BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday May 13, 2012

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CHANGING YOUR HEART WILL CHANGE YOUR HOME

(Your belief in GOD can impact your entire household)

 (Acts 16:1-15)

Acts 16:1-15 chronicles the story of the beginning of the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey, which, for the first time, would lead him into Europe. Along with Silas, and later, Timothy and Luke, Paul travels into the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia, which, at that time (around A.D. 50), was a province of the Roman Empire. The men had persistently tried to go north, deeper into the peninsula of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), but the SPIRIT OF JESUS, by way of some unexplained methods, had not allowed them to enter. With the issue of the basis of “Gentile inclusion into the Church” officially settled at the Acts 15 council, Paul, now sets out with Silas, who had replaced Barnabas, on his second missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas had split after a disagreement concerning Barnabas’ cousin John Mark. Paul had become disappointed with John Mark, because he abandoned them on their first missionary journey, while at Perga of Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). Barnabas and John Mark had already set sail for Barnabas’ homeland, the island of Cyprus, to begin working their mission there.

Meanwhile, Paul and Silas make their first stop in Derbe, and then, move on to Lystra, the home of Timothy, where Paul had preached on his first missionary journey and was stoned by an angry mob and left for dead. The people there had thought that he and Barnabas were the Greek gods Hermes and Zeus after they had healed a cripple man. However, some Jews came down later from Antioch and Iconium and turned the people against them, causing them to have to flee to Derbe (Acts 14:8-19).

While in Lystra, they meet the young Disciple Timothy, whose mother was a Jewish believer, but whose father was a Greek. Timothy was well respected by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, and so Paul asked him to join them on their mission. Out of respect for the opinion of the Jews in that area who knew Timothy’s father was a Greek, Paul arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left. The three men then traveled from town to town explaining the decision made by the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, during the Acts 15 council, that, “Gentiles did not have to be circumcised to become Christians”.

Next, Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, as the HOLY SPIRIT would not let them go any farther into Asia Minor, at that time. They traveled on to Mysia, and again, tried to go north, this time, into Bithynia, however, the SPIRIT OF JESUS compelled them, instead, into the city of Troas. It is here that the author of GOD, Luke, joins the journey, and it is here that GOD shows Paul a vision, telling him to go to Macedonia (Europe) and preach the Gospel there. So they boarded a boat and sailed from Troas to the island of Samothrace. They spent the night there, and, the following day, they landed in the port city of Neapolis. They then went to the neighboring major city of Philippi, a Roman colony at that time, in the district of Macedonia. There they abided for three days.

On the Sabbath, they went down to the riverbank, where the people, who were worshipers of GOD, met to pray. They sat down to talk to some of the women, who had come together there. One of them, Lydia of Thyatira, who was a merchant of expensive purple cloth and a devout worshiper of GOD, listened intently and opened up her heart to what Paul and his companions were saying about CHRIST. She accepted what they were saying and was baptized, along with other members of her family. Lydia insisted that Paul and his entourage come to her house as her special guests. She and her family had, that day, become the first Europeans in recorded Scripture to accept CHRIST into their lives, and this was truly a cause for celebration.

And so we see, at a time when it seemed that all doors were being shut to Paul and his companions, it turns out that GOD, in HIS infinite wisdom, had something much greater in store for those who were willing to work according to HIS will. It must have seemed strange to Paul, being blocked from the Roman province of Asia by the HOLY SPIRIT, but no one can ever know and understand the eternal plan of GOD. Ironically, as history would have it, Asia Minor would become the place that was to contain all of the recipients of the letters to the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation by the Apostle John.

Paul and his entourage were then compelled to go the route of Alexander the great, whom GOD had used some 400 years earlier to spread the Greek language and culture all over world. HE had, by doing so, set the stage for the writing of the New Testament, of which Paul himself, would be its most prolific writer. The world had already seen the translation of the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures into what then had became, the universal Greek language of the “Septuagint” (Greek version of the Old Testament) at Alexandria over 200 years earlier.

Paul, Silas, Luke, and Timothy all believed in the sovereignty of GOD over all things. And we can see, quite vividly, throughout the Book of Acts, how that belief impacted their everyday life and travels. And as for the Thyatiran woman, Lydia, and her family, they, in a very special sense, had become immortalized, through their faith and belief in CHRIST. They will forever be remembered as being the first European family to accept our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. And her first act as a Christian was, ironically, to invite other Christian people into her home. It is the kind of human action that CHRIST had, years earlier, commanded us to perform.

Before we can offer our love, charity, and ministry to people in the Church, and, in the world, we must first show, and be able to offer that same love, charity, and ministry to people within our own homes. Oftentimes we look at home as a place where we go to shut the world out, but equally, it should be a place with an open door. The effectiveness of our ministry at church is always predicated upon the life we live at home. The way to a changed home, church, job, and life, has always been, through a changed heart.

        

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). Reflect on why you think the home is important to GOD.

(2). Accepting CHRIST, and having a personal relationship with HIM, not only

       saves you, but it can also save the lives of those in your household as well.

      Explore ways through scripture, as to how you can apply GOD’s word to rescue

       family members from a life of sin and self-destruction.

(3). Once GOD changes your heart, be diligent in your efforts to plant the seed of

       the word of GOD into someone else’s heart, starting in your own household,

       and then, working your way out into the community.

LIFE RESPONSE:

When you pray, thank GOD for Christian families and households that can be used as models to show unbelievers all the advantages of having HIM within their family structure. Ask HIM to help you to be strong and, to stay within HIS will at all times, so that you may always be an effective tool in helping family and others to spiritually strengthen their households.

KEY VERSE: Acts 16:15

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday April 1, 2012

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SAVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD

(Christians are all saved by GOD’s grace)

(Acts 15:1-21)

It was William Barclay who wrote, “The paradox of Christianity is that, the way to victory is through surrender, and the way to power is through admitting one’s own helplessness”. In the, now famous, “Acts 15 Council”, that is chronicled by Luke here in this chapter of the Book of Acts, we see, once again, the core differences between the man who sees religion as “ritual”, and the man who sees in religion, loving GOD and loving his fellowman. We saw it first, perhaps, in Mark 7, verses 1-15, when JESUS taught the Pharisees about “inner purity”, on an occasion in the port village of Gennesaret, shortly following HIS legendary “walk on water”.

For the orthodox Jew, the law meant two things. First of all, it meant the “Ten Commandments”, and secondly, it meant the “Pentateuch”, the first five books of the Old Testament, which were written by Moses. From these two documents, they formed a very complex, “self-made”, spoken list of rules and regulations, known as “Oral Laws”, or, “The Traditions of the Elders”. However, it wasn’t until roughly 300 years, after the Crucifixion of CHRIST, that these “Oral Laws”, were first written down. They came to form, the compilation we know today, as the “Mishnah”, the first, and most basic part of the “Jewish Talmud”, and the written basis of religious authority for traditional Judaism. To the orthodox Jews, Scribes, and Pharisees, these rules and regulations were the essence of religion. In their minds, to observe and obey them was to please GOD.

Here in Acts 15, while Paul and Barnabas were still at Antioch of Syria, some men came from Judea and began teaching the newly formed Christian Church, that, unless they keep these ancient Jewish customs, and, in this case, the ancient custom known as “circumcision”, they could not receive “Salvation”.  In other words, they seemed to be telling the Gentile newcomers that the only way to become a Christian, was that they first, become a Jew.

Paul and Barnabas sharply disagreed, and argued forcefully and at length with these former Pharisees. Finally, Paul and Barnabas, along with a few of the other Believers, were sent to Jerusalem to discuss this dispute with the apostles and elders there at the central church. The discussion that ensued that day is what has now come to be known as the “Acts 15 Council”.

During this council, the Apostles and Elders ruled in favor of Paul and Barnabas and stipulated that the Gentile believers only had to abstain from eating foods that were sacrificed to idols, abstain from sexual immorality, and abstain from drinking blood and eating the meat of strangled animals. They felt that these requirements were “HOLY SPIRIT” led, and had been preached in the Synagogues for centuries.

James, the half-brother of JESUS, apparently the head of the Church at Jerusalem at that time, cited a quote from the Prophet Amos (Amos 9:11-12) as the basis for their decision, in Acts 15:16-18. They then sent Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch with a letter announcing their decision. All of the requirements cited by James in his letter speak only to moral issues that any person in CHRIST should seek to observe. The things mentioned by the Jerusalem council did not require a person to make physical changes, such as circumcision, in order to come to CHRIST, but rather, they required a person to make certain spiritual disciplinary adjustments that are necessary to become more like CHRIST.

No person can be justified by keeping the “Law of Moses”. Circumcision was that part of the law that GOD gave to Abraham, as a sign of the Jews commitment to HIM. It was never intended to be a requirement for Salvation. GOD’s plan of Salvation had not yet been revealed to man in those days. Abraham was accredited righteousness by GOD, because of his faith, not because he was circumcised, or kept any other law. Salvation has always been, is now, and will forever be, a gift of grace from GOD, as a reward for our belief in our LORD and SAVIOR, GOD’s only begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST.

Christianity is the only true religion, because it is the only religion that is a product of GOD’s mind. Christianity is the religion that is based simply on listening to GOD and accepting HIS word. Any rule that prevents us from helping our fellowman can never be a rule of GOD. JESUS came to show us that worshiping GOD can only be done from the inside out. Peter, perhaps, put it best in Acts 15:10-11 when he says, in effect, “Why are we now questioning GOD’s way, by burdening other believers with a yoke that neither we, nor our ancestors were able to bear? We believe that we are all saved the same way, and that is, by the special favor of our LORD JESUS”.

And so, all of the church leaders involved themselves in the process of solving and getting over the early Church’s first major internal hurdle. They first obtained a clear statement of the issues, heard arguments from both sides, consulted the scriptures, maintained good communications, and as a result, built upon the strong unity that it takes to be successful in GOD’s work.

Unfortunately, most times “personal differences” can be harder to resolve than are “doctrinal differences”, and we see this chapter come to a close with the breakup of Paul and Barnabas over differences that involved John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin, and the eventual author of the Gospel of Mark. Paul had not yet gotten over the fact that John Mark had abandoned them on their first missionary journey while at Pamphylia, and had not shared in the completion of their work. And so they began their second missionary journey by splitting up and going separate ways. Paul chose Silas and they traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia trying to strengthen the newly formed churches there, and Barnabas took John Mark with him, and they sailed back to Barnabas’ hometown of Cyprus to start there.

                                                                       

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). When you witness about the gospel of CHRIST, guard against personal

       arguments and conflict, as they are more difficult to deal with than doctrinal

       issues.

(2). Try to make the gospel your only issue and let GOD’s word speak for

       itself.

(3). Remember we are all saved the same way, and there is one way only, by which

       we are saved, and it has always been, and will always be by the grace of GOD,

       through our faith in HIM.

(4). We can never do enough to earn our way into Heaven, not by good deeds, nor

        by obeying the law. Remember, people were going to Heaven a long time before

       Moses delivered the law, and it was based on their faith, in GOD.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Pray and thank GOD for HIS life-saving Grace. Thank HIM that we do not have to do a bunch of deeds in order to receive HIS wonderful Salvation, because our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST has done it all, through HIS vicarious sacrifice.

KEY VERSE: Acts 15:11

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday March 18, 2012
Acts 14

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PAUL AND BARNABAS’ TRAVELS AND TRAVAILS

(Spreading and defending the Gospel is not an easy task)

In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went into the synagogue and preached mightily, and many Jews and Gentiles were converted to Christianity. However, anti-CHRIST Jews, who spurned GOD’s message from Paul and Barnabas, stirred up mistrust among the Gentiles saying many evil things about the pair. Nevertheless, the apostles stayed for an extended period of time preaching boldly about the grace of GOD, and the LORD HIMSELF helped proved the genuineness of the apostles teachings, by enabling them to perform many miracles before the people. The people remained divided in their opinion however, as some sided with the Jews, and some sided with the apostles (Vs. 1-4).

Later, Paul and Barnabas got word that a mob consisting of both Jews and Gentiles, were planning to stone them to death. Upon hearing of this they fled and went to the region of Lycaonia, where they made stops in the cities of Lystra and Derbe, and some of the surrounding towns, and they preached the Gospel there for a while (Vs. 5-7).

While Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra they met a man who had been crippled since birth. Seeing how much faith the man had, Paul called out to him with a loud voice, commanding him to stand up. The man immediately stood up and began walking. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they began to say that Paul and Barnabas were both gods in human bodies (Vs. 8-11) and they begin to worship them as the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes.

Zeus and Hermes had longed been worshipped in this part of Galatia. In fact, legend had it that just 50 years earlier the two gods had visited the area in human form, and had severely punished the people for not welcoming them. And so Paul’s healing of the cripple man had provoked a superstitious response from the citizens there. The temple of Zeus stood not far away, and one of the priests, along with several Zeus and Hermes followers, came to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas with oxen and wreaths of flowers at the city gates (Vs 11-13).   

When Paul and Barnabas got wind of this foolishness, they tried to restrain the people from their idolatrous treatment of them as false gods, but they could scarcely stop the people from sacrificing to them. At around that time, the Jews who had been dogging them for some time now, arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and were able to successfully turn the crowd of people from an adoring one, and into a murderous mob. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, and left him for dead. However, as the believers stood around Paul, he got up and went back into the city. The following day, he and Barnabas left and went to Derby (Vs. 14-20).

In Acts 14:21-28, we see Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch, from their preaching mission, one that had been very successful, even though Paul had been nearly stoned to death in their visit to Lystra, near the end of their journey. Barnabas and Paul were sent out by the HOLY SPIRIT to serve, and to grow the church of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, and it is in that same spirit that we as Christians should operate today when we commit to do the work of CHRIST.

The early church had many struggles and persecutions, and Barnabas and Paul warn of that to the church at the end of this maiden journey. They encouraged the believers to continue on in the faith, and reminded them that, in order to enter into the kingdom of GOD, they, like CHRIST JESUS, must go through many tribulations. They appointed elders in every church, along the way, praying and fasting, and then, turning them over to GOD. When they had arrived back at Antioch, they called the church together and told of all those things that GOD had done on their trip, and how HE had opened the doors of faith also to the Gentiles.

One can’t help but be reminded of the great commission of CHRIST, as HE laid it down at the conclusion of the Book of Matthew (28:19-20). It is a message and command that resonates to every Christian, from across the spans of time, in hopes that every man, woman, and child will have a chance to enlist and serve in the army of GOD. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”. Amen.  

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). After you have accepted the “Great Commission of CHRIST” center your

      efforts on those people you meet who seem ready to respond.

(2). Remember, at all times, that you are not the one who changes people, only GOD

      can do that. We, as Christians, can only plant the seed, and do a little watering. GOD is

      the ONE who  causes the increase, or change in a person’s heart.

(3). Always stay focused on GOD and your successes. Never focus on people and

      opposition. If your focus is on people, instead of GOD, you’re going to always be

      disappointed and discouraged with your efforts.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Follow the examples of the men in this lesson by praying and fasting persistently, and, as a result, GOD will give you the strength and courage you need to endure to the end of your Christian journey.

KEY VERSES: Acts 14:19-20

DEVOTIONAL PASSAGES: Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:3-5, 2 Timothy 2:15-16

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday March 4, 2012

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WE ARE SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

(We are sent out by GOD to confirm the Church)

Acts 13

In Acts 13:1-3 we see that the church at Antioch of Syria had become the base of operations for Saul (Paul) and other missionaries. And, even though the church at Jerusalem was still the mother church, the missionary church was the church at Antioch. Here, Luke gives us a vivid description of the background diversity of the leading men in the church there.

First of all, we see Barnabas, a Jew from the island of Cyprus, who had become known as “the enabling encourager”, by those, in the Christian church. Then we see Simeon, who was also a Jew, but was called by his Latin nickname “Niger”, because of his dark complexion. This Latin name may also indicate to us, as to how he moved in Roman circles. Then there is Lucius, who was from Cyrene, a country in northern Africa. And there was also Manaen, a man with royal clout, as he had been raised with Herod Antipas, the king who had John the Baptist beheaded during the time of CHRIST’s earthly ministry. Manaen had become a disciple of JESUS after Herod’s shameful treatment of CHRIST during HIS trials at Jerusalem. And finally, there is Saul, a Jew who had been trained for Rabbinical work by the institutions of men, and then, was converted by CHRIST one fateful day on the road to Damascus (Acts chapter 9).

As these faithful men were praying and fasting one day, the HOLY SPIRIT, as HE often gave directives to GOD’s leaders in those days, came to them, and instructed them that they separate Barnabas and Saul for a special task that GOD had called them to do. It was to be the first of Paul’s, now famous, “missionary journeys” and it would include a circuit through the province of Asia Minor, and a voyage to Barnabas’ homeland, of the island of Cyprus.

The Christian Church, for the first time, is now seen positioning itself to take the Gospel of CHRIST to the world. Cyprus was a Roman province, famous for its copper mines, and shipbuilding industry, and it was only fitting that Barnabas might first want to preach JESUS to his own hometown people.

After landing at the island of Cyprus they went to the town of Salamis and visited the Jewish synagogues and preached the gospel to the people. John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin, and the eventual author of the Book of Mark, went with them as an assistant. The launch of this journey was a decision that was taken under the direct guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT, and unlike we see so often in the Churches today, the men of the Church in the first century, never did what they wanted to do, but rather, they always did what GOD wanted them to do. They were in tune to the HOLY SPIRIT, and they waited patiently on HIS prompting.

After preaching in Salamis for a while, the men traveled from town to town across the entire island of Cyprus. When finally came to a town called Paphos, they met a false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who, had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulas, a man of considerable insight and understanding. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him so that he could hear a word from GOD through them. However Elymas, a practicing socerer, who was seeking to block the governor from learning of the new Christian Faith, interfered and urged the governor to pay no heed to what Saul, or Barnabas had to say (Vs. 6-8).

Then Saul (also known as Paul by that time), who was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, looked the sorcerer in the eyes and said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of trickery and villainy, enemy of all that is good, will you never stop perverting the true ways of the LORD? And now the LORD has laid HIS hand of punishment upon you, and you will be stricken awhile with blindness”. Then suddenly mist and darkness fell upon the sorcerer and he began to wander around aimlessly begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. When the governor saw what had happened, he instantly believed and, in fact, was astonished about what he was able to learn about the LORD, through Paul and Barnabas (Vs. 9-12).

When Paul and his company left Paphos by ship, they sailed to Pamphylia and landed in the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and went back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas, however, continued on to Antioch of Pisidia farther inland. To get there, they had to cross over the Taurus Mountain range, which was some 3600 feet above sea level, on one of the most dangerous roads in all of Asia Minor. It was notorious for the bandits and robbers who made a living off the innocent travelers who were brave enough, or stupid enough to come that way. And to top that off, it is said that Paul was sick at that time, but it never crossed his mind to turn back from the assignment that the LORD had given him.

On the Sabbath they went to the synagogue to attend the services there. After reading from the books of Moses, and from the prophets, the synagogue leaders invited Paul and Barnabas to come forward and give them encouragement. What pursued was what would become the Apostle Paul’s longest recorded sermon in scripture (Vs. 15-41).

And so we see coming into focus, a startling contrast between the orthodox Jew, who sought to keep their privileges from to GOD to themselves, and the Christian Jew, who sought, with all determinedness, to share that privilege with the world.

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). After you have accepted the “Great Commission of CHRIST” center your

      efforts on those people you meet who seem ready to respond.

(2). Remember, at all times, that you are not the one who changes people, only GOD

      can do that. We, as Christians, can only plant the seed. GOD is the ONE who

      causes the increase, or change in a person’s heart.

(3). Always stay focused on GOD and your successes. Never focus on people, sickness, and

      opposition. If your focus is on people, instead of GOD, you’re going to always be

      disappointed and discouraged with your efforts.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Follow the examples of the men in this lesson by praying and fasting persistently, and, as a result, GOD will give you the strength and courage you need to endure to the end of your Christian journey.

KEY VERSES: Acts 14:19-20

  

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday February 19, 2012

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KNOWING CHRIST CAN SET US FREE

(In CHRIST we can find true freedom)

Acts 12

In Acts chapter 12, Luke chronicles the story of King Herod Agrippa I, and his persecution of the Christian Church and its leaders at Jerusalem. Herod Agrippa I, was the grandson of Herod the Great, who was ruler over Palestine around the time when JESUS was born. He was the son of Aristobulus, Herod the Great’s son by his wife Mariamne. Herod the Great murdered Mariamne, and subsequently, murdered their two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, shortly after they found out that he had killed their mother.

Mariamne was a princess who descended from the Great Jewish dynasty, known as the Maccabees. Therefore, Herod Agrippa I was a direct descendant of the Maccabees. He was educated in Rome, and throughout his life, he adhered strongly to Jewish laws and customs. This made him very popular with the orthodox Jews, and through his persecution of the newly formed Christian Church, he no doubt sought to further improve upon his popularity.

In Acts chapter 12, taking up at verse 1, we are introduced to Herod Agrippa I, as he orders the death of James, one the original Disciples of JESUS. James, the brother of the Apostle John, became the first of the original Disciples to be martyred, as he was killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish leaders, he arrested Peter, with the intent to kill him also, as soon as the Passover celebration had ended.

While Peter was in jail, the Church prayed earnestly for him, and on the eve of his trial while asleep in his cell, he was awakened by an angel of the LORD. The angel instructed him to “get up quickly”, and the chains that bound him between two guards, fell from his wrists. Then the angel told him to “Get dressed and put on his sandals and coat and “follow me”. So Peter did as the angel instructed, but all the while, he thought it was just a vision and had not yet realized it was really happening. 

They passed the first and second guard posts, and then finally, they came to an iron gate that would open into the street. The gate opened by itself, and Peter was able to walk with the angel to freedom. As they were walking down the street the angel left him and he realized then, that it was not a dream. He now knew that the LORD had sent HIS angel to rescue him from his impending doom.

Peter then goes directly to the home of the mother of John Mark. John Mark is the man who became the eventual author of the Book of Mark, and is also the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). He would also, later, travel with Barnabas and the Apostle Paul, on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). The home of his mother was apparently one of the meeting places of the followers of CHRIST in those days, and no doubt, was where they had gathered to pray for Peter during his incarceration.

When Peter arrives there and knocks on the door, a girl named Rhoda came to answer it. But after hearing the voice of Peter, whom they thought was still incarcerated, she, in her excitement, ran back to tell the others instead of opening the door.

The people inside, first, thought she was out of her mind, but finally concluded that she had, no doubt, heard an angel. But, when she insisted, they finally went to the door where they themselves heard Peter’s continued knocking. When they opened the door, they were amazed to see Peter standing there. Peter motions for them to quiet down, and then, tells them the story of how the LORD had led him to freedom. Before he left Mary’s house, he instructed them to go and tell James, the brother of JESUS, and apparent leader of the Church at that time, and all the others, what had just happened.

At dawn there was a great commotion among the palace guards about what had happened with Peter the night before. Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for Peter, but he couldn’t be found, and so he interrogated his guards and then sentenced them to death, before leaving for Caesarea to sojourn there for a while.

At that time Herod Agrippa was also angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. The people of Tyre and Sidon were afraid of the king because they depended on him for their food supply. And so they befriended Herod’s personal assistant, Blastus, and he set up an appointment with the king for them.

When they arrived, the king put on his royal robe, sat on his throne, and proceeded to make a speech that so impressed them, that they began shouting, “This is the voice of a god, not a man”. Instantly an angel of the LORD came and struck Herod down because he accepted the peoples’ praises, instead of giving the glory to GOD, WHOM he had been raised by his mother to serve and fear all of his life.  

In John chapter 8, verses 31-32, JESUS tells those who believe in HIM that, “If ye continue in MY word, then are ye MY disciples indeed; And ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free (KJV). JESUS goes on to tell us in verses 34-36 that, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the SON abideth ever.  If the SON therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”. There are very few passages in Scripture that show us such a vivid picture of what discipleship really is. True discipleship always results in freedom. It results in freedom from four things, “fear”, “self”, “other people”, and, last but not least, “sin”.

First of all, “Fear” leaves us when we choose to walk with GOD, instead of walking alone.  Secondly, “Self” is a person’s greatest handicap, because it is impossible for us to change ourselves. However, GOD gives us freedom from self, because GOD has the power to recreate us from the inside out, through our getting to know, and becoming accustomed to practicing HIS HOLY WORD.

Thirdly, GOD gives us freedom from “Other People”. It was H.G. Wells who said “The voice of our neighbors sounds louder in our ears than the voice of GOD”. Some peoples’ lives are dominated by what other people think or say about them. The true disciple only cares about what GOD thinks and says.

And finally, GOD gives us freedom from sin. JESUS’ vicarious sacrifice, on the Cross, broke the chains of our slavery to sin. From that moment on, we are no longer under the dominion of sin, and, we are also freed from the curse of the Law.

JESUS’ conquering of sin and death on the Cross put us into a position where we could, thereby, re-enter into a relationship of friendship with GOD, in spite of our many sins against HIM. When we come to know CHRIST, it becomes possible for us to fall in love with goodness, and then, wrong things, will no longer fascinate, and have power over us. It becomes more difficult for us to lose our hearts to the things of this world, as our relationship with GOD, through CHRIST JESUS, becomes our greatest asset. And so, therefore, in CHRIST, we have “true freedom”. Amen.

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). True Christian discipleship always results in freedom. It results in our

       overcoming the four things that can keep every human being out of the will of

      GOD.  They are “fear”, “self”, “other people”, and “sin”. Let’s re-examine these

       four things, which were previously mentioned in my commentary. First of all,

       there is fear. If you fear what man can do to you, more than you fear GOD,

       then, you are in a “spiritual prison”. I’ll give you just one example of this. If you

       don’t pay your tithes (ten percent of your earnings) to the building of

      CHRIST’s Church kingdom, before you pay anybody else, or any other bill, you

       are in spiritual prison. The obligation you take care of first is the one you have

       the most respect and reverence for. Trusting in GOD, by giving GOD the first

       fruits of your harvest, can free you from this prison of “fear”.

(2). “Self” has always been man’s worst enemy. This is because, man, no matter how

       long, and how hard he tries, can never change himself. GOD is the creator of

       man, and therefore, only GOD can change a man. Man can only change those

       things that GOD allows him to create, or have control or dominion over, on this

       earth, i.e cars, houses, computers, etc. Man can also alter, and has altered, some

       of GOD’s creation, but only for the worst. He can never improve upon GOD’s 

       creation, even though he is not totally convinced of that yet. Man’s surrender to

      GOD allows him to experience a lasting change that will benefit him, both now,

       and, in the world to come. He becomes free from the spiritual prison of “self”.

(3). “Other people” is not only one of the leading reasons for our spiritual

       imprisonment, it is also one of the leading reasons for our financial

       imprisonment. We go to great lengths to try and have what others have, do what

       others do, and look like, what others look like. We try to make others envious of

       us, because, we ourselves, are in fact, envious of other people. When a person

       comes to know CHRIST, their standards are raised to a higher level, and we

       only wish to imitate HIM. We no longer care what “other people” think of us,

       we only care what GOD thinks of us. We become free from the spiritual prison

       of “other people”

(4). And finally, only GOD can give us freedom from the spiritual prison of “sin”,

       and HE does it, through the vicarious sacrifice of our LORD and SAVIOR

      JESUS CHRIST. CHRIST has already paid for the sins of every human being,

       past, present, and future, and this means, all mankind in general, and those who

       believe in HIM, in particular. Coming to CHRIST, frees us from the spiritual

       prison of “sin”.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Pray and ask GOD to grant you “true freedom” through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Express to HIM that you are ready to be set free from the bondages of fear, self, other people, and those sins in your life that you continue to try to hold on to. Ask GOD to release you from these spiritual prisons, so that you can serve HIM in all completeness and fullness.

KEY VERSE: Acts 12:11

A Book by Book Bible study by,

Larry D. Alexander

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday February 12, 2012

____________________________________________________________

WE CAN REACH THE WORLD TOGETHER

(Christian missions call for teamwork)

Acts 11

Antioch is a Syrian city on the south side of the Orontes River. It is the place where the followers of JESUS were first called “Christians”. It is located in Phrygia, a province of Asia Minor, near the border of Pisidia. It is also the place where Barnabas and Paul taught the Church for a full year (Acts 11:26), just prior to the start of their, one and only, missionary journey together (Acts 13).

Barnabas, as we all know, is the man who originally introduced Paul to the new Christian Church, first, to the Apostles at Jerusalem in Acts chapter 9, and then later, to the church at Antioch of Syria, here in Acts chapter 11. We also now know that Barnabas later fell out with Paul, over differences involving his cousin John Mark, who was the eventual author of the “Gospel of Mark” (Acts 15:36-40).

Here in Acts chapter 11, starting in verse 19, and going through verse 21, we see, quite literally, the birth of the Christian Church at Antioch of Syria taking place. After this predominately Gentile church is established, and word gets back to the church at Jerusalem, the Apostles send Barnabas to Antioch to encourage the believers to stay true to the LORD. Large numbers of people were being converted to Christianity at Antioch during this period. This all happened about nine years after Paul fled Jerusalem under a murder threat from some of the Greek-speaking Jews that had been debating with him concerning Church doctrine. Paul had been rescued by a group of Believers who had received prior word of this murder plot. They took him, first to Caesarea, and then, on to his hometown of Tarsus to safety (Acts 9:28-30).

Barnabas, seeing the tremendous opportunity that was developing in Antioch for Christian growth, and, also being overwhelmed by the workload there already, decided to go to Tarsus to find Paul and bring him back to Antioch to help him. Both of them stayed there in Antioch with the Church for a year teaching large numbers of people.

Also during this same period, a few of GOD’s Prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, whose name was Agabus, being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, stood up in one of the meetings and predicted that a great famine would come upon the whole Roman Empire. This prediction was later fulfilled, during the reign of the Emperor Claudius.

The Believers, acting upon that prophesy, decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters of Judea. Everyone gave as much as they could, and they entrusted the proceeds into the hands of Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to take back to the Elders of the Church in Jerusalem.

This act of love by the Church at Antioch towards the Church at Judea undoubtedly helped to unite the two of them together in fellowship and love, just as Christian churches are meant by CHRIST to do. We are to respond to each other in a way that is pleasing to GOD. JESUS put it this way in Mathew 25:31-46, concerning how HE would conduct the final judgment. There HE tells us, in effect, that, we will be judged according to our reaction to human need. In other words, we are judged on how we, as Christians, help and treat each other in our times of need.

This passage of Acts chapter 11, verses 27-30, holds its significance in the fact that, the early Church realized the importance of unity in the new “Christian network of Believers”. When there was famine in Palestine, the first notion of the Church at Antioch was to send financial and spiritual help.  Here we see, perhaps for the first time, the Christian Church, being thought of as a body of Believers being held together by the ideology of GOD. This was and is, an ideology that is meant to transcend all of the structural, organizational, and worshiping style differences of man, and bring us all together in fellowship and love. In fact, it is called Christian Unity, and it is this kind of unity that JESUS had in mind, when HE prayed to HIS FATHER GOD in John 17. It is also the same kind of unity that Paul wrote about to the Churches in all of his Doctrinal letters. It is a unity that is not born of bricks and mortar, but rather, it is a unity of “personal relationships”, not unlike the one we’ve already seen, between the FATHER and the SON, which serves as an example to us, for all time.

We, as Christians, can truly reach the world together, but we must first prove to the world that Christianity produces the best men and women. And we can only do that, through the CHRIST-like examples that, we ourselves, must manifest through our own behavior.

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). Reflect on some of the times in your life when “teamwork” with others aided

       you in getting a project done much faster, and much more efficiently.

(2). Now ask yourself “Why can’t we do that all the time?”

(3). Then, ask yourself, “Why can’t we do that in the church, in our work for

      CHRIST?” Well, actually, that’s the way CHRIST intended for it to be. We

       should work together as one body in CHRIST. Remember, when CHRIST first

       set out on HIS three-year earthly mission, the first thing HE did, was assemble a

       team of volunteer workers (HIS disciples). This is what our personal application

       should be in our work in our own respective Christian churches. 

(4). It was not the size of the church at Antioch that made it successful, but rather, it

       was their ability and desire to work together. Discuss with your church

       members, ways in which you can work together to create a more viable body for

       the work of CHRIST.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Pray to GOD for wisdom in the application of your duties within your respective Christian churches. Pray also that HE show you, through the HOLY SPIRIT, how to work together in the Christian cause, and support others in Christian missions, throughout your city, state, and indeed, throughout the world.

KEY VERSE: Acts 11:29

                                                                     

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday February 5, 2012

____________________________________________________________

BARRIERS COME DOWN

(Christianity breaks through all barriers)

Acts 10

Acts chapter 10 relates how GOD used Peter to open up the doors of the Christian Church to the Gentiles (Non-Jewish) and the Samaritans (half breed Jews). The Jews and Samaritans, who were racially related, over the years, had formed quite a rift between themselves. And of course, the Gentiles had never been accepted by the Jews in any way, form, or fashion, and, were in fact, thought to be altogether “unclean”.

GOD, through a vision that was thrice shown to Peter, convinced him to reach out to the unsaved Gentiles with the message of Salvation (Acts 10:10-20). Actually, Acts chapters 10 & 11 mark a dramatic turning point in Church history, as we see, for the first time, Gentiles hearing and responding positively and corporately to the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST.

We also see in Acts 10, verses 44-48, Gentiles receiving the HOLY SPIRIT, and then being baptized in the name of JESUS for the very first time. Here too in this chapter of Acts, Luke introduces us to Cornelius, a devout man of GOD, and a Centurion in the Roman army. Cornelius, who was a Gentile, first and foremost, feared and prayed to the GOD of Israel. Luke also tells us that Cornelius gave regularly and generously to those who were in need. He was a Gentile who already had a relationship with GOD. In verses 3-6, he tells us that Cornelius also experienced a vision from GOD. It was a vision that, in essence, foretold of the upcoming acceptance of Gentiles into the Church of CHRIST, starting with him and his family, there in Caesarea.

And so, the stage was now set for barriers to come down, and, to bridge the gap, first, between man and himself, and then ultimately, between man and GOD. Also, we see finally, our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST coming into focus as the personification of that bridge.

GOD had already placed Peter in a real-life situation where he was closely associating with a person who would be deemed by the Jews to be “unclean”. According to Jewish law, and based on Numbers 19, a person who touches the carcass of the dead shall be deemed unclean for a designated period of time, even beyond their cleansing process.

Here in Acts chapter 10, verses 5 & 6, Luke tells us that Peter was in the town of Joppa, an ancient seaport on the Mediterranean coast of Palestine. He was living with a man named Simon, who was a leatherworker, a person whose very livelihood depended on him having to deal with dead animal carcasses. The very nature of Simon’s job caused him to be, according to Jewish law, continuously in an “unclean state”.

Most Jews, at that time, would never have accepted hospitality from a person such as Simon. Nevertheless, Simon was a Christian, and no doubt, by now, Peter had already begun to see that Christianity is intended by GOD, to be a revolution against social and racial prejudices, as well as, against pride, and economic disparities.

In Peter’s vision, GOD presented to him, all manner of animals that were traditionally deemed unclean to eat by Jewish, and perhaps, biblical standards. In that vision, the voice commands Peter to kill and eat these animals. Peter, however, protests against this command saying that, “I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean” (Acts 10:14). Then the voice of GOD tells Peter, “What GOD hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (v. 15) (KJV).

This same vision was repeated three times, and then, the collection of animals ascended back into Heaven. Until that moment, Peter had always thought the Gentiles to be unclean to associate with in any way, but now, GOD was preparing him for the coming of, first, the Gentile Cornelius and his family, and then later, those of the entire Gentile existence, who wished to come into the body of CHRIST and worship and serve HIM. 

The purpose of JESUS’ vicarious sacrifice on the cross was so that all men could have the opportunity to receive GOD’s offering of Salvation. Through HIS sacrifice, we were restored back into a relationship of friendship with GOD. JESUS, from that day forward, became the only bridge that could ever reconnect man with GOD.

GOD includes all of us in HIS offer of Salvation, but we must, and can only, volunteer to partake in this free “limited time” offer. No one can ever exclude anyone else from this glorious offer. It is something that we ourselves must choose to do. To put it plainly, GOD does not send anyone to Heaven, or to Hell, we, through our life’s choices, can only choose to go.

In verses 34-35, Peter testifies of his new and enlightened understanding of GOD’s holy plans for the new Christian Church. There he states, “I see very clearly that GOD doesn’t show partiality. In every nation HE accepts those who fear HIM and do what is right” (NLT). He went on to preach the Good News to the Gentiles who were present (Vs. 34-43), and as a result, all of them received the HOLY SPIRIT and were baptized. And the Jewish believers who were present marveled at what they had seen, and how the power of the HOLY SPIRIT was acting upon the Gentiles in the same way that HE had acted upon them at Pentecost. And they abided there with Cornelius for several more days (Vs. 44-48)

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). Reflect on some of the things, or barriers, that now keep you from, or, can keep

       you from, witnessing about CHRIST to certain people. For some it may be racial

       differences, or, for others the differences may be social, or economic in nature. But

       whatever your differences may be, make a commitment to yourself and to GOD,

       that you will strive very diligently to remove those barriers from your heart, and

       with GOD’s help, you will be able to succeed.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Pray and ask GOD to come into your life, and, into your heart, and remove anything that may be contrary to HIS will, so that you may no longer grieve the HOLY SPIRIT, through your prejudices against your fellowman, so that HE may work in a greater power within your life, for the exaltation of CHRIST, and, for the blessings of your soul, and the souls of those, whom GOD wishes to save, through your witness.

KEY VERSE: Acts 10:15

DEVOTIONAL PASSAGES: Mark 7:24-30, John 4:3-29, Matthew 8:5-13