Bible Studies

In Between the Topics (Acts 3)

Acts 3:1-12 - Silver, Gold, and the Power of God

The Healing at the Gate (vs. 1-3)

• Significance of the Account - Relationship to Acts 2:43, Account the contributions of Peter, Purpose > Prosecution
• Designated Time for Designated Purpose - To Pray but not to Sacrifice; Reference John 19:30
• Supported Condition - Changed Condition

What Peter Said (vs. 4-6)

• Lame Man Looked/Expected
• Example of a "Version of Faith"
• Expecting the Right Things from God
• Sharing the Supernatural

What the Lame Man Did (vs. 7-10)

• Supernatural Faith produces the Received Miracle
• Validation/Verification/Celebration (Acts 4:22, 3:10)

Peter Begins His Second Sermon (3:11-12)

• Introduction: Why do you think 'we" have done something great?
• Seizing the Opportunity: Testimonial period of the "Walking Man" or Preach the Gospel (Romans 10:17); Peter gives Glory to God by deflecting and rejecting any praise towards himself (reminds the crowd that the miracle is not an anomaly)

Peter Preaches Jesus (vs 13-15)

• Connection of New Testament realities to Old Testament relationship
• Jesus as the Servant (Isaiah 42; 52:13-53; 12)
• Delivered and Denied (John 18:29; 19:16)
• Holy One/Exchanged for a Murderer (Luke 23:13-25) / The Price of Life

How the Man was Healed (vs 16)

• And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong
• Through Faith in His name - Not good intentions; Not talents and gifts; Not material resources; Not reputation and prior success; Not hard or smart work

Further Explanation of the Sufferings of Christ (vs 19-21)

• Call to Repentence - as repeated in Acts 2:38
• Conversion - 1 Corinthians 5:17
• "Blotted Out"  - context of wiping ink off of a document. This was a relative context understood by those to whom were being preached.
• To be Refreshed - (Matthew 23:37-39, Romans 11:25-27)

Danger of Rejection (vs 22-26)

• Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19

In Between the Topics (Acts 4)

Peter's Sermon to Jewish Leaders (4:1-12)

The Arrest of Peter and John (1-4)

• Human Challenges of the Early Church: few in numbers, inexperienced leadership, commanded to be non-violent, institutional opposition (layered)
• "However" +5,000: Acts 2:41

Peter and John Stand Before the Sanhedrin (5-7)

• Same group that condemn Jesus
• Legitimate Inquiry?: what they did; how they did it

Peter Sermonette and Defense (8-12)

• Filled with the Spirit - Acts 2:4
• Psalms 118:22
• "Nor is there salvation in any other" (Confirms John 14:6)

The Reaction and Response (4:13-22)

The Character of the Apostles (13)

• uneducated + untrained > marvel
• knew the scriptures and had been with Jesus produced "holy" boldness

Witness of the man who was healed (14)

• Acts 3:2

Deliberation and Sanction (15-18)

• Connection to Paul? Acts 26:10

Peter and John Respond (19-20)

• 2 Timothy 2:4
• Acts 1:8

Peter and John Released (21-22): To God be the Glory (Gensis 50:20)

• 2000 or 5000 souls were added
• Peter's Fresh Annointing
• Peter Preaches to the Jewish Leaders (Proverbs 18:16)
• Naysayers confirm the miracle of healing (Matthew 27:54)
• The enemies of Jesus were confounded

A Prayer for Boldness (4:23-31)

• They acknowledge God (23-24) - 2 Kings 19:15
• They pray the Scriptures (25-28) -Psalms 2:1 / Ephesians 6:12 / Psalms 32:3-4 / Ephesians 3:16
• They ask for more boldness and power (29-30)
• Their pryer is answered (31) - Earthquake as acknowledgement of God's Presense (Acts 16:25-26)

A Sharing Heart (4:32-37)

In Between the Topics (Acts 5)

Continuing Power in the Church (5:12-16)

Power Shown Through Miracles and Unity vs. 12

• Verse 12 is a reflection of the manifestation of the prayer in Acts 4:29-30. Prayers were answered and remarkable signs and wonders continued. Additionally, we see the value of being oin one accord in the presence of and as vessels for the Holy Spirit; putting selfish heards and stubborn minds together for His purpose and glory.

Reputation and Growth vs. 13-14

• The community of believers had a reputation of integrity and everyone knew that there was seriousness with following Christ.
• The instance of Ananias and Sapphira would reduce the level of casual commitment. Nevertheless, the church kept growing. New believers were "added to the Lord."

Expectations of Miracles and Wonders vs. 15-16

• The power was not in Peter's shadow, but in the annointing of the Holy Ghost. This is proof that there is not a barrier when we believe in God as a healer (Acts 3:12-16; Luke 8:44). Here we see the contrast and impact of God's power on display strike down (Annaias/Sapphira) and lift up in healing, signs and wonders. The news of what is going on in Jerusalem brings others into the city (Acts 1:8) while the Apostles don't leave the city (Acts 8:1, 12:1-2).

Developing Patter of Persecution (5:17-26)

Arrest and Imprisonment vs. 17-18))

• Acts 4:3-22 was the initial imprisonment of the apostles, but there would be a developing pattern.

Angelic Intervention vs. 19-20

• God dispatches angels for a release (Hebrews 1:14). The angel may not have been easily recognizable (Luke 24:3-7; Hebrews 13:2). Their rescue was more than God flexing; it was divine appointment for purpose associated with "Go stand in the temple and speake to the people all the works of this life." Not all of the apostles were miraculous delivered from final earthly peril, but all followed the divine purpose.

Resumed Work and Return to Prison vs. 21-26

• The apostles acted in obedience and boldness by adhearing to the direction of the Angel: preaching/teaching in the most public place in the city, after divine deliverance and threat of persecution.
• The religious leaders wondered what they were dealing with and God's power was evident and at work among the followers of Christ.
• God's work will continue.
• The apostles were arrested again. They may have thought that God would keep them from being arrested again, but...they were also aware of deliverance.
• The apostles did not appeal for protectio or defense from other believers and growing community. They trusted God alone.
• The religious leaders feared the wrath of the people but dismissed the power of God.

Accusations Against the Apostles vs. 27-28

• Set them before the Council
• Reminded of previous charge (Acts 4:17-20)
• Filled Jerusalem with "Your" Doctrine (Acts 1:7-8)
• "...intend to bring this man's blood on us." (Matthew 23:35, 27:25 and Acts 6:7)
• Acts 1:8

The Apostles Rebuttal and Testimony vs. 29-32

• Verse 29 - The apostles knew their priorities (Romans 12:18, John 15:18, Luke 6:22)
• Verse 30 - See Deut. 21:22-23

The Council's Reaction and Gamaliel's Advice vs. 33-39

• Gamaliel: The grandson of the esteemed Hillel, the founder of Israel's strongest school of religion. Gamaliel was given the title Rabban ("our teacher"), which was a step above the title Rab ("teacher") or Rabbi ("my teacher").
• While the council was made up of Sadducees (5:17), it would have been impossible to ask the Romans for permission to kill the apostles withoutsupport from the Pharisees. Gamaliel's advice may not have been because he believed in the apostles, but because he wanted to imit division and not involve Rome in "internal affairs." We see him again (Acts 22:3)

The Apostles are beaten, but resume preaching with great joy vs. 40-42

• 1 Peter 4:13
• Acts 2:46

Church Problems  (Acts 6:1-7)

Challenges that come with growth - Verse 1

• Conflict between Hebrew Christians and Greek Christians
• Perceptions of Favoritism; Attempts of Division;
• Traditional and cultural responsibilities of an towards widows (1 Timonth 5: 3-16)
• Distractions.

Appointment of the Table Servers / Nomination of the Persons - Verses 2-4

• Appointment by the Apostles / Nominations by the Congregation - Understanding the Role and Purpose (1 Corinthians 12; 1 Timothy 3:7-8; Acts 1:14).

Selection of Table Servers and Conflict Resolution - Verses 5-7 (John 13:1-5)

• Conflict Resolved by addressing the problem God's Way
• All 7 Appointees had Greek names and therefore, were likely Hellenist/Grecians
• Designated/Consecrated by the apostles to work (business) with the people (Numbers 8:10; Numbers 27:23; Deuteronomy 34:9; 1 Timothy 4:14)
• Context of "Deacon" (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
• Returning to the priority (Acts 12:14; 19:20; 21:20)

The Witness of Stephen (Acts 6:3-8; ch. 11:19; ch. 22:20)

• One of the seven chosen to serve tables
• Known for his faith, wisdom, grace, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in his life
• Outstanding leader, teacher, and debater
• First to give his life for the gospel

Acts 6:8-10 - Stephen was identified as doing something that was previously attributed only to the apostles (great wonders and miracles among the people)

• (vs. 9-10) - The Libertines were a group of former Jewish slaves who had been freed by Rome and established their own synagogue in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:32)
• There is no record of Stephen's education or knowledge of the scriptures, yet his wisdom and passion were unresistable (Luke 21:15; Acts 4:13)

Acts 6:11-15 - Stephen's arrest under false pretense

• vs 11 - Secret persuasion of others to lie on Stephen. To the Jewish Council, any "blasphemy" against Moses or the Law of Moses (Genesis - Deuteronomy) was a crime. (Acts 7 will reveal the truth; Matthew 26:59-61)
• vs 12 - "They stirred up the people..." both in ignorance, popular opinion, manipulation, and deceit. (Acts 2:47, Acts 5:26; Luke 19:35-40; Luke 23:18-23)
• vs 13-14 - Stephen is accused of the same charges as Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61; Acts 7:48; Acts 21:28; Acts 21:21, John 2:19-21). - Customs and Rituals versus Relationship.
• vs 15 - The countenance of Stephen reflected his confidence in God (Exodus 34:29; Philippians 4:7-8)