Our topic of the Early Church bring us our first hymn: Hymn 304, “Faith of Our Fathers”. The fellowship of the believers in the Early Church followed Hymn 469, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”. Another Comforter, the Holy Spirit, was sent to accompany the Early Church in their ministry, and will also today: Hymn 268, “Holy Spirit, … Continue reading –>
Fellowship matters. Do you ever “go” to Sabbath school by means of an electronic video available on your computer? You are not sick or in pain, and you are not caring for someone who is…What you are doing is not illegal, but what are you missing when you leave Sabbath school out of your weekly life? … Continue reading –>
Luke tells us that one of the natural outgrowths of the fellowship experienced by Jesus’ followers soon after Pentecost was their mutual support of each other. “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need” (Acts 2:44-45, NKJV). … Continue reading –>
In response to Peter’s sermon and appeal for repentance and salvation, about three thousand people made a decision to accept Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises to Israel. God was at work in the hearts of all these people. Many had heard about Jesus from far away and may … Continue reading –>
The days of spiritual preparation, following Jesus’ ascension, culminated in the events of Pentecost. The first verse tells us that on that day, just before the Holy Spirit was poured upon the disciples, they were all together, of “one accord”, in one place (Acts 2:1). In the Old Testament, Pentecost was the second of three major … Continue reading –>
In the last hours spent with the disciples before His death, Jesus promised that He would not leave them alone. Another Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would be sent to accompany them in their ministry. The Spirit would help them remember many things Jesus had said and done (John 14:26), and would guide them in discovering more truths (John … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 1:12-14, Acts 2:5-13, Rev. 14:12, Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-37, Acts 5:1-11, 2 Cor. 9:8-15. Memory Text: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42, NKJV). Church unity is the result of a shared spiritual experience in Jesus, who is the truth. “I am the way, the … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “The Spirit of Unity”, pages 179-188, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9. “Christ recognized no distinction of nationality or rank or creed. The scribes and Pharisees desired to make a local and a national benefit of all the gifts of heaven and to exclude the rest of God’s family in the world. … Continue reading –>
It has become an iconic line from the movie, A Few Good Men, back in 1992. Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, played by Jack Nicholson, is being interrogated during a military trial. He and Lieutenant J.G. Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise, have the following exchange: Col Jessep: I’ll answer the question. You want answers? LTJG … Continue reading –>
By Philip Baptiste Amina is serving a five-year prison sentence in East-Central Africa after being arrested as she headed to India to blow up a large facility. But persistent visits by a Seventh-day Adventist pastor resulted in her discarding her fundamentalist understanding of Islam and being baptized into the Adventist Church several weeks ago. “I … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Because God adopts, forgives, and redeems us, He also heals our relationships. We can experience a change in attitudes and actions that promote unity. Lesson 4, October 27, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 2:13-18. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text … Continue reading –>
Christianity is a religion of relationships: relationship with God and with one another. It makes no sense to claim to have a deep relationship with God without that relationship having an impact on the relationships one has with other people. Christianity cannot be lived in a vacuum. The principles of unity Paul discusses in his Epistle … Continue reading –>
