The Apostles are arrested by the Religious leaders
An angel of the Lord rescues them from jail
They are warned not to preach the Gospel
Peter says they must obey God rather than human authority
Peter shares the Gospel message with the high council
Gamaliel tells Religious leaders to leave the disciples alone as if what they’re doing is from God no one will be able to stop them, but if what they’re doing is not of God it will not be successful
Seven men, well respected and full of the Holy Spirit are chosen to serve the people in the church
The number of believers in Jerusalem increased including many Jewish priests
Stephen is arrested because of false testimony against him
Stephen’s face becomes bright as an angel’s as he stands before the high council and shares the Gospel message
Part 2 of 22 – Acts Chapter 2:11 through Chapter 3:17
The Holy Spirit is poured out at Pentecost
People from many different languages hear believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit speaking of the wonderful things God has done in their own languages
Peter testifies that the prophesy from Joel 2:28-32 has been fulfilled in their presence
Peter speaks boldly to the crowds about the prophesies about Jesus and how He fulfilled them all
Peter tells them to repent of their sin and turn to Jesus, their Messiah, to find forgiveness and to receive the Holy Spirit
A deep sense of awe came over them all and the Apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders
The Lord added to the group of believers, the first Church, those who were being saved
Peter and John went to the Temple to pray and healed the lame man who begged at the Beautiful Gate
Peter then preaches the Gospel message to all who were in awe and wonder over this miraculous healing
Peter gives glory to God for all God does through him to heal and deliver the people in the name of Jesus
“The only dramatization using the actual Scriptures . . . word for word from the International Version Bible”
Part 1 = Chapter 1:1 through Chapter 2:10
PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF ACT
To give an accurate account of the birth and growth of the Christian chruch
HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED AUTHOR
Luke, a Gentile physician or medical doctor who traveled with Apostle Paul
TO WHOM WAS THE BOOK OF ACTS WRITTEN
Theophilus and all lovers of God
DATE WRITTEN
Between A.D. 63 and 70
SETTING OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
Acts is the connecting link between Christ’s life and the life of the church, between the Gospels and the Letters
KEY VERSE
Acts 1:8 – “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about Me (Jesus) everywhere – in Jerusalem[in your home town], throughout Judea [the areas outside your home town], in Samaria [those places no one wants to live or associate with the people who live there], and to the ends of the earth [those places that are very, very far away from the comforts of your home town, where you will need to live among the people and really get to know them, as a missionary teaching them about Jesus].
Because Acts ends so abruptly, Luke may have planned to write a third book, continuing the story.
“With a flick of a match, friction occurs and a spark leaps from match to tinder.As small flame burns the edges and grows, fueled by wood and air.Heat builds, and soon the kindling is licked by reddish orange tongues.Higher and wider it spreads, consuming the wood.The flame has become a fire.
Over 2,000 years ago, a match was struck in Palestine.At first, just a few in that corner of the world were touched and warmed; but the fire spread beyond Jerusalem and Judea out to the world and to all people.Acts provides an eyewitness account of the flame and fire – the birth and spread of the Church.Beginning in Jerusalem with a small group of disciples, the message traveled across the Roman Empire.Empowered by the Holy Spirit, this courageous band preached, taught, healed, and demonstrated love in synagogues, schools, homes, marketplaces, and courtrooms, and on streets, hills, ships, and desert roads – wherever God sent them, lives and history were changed.
Written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, Acts is an accurate historical record of the early Church.But Acts is also a theological book, with lessons and living examples of the work of the Holy Spirit, Church relationships and organization, the implications of grace, and the law of love.And Acts is an apologetic work, building a strong case for the validity of Christ’s claims and promises.
The book of Acts begins with the outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit and the commencement of the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The Spirit-inspired evangelism began in Jerusalem and eventually spread to Rome, covering most of the Roman Empire.The Gospel first went to the Jews, but they, as a nation, rejected it.A remnant of Jews, of course, gladly received the Good News.But the continual rejection of the Gospel by the vast majority of the Jews led to the ever-increasing proclamation of the Gospel to the Gentiles.This was according to Jesus’ plan:The Gospel was to go from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).This, in fact, is the pattern that the Acts narrative follows.The glorious proclamation began in Jerusalem (chapter 1 – 7), went to Judea and Samaria (chapters 8 and following), and to the countries beyond Judea (11:19; 13:4 and on to the end of Acts).The second half of Acts is focused primarily on Paul’s missionary journeys to many countries north of the Mediterranean Sea.He, with his companions, took the Gospel first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.Some of the Jews believed, and many of the Gentiles received the Good News with joy.New churches were started, and new believers began to grow in the Christian life.
As you read and watch this dramatization of the Book of acts, put yourself in the place of the disciples: Identify with them as they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and experience the thrill of seeing thousands respond to the Gospel message. Sense their commitment as they give every ounce of talent and treasure to Christ. And as you read and watch, see the Spirit-led boldness of these 1st Century believers, who through suffering, and in the face of death, take every opportunity to tell of their crucified and risen Lord. Then decide yourself to be a 21st Century version of those men and women of God.” Life Application Bible
New Believers Are Tempted to Doubt Their Salvation
Mature Christians, Used By God, Are Tempted Too
Romans Road Gospel Message:
Romans 3:10 “There is no one righteous, not even one…” Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:13
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Jude 24-25 – “Now to Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”
“There was once an evil man. He was an insurrectionist, a rebel, a murderer, and a notorious prisoner. This day, however, he would face justice. He had committed crimes worthy of death, and now he was going to be a victim of crucifixion—one of the most vicious forms of capital punishment known to mankind. Death on a cross was only for the worst of criminals.
Partly due to the cold night, yet mostly due to inexpressible fear, Barabbas shivered uncontrollably as he lay face down in his prison cell. He was in utter despair. No hope. No defense. No answers.Barabbas had heard of this man, although some even called Him the Son of God. Supposedly, this Jesus was a worker of miracles, and He even claimed to be God in the flesh. One of Barabbas’ old followers had joined this “Christ” group a couple years back.But he had known Jesus and His followers to be rather peaceful. Why would there be such violent shouting now? As a painful reminder of his own impending doom, he could vaguely hear the crowd shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Still gripped with trepidation and terror, Barabbas heard something that made his stomach twist and his heart stop: shaking keys – the sound of justice. The very next moment, his cell door was swung open and the soldier yelled at him to leave immediately.
But Barabbas couldn’t move.
“Come on, you criminal, get out of here. You’re free.” But his own guilt wouldn’t allow him to believe it. “They’re going to kill Jesus of Nazareth in your place.”
With a thousand questions racing through his mind, Barabbas quickly lifted himself to his feet and hastily walked out of the prison and into the streets of Jerusalem.
A guilty man set free on account of another. Is that justice?”
Written and spoken by Sol Rexius, “Barabbas” is a unique and powerful deliverance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Video Production by Caleb Rexius. Audio Production by Jesiah.
In the distance he could hear people shouting; chanting, even. He thought he heard his own name mixed in with the barrage of yells and screams. But there was one name he heard without mistake: “Jesus”.
The way of Purity – How to break away from pornography
Setting Captives Free offers ‘The Way of Purity’ course – a 60-Day interactive course that will teach you to enjoy a newfound relationship with the Lord and how to find freedom from sexual impurity. It is possible, and you can learn how.
Setting Captives Free is a non-denominational ministry which teaches the biblical principles of freedom in Jesus Christ. Founder and President, Mike Cleveland, was captive to habitual sins for many years. He finally began to seek help and learned the Biblical solution to his sin problem: repentance, forgiveness, and the newness of life that comes through the gospel. In January, 1999, Mike found forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ and God changed his heart. Since that time, he has been completely free from all forms of habitual sin, by God’s grace.
The following year after Mike found freedom, he wrote an interactive course to teach the biblical principles of freedom in Christ. He placed the course on the Internet, and more than 800 people visited the website that first day.
Since that time, God has brought many men and women to freedom and victory through the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of Scripture. A mentorship program was developed to teach these freed captives how to help free other captives, by God’s grace. Focus Publishing soon began publishing the material in book format.
In the years to follow, many miracles of grace have been recounted, for God has been at work giving grace to those in the grip of sin, turning them from sin and to Christ. To date, nearly a quarter of a million people have gone through the biblical material either online or in book form. God continues to purify His church and free captives, to bring honor and glory to Himself.
Mike is pastor of preaching and vision at Ohio Valley Church. He is also an airline pilot with Continental Airlines and he and his wife, Jody, have six children. Mike has written seven books, is the speaker on “Setting Captives Free Radio,” and is currently working on the “Olford Fellowship Program” at the Stephen Olford Center for Expository Preaching.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Isaiah 61:1
SCRIPTURES OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.And God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.1 Corinthians 10:13
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.”For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempted anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away an enticed.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.James 1:12-16
TEMPTATION:
Satan wants to undermine our faith by using various deceptive schemes to entice us to sin, sowing within us the seeds of doubt, unbelief and rebellion.Tow of his very powerful temptations were those of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, in which he achieved his purposes, and of Jesus in the wilderness, in which he failed.These two instances who that Satan’s favorite device is to tamper with the word of God. The Bible encourages Christians to stand firm in the faith and to watch out for temptation. God promises to help us resist temptation, and He assures us that He will not allow temptation beyond what we can endure.As our compassionate and sympathetic High Priest, Jesus, who has experienced human temptation, is ready to bring our prayers for strength in times of temptation before the Father.Temptation must not be confused with God’s testing of our faith as a way of strengthening it, for God never entices us to sin against Him.
TESTING:
While Satan attempts to undermine our faith and entice us to sin, God at times tests our faith to strengthen it.The Bible cites various examples of such testing.This testing may, and often does, involve pain and suffering, but God wants us to reach out to Him and trust that His working for our good. As comparisons of 2 Daniel 24:1 with 1 Chronicles 21:1 and Job 1:6-12 and Job 23:10 indicate, it is often difficult to tell whether the trials we experience are from Satan.Be that as it may, the Bible makes it plain that Satan and evil are under the control of God.
God tests our faith: Genesis 22:1,12 – Abraham with obedience to God by the offering of his precious son Isaac to God on the altar – to show that he feared God.
Deuteronomy 8:1-2 God tested the Israelites and told them, “Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers.Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.”
GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVIL:
Genesis 50:20 – Joseph forgives his brothers who sold him into slavery – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
In Christ alone, will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I overcome
Oh I could stop and count successes
like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal
to the grace by which I stand
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my yield
And now I seek no greater honor
than just to know him more
And to count my days with losses to the glory of my Lord
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
napahelen.wordpress.com 