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The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of Acts5. Chapter 4: Verses 14-22 What stopped the authorities from doing anything to Peter & John?6. Chapter 4: Verses 23-31 What did Peter & John do on their release? What were some of the parts of their prayer? What were the results of their prayer? Is there any persecution you are facing today? Can you learn anything from this passage about what to do as you facepersecution?7. Chapter 4: Verses 32-37 Again, they are all taking care of each other. “There were no needy personsamong them”. “one heart and mind”. What made it impossible for them tooverlook each other?8. The Jerusalem Church was busy spreading the news about Jesus. Theydidn’t have the New Testament, like we do today, to help them tell that news.What scripture did they use? The Old Testament is full of passages which talkabout Jesus – passages which tell of a Savior which was to come. TheJerusalem church simply shared the Old Testament scriptures with the world, toprove that the promised Messiah had come. The Jewish Messiah had come –and He was not only the Messiah of the Jews, but he Messiah of the wholeworld.Read through the following partial list of Old Testament scriptures which theJerusalem church could have used:15

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsA Few Prophecies from the Jewish ScripturesAbout the Jewish MessiahOver 25 prophets, in over 300 prophecies, covering a period of 1,500years, predicted the Jewish Messiah in the Jewish scriptures .theonly prophecies not fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth (Yeshua) are onesthat are still yet to be fulfilled when He returns again, as He said Hewould.ProphecyJewishScriptureNew TestamentScriptureHe would be a manGenesis 3:15Galatians 4:4He would be a JewGenesis 12:3Genesis 18:18Luke 3:34Matt. 1:2Acts 3:25Galatians 3:16He would be of thethe tribe of JudahGenesis 49:10Luke 3:33Matthew 1:2He would be a King(of the seed of David)Psalms 132:11,12Jeremiah 23:5,6Psalms 2:6-9Matthew 1:6Romans 1:3Acts 2:30He would be aprophet like MosesDeuteronomy 18:15,19Matt. 21:11John 1:45John 6:14Acts 3:22-23He would be the Sonof GodPsalms 2:7Proverbs 30:4Luke 1:32Matthew 3:17He would be GodJeremiah 23:5,6Acts 2:3616

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsProphecyHomage would begiven Him by greatKingsJewishScriptureNew TestamentScripturePsalms 72:10,11Matt. 2:1-11He would be born ofa virginIsaiah 7:14Matthew 1:18-25Luke 1:26-35He would be born inBethlehemMicah 5:1Matt 2:1, 5, 6Luke 2:4-6He would performmiraclesIsaiah 35:5,6John 11:47Matthew 11:3-6He would comeDaniel 9:24-26ndbefore the 2 templein Jerusalem wasdestroyed (70 A.D.)He would be betrayed Psalms 41:9by a friendHe would be rejected Psalms 118:22,23Isaiah 8:14, 15Isaiah 28:16Historical factHe would be meek &mildIsaiah 42:2,3Isaiah 53:7Matt. 12:18-20Matt 26:62,63He would minister toGentilesIsaiah 42:1Isaiah 49:1,8Matt. 12:21He would be smittenIsaiah 50:6Matt. 26:67Matt 27:26,30John 13:18,21Matt 21:42,43Acts 4:11Romans 9:32,33Ephesians 2:20I Peter 2:6-817

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsProphecyJewishScriptureNew TestamentScriptureHe would suffer &bring salvationIsaiah 53The 4 GospelsHe would be piercedZechariah 12:10Psalm 22:16John 19:34,37He would be forsaken Zechariah 13:7by His disciplesMatthew 26:31,56He would be crucified Psalm 22Psalm 69:21Matthew 27:34-50John 19:28-30He would have hisgarments parted &cast lots forHe would ascend toheavenPsalm 22:19Luke 23:34Psalm 68:18Luke 24:51Acts 1:9He would havevictory over deathGentiles shall seekthe Messiah of IsraelDied for the sins ofthe Jewish peopleand the whole worldIsaiah 25:8John 20:1-10, 19-25Isaiah 11:10Romans 11:25Isaiah 53:8John 3:1618

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsActs 5 & 6How to Grow a ChurchFirst, before we start the study of these chapters, list your recommendations forgrowing a church today:a.b.c.d.e.f.g.h.more?As we read and discuss Acts 5&6, compare your ideas of how to grow a churchwith what God did to grow the church:1. 5:1-14 What happened here? What did they do that was so wrong? Does this happen today? Why, or why not? What is our lesson to be learned from this?19

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of Acts2. 5:15-42 What was the result of people being healed? Who was arrested? After being set free from jail, what did they do? After being set free from jail, were all their problems over? After explaining themselves was everyone calmed down? What caused them to rejoice?3. 6:1-7 What problem arose with growth? What was the solution? What was the result of implementing the solution?20

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of Acts4. 6:8-15 What was Stephen doing that got him into trouble? What happened when men tried to argue with Stephen? Stephen was a deacon ( a helper for the leaders of the church) – was that allhe did? Stephen had “hands laid on him” 2 times in this chapter what were the 2 times? Stephen gets his chance to preach – what was the result?How did God grow the church?How does that compare with your ideas of how to grow a church?21

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsActs 7Stephen Told a Story1. (:1) What charges were they referring to?(:2-53) Stephen answers with a story. Who are the main characters in the story? What was Stephen trying to accomplish by telling them a story theyalready knew? At what point does Stephen go from “preaching” to “meddling?” Could Stephen have told them about Jesus without offending them? Who were the ones who stoned Stephen?22

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of Acts “ Then he (Stephen) fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not holdthis sin against them’. When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Why did Stephen say this? Does this bring any other passage to mind? Any other timethis same type of thing happened? Is it a bad thing to want other people to have to pay the pricefor their sins? Forgiveness: Why should I? What, practically, does that mean I should do? How in the world can I do it?3. What do you think of religious leaders today? Could they make this samemistake? How can you be sure you are following a leader who is tender to thetruth?4. What is your story? How often do you tell it? Fill out the following worksheetto get an idea of how to tell your story:23

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsHow to Tell Your Story(borrowed from Campus Crusade)Here's a short little worksheet - as you think it through and fill it out you will findyou have a nice outline of your own personal testimony. After you see what yourstory is, practice telling it a few times. Practice on your kids, your friends, yourhusband, your Mom & Dad, your teachers.anyone who will listen for 5 or 10minutes. Then pray that God will give you an opportunity to tell someone youlove - someone who doesn't know Jesus - your story of how you came to knowHim.The first 2 questions will help you define your life before knowing Christ.The second 2 questions are about the time in your life when you met Christ.The last 2 questions are about your life since Jesus became the center.1. Where were you spiritually before receiving Christ, and how did this affect you- your feelings, attitudes, actions, and relationships?2. What caused you to begin considering God/Christ as a solution to your needs?24

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of Acts3. What realization did you come to that finally motivated you to receive Christ?4. Specifically, how did you receive Christ?5. How did your life begin to change after you trusted Christ?6. What other benefits have you experienced since becoming a Christian?Simply reading these through and thinking about your answers is not really goingto help you that much. Write out your answers. This forces you to actually putthings into your own words - to verbalize what may be a little fuzzy in your head.After you write out your answers, then practice telling your story out loud, you'llbe amazed at how easily your testimony will come out of your mouth at just theright time.25

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsActs 8:1-25How Do I Know Whether or Not I am a True Believer?Up until now, the believers in Jesus had stayed mostly in the vicinity ofJerusalem. The original group waited in the Upper Room until the Holy Spiritdescended on them. Then thousands of people came to belief in Christ. Theywere taught by the apostles, fellowshipped with each other, broke breadtogether, and prayed together. The leadership of the new church needed extrahelp, so they appointed Deacons to help with meeting the needs of the people.They experienced some persecution in Jerusalem, and some difficulty within theirown group. But mostly they grew and grew and grew. But when Stephen wasmartyred, everything changed .persecution especially by the one named Saulwas so fierce, that many believers began to flee Jerusalem to find places wherethey would not be killed.Imagine Persecution: Suzann Smith & Family disappeared lastweek – we think they are being held in Indy for questioning –because someone saw them carrying Bibles to church last week.You and your husband talked quietly only last night, after the kidshad gone to bed, of the possibility that you should just pack up andleave in the middle of the night soon – you had heard that theSteen’s found a safe place to live in Illinois. You would really like tolet the school know you are leaving, so they can replace you, butyou know that could mean the word would get back to theauthorities So many in your church have already left. YourPastor is going to stay – as long as there are people here who needto be cared for, and want to learn. One of the leaders in yourchurch was killed last week in a mob riot .and there is aprosecutor from Indianapolis who has been given power to imprisonanyone who speaks up about Jesus .1. If all this were true .would you “preach the word wherever you went”? (8:4) What would it take to make you a “Philip”? (8:5) What makes a person courageous?26

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of Acts2. Who was Philip?3. Why did Philip go to a city in Samaria? (8:5) Do you ever go anywhere specifically for that reason & no other?4. What got the people’s attention? (8:6-11)5. What two things did Philip preach? (8:12-13) And what was their response?6. Why did the apostles in Jerusalem come to this city after they had heard ofwhat was happening? (8:14-17)I have a few notes for you here, in case this passage stumps you:Ryrie and Ironside teach that this passage shows a “transition time”in the spreading of the Gospel. The Gospel had been well spreadin the Jerusalem area, and now it was beginning to go out toSamaria and Judea. They say that since Samaria was consideredto be a group of “break-away Jews” by the Jersualem Jews(Samaritans did not think they had to worship God in the temple inJerusalem they had their own place of worship in Samaria), it wasnecessary for God to prove to everyone that the Gospel theSamaritans received was the same one which had been spread inJerusalem – thus, the leaders of the Jerusalem church were usedto “verify” the unity of the Gospel message by being the ones whowere used to bestow the Holy Spirit upon those who had trulybelieved in Samaria. (The Holy Spirit was the proof that a personwas a true believer)J. Vernon McGee teaches it this way: The Samaritans heard thenews about Jesus from Philip, and responded by wanting to dowhat needed to be done to be a follower of Jesus. But their beliefcame short of true belief they were believing in what they coulddo not trusting their salvation to what Jesus already did for them.27

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsI don’t think they were trying to not trust Jesus – being evil in theirintent – they just hadn’t fully understood with their hearts that theycould do nothing to deserve His love and His salvation. When theapostles arrived and spent more time teaching and perhapsanswering questions, the Samaritan believers had even more joythan they had at the first – they now knew the story of Jesus, andthey also knew that He had paid the full price for their sin – andthey put their faith in Him, not in anything they could do. .Simon, however, was a different story:7. Why was Simon’s reaction so wrong? (8:18-25) Was Simon’s belief genuine? How can we tell whether or not a person’s belief is genuine?Here are a few more notes from me to guide you as you think thisthrough:Simon also came short of true belief with the first hearing of theGospel, but then when he had opportunity to truly respond with faithin Jesus, he continued to respond with faith in himself, or in hismoney, or in what his eyes could see. He hadn’t came to true faith.This passage is a perfect example of many, many “Christians” inour culture today. They truly do not know Christ. They know aboutHim, they are actively involved in church, or are baptized, or takecommunion, or teach Sunday School classes, or Bible studies, butthey have never actually “bowed the knee” to Christ. They aretrusting themselves, not Jesus, for their acceptance with God.Many of these “Christians” simply have never realized how shortthey have come. And when they hear the Word of God taught insimplicity and power they respond by coming to personal faith inChrist. But many of these “Christians” also are like Simon – evenwhen they hear the truth, and understand their need of a Savior,they choose to continue to trust in themselves .they likethemselves way too much to admit Christ had to do it all.28

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsAs I see it, this brings up two very important questions:1. How do I know if I am a true believer?2. How do I know if someone else is a true believer?These are good questions to ask – and no one should ever beafraid to ask them, and to honestly examine his or her heart forgenuine answers.Romans 8 has been the passage which sets my mind at ease – thewhole chapter deals with the difference between trusting in “me”(the flesh) and trusting in Jesus (the Spirit).How do I know if I am a true believer? If I am a true believer, theSpirit lives within me. And there are evidences of that which I cansee and experience. Look, in Romans 8, at verses 10, 15, 16, 23,25, 26 to find those evidences.:10 – your spirit is alive – you respond inwardly to the Wordof God when you hear it and read it.:15 – you know a sense of longing for your heavenly Father:16 – when you read the Word of God the Holy Spirit givesyou peacethat you are, indeed, a Child of God.:23 & 25 – you experience a strong pull toward the timewhen you will be with Jesus face to face. – an eagerness is therefor eternity, even when you also feel a pull toward the things of thislife.:26 – the Spirit sometimes helps you know what to pray for,especially in those times when you don’t have clue how to prayHow do I know if someone else is a true believer? You can lookfor the same evidence in other lives that you look for in your own.You can listen for others to talk about their walk with God, and toshow a love for Jesus – not just a love for church or religion. Youcan look for a love for being like Jesus. That’s how the apostlesknew Simon had not bowed his knee to Christ. His actions and hiswords told them the truth.29

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsIf you have some doubt about another’s belief in Christ, dosomething very simple and loving for them. Open the Bibletogether, and just talk about the Word – any passage will do discuss what it means - talk about Jesus – tell your story of comingto trust Him fully. If that person is not a believer, God will point itout to them. The decision of whether or not to trust Christ is theirs– the opportunity to be a Philip or a Peter or a John is yours.8. What can we learn from Philip’s trip to Samaria which can apply to our lifetoday? The fact that he went The way he got their attention The obstacles he ran into The fact that those in authority over him came to check it out The people who benefited30

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsActs 8:26-40The Road to Gaza1. (verse 26) Where was Philip when the angel told him this? Where was Gaza?2. (verses 27-29) Why would a man from Ethiopia be going to Jerusalem to worship? Why would he be reading from the book of Isaiah? Why would the Spirit need Philip to make this special trip to talk to this man? Why couldn’t the Spirit just help the man understand it Himself?3. (verses 30- 35) What would Philip have said about those verses?4. (verses 36-38) Why did the Ethiopian eunuch ask to be baptized?5. (verses 39-40) What did the Spirit do with Philip once the eunuch had been baptized?31

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of Acts Why didn’t the Spirit get Philip there in the same way He got him out ofthere? What do you suppose the eunuch did once he got back to Ethiopia?6. What did we learn about The Spirit from this passage?32

The Beautiful, Amazing, Powerful, Weak, Dysfunctional ChurchA Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of ActsActs 9“God Doesn’t Use Cannon Balls to knock down CanaryBirds”I had a professor in Bible College who was asked why God used such amiraculous means to save Saul, but didn’t do anything spectacular for mostpeople. His answer: “God doesn’t use cannon balls to knock down canarybirds.” I liked that answer, and somehow it has stuck with me all these years,so you get it for a title to the story of Saul’s conversion. 1. (verse 1) Who is Saul? Why was he so angry against the Lord’s disciples?2. (verse 2) What is this group called “The Way”?them in the synagogues of Damascus?Why was he looking for3. (verses 3&4) What did Saul see and hear?4. (verse 5) What did Saul ask? Does this indicate that he knew it was Godtalking to him?33

The Be

A Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Study of the Book of Acts 2 Acts . 4. The Jerusalem Church Begins to Act Chapters 3&4 13 5. How to Grow a Church Chapters 5&6 19 6. Stephen Told a Story Chapter 7 22 7. How Do I Know Whether or Not I Am . Jesus comes to earth as a