Unveiling the Mystery - The Book of Acts

* Jesus commissioned the Apostles and then empowered the Apostles to bear witness to His death, burial and resurrection. As they began to perform this calling, thousands of people believed that Jesus was the Messiah and the payment for their sins. The strength of the message and the growth of the church did not excite the religious leaders. As the message spread and the church grew, persecution of the Apostles began to sprout up and grow.

* As we saw two weeks ago, a transition happened in the early church when the new disciples began to take ownership of the gospel message as well, and began to boldly proclaim it. The church began to multiply! The growth required the Apostles to institute new leadership and servant roles in order to meet the needs of the assembly. This facilitated even more growth.

* As we will see today, that growth in the assembly met with growth in persecution. Today, we will consider the testimony of the first recorded "Martyr" of the church - Stephen. A "martyr" is one who chooses to suffer death, or great suffering, rather than renounce his/her religion, or cause. The word "martyr" is a transliteration of the Greek word martus (a witness) and martureo (to witness).

* This message was presented on January 1, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* In our exegetical study of the Acts of the Apostles we have seen that God has been adding to the church - sometimes dramatically and sometimes daily. At the conclusion of Peter's teaching to the crowd which gathered, as a result of the healing of the lame man, we are told that the church to 5,000 men (not counting the women and children)! Remember, in Acts 1 we saw that after the Ascension of Jesus there were 120 believers meeting in the upper room. Now, after this event with the lame man and the subsequent interactions with the Sanhedrin, the church was growing even more!

* With growth ... comes growth pains. The early church did not get a "pass." As James would later write, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

* In Acts 6, we are introduced to the first major "internal" test for the church. The great unity that they had was starting to be tested. How would they respond? What would they do? What would be the results?

* This message was presented on December 18, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* Over the past three weeks, we considered the miraculous healing of the lame man through Peter and John, and their ensuing confrontation with the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin warned them to not proclaim the name of Jesus publicly anymore. When they were released, they went directly back to where the believers were meeting to give a report and the church prayed for even more boldness! In the face of political/religious persecution they didn't pray for the demise of their oppressors, they prayed for boldness to proclaim God's truth!

* Last week, we saw how God answered that prayer! The greatness of our God was on full display through what He was accomplishing through those who were committed to Him. At the end of the passage which we considered last week we saw that the Apostles, and chiefly Peter, were able to perform mighty wonders and many were bringing those who were physically or demonically oppressed to Peter for healing.

* Today, we see that this did not escape the notice of the Sanhedrin.

* This message was presented on December 11, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* The book of Acts begins with Jesus' command to the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes upon them with power in order that they might be witnesses of His in Jerusalem and Judaea, in Samaria, and into the uttermost parts of the world. The apostles obeyed and were empowered on Pentecost. They witnessed of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and testified that He was the Messiah (the Christ). Those who believed were immersed in the name of Jesus and began to join together continuing steadfastly in the teaching and camaraderie of the apostles, in a remembrance of the Lord's Supper and in meeting together to pray. They were also voluntarily giving of their resources in order to meet the needs of those within the church who had them. As a result of this unity of the church, we are told that "many signs and wonders were done through the apostles" and that "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

* Luke then begins to build upon this introduction to the church by expanding upon the themes of their unity.

* Over the past two weeks, we considered the presentation of one of the many "wonders" which were performed by the apostles - the healing of the lame man. Last week, we saw Peter and John's boldness before the Sanhedrin in proclaiming the exclusivity of the name of Jesus Christ for salvation. After they were released, they went directly back to where the believers were meeting to give a report. This resulted in a praise and prayer meeting! The believers prayed for even more boldness! In the face of political/religious persecution they didn't pray for the demise of their oppressors, they prayed for boldness to proclaim God's truth!

* Today, we will look at what a true "Mega" church looks like. ("mega" is a Greek word that means "great.") It occurs multiple times in our passage as a superlative adjective, and is demonstrated by some incredible examples. This passage illustrates how the "Greatness of the Church" should truly look.

* This message was presented on December 4, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* The church had grown via the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost. The new believers were continuing steadfastly in the teaching and camaraderie of the apostles, in remembrance of the Lord's Supper and in meeting together to prayer. They were also voluntarily giving of their resources in order to meet the needs of those within the church who had them. As a result of this unity of the church, we are told that "many signs and wonders were done through the apostles" and that "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

* Last week we looked at the account of one of those wonders performed through Peter and John in Acts 3, where we saw the Holy Spirit work with power through ordinary men in an extraordinary way - the healing of a man who had been lame from his mother's womb. This miracle drew a crowd and gave Peter the opportunity to boldly preach Christ to them … and led to the religious leaders arresting Peter and John.

* Today we look at the rest of what happened in Acts 4: the next day's trial of Peter and John, giving Peter yet another opportunity to boldly preach Christ, followed by the prayer of the saints resulting in the Holy Spirit giving them further boldness. Taken together, Acts 3 and 4 demonstrate the power of Jesus to Heal the Infirmed, Save the Lost, and Embolden the Saints. Peter's example shows us what it means to “always be ready to give a defense” (1 Peter 3:15).

* This message was presented on November 27, 2022 by David Hayes.

* The church had grown via the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost. The new believers were continuing steadfastly in the teaching and camaraderie of the apostles, in a remembrance of the Lord's Supper and in meeting together to prayer. They were also voluntarily giving of their resources in order to meet the needs of those within the church who had them. As a result of this unity of the church, we are told that "many signs and wonders were done through the apostles" and that "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

* Today, we begin to consider an account which is provided regarding one of those wonders performed through Peter and John. We get to behold the wonder of the Holy Spirit working with power through ordinary men in an extra-ordinary way!

* Throughout chapters 3 and 4, we witness Peter utilizing a series of events to proclaim the name of Jesus, pointing people to the Messiah. Through this account, we see the Power of Jesus to Heal the Infirmed, Save the Lost, and Embolden the Saints.

* The key verse for our Kids Club is 1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." Peter will be demonstrating what that looks like.

* This message was presented on November 20, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* The Day of Pentecost ... The Holy Spirit was poured out with power. The Apostles spoke with other languages giving testimony to the Jews and proselytes the validity of the message of Christ's resurrection.

* As a result, three thousand souls were saved.

* What characterized those early believers? How did the fist converts react? How did the church commune with one another? What affect did the church have upon it's community?

* Today, we will examine those things.

* This message was presented on November 13, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* Submitting to the commandment of Christ, the disciples had WAITED in Jerusalem and the Holy Spirit had come upon them with power as Jesus had promised. Now was their opportunity to fulfill the rest of the promise ... that they WOULD BE witnesses!

* Over the past two weeks we considered the Scriptural Testimony regarding the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit, and the use of signs as a means to authenticate the Gospel Message ... and especially, the Sign Gift of Languages to confirm it to unbelieving Jews.

* Today, we have the opportunity to consider the witness of Peter as he presented truth to the Jews (and proselytes to Judaism) who had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of In-Gathering (Pentecost). The crowd was brought together by the miraculous sign of the coming of the Holy Spirit with power upon them.

* This message was presented on November 6, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* Jesus commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in order that they would be witnesses on His behalf in Jerusalem, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.

* Last week, as we considered the Scriptural Testimony of the coming and ministry of the Holy Spirit, we saw that there is both the Internal Presence of the Holy Spirit and the External Empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. When you accept Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell you. You become the temple of the Holy Spirit and He seals your salvation by becoming the guarantee of your redemption until the day of Christ's return. After salvation, we are told that the Holy Spirit then "comes upon" believers, immersing (baptizing) and clothing them with power in order for them to fulfill the task which God has called upon them to supernaturally perform. This, we saw, is the "Filling" of the Holy Spirit record in Acts 2. Biblically, those who were "filled with the Holy Spirit" would then speak the message of God boldly.

* Today, we continue our examination of this special out-pouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost by considering the "Speaking in Tongues" phenomenon. Again, we will derive our opinion from the testimony of Scripture and not personal experience.

* This message was presented on October 30, 2022 by Bob Corbin.

* As we have considered the beginning of the book of Acts, we saw Christ's command for the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in order that they would be witnesses on His behalf in Jerusalem, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.

* The apostles obeyed and gathered together in an upper room (1:13) in Jerusalem and spent time in prayer. This is probably the same "upper room" where Jesus had celebrated the "Last Supper" with them (Luke 22:12). Now, they were waiting ... and ten days later it was the Feast of Weeks, which we refer to as Pentecost (literally, the Greek - "fifty") because it was 50 days from the Feast of First Fruits.

* There is a debate where the apostles are when the miracle of the coming of the Holy Spirit occurs. Some believe it is the house of the upper room; some believe that it is the Temple. My thought is that it probably begins at the house of the upper room and transitions to Solomon's porch (which is the southern entrance to the Temple - the House of God) where the mikvehs (Temple Baptistries) were located.

* But, throughout history many teachings of the ministry of the Holy Spirit have been focused upon what occurred at this moment. Lord willing, we will be spending the next four weeks on this chapter. This week we want to consider the concept of "The Filling of the Holy Spirit" and next week we will consider the Biblical understanding of "Speaking in Tongues." After that we will consider the relationship between salvation and baptism, and then finally the practice of the early church.

* This message was presented on October 23, 2022 by Bob Corbin.