“And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads’ ” (Acts 9:5, NKJV). Although Saul’s persecution of the early church begins rather inconspicuously (as he only holds the coats of Stephen’s executioners), it quickly intensifies (see … [Click to read more …]
Saul of Tarsus first appears in Acts as one involved in the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58) and then in connection with the more wide-scale persecution that broke out in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-5). Peter, Stephen, Philip, and Paul play a significant role in the book of Acts because they were involved in events that led … [Click to read more …]
Introduction to The Gospel in Galatians The Protestant world is getting ready to celebrate the 500thanniversary of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther — guided by the Holy Spirit — brought to millions crucial biblical truths that were long hidden under centuries of superstition and tradition. One could argue that out of the pages of … [Click to read more …]
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 6:9-15, Acts 9:1-9, 1 Sam. 16:7, Matt. 7:1, Acts 11:19-21, Acts 15:1-5. Memory Text: “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life’” (Acts 11:18, NKJV). It’s not that hard to understand Saul of … [Click to read more …]
Further Thought: Even amid the heavy theology, Peter’s letters put a strong emphasis on Christian life and how we should treat one another. In other words, yes, we need to know the truth as it is in Jesus. But even more important, we need to live the truth, too. Early on, we get these grand … [Click to read more …]
Sabbath School Lesson Notes is a simple but nicely formatted Word file (.docx format) with the entire quarters weekly and daily lesson titles, memory verses and space to fill out notes for your personal study of the lesson. At the end of the week it can be printed out and taken to class to either … [Click to read more …]
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Major Themes in 1st and 2nd Peter” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from … [Click to read more …]
Read the following passages. What do they say about the Bible that could help us to understand today what its role should be in our lives and faith? 1 Pet. 1:10-12 2 Pet. 1:16-20 2 Pet. 3:2 2 Pet. 3:16 In his second letter, Peter confronts false teachers. He directs his readers to two sources … [Click to read more …]
Read the following passages. What does Peter say in these texts about the importance of both government and church leadership, and how Christians should respond to both? How should his words be applied to our situations today, regardless of where we live? 1 Pet. 2:11-21 1 Pet. 5:1-5 Peter lived at a time when Christians … [Click to read more …]
Read the following texts, and note what is said about future events: 1 Pet. 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Pet. 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time … [Click to read more …]
