear fell upon the church (11).
Early Ministry of the Church • Growth of the church and opposition from the Jewish leaders (5:12-42) • The church grows (5:12-16). • Apostles were performing many signs and wonders. • In Solomon’s portico. • None of the rest dared to associate with them. • People held them in high esteem. • Many men and women were constantly being added to their number. • Great many sick taken to the apostles and people with unclean spirits, even when Peter's shadow to fall on sick. • People came from surrounding towns.
Early Ministry of the Church • Purpose of miracles, signs and wonders • Help faith (Jn. 4:46-53; 20:30-31) • Confirm the word (Mk 16:20; Heb 2:3-4) • Confirm Jesus was sent from God (Lk. 4:16-21; Jn. 3:2; 11:42, 45) • Point to Jesus’ spiritual authority (Lk. 11:14-20) • Proof of Jesus’ power to save (Mt. 9:1-8)
Early Ministry of the Church • Opposition of the Jewish leaders (5:17-42) • Apostles arrested and place in jail (5:17-18). • High Priest (the Sadducees). • Rescue of the apostle by an angel (5:19-21a). • Angel opens the gate of the prison. • Angel tells them to preach the whole message of this Life. • They go to the temple at daybreak and preach.
Early Ministry of the Church • The apostles brought before the Sanhedrin - Jewish supreme council of elders (5:21b-32) • Council convened and prisoners sent for but not found in prison. • Guards reported the gate securely locked and guards still posted but no prisoners which greatly perplexed (see 24). • Someone comes and tells them they are in the temple teaching (25). • Captain of the guards and officer told to bring them without violence for fear of being stoned by the people. • The council's concern. • Filled Jerusalem with the teaching. • Bring Jesus' blood upon them.
Early Ministry of the Church • The apostles brought before the Sanhedrin - Jewish supreme council of elders (5:21b-32) • Peter's response to the Jewish council • Must obey God rather than men. • Tells them about God raising Jesus. • Tells them He is exalted to the God's right hand. • Jesus is Savior to grant repentance to Israel. • Grant forgiveness of sins. • The are witness • Holy Spirit witness who is given to those who obey God (Acts 5:32).
Early Ministry of the Church • Jewish leaders response to the apostles teachings (5:33-40) • Intend to kill them. • Pharisee Gamalieladvice • Saul’s teacher who become the Apostle Paul • If there work is of men it will be overthrown as others like Theudas(unknown) and Judas of Galilee (possible zealot around A.D. 6). • If they are doing the work of God they cannot overthrow them and would even be fighting against God. • The Jewish leaders take Gamaliel advice. • They flog them. • Tell them not to speak in the name of Jesus then release them.
Early Ministry of the Church • Apostles leave the council rejoicing (5:41-42) • Considered worthy to suffer same for Jesus. • Kept teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. • In the temple. • From house to house. • Two important events to remember in Chapter 5. • Ananias and Sapphira • Apostles arrested for teaching brought before the Sanhedrin
Early Ministry of the Church • Questions for chapter 6 • Why were the seven men chosen to serve the church in Jerusalem? • Who was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin?
Early Ministry of the Church • Choosing seven men to serve in the church (6:1-7) • Problem arose as the church was growing fast. • Hellenistic Jews complained that the Hebrew Jews were overlooking their widow in receiving food. • To solve the problem the twelve apostles discuss the issue • Twelve point out the need to continue Jesus mission. • But there is a need in the church as well.
Early Ministry of the Church • Choosing seven men to serve in the church (6:1-7) • Seven men to be chosen to be in charge of the task to care for the Hellenistic widows • good reputation • full of the Spirit and wisdom • The twelve will continue to devote themselves to prayer and ministry (service of the word). • Congregation agreed and selected them (5). • Apostles prayed and laid their hands on them. • Word of God continued to spread. • Number of disciples was increasing in Jerusalem. • Great many priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Early Ministry of the Church • Stephen before the Council in Jerusalem (6:8-7:60) • Stephen’s activities (6:8-10) • Full of grace • Performing wonders and signs among the people. • Synagogue of Freedmen argue with Stephen. • They were unable to cope with his wisdom. • Charges against Stephen (6:11-14) • Brought before the Sanhedrin • Stephen said Jesus will destroy the temple and alter the customs of Moses that have been handed down • Got people to falsely accuse him of blasphemy • Blasphemy means slander or contemptuous speech against God, temple, or the Law • Council saw his face like the face of an angel (6:15)
Early Ministry of the Church • Things to remember in chapter 6 • Choosing of the seven to serve the church • Stephen arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin
Early Ministry of the Church • Questions for chapter 7 • What was the point of Stephen’s sermon? • What was the response to Stephen’s sermon and what happened to him? • Who was helping those who condemned Stephen?
Early Ministry of the Church • Stephens defense (7:1-53) • Abraham and covenant of circumcision (7:1-8) • Traces the promise of the Messiah who is Jesus • Joseph, Moses, and freedom from Egyptian bondage (7:9-37) • Quote of a prophet like unto Moses from Deut. 18:15 (37) • Israel in the wilderness and faithlessness (7:38-44) • Worship of golden calf • Wanted to return and not enter the promised land • Joshua and dispossessing the nations (7:45) • Building of the temple (7:46-50)
Early Ministry of the Church • Stephens defense (7:1-53) • Condemnation of the Jewish leaders (7:51-53) • Uncircumcised - not really in a covenant relationship (that is not following the covenant made with Abraham – not believing). • Resisting the Holy Spirit (they see the miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit and hear the teaching but refuse to believe). • Acting like their ancestors who persecuted and killed the prophets. • Those prophets had announced the "Righteous One" who they are the betrayers of and murders of. • They receive the law ordain by angels but do not keep it.
Early Ministry of the Church • Stoning of Stephen (7:54-60) • Jewish leaders are angered (7:54) • Stephen is full of the Holy Spirit looks up into heaven, see the glory of God & Jesus standing at His right hand (7:55) • Stephen express what he see (7:56). • Reaction of the Jewish leaders (7:57-60). • Rush at him and take him outside the city. • Lay their garments at Saul's feet. • Stone Stephen • Stephens words, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." • "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Early Ministry of the Church • Two important events to remember in chapter 7 • Stephen’s defense to the Sanhedrin. • The stoning of Stephen, first Christian martyr.