Acts of the Apostles Archives - Bible Study Rocks™

This week we continued our break from verse-by-verse study, and instead, we surveyed the large number and wide variety of public speeches in Acts. We also discussed various approaches to the source material for them including: verbatim inspiration, fabrication, and research-based summation (still inspired). We reflected on the freedom the Lord allowed for the writer’s own...

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This week we took a break from our verse-by-verse study of the book of Acts, and instead, we discussed the gift of Tongues. We discussed the various ways we have personally witnessed and/or experienced the gift. We created a safe space for class members to share diverse points of view. The discussion led us to 1...

The post Acts 2:5 ~ The Gift of Tongues appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.

This week we continued our study of the first Christian Pentecost. We discussed the coming of the Holy Spirit in more depth, and enjoyed a few rabbit trails along the way. We discussed how it was possible that there were so many “foreign” Jews living in Jerusalem and from whence they came. We discussed what drew the crowd,...

The post Acts 2:1-13 ~ Arrival of the Holy Spirit (Part 2) appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.

This week we studied, in a general overview-ish type of way, the watershed event that Christians often refer to as Pentecost. We learned that Pentecost was actually a centuries-old annual festival celebrating the end of the wheat harvest and a time of spiritual (covenantal) renewal for the Jewish people. But on this particular Pentecost—fifty days...

The post Acts 2:1-13 ~ Arrival of the Holy Spirit (Part 1) appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.

This week we studied the process of choosing a replacement for the position that Judas left vacant after his betrayal and suicide. We examined the prerequisites of those put forth as candidates, the narrowing down of the field, the prayer, the casting of lots, and the choice. We also discussed the controversial suggestion (a) that this...

The post Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 ~ To Replace or Not to Replace? That Is the Question! appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.

This week we studied Peter’s stepping into leadership, what happened to Judas, and why his position was replaced. Since Matthew’s account of Judas’ demise differs from what Luke recorded, we examined the so-called discrepancies to see if they could be reconciled. We also took a side trip (a.k.a. rabbit trail) to discuss the evolution of...

The post Acts 1:15-20 ~ What Happened to Judas? appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.

This week, we studied the Ascension of Jesus Christ—it’s necessity and historical relevance. Then, we began to look at the make-up of Jesus’ followers who remained in Jerusalem after this amazing event. We compared the lists of apostles in Matthew, Luke, and Acts, noting one obviously missing person. >> Click to read this week’s passage...

The post Acts 1:9-15 ~ It Was NOT a Nimbus appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.

This week, we started our verse-by-verse study in Acts. We looked at the overlap between the final verses of Luke’s Gospel and the first few verses of Acts–similarities and differences–and explored the Ascension as the “watershed” between this two-volume work. We talked about what “convincing proofs” are, and why Luke’s record of post-resurrection appearances and...

The post Acts 1:1-8 ~ He’s Really Alive! appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.

This week, we finished up the introduction to our new study of the “Acts of the Apostles” with a broad overview of the book and the six-panel structure which shows the continual growth of Christianity from A.D. 30 through A.D. 62-63. This introductory study will cover date, authorship, purpose, key themes, and audience. You’ll need...

The post Introduction to Acts, Part 2 appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.

This week, we begin our study of the “Acts of the Apostles” with a broad overview of the book and it’s position in the New Testament. This introductory study will cover date, authorship, purpose, key themes, and audience. We will also explore the strong connection between Acts and the Gospel of Luke. >> Click here to...

The post Introduction to Acts, Part 1 appeared first on Bible Study Rocks™.