Sunday, November 8, 2015
Acts 15:1-12 KJV
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses. 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What transpired among the brethren when a "works" gospel was being taught among them and what was done in an attempt to resolve the matter? (v.1-2)
2) What did the disciples declare among the brethren on their way to Jerusalem and what was the response to that news? (v.3)
3) What happened after the disciples spoke with the leaders and apostles in Jerusalem? (v.4)
4) Who arose among the leaders in Jerusalem and what did they declare concerning the Gentile converts? (v.5)
5) What transpired after the leaders in Jerusalem began to consider the matter? (v.6-7a)
6) What did the Apostle Peter say to the Jewish leaders and how did they respond to his reasonings? (v.7b-12)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Have you ever been involved in, or heard of, a dispute concerning man-made traditions in your local church assembly, denomination, or elsewhere? If so, briefly describe how the matter was resolved.
LIFE LESSONS
8) Doctrinal disputes and religious practices should never dilute the simple truth of the Gospel: "We are saved by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone, and nothing else!"
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Act 11:1-18 KJV
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4 But Peter rehearsed [the matter] from the beginning, and expounded [it] by order unto them, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common. 10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the apostles and disciples hear about the Gentiles in Judea? (v.1)
2) What happened to the Apostle Peter when he went to Jerusalem? (v.2-3)
3) How did Peter respond? (v.4-17)
4) How did the Jewish disciples respond to what the Apostle Peter told them? (v.18)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Have you ever refused to share Christ with anyone because of their ethnicity or economic station in life? If so, why?
6) Has you ever been challenged about the people that you shared Christ with? If so, why?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Our Lord died for everyone and expects His followers to share Him with whoever He sends our way.
8) We share Christ through our testimony and are witnesses to the love of Christ through the giving of our time, talent and/or treasure.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Ephesians 2:11-22 KJV
11 Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Of what does the Apostle Paul remind Gentile believers? (v.11-13)
2) What has our Lord Jesus done for Jewish and Gentile believers? (v.14-17)
3) What has been granted every believer in the Lord Jesus (Jew and Gentile)? Why? (v.18-22)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Why were you a stranger to God and to His people, prior to your salvation?
LIFE LESSONS
5) Though we were once enemies of God, we have now been reconciled to Him and are citizens of heaven through belief in Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sins.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Acts 10:39-48 KJV
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Apostle Peter began to preach to Cornelius the centurion and his household. After telling them about Jesus, what else did the apostle tell the gentiles about the resurrected Lord? (v.39-43)
2) What happened as Peter was speaking? (v.44-46)
3) What did Peter say in response to what was happening? (v.47-48)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed on the Lord Jesus for your salvation? Why, or why not.
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Holy Trinity.
6) The Holy Spirit infills every believer who asks for Him.
7) The Holy Spirit teaches and enables the believer to live the Christian life.
