UNDERSTANDING THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (PART 1)

INTRODUCTION
Mark 16 vs. 15 says “And he said unto them Go ye into the entire world and preach the gospel unto every creature.” This is the instruction of the Lord Jesus Christ to his apostles and disciples just before he went into glory. In obedience to this command or commission the 20th verse of same chapter 16 says “and they went forth and preached everywhere! Acts of the apostles book is an extract that was recorded of the obedience of Jesus’ disciples to that commission.
An understanding of this book of acts should give us also a push to going forth to fulfil our master’s commission as well.
May the Lord Jesus that called us and sent us on this royal assignment bless us mightily as we study this series in Jesus’ name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: ACTS 1: 1-12

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF “THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES”
The foundation of the Christian faith is based on the history of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as related and put into record of the four gospels in the New Testament by divinely inspired writers who all agreed in this sacred truth and the incontestable proofs of it, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Upon this rock the Christian church is built. How it began to be built upon this rock comes next to be related in the book of acts.
Lk. 1:1-4, 26-32; 2:6-14, 21; 4:14-21, 31-38; 7:11-16, 21; 9:35; Mt. 16:16; Lk. 22:33-34, 46; 24:1-9, 28-31, 36-53

The book of acts makes us to see how promises made in the gospels finds fulfilment in the NT particularly the great promises of the descent of the Holy Spirit and His operations both on the apostles making the word mighty in pulling down strongholds which had been before comparatively preached in vain.
The commission there granted to the apostles we here find executed that the powers there lodged in them we here found exerted in miracles wrought on the bodies of people miracles of mercy restoring sick bodies to health and dead bodies to life miracles of judgement striking the rebels blind or dead and much greater miracles wrought in the minds of people on conferring spiritual gifts upon them both of understanding and utterance and this in pursuance of Christ purposes and in performance of His promises
Lk24: 49-52; Acts1: 8; 2:1-4, 37-41; Acts 3:1-10; 4:31-33; 5:1-11:8:5-8; 13:6-12; 10:38-48

 

 

UNDERSTANDING THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (PART 2)

INTRODUCTION
We were introduced into the book of the Acts of Apostles in the last study. Today’s study begins discussion on this wonderful book of the Holy Bible.
May the Lord bless us as we study in Jesus’ mighty name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: ACTS 1: 4-14

A. THE DISCIPLES TARRIED TO RECEIVE HOLY GHOST POWER
The disciples in obedience to the instructions of their master Jesus tarried (waited) in Jerusalem to receive power. The power is so crucial to the evangelisation of the then known world.
Acts 1:4-5, 8, 14; Zech. 4:6; Acts 10: 38; Lk. 4:18; 24:49

B. THE PURPOSES OF THE POWER
The purposes of God releasing power include the following:
1. To be His witnesses in:

  • Jerusalem, which represents their immediate city;
  • Judea, which represents their nation;
  • Samaria, which represents surrounding or neighbourhood nations;
  • Uttermost parts of the earth, which represents all other nations without any exceptions or prejudice to race or colour or sex.

2. To heal the sick;
3. To cast out demons;
4. To protect them.

The questions that can arise from the foregoing are:
a. Do you understand this command?
b. What are ways of preaching the gospel?
c. Which are the most effective ones and why?
d. What is my part in this commission?
Acts 1:8; Lk. 9:1-3; Mk. 3:13-15; Mk. 16:17-18

 

 

UNDERSTANDING THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (PART 3)

INTRODUCTION
In the last study of this series we considered the fact that the disciples tarried in Jerusalem until the received the power from on high and the purposes of the Holy Spirit power.
The purposes chiefly are: 1) To be his witnesses; that is to preach the gospel; 2) to heal the sick; 3) To cast out demons and 4) to protect them.
Today’s study would examine how we can be effective in carrying out these great purposes of the power of the Holy Ghost.
May the Lord bless us as we study in Jesus’ mighty name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: ACTS 1: 8-26

A. JESUS SET GOALS FOR THE DISCIPLES
The Lord is a master planner, goal setter and goal getter. During his earthly ministry, he set goals to reach his own human race, his nation for God.
However, before his translation from the earth, he gave charge to the disciples as to what he wanted to be done. He set a new target or goal for them to reach the whole world for God, beginning at Jerusalem, his town and expanding until the whole world is reached for Christ.
Lk. 19:10; Mt. 10:5-8, 15:24; Acts 1:8; Mk. 16:15; Mk. 13:10

As Jesus set goals for himself and the disciples, it is important that we set goals and heights for ourselves.
God does not want to see you in the valley but constantly on the mountaintop. Elijah and Elisha were regularly found on the mountaintop. This was responsible for their tremendous power before kings and princes.
Paul also set a goal for the heights. Every successful mountain climber must set a goal before embarking on the journey for the heights. Determine what your goal is in evangelism. How many souls you want to reach for Christ; how many you want to disciple. How regular your preaching would be. Set goals and heights in other areas; in dwelling in His presence, in giving, in bible study, in bible reading, in making heaven, in winning Christ, etc.
Determine to move out of the present condition into the mountaintop; where love, joy and light abound; where authority, power and victory abound.
1 Kings 18:37-45; 2 kings 1:8-10; Phil. 3:8-14; Ps. 27:1-4; Ex. 33:1-14,18-23; Ex. 34:5-10, 29-30

 

 

UNDERSTANDING THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (PART 4)

INTRODUCTION
In the last study of this series we considered the importance of goal setting. Today’s study takes a closer look at what happens when the Holy Ghost power came down upon the disciples at the upper room.
May the Lord bless us as we study in Jesus’ mighty name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: ACTS 2:1-41

A. THE HOLY GHOST POWER CAME
What the Lord Jesus Christ promised the disciples that he would pour His Spirit upon all flesh came to pass at the upper room in the nation of Israel. Suddenly, the power of the Lord came in as a mighty rushing wind and filled the house and the people to the extent that that they all began to speak in new tongues as the spirit gave them utterance.
They all received and prophesy of Joel came into fulfilment. Whatever be the promise of God for your life, family, and ministry, Church, Community and Nation shall come to pass.
Acts 2:1-4; Joel 2:28-30; Lk. 24:49; Num. 23:19; Ps. 89:34

B. THE POWER FOR SERVICE
Immediately the disciples received power, they began to preach the gospel of the kingdom. They became changed men having vision and passion for the things of the kingdom. The central theme of their message was Jesus Christ.
Are we as Disciples of Christ today doing the same things and sharing the same message as the early Church did? Are we preaching the gospel with the Holy Ghost power given to us? Are we preaching Jesus and him crucified? Are we winning souls into the kingdom? Are we burdened about what God is burdened about? Is our focus right?
Acts 2:14-24, 31-32, 36-41; Acts 4:7-12, 33; Acts 8:5-8, 24-40; Mk.16:15-20; Rom. 1:14-16

 

 

UNDERSTANDING THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (PART 5)

INTRODUCTION
In the last study of this series we were made to understand the purpose of the power that came down at Pentecost. This is essentially for service.
May the Lord bless us as we study in Jesus’ mighty name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: ACTS 2:1-4, 14-16, 36-47

A. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE POWER CAME?
1. They were empowered; Vs. 4; Acts 1:8
2. They became bold to preach; Vs. 14; 2 Tim 1:7
3. They went preaching Jesus everywhere. Vs. 38, 46
4. The listeners were touched and became desperate to repent. Vs. 37; Jn. 16:8-11
5. Direction towards salvation in Christ Jesus came Vs. 38
6. People gladly received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Vs. 41
7. Great number of converts was added to the Church. Vs. 41 8. They continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrines. Vs. 42; 2 Tim 3:16
9. They continued steadfastly in fellowship Vs. 42; Heb. 10:25
10. They continued steadfastly in prayers. Vs. 43; Eph. 6:12; Lk. 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:18
11. There were fear and reference for God. Vs. 43
12. There were miracles, signs and wonders Vs. 43; Acts 10:38
13. There was unity among the people Vs. 44-46; Jn. 17:21
14. There was Love. Vs. 44-46; 1 Jn. 4:8
15. There was house fellowship and visitation. Vs. 46,
16. There was a heart for sacrificial giving. Vs. 45; Jn. 3:16
17. There was communion and sharing. Vs. 46
18. There was provision for everyone. Vs. 44-46
19. There was gladness and sincerity. Vs. 46
20. There was a heart of praise unto God. Vs. 47
21. There was favour before all the people. Vs. 47
22. There was daily Church growth of new converts. Vs. 47