Philip, clearly, was anointed to do the Lord’s work. Commentators are divided on what the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip(Acts 8:39) means, whether he was simply told to go to Azotus (Acts 8:40) or was miraculously transported there. Either way, the crucial point for us is that Philip was a man surrendered to … Continue reading –>
[Discussion starters for Lesson 10, Aug 29 – Sep 4, 2015] Philip who? In this lesson we meet Philip the evangelist and Philip the disciple. Is that right? Or is it one Philip with two titles? What was the outstanding contribution that Philip made to the fledgling Christian church? How important was Philip’s messages at … Continue reading –>
According to Acts 8:26-39, Philip’s next contact was with the Ethiopian treasury administrator, bringing mission another step towardthe end of the earth (Acts 1:8, NKJV). Philip was the link between Samaria and the Gaza mission. From Samaria, north of Jerusalem, Philip was called to Gaza, which is south of the city. His work in the … Continue reading –>
Saul, a future apostle and missionary, makes his first appearance in the Bible at the stoning of the deacon Stephen, the first Christian martyr. This wave of persecution only helped further the spread of the gospel. Read Acts 8:1-6. What was the result of the persecution of the church in Jerusalem? Samaria was the first … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:34-37. What kind of picture of the early church is presented here? No question, things were for a time going quite well among the early believers. Of course, everyone is fallen, and before long some tensions started to rise. Read Acts 6:1-7. What problems arose, and how did the church deal … Continue reading –>
While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Cor. 4:18, NKJV). Think about what Paul is saying here, especially as we study this week about Philip … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Cor. 4:18, Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:34-37, Acts 6:1-7, Acts 8, Acts 21:7-10. Memory Text: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 NIV). … Continue reading –>
While living in Texas, near Southwestern Adventist University I was good friends with a theology student and his wife. They just had a new baby when I called one evening. The husband was quick to get off the phone with me. I thought nothing of it, but apparently he thought he owed me an explanation when he called … Continue reading –>
Lesson for August 22-28, 2015 Key Thought : Peter made many mistakes, but his teachable attitude and openness to God’s leading in his life is a lesson for us today. 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 2:14-18. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. … Continue reading –>
Cambodia ~ by Chhenghorn Thean Cheng lived in a slum-like camp for displaced persons in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. One day Cheng walked past a house and heard someone speaking to a group of people. Curious, she stared through a window. Was this a church? She wanted to study English, and she had heard that churches … Continue reading –>
Read Ellen G. White, Jew and Gentile, pp. 188-200, in The Acts of the Apostles. Peter told of his astonishment when, in speaking the words of truth to those assembled at the home of Cornelius, he witnessed the Holy Spirit taking possession of his hearers, Gentiles as well as Jews. The same light and glory … Continue reading –>
Early success of the mission to the Gentiles raised some crucial questions for the early church regarding what requirements should be expected of Gentile converts, those grafted into the faith (Rom. 11:17). Tensions always appear when people from other religions and cultures join an established believing community. In this case, Jewish Christians, with their high regard … Continue reading –>
