This week we commence with seeing just how the home of each Christian is important in sharing, and in spreading the love of Jesus: Hymn 651, “Happy the Home That Welcomes You”, Hymn 655, “Happy the Home” and Hymn 654, “Lord, Bless Our Homes”. Sunday gives us another view of Acts in fellowship: Hymn 469, … Continue reading –>
In Acts 3:1, Peter and John went to the temple for the three o’clock prayer service. This indicates the essentially Jewish character of the church’s faith at this early period. That is, the apostles did not go to the temple only to instruct or make new converts but because Peter and John were still Jews and, … Continue reading –>
After Pentecost, Luke shifts the narrative to a general description of the inner life of the church in Jerusalem. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42, NKJV). The four items noted appear to be basically teaching and fellowship. According to verse 46, the … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 2:42-46; Acts 4:34-35; Acts 3:1-26; Acts 4:1-18; Acts 5:1-11; Acts 5:34-39. Memory Text: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people” (Acts 2:46-47, NIV). The early church’s sense of urgency … Continue reading –>
In conversation with a young adult I’ll call Sophie, we talked about the suicide of a friend of hers I’ll call Tommy. “He was the life of the party!” Sophie said, “He lit up the room. Everyone felt like his best friend.” Clearly this Tommy’s relational life thrived. “But he didn’t know what to do … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost revealed a crucial truth about what happened in heaven and about how God the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of the world. The outpouring of the Spirit showed, too, that Christ’s work in heaven in our behalf, based on His sacrifice on earth, was … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Pentecost” 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 Sabbath School Site. You … Continue reading –>
Peter’s hearers were cut to the heart by his words. Some of them might have been among those who asked for Jesus’ crucifixion a few weeks before (Luke 23:13-25). But now, persuaded that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed God’s appointed Messiah, they cried out in sorrow: “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Read Acts 2:38. What are the … Continue reading –>
My apologies that the hymns are late for this week. Sunday – The Holy Spirit descended to the brand new church and so we ask for that now: Hymn 269, “Come, Holy Spirit” and Hymn 268, “Holy Spirit, Light Divine”. Monday – Hymn 250, “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and Hymn 81, “Though I Speak … Continue reading –>
“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). In the third part of the speech, Peter went back to the issue of tongues, which had attracted the people in the … Continue reading –>
The charge of drunkenness gave Peter the opportunity to explain what was happening. In his speech, the apostle first pointed to Scripture (Acts 2:16-21), describing the outpouring of the Spirit as the fulfillment of prophecy. Compare Acts 2:17 with Joel 2:28. How did Peter understand the time of fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy? Joel’s prophecy was about the future age … Continue reading –>
Pentecost. Let’s start with a puzzle. How is the word, “Pentecost,” related to the number, 50, and the term, “Feast of Weeks”? How did the observance of Pentecost change from a Jewish festival to an exuberant celebration of the Christian church? What thrilling event took place on the first observation of Pentecost by Christians? Do … Continue reading –>
