Today's Bible Study Lesson
“Believers Praise God”
Aim: Understand
the
role of Christ and the Holy Spirit in our lives;
Discern
how
the Holy Spirit inspires believers to share a life of worship, and
Plan
opportunities
for people to begin a relationship with Jesus through our ministries.
Background:
Acts 2:32-33, 37-47
Bible Lesson:
Acts 2:32-33, 37-47
Memory
Verses:
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:42 KJV
Some
Highlights:
-
The
Book of Acts is better titled “The Acts of the Apostles” or “The
Acts of the Holy Spirit” for it records the early events of the
church. The physician Luke is the presumed Holy Spirit -inspired
author of this book. The Book of Acts opens with the author
explaining that following
Jesus’ resurrection He
commanded His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until the gift of the
power of the Holy Spirit was given to them as promised.
-
At
the time of our Study, believers from many locations were assembled
in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks which occurred on the
fiftieth (50th)
day after the
Passover,
which is call the Pentecost in Greek (meaning “fifty’). At this
time, people brought their first fruits of harvest as their
offering. (Leviticus 23:15-21).
-
Acts
Chapter 2 identifies
the recorded events as occurring on
the day of Pentecost and all the celebrants assembled
together when from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled
the entire house and divided tongues appeared over their heads.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke in other
tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Even though the
attendees were from different nations, they understood what was
spoken in their respective languages without interpreters. The
tongues referenced hear is the miraculous ability
for each person to hear the Gospel in their own language by the aid
of the Holy Spirit.
-
The
noise brought about by the excited believers resulted in
those
on
the
outside accusing the believers as
a drunken rowdy crowd. Peter took responsibility to speak for all
and he denied that they were drunk. It was too early in
the day for
wine. He
exclaimed that
what
they had
experienced was the fulfillment of prophesy that God would
pour
out His Spirit on all flesh. This was just the beginning of Peter’s
long sermon. He
began by
declaring
that
the
resurrection of Jesus had been witnessed by
the
eleven apostles and others whom Jesus had
visited
after His resurrection. He further explained that Jesus had ascended
to heaven to sit at the right side of God the Father.
His
departure
opened the door for the entrance of the Holy Spirit to indwell all
believers.
-
Peter’s
message pierced the
hearts of those
present as
they heard and now saw that Jesus Christ who was crucified was truly
the Son of God. Those who had cried “crucify him” as
well as those
who had
been
silent were equally guilty. Their response was “What must we do
[to be saved]?” Peter answered quickly “Repent of your sins and
turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your sins.” At conversion, we receive the
gifts of forgiveness of our sins and the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit. Peter
further explained that this promise was not only available to those
within
the
sound
of his
voice,
as well as those not like them and
future generations,
if they are called upon by the Lord our God.
-
Peter’s
sermon was a long one and he strongly urged his hearers to not be a
part of the crooked generation in which they lived. Three thousand
(3,000) souls were baptized and added to the church that day. All
of these believers devoted themselves to the apostles teachings,
fellowshipping together, sharing meals (including the Lord’s
Supper), and praying together. What
a description of a true Christian community!
-
These
believers were blessed to witness many miraculous signs and wonders
performed by the apostles which further evidenced the reality
of Christianity. This Christian Community met frequently and shared
all things together. Some sold their possessions and property and
shared the money with others of the community who were in need. This
was not communal living or a Communist movement. In a communal
situation, usually there is
a
charismatic
leader who uses
brainwashing
methods to influence followers to forsake all and follow for the
good of all. In a Communist situation, the State takes the
possessions of all and redistributes them
as the leader(s) dictate. Neither
of these situations are
voluntary
movements.
The Christian Community described in our study reflects a God
inspired love for one another and a voluntary sharing of
possessions.
-
Not
only did this
Christian
Community joyously fellowship together, but they worshipped in the
Temple daily while praising God and sharing goodwill. The Lord added
to their fellowship daily all who were saved. In other words, this
was a growing Christian Community and a pattern for our modern day
churches.
Take
Aways:
-
The Gospel when shared
pierces the hearts of those hearing it and will result in souls
being saved by the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
-
We as believers represent a
Christian Community that should exhibit love for our God and for
each other as well as a willingness to share with those in need.
-
The Holy Spirit which
indwells all Christians provides us with direction, comfort, and
discernment for our Christian Journey
Bible
Verses to Keep in Mind:
“[Be]
kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor
giving preference to one another;” Romans
12:10 NKJV
“By
this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another.” John
13:35 KJV
“Finally,
all [of you be] of one mind, having compassion for one another; love
as brothers, [be] tenderhearted, [be] courteous;” 1 Peter
3:8 NKJV
“A
new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have
loved you, that ye also love one another.” John
13:34 KJV
“[For
this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth.” 1 Ti mothy
2:3-4
NKJV
“But what does it say?
"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"
(that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess
with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:8-9 NKJV
“But the Comforter,
[which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 KJV
“[By this we know love,
because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down
[our] lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and
sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does
the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in
word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18 NKJV
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