As the young church faced persecution from outside, the devil was at work stirring up strife from within. Inside the church a problem arose between two groups, the Hellenists and the Hebrews, over the distribution of goods. This serious problem had the potential to cause a major division within the church. Yet Christ, the King and Head of his Church, instituted a new office. Seven men were elected and ordained to be Deacons, an office of sympathy and service, that would model Christ-like love and care for all the members of the congregation. Through their efforts, not only was the problem resolved, but the church increased in number and in obedience to God.

This class discusses the place of prayer in the Christian life. This is the third of the three spiritual disciplines that make up the reformation triangle of spiritual formation.

The apostles are once again faced with persecution as they are imprisoned for preaching the gospel. But God was with them, miraculously releasing them from their chains, and commanding them to continue preaching the good news of life in Christ. As they are confronted by the religious leaders once again, the apostles remind them that they cannot stop preaching Christ. This is God's plan of salvation, and as a member of the Pharisees himself will declare, if this plan is truly from God, then it will be unstoppable.

What is the role of Meditation in Spiritual Formation? In this third class in our series, we look at the practice of meditating upon God and his word, what place it has in spiritual formation, and how we can implement it in our lives.

Text: Acts 4:32-5:16 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: In this passage Luke provides another snapshot of what life in the church was like. He opens with a similar account of how the people were selling property and belongings to meet everyone's needs, epitomized by Barnabas who will be a major figure later in Acts. He then concludes this snapshot with a summary of the godly fear that existed among the believers, and the general fear and awe that existed among the unbelieving community. There was something unique about this group of Jesus followers. In the middle of these bookends is the startling story of Ananias and Sapphira whom God put to death for their deception. Through this story and the surrounding accounts of the church, we learn how God's people must be marked by real community, genuine holiness, and godly fear.

What is the place of Bible study in Spiritual Formation? How can one profit from Scripture reading in their personal, spiritual growth? In this class we consider the first of three interrelated practices that are central to a Reformed approach to Spiritual Formation.

Text: Acts 4:23-31 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: After they received the news from Peter and John that the religious leaders were seeking to persecute them, the believers went right to prayer, asking their sovereign God for boldness to continue bearing witness to the risen Christ. From their example, we learn several lessons on the importance of prayer in our lives and in the church today.

This first class looks at the history of the modern concept of Spiritual Formation, defines terms, and describes how we can approach the practice of Spiritual Formation from a distinctly Reformed and Protestant perspective.

Text: Acts 4:1-22 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: Every faithful church must be committed to its divinely given mission and message. The mission is to make disciples of all nations, and the way that mission is accomplished is through preaching the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this passage in Acts, we see the early church, through the ministry of Peter and John, staying on mission and on message. Even in the face of opposition, the church must always be faithful to the mission and message of Jesus, because salvation is found in no one else but in Christ alone.

Text: Acts 3:1-26 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: As Peter and John entered the Temple they healed a man who was lame from birth. But this act of divine healing was not an end unto itself, but an opportunity to present the gospel. As a crowd formed to witness this healing miracle, Peter preached about an even greater gift available to everyone that day, the gift of life from the Author of Life himself, Jesus Christ. Through repentance and faith in his name, we all can have times of refreshing, forgiveness of sins, and new life.