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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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