The first administrative action of the early Christian community, which numbered about 120 believers (Acts 1:15), was to choose a successor to Judas. Read Acts 1:21-22. What qualifications was the successor to Judas expected to have? Why would these be so important? The need was for a witness of Jesus’ resurrection (compare with Acts 4:33); this is crucial because … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “You Will Be My Witnesses” 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 the HopeTV … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Jesus commanded His followers to bear witness to His saving message. He also provides the Holy Spirit to accomplish our work. Lesson 1, July 7, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 1: 6-8. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. … Continue reading –>
In His reply in Acts 1:7-8, Jesus made no commitment with regard to time. Yet, the natural implication of His words was that right after the Spirit came and the disciples completed their mission, He would return (see also Matt. 24:14). The angels’ remark (Acts 1:11)also did not answer the question as to when the kingdom would come, but … Continue reading –>
The Book of Acts. Imagine being a Christian in the early church just days after Christ has returned to His throne. Would you feel lonely? Abandoned? Discouraged? Or eager to get on with the work of evangelizing the world for Jesus? Based on what we know about early church history, how do you think the young … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 1:9-11. How does Luke portray the ascension of Jesus? What is the significance that there were two angels speaking to them (see Deut. 19:15)? Luke’s account of the ascension is rather brief. Jesus was with the disciples on the Mount of Olives, and while still blessing them (Luke 24:51), He was taken up to heaven. The language, … Continue reading –>
Welcome to the Third Quarter Lesson studies for 2018. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you….” says our Memory Text: Hymn 269 – “Come, Holy Spirit”. Then the disciples left everything to follow Him: Hymn 623, “I Will Follow Thee, my Savior”. Sunday’s lesson raises three important points: Jesus suffered … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 1:8. Instead of indulging in prophetic speculations, what were the disciples expected to do? There are four important elements in this passage concerning the disciples’ mission: The gift of the Spirit. The Spirit had always been active among God’s people. According to the prophets, however, there would be a special endowment of the Spirit in … Continue reading –>
There are two kinds of Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, one that anticipates a kingly Messiah who would rule forever (Ps. 89:3-4, Ps. 89:35-37; Isa. 9:6-7; Ezek. 37:25; Dan. 2:44; Dan. 7:13-14), and one that predicts that the Messiah would die for the sins of the people (Isa. 52:13-53:12; Dan. 9:26). Such prophecies do not contradict each other. They just point to … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 1:6-8, Luke 24:25, Luke 24:44-48, Deut. 19:15, Acts 1:9-26, Prov. 16:33. Memory Text: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NRSV). Jesus’ mission on earth was finished. God would soon … Continue reading –>
