Anthem Hayden

This week’s passage finds Paul returning to Ephesus at the beginning of his third missionary journey. Upon arrival, he encounters 12 men who claim to be disciples, but who have only heard the message of John the Baptist. Paul then shares the Gospel with them, and they gladly respond in faith to Jesus Christ. They are then baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. Although there are clear differences, these 12 Ephesians represent a tragic reality in today’s church. Many believers still fail to effectively connect with the Holy Spirit in a regular and/or powerful way, even though they are already saved and filled with Him. Such people identify themselves as disciples of Christ and yet miss out on the Spirit’s transformative power which raised Christ from the dead.

This week’s passage focuses on an Egyptian Jew named Apollos. He was highly educated, passionate, and articulate. He was the poster child for religion, and he boldly proclaimed his message in Ephesus. The only problem with Apollos was
that he was lacking in one critical area: a complete understanding of the Gospel of Jesus. He was well-versed in the Old Testament and instructed in John the Baptist’s message, but he was missing critical information about Jesus, His resurrection, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Thankfully Priscilla and Aquilla gently discipled him, and he went on to be a powerful disciple of Christ.

In this week's lesson there are several areas that we examined. We first looked at Priscilla and Aquila and what it means to use our everyday lives for the Kingdom. We also pondered what it means to trust God in the midst of uncertain trials, and finally the importance of Paul's passion for the church.

This week’s passage details Paul’s address to the Greek philosophers in Athens, Greece. Upon hearing the Gospel, the philosophers brought Paul to the Areopagus where he was asked to explain his message. Taking this wonderful opportunity, Paul confronted their idolatry and false beliefs as he shared with them the hope of the Gospel.

After being released from the Philippi prison, the travelersjourneyed to Thessalonica, where they were accused of "turning the world upside down" with
the Gospel. From there Paul and Silas travelled to Berea and continued to preach. The Bereansdemonstrated more noble behavior by receiving the Gospel with eager and open hearts, and byverifying it through a thorough examination of the Word. This passage offers helpful insight on how we should receive and communicate the Gospel.

In this week’s passage, Paul and Silas inadvertently cause
an uproar by casting out a demon. The Philippians responded by beating and imprisoning them.At about midnight, as they were praying and praising in their cell, a supernatural earthquake freed the prisoners, opened all the doors, and loosed their chains. Despite their chance at freedom, they stuck around to bring the Gospel to the jailer and his entire household. What initially appeared to be a roadblock was a direct path to the spreading of the Gospel in Philippi.

God is at work expanding the church from Asia minor into Macedonia (modern day Greece). We see the Spirit direct Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke to know where to go, guide them in winsome evangelism, and give them words to speak. We also see the Spirit open the eyes of Lydia to truly see the beauty of the Gospel!

Jesus Christ conquered death... He is risen! As 1 Peter 2:24-25 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” Resurrection Sunday celebrates our Lord’s victory over death and the grave. The resurrection proved His divinity, fulfilled hundreds of prophecies, validated the scriptures, and defeated His enemies. It also provides atonement for the sins of all who believe in Him; as Romans 10:9-10 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth
one confesses and is saved.”

This week’s passage of scripture details the final portions of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary trip. During this time the missionary team preached the gospel in numerous destinations with varying results. At various times they were welcomed,
mistreated, run off, believed, stoned, and even worshiped. When we share the Good News of Jesus, we never know how others may respond. Nevertheless, we are each called to be missionaries in our own context, boldly proclaiming the Good News of Jesus.

In this week’s passage Paul preaches his first sermon recorded in scripture. While the entire crowd is initially pleased to hear the gospel, the Jewish leaders grow envious when nearly the entire city shows up the next week to hear from Paul.
Sadly, these Jews were more concerned about themselves and how others perceived them than they were about Jesus and the spreading of His Gospel. Their jealousy led them to oppose and insult Jesus and His messengers whom they eventually drove out of town. Regardless of the opposition, many were saved, the gospel flourished, and the believers rejoiced.