Motivated by Cornelius’s conversion, Luke briefly interrupts his account of Peter’s ministry to show the gospel’s initial progress among the Gentiles. Read Acts 11:19-26. What happened when some Jerusalem refugees came to Antioch? This section of Acts Chapter 11 refers back to Paul’s persecution in chapter 8. Thus, while the previous developments were taking place in … Continue reading –>
Acts 10:44-48 reveals a critical moment in the early church’s history. It was the first time that the gospel was being preached to uncircumcised Gentiles by one of the apostles. Unlike the Hellenistic believers, the apostles and other Judean believers were not ready to receive Gentiles in the church. Since Jesus was the Messiah of Israel, … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Peter as a church member, prayer warrior, evangelist, and church leader has left a model for Christians to follow. Lesson 6, August 11, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 9:36-43. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. What was so special about … Continue reading –>
First Paul, now Peter. Peter loved Jesus all of his career, didn’t he? Well…What about the scene when Peter announced, “I do not know Him”? Why do you think this incident is featured in the Bible by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? What qualifies “Peter the betrayer” to be remembered as a faithful believer and follower of Jesus? Should that experience … Continue reading –>
Peter now takes over the preaching of the gospel in this week’s lesson study: Hymn 378, “Go, Preach My Gospel”. He was asking the people to listen to the voice of Jesus: Hymn 359, “Hark! The Voice of Jesus Calling”. Hymn 111, “It Took a Miracle” can reflect the study of Sunday with Tabitha’s resurrection and … Continue reading –>
In Joppa, Peter stayed with a certain Simon, a tanner by trade (Acts 9:43). Meanwhile, in Caesarea, about twenty-five miles (40 kilometers) from Joppa, there lived a Roman centurion named Cornelius. He and his household were devout worshipers of God, though they had not yet formally adhered to Judaism, meaning that Cornelius was still an uncircumcised … Continue reading –>
Peter was visiting the Christian communities through the coastal region of Judea. His purpose was probably to give them doctrinal instruction (Acts 2:42), but God used him powerfully to perform miracles in the same fashion as those performed by Jesus Himself. Read Acts 9:32-35. What similarities do you see in the miracle of Jesus in Luke 5:17-26 and the … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 9:32-43, Acts 10:9-16, Eph. 2:11-19, Acts 11:1-26, Acts 12:1-18. Memory Text: “Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears [H]im and does what is right is acceptable to [H]im” (Acts 10:34-35, NRSV). With Paul’s departure to Tarsus, Peter is again the main … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: God can change the hearts of others, even when we think it is impossible. He can change our hearts too! Lesson 5, August 3 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 9:1-20. A. Ask what the main theme of this passage is. B. Why did Saul think he was doing God service by persecuting the … Continue reading –>
He was wrong. His life devotion – that of protecting the faith of his fathers and pushing back against those who advocated differently – was misguided. In a moment of time, he came face to face with the reality that his life was an offense to God. No arguments or excuses could justify what he had become … Continue reading –>
Further Study: “A general slain in battle is lost to his army, but his death gives no additional strength to the enemy. But when a man of prominence joins the opposing force, not only are his services lost, but those to whom he joins himself gain a decided advantage. Saul of Tarsus, on his way to … Continue reading –>
Having escaped from Damascus, Paul returned to Jerusalem for the first time since he had left as a persecutor. This happened three years after his conversion (Gal. 1:18). It was not an easy return, as he faced problems both inside and outside the church. Read Acts 9:26-30. What happened to Paul when he arrived in Jerusalem? In … Continue reading –>
