| The book of
Acts begins with a short account of Jesus' last days on earth, after
which Luke swiftly moves into his stirring portrayals of the spread of
the gospel and the growth of the church. He begins these portrayals
with a description of Jesus' followers as they are being filled with
the Holy Spirit (Acts
2), an event that launched them into the world with a power
never before seen.
The imagery in Acts
2:3 symbolizes the will of God for all Christians and the
goals all Christians should have:
(1) the communication of the gospel (tongues), and
(2) the sanctifying presence of God, which purifies
us of sinful characteristics and sets our hearts aflame with the desire
and the power to witness (fire).
Just as these tongues of fire "separated and came to
rest on each of them" (NIV) in the upper room, so each of us can be
filled with the Holy Spirit in order to communicate the gospel with
energy and passion. This quarter, travel with your fellow Sabbath
School members through the book of Acts to learn not only how the early
Christians witnessed but how you can apply their methods to your
particular place and time.
As you study, keep in mind those you know who have
not committed their lives to Jesus Christ. Ask God what part He would
have you play in their conversion. Then as Jesus' followers did, not
only in the beginning of Acts but throughout the entire book, pray
without ceasing for the Holy Spirit's power. Then the glory and the
story of Acts will be not only theirs but yours as well!
This Bible Study Guide does not discuss all the
illustrations of witnessing that exist in the book of Acts. "The whole
of the book of Acts should receive careful study. It is full of
precious instruction; it records experiences in evangelistic work, the
teachings of which we need in our work today."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1051. In
addition to studying this guide, why not see what other examples of
witnessing in the book of Acts you can find?
Contents:
(no frames)
Meet
the Principal Contributor to This Guide
 Carlos G.
Martin, originally from Uruguay, is presently serving in the Northern
Asia-Pacific Division as Ministerial Association secretary, Global
Mission director, Health Ministries director, and Adventist Global
Communication Network director. Formerly he served as assistant
Seminary Dean, chair of the Department of Applied Theology, Director of
the Doctor of Ministry program, and professor of Missions, for six
years, at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies,
located in the Philippines.
While serving in pastoral ministry for almost twenty
years in the South American, Inter-American, and North American
Divisions, Pastor Martin organized eleven churches and baptized 2,224
souls. As a professor, he offered an average of two evangelistic
efforts a year and baptized 1,165 souls. He has conducted major
evangelistic efforts in Argentina, Australia, El Salvador, Honduras,
Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, the United States and
offered training on soul winning in more than twenty countries. He has
a B.A. in Theology from River Plate Adventist College, Argentina; an
M.A. in Religion from Andrews University; an M.Div. and a Ph.D. in
Missions from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas. He was
ordained as a minister in Costa Rica, in 1979.
Pastor Martin is married to Nolly Kalbermatter, who
is a teacher by training. They have two children. Christian, their son,
is serving as a pastor in Michigan, and their daughter Melissa is
studying Education at Southern Adventist University. The Martin family
enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling together.
Giardina Sabbath School Study Helps
Jerry Giardina of Pecos, Texas, assisted by his wife,
Cheryl, prepares a series of helps to accompany the Sabbath School
lesson. He includes all related scripture and most EGW quotations.
Jerry has chosen the "New King James Version" of the scriptures this
quarter. It is used with permission. The study helps are
provided in three wordprocessing versions Wordperfect;
Microsoft Word;
RTF for our
MAC friends; and HTML (Web
Pages).
Last updated on August 19, 2000
Editorial Office:
12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.
Principal Contributor: Carlos Martin.
Acting Editor: Lyndelle Brower Chiomenti.
Editorial Assistant: Soraya Homayouni Parish.
Art and Design: Lars Justinen.
Pacific Press Coordinator: Paul A. Hey.
Copyright
© 2000 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. All Rights
Reserved.
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