Acts (2010)

As we see Peter and John released from prison, they do something very interesting - they hold a prayer meeting. This brings us into a review of what the Bible says about prayer and what Scripture-based prayer is all about. When the Word of God says "pray without ceasing", what does that mean?

In this lesson we look at the mechanics of effective prayer: confession, gratitude, thanksgiving, intercession, and petition.

As we begin to wrap up a side study on the issues of authority tied to our study in Acts 4, we gain more insight into how a Christian is to submit to authority and how to handle hostilities by applying spiritual wisdom in a pagan world. The book of Daniel gives us many illustrations on how we are to handle situations in our lives when the authorities over us may conflict with our beliefs. Should we obey God or man? As we see in this lesson, the real issue is to maintain our trust in God no matter what the outcome.

As we continue our study in Acts 4, we gain more insight into how a Christian is to submit to authority and how to handle hostilities by applying spiritual wisdom in a pagan world.

Is there any correlation between witchcraft and rebellion against authority? Are Christians a law unto themselves? The underlying issue in all of human history is really an issue of authority. Under what circumstances then, does a Christian have the responsibility to disobey authority?

In the third lesson of this special side study on authority, we learn that there are limits to authority and look at passages that begin to explore these limitations. This is an extremely important area of study during our current times and begins to clarify exactly what a Christian's position should be in every area of authority in their life.

"What shall we do to these men?". This question was asked by the Sanhedrin, the legitimate Jewish governing authority. Because of Peter and the apostles' stand, the Sanhedrin lose face, and Peter is put in jail. This act was clearly uncalled for, yet it happened. How did Peter choose to handle this unjust act?

As we begin this study, we are reminded that authority is established by God and that it exists in every area of our lives, from husband/wife, family, government, to the local church and our employer. As we learn more about God's mandates regarding how we are to regard authority, we will be able to apply these lessons to a current modern day issue many of us find ourselves faced with: obedience to our own governing authority.

Apologetics. What is that? Does it mean giving an apology for something or to someone? As we learn more about this doctrine, we discover the difference between an "evidentialist" vs. a "presuppositionalist". This lesson explains the Biblical approach for believers who encounter those who say "don't confuse me with the facts - my mind's made up!"

As we continue in our study of Acts, we see how Chapters 3 & 4 fit together. In our previous lesson, we saw Peter challenged by the Sandhedrin, a council of approximately 71 priests, temple guards, and Sadducees, and how he dealt with them. These Jews knew full well that there was proof of an empty tomb, yet their hostility toward Peter's message was evident. How did Peter handle them? Scripture says Peter was "full" of the Holy Spirit. Is this the same as walking by means of the Holy Spirit?

Peter boldly challenges the Sandhedrin, and we are introduced to Apologetics. In this lesson, we begin to learn how we believers in the Church Age can accurately apply the doctrine of Apologetics in our own lives.

As we wrap up Acts 3 and get into Acts 4, we look back at the first of the chapter with Peter healing the lame man. Catching the attention of the Jews who witnessed this, Peter begins his third message in vs. 19-21 admonishing them to change and drawing the parallel of the unique and distinct prophet Moses to the promised Messiah, reminding them that "Jesus is this prophet". As he reminds his listeners of the one specific aspect of the Covenant, the seed promise, and ties it to the physical resurrection of Christ, the Jews knew first hand this had happened. As we begin Chapter 4 of Acts, we see Peter meeting his next challenge - the Sanhedrin, a Council of approximately 71 priests, temple guards, and Sadducees. This wasn't the first time Peter had encountered this group. Did he handle them differently this time, and why? What was it Peter was teaching and preaching that had them so upset and hostile? As we start this section of Acts, the question arises: is it ever legitimate to violate the laws of the government under whose authority we find ourselves?