The new church was just barely born before persecution starts, but continues to grow in spite of it.
Partly due to the witness/testimony of:
#1. Apostles (eye witnesses) - they had seen His death, burial, resurrection, etc.
#2. New believers (not eye witnesses) - maybe not even in Jerusalem at the time this took place, but they heard about the events, then believed.
AND:
#3. The Holy Spirit - Acts 5:32 (essential witness and testimony) Holy Spirit adds His testimony to that of the Apostles, believers through:
1) miracles (Pentecost, healings, shaking as the Holy Spirit is given, Ananias and Sapphira!!) - John 3:2 Nicodemus - Holy Spirit testifying as to Who Jesus is.
2) Personal conviction (conversions) Acts 2:37 - pricked in the heart - Holy Spirit convincing them that Peter is correct.
3) Individual transformation - disciples characterized by: a) Boldness (to speak the gospel even in face of persecution, warnings and threats) b) Ability (to convey message in a way to make a difference in people's lives)
c) Willingness to share, concern for brother/sister - sold property, gave to church, unusual - not expected or demanded
TEXT: Acts 4:29-5:42 - "filled in 5:18 is same word as used when the apostles were "filled" with the Holy Spirit
Post Script: Acts 28:31
POINT - EMPHASIS = The Importance of Allowing the Holy Spirit to Witness (testify) ....
in two ways: 1) TO YOU
2) THROUGH YOU
The Importance of Allowing the Holy Spirit to witness (testify) in YOUR life!!
#1. TO YOU - Illustration: Pentecost - thousands witnessed this. - all see, hear the same. some believed, others mocked
Why?? = mystery
But the answer includes choice!!!
Rom. 1 - "gave them up" implies "God attempted to draw them" - tried to pull them in.
2 Thess. 2:9-10 - "refused" - He let them go, according to their choice!!!!
POINT = the importance/necessity of Allowing the Holy Spirit to witness TO YOU:
1) initially (for salvation)
2) subsequently (growth, direction, correction) - 1 Cor. 2:9-10
How? openness to the Spirit - show me, exposure - through church, Sunday School, Bible Study, etc. submission response
#2. THROUGH YOU John 15:26-27 Acts 1:8
How? it's a mystery - why He chose to do it this way
BUT, again, the answer includes choice!!
Openness - contrast to "refused" - may not want to, but will
Preparation - 2 Tim. 2:15 - special preparation, intelligent preparation
Availability - (He decides when/how)
Request - example: Isaiah - "send me" - Lord, use me. Let the Holy Spirit work thru me.
Submission - 2 Pet. 1:21
Response
Don't turn the Holy Spirit away when you receive His testimony!!!
Monday, January 25, 2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
The Church's Response to Opposition
RECAP:
Has been a great movement of the church at this time. Large numbers are turning to Christianity.
Acts 4 - Peter & John - heal cripple, draw crowd, preach gospel, upset Leadership (temple officials similar to our Supreme Court)
So.... the church as a group experiences OPPOSITION!!
Which is far more than mere unbelief = active resistance (antagonism), open hostility
Why? What is there about the Gospel that incites such hostility?
The Gospel (Christianity) - in Biblical, practiced form
#1. is offensive
#2 is intrusive (invasive) (pushy) - we are called to evangelize, have concern about others, and are to spread this good news.
#3. is exclusive - if Jesus is right and, therefore, we're right, then everyone else is WRONG!!
#4. challenges treasured beliefs (traditions, practices, lifestyles) - example: Indian Hinduism - many gods. However, can't add Jesus to the pantheon of gods. It is Jesus alone!!!!
#5. establishes moral restrictions - this the biggest issue in 21st. century America
#6. claims an authority higher than the state (king, courts, motherland) - example: Communist China, Cuba, Korea, ROME!!
#7. incites anger in the Spiritual Realm - Rev. 12:17 John 15:18, 20 - main enemy is Satan and demons that incite this hostility.
So, Peter and John are arrested, tried, warned - NOW
THE CHURCH'S RESPONSE TO OPPOSITION
Acts. 4:18-31 - God approved of the church's response.
#1. A declaration of obedience (to God, Christ)
Sometimes called to Civil Disobedience - BE VERY CAREFUL HERE,
also called to CIVIL OBEDIENCE!! - Rom. 13:1-2 - example: Christians during Revolutionary War - some opposed to the war on grounds that were to be obedient to the civil authorities even though in disagreement with them.
#2. (not in the text) An appeal to civil authority - our highest authority is God, but when live in society with rulers, etc, should pursue effort to change what is in opposition to beliefs as well.
#3. Prayer for endurance and boldness - to speak the Word
Question: prayer for deliverance???? Example: Paul's "thorn" prayer - 2 Cor. 12:7-9
Paul prayed for deliverance until it became clear that the answer was endurance.
(result of prayer? increased boldness led to more conversions led to more persecutions!!
#4. Recognition of God's Sovereignty. The Greek word translated "despot" - supreme authority.
Compare Rev. 6:9-10, 11
Power corrupts people, absolute power corrupts absolutely - BUT, this does not happen with GOD as Supreme Authority.
#5. Submission to God's Sovereignty. (because not all who recognize His authority, submit themselves to it!) Big difference between the two.
Question: If I had to face this persecution, could I endure?
Answer: "doctrine of sufficient grace" - God gives grace for the trial at hand. 2 Cor. 12:8-9
Has been a great movement of the church at this time. Large numbers are turning to Christianity.
Acts 4 - Peter & John - heal cripple, draw crowd, preach gospel, upset Leadership (temple officials similar to our Supreme Court)
So.... the church as a group experiences OPPOSITION!!
Which is far more than mere unbelief = active resistance (antagonism), open hostility
Why? What is there about the Gospel that incites such hostility?
The Gospel (Christianity) - in Biblical, practiced form
#1. is offensive
#2 is intrusive (invasive) (pushy) - we are called to evangelize, have concern about others, and are to spread this good news.
#3. is exclusive - if Jesus is right and, therefore, we're right, then everyone else is WRONG!!
#4. challenges treasured beliefs (traditions, practices, lifestyles) - example: Indian Hinduism - many gods. However, can't add Jesus to the pantheon of gods. It is Jesus alone!!!!
#5. establishes moral restrictions - this the biggest issue in 21st. century America
#6. claims an authority higher than the state (king, courts, motherland) - example: Communist China, Cuba, Korea, ROME!!
#7. incites anger in the Spiritual Realm - Rev. 12:17 John 15:18, 20 - main enemy is Satan and demons that incite this hostility.
So, Peter and John are arrested, tried, warned - NOW
THE CHURCH'S RESPONSE TO OPPOSITION
Acts. 4:18-31 - God approved of the church's response.
#1. A declaration of obedience (to God, Christ)
Sometimes called to Civil Disobedience - BE VERY CAREFUL HERE,
also called to CIVIL OBEDIENCE!! - Rom. 13:1-2 - example: Christians during Revolutionary War - some opposed to the war on grounds that were to be obedient to the civil authorities even though in disagreement with them.
#2. (not in the text) An appeal to civil authority - our highest authority is God, but when live in society with rulers, etc, should pursue effort to change what is in opposition to beliefs as well.
#3. Prayer for endurance and boldness - to speak the Word
Question: prayer for deliverance???? Example: Paul's "thorn" prayer - 2 Cor. 12:7-9
Paul prayed for deliverance until it became clear that the answer was endurance.
(result of prayer? increased boldness led to more conversions led to more persecutions!!
#4. Recognition of God's Sovereignty. The Greek word translated "despot" - supreme authority.
Compare Rev. 6:9-10, 11
Power corrupts people, absolute power corrupts absolutely - BUT, this does not happen with GOD as Supreme Authority.
#5. Submission to God's Sovereignty. (because not all who recognize His authority, submit themselves to it!) Big difference between the two.
Question: If I had to face this persecution, could I endure?
Answer: "doctrine of sufficient grace" - God gives grace for the trial at hand. 2 Cor. 12:8-9
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Is the Gospel Message True? - Pt. 1 - Opposition
Last week - Peter & John heal cripple, draw crowd, preach gospel.
So...... Acts 4:1-31 - questionable as to how many days after the feast, Pentecost, etc? Still a large crowd around the area.
(Remember, the Chief Priest was #1 man in the Jewish culture, and the Captain of the Temple Guard was #2.) And, they were not happy that Peter & John were preaching the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Acts 4:7 - they didn't object to the healing, but the name (Jesus).
Question: Is the Gospel Message true??
In other words:
1) Jesus is the Christ
2) Jesus died for our sins (for our forgiveness) - must come through Christ
3) Jesus rose from the dead - literally, bodily, in glorified state
4) Jesus rules - King of kings, Lord of lords
5) Jesus is the Only Way
IF the Message is true........ then:
#1. The message is vitally important - (necessary, indispensable, of eternal consequence)
#2. We are obligated to share it (proclaim it) - Rom. 1:14, Great Commission, Acts 1:8 - this has never been thought of as only for preachers, teachers, evangelists, etc. - it is for ALL.
I have something that makes a difference!!!
AND we can expect -
#1. Conversions -- because the gospel = powerful = Rom. 1:16-17 If we shared the gospel message
more, would see more people saved!!!!
#2. Opposition - because the gospel id offensive - gospel says you are a sinner, bound for hell.
WARNINGS: Luke 21:12-19
Matt. 10:34-39
The question is NOT is the gospel message foolish? The question IS, is it TRUE??
AND, remember, there is a vast difference between the message being offensive, and the messenger being offensive. Gospel message is to be presented with compassion, and kindness, and respectfully
OBSERVATIONS:
#1. The opposition is not merely human, but is demonic. Eph. 6:10-12 - people are not the enemies, Satan is behind this opposition (dark forces)
#2. The first appeal from friends, family, officials will be to "closet Christianity". - Keep it at home, in the church, but don't take it out in public, to work, school, etc. Acts 4:17-18
#3. God uses "unschooled, ordinary men" - (Acts 4:13) to further the gospel.
1 Cor. 1:26-29
NOTE: learning and training are in order!!! 2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Pet. 3:15 but don't have to be 'degreed' to share the gospel.
Basic essentials -
1) allegiance to Christ
2) submission to the Holy Spirit
This all applies to the 21st. century church as well as it did to the 1st. century church!
So...... Acts 4:1-31 - questionable as to how many days after the feast, Pentecost, etc? Still a large crowd around the area.
(Remember, the Chief Priest was #1 man in the Jewish culture, and the Captain of the Temple Guard was #2.) And, they were not happy that Peter & John were preaching the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Acts 4:7 - they didn't object to the healing, but the name (Jesus).
Question: Is the Gospel Message true??
In other words:
1) Jesus is the Christ
2) Jesus died for our sins (for our forgiveness) - must come through Christ
3) Jesus rose from the dead - literally, bodily, in glorified state
4) Jesus rules - King of kings, Lord of lords
5) Jesus is the Only Way
IF the Message is true........ then:
#1. The message is vitally important - (necessary, indispensable, of eternal consequence)
#2. We are obligated to share it (proclaim it) - Rom. 1:14, Great Commission, Acts 1:8 - this has never been thought of as only for preachers, teachers, evangelists, etc. - it is for ALL.
I have something that makes a difference!!!
AND we can expect -
#1. Conversions -- because the gospel = powerful = Rom. 1:16-17 If we shared the gospel message
more, would see more people saved!!!!
#2. Opposition - because the gospel id offensive - gospel says you are a sinner, bound for hell.
WARNINGS: Luke 21:12-19
Matt. 10:34-39
The question is NOT is the gospel message foolish? The question IS, is it TRUE??
AND, remember, there is a vast difference between the message being offensive, and the messenger being offensive. Gospel message is to be presented with compassion, and kindness, and respectfully
OBSERVATIONS:
#1. The opposition is not merely human, but is demonic. Eph. 6:10-12 - people are not the enemies, Satan is behind this opposition (dark forces)
#2. The first appeal from friends, family, officials will be to "closet Christianity". - Keep it at home, in the church, but don't take it out in public, to work, school, etc. Acts 4:17-18
#3. God uses "unschooled, ordinary men" - (Acts 4:13) to further the gospel.
1 Cor. 1:26-29
NOTE: learning and training are in order!!! 2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Pet. 3:15 but don't have to be 'degreed' to share the gospel.
Basic essentials -
1) allegiance to Christ
2) submission to the Holy Spirit
This all applies to the 21st. century church as well as it did to the 1st. century church!
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