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God Initiates the Church. Acts 1-2. God Initiates the Church – Acts 1. Discussion Questions for Acts 1 What was Jesus speaking about over the 40 days He went about revealing himself after His resurrection? Where were the disciples? Where did Jesus tell them to wait?
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God Initiates the Church Acts 1-2
God Initiates the Church – Acts 1 • Discussion Questions for Acts 1 • What was Jesus speaking about over the 40 days He went about revealing himself after His resurrection? • Where were the disciples? • Where did Jesus tell them to wait? • Where were the disciples to go as witnesses for Jesus? • What were the disciples to wait for? • Who replaced Judas as one of the apostles? • Indian man read the life of Christ and Acts and noted that he wanted “to belong to the church that carries on the life of Christ.”
God Initiates the Church – Acts 1 • Luke’s second book (1:1-2): Acts is written to the same person as the Gospel of Luke • To Theophilus • The first book recorded what Jesus did until he ascended into heaven after giving instruction to his disciples. • Between Jesus’ resurrection and Ascension (1:3): Jesus appeared to various people over a 40 day period • Convincing proofs • Speaking about the kingdom of God
God Initiates the Church – Acts 1 • Christ’s Ascension (1:4-5): Gathers His disciples together on the Mt. of Olives(1/2 mile from Jerusalem) • They are to wait to receive the promise from the God, the baptism with the Holy Spirit • Wait in Jerusalem for the promise (Lk. 24:49) (1:4-5) • This would take place 10 days later on the day of Pentecost • Baptism with the Holy Spirit to witness • Holy Spirit give to those who obey (Acts 5:32) • Five types of baptism in the Bible (Eph. 4:5 note one baptism) • Baptism of John (Lk. 3:3; 7:29-30) • Holy Spirit (Matt. 3: 11; Lk. 3:16; Acts 1:4, 5) • Fire (Matt. 3:11, 12) • Great Commission (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16) • Suffering (Mk. 10:38, 39)
God Initiates the Church – Acts 1 • Christ’s Ascension (1:6-11): Gathers His disciples together and tells them to stay in Jerusalem • His disciples ask if he is restoring the kingdom to Israel but • Jesus says that is not for them to know • Jesus tells them what is important for them to know • They will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them and they are to be Jesus’ witnesses to the whole world --Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the whole world. See Lk. 24:44-48; Mt. 28:18-20 (I am with you to the end of the age) • Lifted up to heaven and two men in white said Jesus would return the same way He left • Mt. 26:64 • 1 Th. 4:17
God Initiates the Church – Acts 1 • Replacing Judas (1:12-26): Left the Mt. of Olives and went into Jerusalem • Meeting in Jerusalem after leaving Mt. of Olives • The eleven devoting themselves to prayer • Mary, the mother of Jesus and Jesus’ brothers • 120 people together • Judas’ place among the apostles filled • Death prophesied (Ps. 69:25) • Position filled (Ps. 109:8) • Qualifications for new apostle • Accompanied apostles during Jesus’ ministry – John’s baptism on • Witness to Christ’s resurrection • Matthais selected by prayer and casting lots
God Initiates the Church – Acts 1 • Replacing Judas (1:12-26): Left the Mt. of Olives and went into Jerusalem • Disciple = a follower or a student • All Christians are to be followers of Jesus • Those who learn Jesus’ teaching • Apostle = means “sent one” and is a disciple sent out by Christ • There were the 12 sent out by Jesus • Later apostles • Paul • James - brother of Jesus (Gal. 9:19) • Barnabas (Acts 14:14) • Others sent out by churches
Acts and Jerusalem Herod’s Palace Golgotha Temple: Ct. Gentiles Mount of Olives Gethsemane
God Initiates the Church – Acts 1 Discussion Areas • Over a forty day period Jesus was peaking things concerning the kingdom of God (1:3) • Mt. 12:28; Lk. 11:20; 17:20-21 • Lord’s Prayer and kingdom • What the Father had promised (1:4) • Clothed with power on high • Lk. 24:49 • Jesus will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven (1:11)
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 Questions to Answer in Acts 2 • What is happening in Acts 2? • What is preached? • How was Jesus shown by God to be from God? • Whose plan was it for Christ to die? Why? • What question did the people ask and what was the answer?
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Baptism with the Holy Spirit (2:1-13): Events occur on day of Pentecost – filled with Holy Spirit • Miraculous signs - wind and tongues as of fire • Filled with the Holy Spirit • Spirit gave them ability to speak in other languages • Jews and proselytes from various countries present to celebrate Pentecost have opportunity to hear the gospel in their own language • Disciples were given power to speak other languages • Proselytes important in new churches • People wondering what it all meant • Carry gospel back with them
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Peter’s Pentecost Sermon (2:14-36): Peter explains the events of on Pentecost point to Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ. • Peter, with the eleven, explains the meaning of the event 2:14-21). • Not drunk (only 9:00 am) but fulfilling prophecy. • Prophecy from Joel 2:28-32 (prophesied ~ 835 B.C.) • Holy Spirit will be poured out on all flesh (Lk. 24:49; Acts 12:33) • People will prophecy, dreams, and visions • Wonders, sun to darkness, moon to blood indicate a day of great importance - Christian age (2:19-20). • Salvation available to those who call on the Lord - a time people can accept salvation (2:21)
Gentiles/Cornelius Acts 10:44-46; 11:15; 15:8 Receive power Lk. 24:49; Acts1:8 Gift of Holy Spirit Indwelling Acts2:38; 5:32 (Titus 3:5-7) (Rom. 8:9-11) Apostles People Gifts or miraculous given by laying on of apostles hands Acts 8:15; 19:6 JESUS SENDS HOLY SPIRIT Lk. 3:16 Acts 2:33 Acts 2:17 Baptism in/with the Holy Spirit Gifts of the Spirit varied (1 Cor. 12:4-31) Love is greater than the gifts (1 Cor. 13)
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Peter’s Pentecost Sermon (2:14-36): The significance of Jesus the Nazarene • 1) Attested to them by God by the miracles and signs Jesus performed in their midst(2:22) • 2) Crucified according to God's plan by Godless men (2:23) • 3) God raise from the dead; the greatest sign (2:23-24) • Death cannot Hold him in its power. • 4) Old Testament prophecy, Ps. 16:8-11, show Jesus was to be raised (2:25-32) • Peter points out David died and was buried and his tomb is present among them so the prophecy is not about him (29).
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Peter’s Pentecost Sermon (2:14-36): The significance of Jesus the Nazarene • David was prophesying that God would set one of David's descendents on the throne (30). Jesus was a descendent of David • Jews easily accept Messiah sitting on David's throne. • Difficulty with believing resurrection. • David looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of Christ (31) • not abandoned to Hades (death) • body would not decay • God raised from the dead to which they, the disciples, are witnesses (32)
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Peter’s Pentecost Sermon (2:14-36): The significance of Jesus the Nazarene • Explanation of the events they are witnessing (2:33-36) • Jesus exalted to right hand of God. • Promised received from God. • Holy Spirit sent to confirm promise (Lk. 3:15) • Poured forth which they see and hear (Lk. 24:49) • Prophecy of Christ's exaltation in Ps. 110:1.
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Peter’s Pentecost Sermon (2:14-36): The significance of Jesus the Nazarene • Peter wanted to show that God made Jesus the Lord and the Christ whom they crucified • Christ = Messiah; anointed one • Three witnesses to Christ as Messiah • O.T. scriptures • Apostles • Holy Spirit
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Peter’s Pentecost Sermon (2:37-47): People’s response to the events of Pentecost and the apostles teachings. • The people's response (2:37-42) • Question of what they are to do if they believe Christ is the Messiah. • Peter's instructions. • Repent - turn away from sin and turn toward God in belief and obedience. • Be baptized - immersed (Acts 8:36; Rom. 6:1-7) • In the name of Jesus • For the forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12-13; Gal. 3:27)
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 People’s response to the gospel God’s Grace – Undeserved Gift Christ People’s Response Unbelief Belief • No following God’s teaching • No repentance • Christ not Lord of one’s life • No baptism • No obedience to God • Following God’s teaching • Repentance • Christ Lord of one’s life • Baptism • Obedience to God
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Repent and baptized a person receives (2:36-39): • Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:19; Gal. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:5; 1:22; Titus 3:5) • Forgiveness is for everyone - whoever calls upon the name of the Lord. • Your children – Jews • Those far off - Gentiles • Further teaching (2:40) • Many other words to be saved
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Actions of those who received Peter's word (2:41-42) • Baptized • 3000 added to the church (see also 2:47) • Devoted themselves to the apostles teachings • Fellowship - sharing food, material goods, in Christ. • Breaking of bread = meals/Lord's Supper • Prayer (synagogue style worship)
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Apostles continuing ministry and growth of the church (2:43-47) • Signs and wonders being done through the apostles • Attested to the message (sign - first by Jesus now apostles – Mk. 16:17-20; Heb. 2:3-4 • Unity in Christ (foundation of church Eph. 2:20-22) • Shared with the needy • Continued in the temple • Breaking bread house to house (probably hospitality) with sincerity of heart. • Praising God • Finding favor with all people • God kept adding to their number (47) • 5. Three things to remember from Acts 2. • a. Baptism of the Holy Spirit • b. Peter's sermon • c. People's response to Christ and the beginning of the church
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • What we see the early follower of Christ doing as the church forms in Jerusalem (2:43-47) • Evangelism and teach • Service – help the poor and needy • Worship – praising, adoration and living for God individually and as a body of believers • Edification – encourage and build-up • Fellowship – strengthen and support
God Initiates the Church – Acts 2 • Fourthings to remember from Acts 2. • Baptism with the Holy Spirit • Peter's sermon • People's response to Christ – repentance and baptism • The beginning of the church