From Cyprus, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga, in Pamphylia, on the southern coast of modern Turkey. Before they moved on to Pisidian Antioch, Luke reports two significant incidental changes: Paul becomes the leading figure (up until here, Barnabas is always mentioned first) and Luke stops using Paul’s Jewish name (“Saul”) and starts referring … Continue reading –>
In Acts Chapter 13, Luke shifts the scene back to Antioch in order to introduce Paul’s first missionary journey, which occupies two entire chapters (Acts Chapter 13, 14). From here through the end of the book, the focus is set on Paul and his Gentile missions. This is the first missionary endeavor in Acts that is … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Success in mission depends on the reliance on the Holy Spirit, the backing of a sending church, and the dedication of the missionaries to the planned task. Lesson 7, August 18, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 13:6-12. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in … Continue reading –>
The introduction to this week’s lesson brings immediately to us: Hymn 378, “Go, Preach My Gospel” to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. The Gentiles founded their first church in Antioch: Hymn 348, “The Church Has One Foundation”. The missionaries had the laying on of hands as an act of consecration on Sunday: Hymn 330, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 13, 2 Cor. 4:7-10, Rom. 10:1-4, Rom. 3:19, Acts 14:1-26, Romans 9-11. Memory Text: ”Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through [H]im everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law … Continue reading –>
Further Study: “In the tenth chapter of Acts we have still another instance of the ministration of heavenly angels, resulting in the conversion of Cornelius and his company. Let these chapters [8-10] be read, and receive special attention. In them we see that heaven is much nearer to the Christian who is engaged in the work … Continue reading –>
When Jesus told Peter to forgive his brother 70 X 7 times, Peter may have raised his eyebrows, questioning if that was a little much. But after Peter cut off a man’s ear, and denied he even knew Jesus, while weeping in bitterness for his own sins, I imagine 70 X 7 didn’t seem too … Continue reading –>
Turning again to Judea, we are faced now with the account of King Herod’s executing James, the brother of John and son of Zebedee (Mark 1:19). He also wanted to do the same with Peter. Read Acts 12:1-4. What does this teach about the challenges the early church faced? The King Herod mentioned here is Agrippa I, … Continue reading –>
If I had not read it with my own eyes, I might not have believed it. It’s not that I’m unfamiliar with the miraculous working of God throughout the Bible. Countless times I’ve read about how God has done the impossible. He made the waters of a sea stand up in a salute to let … Continue reading –>
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 –>
