Friday, February 26, 2016

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday February 28, 2016

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 1:1-5

The Book of the Acts of the Apostles is written by Luke, and is more or less, a continuation of his Gospel account. In this book, he attempts to enlighten us about the beginnings of the Christian Church, and its gradual spread to nearby and distant lands. His book of Acts chronicles the sudden explosion of missionary activities, led by the Apostle Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and other prominent early Church workers.
In Luke’s Gospel account, he emphasized the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT in the life of CHRIST JESUS. However, in the Book of Acts, he emphasizes the role of the HOLY SPIRIT, in the growth and development of the early Christian Church in its infancy.
In the first century, the world was rife with myths, mystery religions and magic, and it was probably because of these confusions that Luke set out to more accurately record the facts of the origins of Christianity. He was intent on proving, through his Gospel account, and through this Book of Acts, that Christianity is not rooted in such myths and fables, but rather, has its roots in history, beginning with the birth of the Messiah in Palestine.
Perhaps more than any of the other Gospel writers, Luke proves to us most successfully, that JESUS was both 100 percent human, and 100 percent GOD (the Hypostatic Union). He also wanted the world to know that CHRIST’ Gospel was actually being spread by eyewitnesses of HIS life, who actually saw HIS miracles performed, and, who actually heard HIM speak on many occasions. And shortly after their quest to spread the Gospel began, those early followers and eyewitnesses became widely known, first, as “Adherents of the Way”.
The Book of Acts takes us from Jerusalem, into many cities within the Roman Empire, including Asia Minor and Europe. Luke gives us vivid and dramatic depictions of the trials and triumphs in the lives of these early missionaries. We can see very clearly that GOD is with these missionary teams as they traveled throughout the world as it was known at that time, spreading the Gospel.
In the three decades that are covered in the Book of Acts, we see the Christian message being spread diligently and vigorously, as Christian churches (mostly House Churches) begin to pop up in every major population center in the Roman Empire. The locations of these house churches were secretly guarded as to prevent their discovery by the Emperor Nero and those antichrist opponents, who vigorously sought to destroy the work of the believers, and eradicate the very idea of Christianity from civilization.
This book also stresses the fact that, whenever GOD gives us a task to do, HE always gives us the “power” (“exocea” – authority) necessary to carry out and complete that task, to HIS OWN satisfaction, not ours. Oftentimes, GOD has already prepared us, long in advance, for the work HE will call us to do at some future date.  However, part of the human struggle, is that, we are often unaware of GOD’s plan for us, and, when HE makes it known to us, we then, either have a problem in the “waiting to get started” and often find ourselves getting ahead of GOD, or straying from HIS plan, or, we have “a fear of taking the steps that are necessary” (going with HIS plan), to move into the unknown, where JESUS is.
Remember, Samuel anointed David King, while he was still a shepherd boy, and long before he actually got to sit on the throne of Israel (15 years). And then there is Moses, who was called by GOD to free Israel from bondage in Egypt, 40 years before he was actually instructed to re-enter Egypt to begin the exodus of HIS people from their miseries.
Here we see, in the opening lines of the Book of Acts (Acts 1:4), JESUS instructing HIS Disciples not to leave Jerusalem until GOD had sent them the HOLY SPIRIT, with which, they would be spiritually baptized and empowered. The HOLY SPIRIT would forever be their Protector, Comforter, Counselor, and Guide, as they moved forward to fulfill the commission of CHRIST, while, at one and the same time, fighting the great spiritual battle that JESUS also fought with satan. The HOLY SPIRIT would forever represent the power of GOD that HE would infuse into every Christian who believed and desired to do HIS will, and HIS works in the world (Acts 1:8).

 JESUS’ ASCENSION BACK INTO HEAVEN
Acts 1:6-11

The Disciples expected JESUS to immediately set up the “Earthly Kingdom” that had been spoken of by the ancient Prophets since the dawn of creation. In verse 7, we see that JESUS does not deny the Prophets’ visions, but rather, diverts their attention back to the task at hand. HE tells them that GOD will keep HIS Old Testament promises, in HIS own time, but right now, they were to concentrate on bringing CHRIST’s message to the world.
It is still the duty of every Christian today, as “Adherents of the Way”, to carry out the “Commission of CHRIST”, by spreading the Gospel to any and everyone who is willing to listen. And JESUS promises us that, when we do, “lo, I AM with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20b - KJV).
Shortly after this final meeting with HIS disciples, JESUS was taken up into Heaven while they were watching, and HE soon disappeared into the clouds. As the group of stunned men strained their eyes to see what was taking place before them, two white-robed men suddenly stood in their midst, and delivered one of the greatest promises from GOD of all times. The men said to them in unison, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? JESUS has been taken away from you into Heaven. And someday, just as you saw HIM go, HE will return!” 

THE DISCIPLES REPLACE JUDAS ISCARIOT WITH MATTHIAS
Acts 1:12-26

After the apostles left the Mount of Olives where they had watched JESUS ascend back into Heaven, they all went back to “the upper room” where they had sat with JESUS to receive HIS private teachings, and to eat the final Passover meal, during HIS last week of life here on earth. They all assembled together continually for the next several days, with several of the faithful women who served JESUS during HIS ministry, including Mary, the mother of JESUS, and also JESUS’ brothers (Vs.12-14). And just as men always do, they soon started to inject their own “human thinking” (human ingenuity) and “emotions” into the plan of GOD where they are not needed.
Taking up at verse 13, on an occasion when about 120 believers were meeting together, the Apostle Peter stood up and addressed the assembly. With the best of intentions, an emotional Peter took it upon himself and decided that they needed to replace the fallen apostle, Judas Iscariot, with another man of their own choosing. He even cited a scripture that he thought would justify his actions, the one we now know as Psalm 109:8.
He talked of how Judas had betrayed JESUS in the Garden of Gethsemane, and had received 30 pieces of silver as payment for his treachery. He then used the money (or rather the Pharisees did) to buy a potter’s field (“Akeldama”, which means “Field of Blood”), where, ultimately he hanged himself in a misguided attempt to extricate himself from his guilt and misery.
Peter felt so, and he apparently convinced the others that, it was incumbent upon them to elect a replacement using their human ingenuity and efforts to try and do what only GOD is qualified to do for HIMSELF. JESUS never instructed HIS avid followers to choose anyone to replace Judas as HIS disciple, but here in this passage we see them first choosing two men from among them, and then, after praying, they cast lots to see who would win the position in JESUS’ inner circle.
This was all for naught, however, and as history now shows us, JESUS, just like HE had chosen them to be HIS closest disciples, would later HIMSELF, choose the Apostle Paul, a bold and relentless figure of the tribe of Benjamin, to be perhaps, HIS most prominent disciple of all. HE would later use Paul to tirelessly organize and spread the idea of Christianity, even to the Gentiles nations, and throughout the Roman Empire in the first century. And now, through his biblical writings and Church instructions given to him by CHRIST, he is still able to reach “the lost” today, even in the far corners of the modern world.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



Friday, February 12, 2016

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday February 14, 2016

EVIDENCE OF FAITH
(Looking out for others)
Hebrews 13

The book of Hebrews concludes with a series of exhortations to Christians, and indeed, to all mankind, concerning how we should live a life of faith, here on earth. We are called to love and trust in GOD, and to continue to listen to, and respect those leaders who first introduced us to the LORD.
Here believers are called to live a life of love for their fellowman (verse 1). Christians should not forget to show hospitality to everyone, because you never know when you might be entertaining an angel (verse 2). We should even remember and pray for the freedom of those who have been incarcerated because of their zeal and work for CHRIST, with the same passion and frequency with which we pray for ourselves. And finally, we must bear each others burdens, as so to fulfill the command of CHRIST JESUS.
The epilogue of this letter to the Hebrews is distinguished from its body, in that, it contains specific admonitions that we should adhere to. It contains not only the writer’s personal comments, but also gives specific instructions suggesting how we can worship GOD in a more acceptable manner than we’ve become accustomed to. Verses 1-6 contains moral directions for us to follow, that would reflects our personal kindness to our brothers, to strangers, and, to those who are imprisoned. This passage also calls for sexual purity in marriage, and, for us to avoid monetary greed, being content with what the LORD is blessing each of us with, personally. Even if we have little on the material level, we still have GOD’s daily help, just as HE promises us.
These moral instructions are followed by some religious directions in verses 7-17. Here the writer reminds us that we are to not forget those religious leaders who first taught us the word of GOD, and, we are to always remember and consider all of the good that has come to us from their lives, and then finally, we are to trust GOD just as they do.
CHRIST JESUS is the same, yesterday, today, and forever, and we should not be distracted by any other strange, new ideology, or theology that comes down the pike. JESUS affords us with an altar from which no earthly priest can eat, and then, HE died outside the gates of Jerusalem to make us holy by the shedding of HIS OWN blood. HE was then raised from the dead by GOD the FATHER, so that HE could carry HIS OWN blood back to the Temple in Heaven, and then offer it, as a sacrificial payment for our sins.
We must therefore go out and be willing to suffer the same kind of disgrace and persecution that JESUS suffered for us, in route to, and on, the cross at Golgotha. The apostle John wrote in his third letter, which was a personal note to his friend Gaius, that, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4).
In Hebrews 13:17-19, the author of GOD lays down the duty and responsibility of the Christian congregation to its leaders, whom GOD has chosen. Obedience to its leaders is a duty of the congregation. And while a Christian church is a democracy, it is not a democracy that is taken to extremes. Obedience is not given to its leaders in order to gratify their sense of power and prestige, but rather, it is given so that, we who trust in GOD, can allow them to shepherd and care for those souls which GOD has appointed to them.
A true man of GOD recognizes his responsibility to GOD, and is accountable for his actions, right or wrong. Our obedience to our leaders is not a blind one however, and nor is it a surrender of our responsibility to obey CHRIST as LORD of the Church. We must, however, remain responsive to those, whom GOD has given us as guides, and allow ourselves to be influenced positively by them. Our getting to know GOD personally through HIS word gives us the ability to distinguish true men of GOD from those who are frauds.
Looking out for each other entails watching out and praying for others in the congregation in general, as well as for those on the leadership tier in the Church. In the spiritual sense, we truly are our brother’s keeper, and we are called to help each other guard against going astray. It is appropriate that leaders are called to watch over us, and, in the end, they must give an account to GOD, regarding how they fared as shepherds. But, in the same way, we are called to watch over each other, and, must also give an account to GOD, for our reactions concerning the needs of our fellowman, especially within the Church.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website