Further Study: “The persecution that came upon the church in Jerusalem resulted in giving a great impetus to the work of the gospel. Success had attended the ministry of the word in that place, and there was danger that the disciples would linger there too long, unmindful of the Saviour’s commission to go to all the world.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Forgetting that strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service, they began to think that they had no work so important as that of shielding the church in Jerusalem from the attacks of the enemy. Instead of educating the new converts to carry the gospel to those who had not heard it, they were in danger of taking a course that would lead all to be satisfied with what had been accomplished. To scatter His representatives abroad, where they could work for others, God permitted persecution to come upon them. Driven from Jerusalem, the believers ‘went everywhere preaching the word.’ ”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 105.
Discussion Questions:
- Read carefully the Ellen G. White quote above about the dangers the early church faced in regard to being satisfied with themselves and what was accomplished through them. First, it means that, contrary to popular notions, many Jews did indeed accept Jesus as the Messiah. But even more important, what warning should we as a people take away from this today? How can we be sure that we aren’t getting too caught up in protecting what we already have, as opposed to doing what we really should be doing—reaching out to the world?
- By the time of the apostles, the relations between Jews and Samaritans were marked by centuries of fierce hostilities. What can we learn from the fact that Philip, likely a Jew, bore witness of Jesus in Samaria? Even as Seventh-day Adventists, we are not immune to cultural and ethnic biases. What should the Cross teach us about how we are all the same before God? What, too, should the universality of Christ’s death teach us about the infinite value of every human being?
- How did Philip approach the Ethiopian (Acts 8:27-30)? How can we be more open to opportunities to share the gospel with others?
- What have we learned from Acts 6-8 that might help us to fulfill the church mission more effectively?
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Saturday: Preach the word - Word of God is to be our message
Sunday: Jealousy -
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
Monday: full of faith and power - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Tuesday: Truth - The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.
Wednesday: full of the Holy Spirit - It is impossible to see heaven with human eyes. You MUST be born again.
Thursday : Spread of the gospel - The world could not shut the believers. The more they were afflicted the more they multiplied and grew
Friday: Standing - The world may come against you. Only if we are willing to look up to heaven, we can see Christ standing on our behalf.
Wednesday: who unto false teachers and leaders. Christ stands in the heavenly court to forever intercede to the utter most for His followers, and judge those who don’t turn to God through Him. How reassuring it was for Steven, with his own eyes, see Christ standing in the Heavenly court in High Priestly manor. What great evidence of His assertion into heaven becoming our advocate. 1 John 2:1.
If we are feeling cloudy it would behove us to spend an hour with the precious promises of God. Starting with: 1 John 1:9. 1 John 2:11. R&H Sept. 21, 1886, para. 7.
How did Philip approach the Ethiopian (Acts 8:27-30)? How can we be more open to opportunities to share the gospel with others?
A very powerful question. We should use every opportunity to tell the world of His love and His imminent return, yet we waste such on current affairs, the gloomy aspect of them, whereas they were actually supposed to trigger godly conversation as 'signs of the times'
God permitted persecution to come upon the church to move the message forward. Today we have churches almost everywhere but are we really spreading the good news to those in our surroundings?
There are areas where churches exist but the people who live around them don't know some of the most basic truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we profess. Their lives haven't been made more whole by the healing that the faith in Christ brings. Thru prophecy we know persecution will rise up again against the people of God. This time the gospel will succeed in its mission and we'll finally go home.
I just want to wish a super day to all! May God give us a pure heart and mind to understand His ways for our lives! And may we have the same love of our first leaders to preach the Good News to everyone around us, in words and deeds of love!
Happy Sabbath, everybody!
I love this virtual class here!
1. The above quote from AA reveals a real and present danger in our churches. I've seen that too often the church labors to justify and defend itself before those who oppose our particular beliefs. This is not our work if we read the commission of Jesus correctly. There is no need to argue with others who do not accept the truth. We are only to take the truth to those who have yet to hear it for themselves, leaving the results to God. There is also many places where members are not actively trained/equipped for doing some part in promoting the gospel. This "equipping the saints" is to be the primary work of pastors and church leaders.
2. Scripture makes clear the fact that Jesus has broken down the wall of partition between those who have received Jesus and all who have not. Every sinner is to be evangelized by those who are His Witnesses of the gospel's power to save.
3. Philip simply obeyed the Holy Spirit's leading, going where he was directed to go. Without the clear leading of the Holy Spirit, we might go where we don't belong, or do what we have not been led to do.
4. The events of Acts 6-8 are the result of the experience described in Acts 1 and 2. From this we learn the importance of finding one accord, which will lead to being filled with the Holy Spirit. Once the Holy Spirit is in control, the rest will follow.
" But even more important, what warning should we as a people take away from this today?"
What are the most important/significant "TAKE AWAYS" of the lesson?
"Forgetting that strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service," AA 105
Doctrine/education without a mission is like a bird without wings.
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop.." Prov 16:27
How would an unchurched person think that the gospel might be good news?
What practical benefit would they sense for now instead of just after they die?
Jesus said the holy spirit would "convict the world (including the unchurched) of sin...", meaning they would then be open to the good news of a Savior who "takes away the sin(guilt) of the world" for whoever believes in Him.
If we give the gospel as Jesus did, we will have the best success in those who respond. As for the present benefits of the gospel, what does Jesus teach? Also, will our example reveal the present benefits?
Jim let me take a stab at answering your questions. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, those unchurched who might not other wise be interterested in the gospel as good news, are more likely to have a desire for the truth. The point I am making is that it is not us, it is the Holy Spirit, lest we boast. Are we to judge our level of being filled with the Holy Spirit by numbers of those unchurched being receptive to the gospel? Absolutely not!