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Witnessing

Turning The World Upside Down

Introduction
Contents
Principal Contributor
Helps
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The book of Acts begins with a short account of Jesus' last days on earth, after which Luke swiftly moves into his stirring portrayals of the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church. He begins these portrayals with a description of Jesus' followers as they are being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), an event that launched them into the world with a power never before seen.

The imagery in Acts 2:3 symbolizes the will of God for all Christians and the goals all Christians should have:

(1) the communication of the gospel (tongues), and

(2) the sanctifying presence of God, which purifies us of sinful characteristics and sets our hearts aflame with the desire and the power to witness (fire).

Just as these tongues of fire "separated and came to rest on each of them" (NIV) in the upper room, so each of us can be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to communicate the gospel with energy and passion. This quarter, travel with your fellow Sabbath School members through the book of Acts to learn not only how the early Christians witnessed but how you can apply their methods to your particular place and time.

As you study, keep in mind those you know who have not committed their lives to Jesus Christ. Ask God what part He would have you play in their conversion. Then as Jesus' followers did, not only in the beginning of Acts but throughout the entire book, pray without ceasing for the Holy Spirit's power. Then the glory and the story of Acts will be not only theirs but yours as well!

This Bible Study Guide does not discuss all the illustrations of witnessing that exist in the book of Acts. "The whole of the book of Acts should receive careful study. It is full of precious instruction; it records experiences in evangelistic work, the teachings of which we need in our work today."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1051. In addition to studying this guide, why not see what other examples of witnessing in the book of Acts you can find?


Contents:  (no frames)

No. Study
Date
Topic

1

Jul 1 Witnessing: A Christian Fundamental  (KJV)

2

Jul 8 The Power and Joy of Witnessing  (KJV)

3

Jul 15 Participants in Witnessing  (KJV)

4

Jul 22 The Recipients of Witnessing  (KJV)

5

Jul 29 The Action Words of Witnessing  (KJV)

6

Aug 5 Models for Witnessing  (KJV)

7

Aug 12 The Tools for Witnessing  (KJV)

8

Aug 19 Approaches to Witnessing  (KJV)

9

Aug 26 Church Life and Witnessing  (KJV)

10

Sep 2 Structures for Witnessing  (KJV)

11

Sep 9 Places and Occasions for Witnessing  (KJV)

12

Sep 16 Errors and Setbacks in Witnessing  (KJV)

13

Sep 23 Postwitnessing Activities  (KJV)

14

Sep 30 The Results of Witnessing (KJV)


Meet the Principal Contributor to This Guide

Carlos G. Martin, originally from Uruguay, is presently serving in the Northern Asia-Pacific Division as Ministerial Association secretary, Global Mission director, Health Ministries director, and Adventist Global Communication Network director. Formerly he served as assistant Seminary Dean, chair of the Department of Applied Theology, Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, and professor of Missions, for six years, at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, located in the Philippines.

While serving in pastoral ministry for almost twenty years in the South American, Inter-American, and North American Divisions, Pastor Martin organized eleven churches and baptized 2,224 souls. As a professor, he offered an average of two evangelistic efforts a year and baptized 1,165 souls. He has conducted major evangelistic efforts in Argentina, Australia, El Salvador, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, the United States and offered training on soul winning in more than twenty countries. He has a B.A. in Theology from River Plate Adventist College, Argentina; an M.A. in Religion from Andrews University; an M.Div. and a Ph.D. in Missions from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas. He was ordained as a minister in Costa Rica, in 1979.

Pastor Martin is married to Nolly Kalbermatter, who is a teacher by training. They have two children. Christian, their son, is serving as a pastor in Michigan, and their daughter Melissa is studying Education at Southern Adventist University. The Martin family enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling together.


Giardina Sabbath School Study Helps

Jerry Giardina of Pecos, Texas, assisted by his wife, Cheryl, prepares a series of helps to accompany the Sabbath School lesson. He includes all related scripture and most EGW quotations. Jerry has chosen the "New King James Version" of the scriptures this quarter. It is used with permission.  The study helps are provided in three wordprocessing versions Wordperfect; Microsoft Word;  RTF for our MAC friends; and HTML (Web Pages).


Last updated on August 19, 2000

Editorial Office: 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.
Principal Contributor: Carlos Martin.
Acting Editor: Lyndelle Brower Chiomenti.
Editorial Assistant: Soraya Homayouni Parish.
Art and Design: Lars Justinen.
Pacific Press Coordinator: Paul A. Hey.

Copyright © 2000 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. All Rights Reserved.


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