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   READING THE BOOK OF ACTS: CHAPTER 7 Wednesday, August 3, 2022   CONTEXT FOR ACTS, CHAPTER 7   Chapter 7 is one of the pivot points of the book of Acts. Until recently, the early church has seen favor from the people and indifference from the Sanhedrin. Now, the Sanhedrin has beaten the apostles and ordered them not to preach about Jesus (Acts 5:40), and the people are starting to realize how different Christianity is. In Jerusalem, a Hellenist Jewish Jesus-follower named Stephen has been in a debate with other foreign Jews who finally accuse him of wishing to destroy the temple, like Jesus (Acts 6:8-15). This is Stephen's defense, which leads to his death and the introduction of Paul. 1) Verses 1-8, Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin (Abraham), MS. ELNORA 7  Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”   To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in...

  READING THE BOOK OF ACTS: CHAPTER 6 Wednesday, July 6, 2022   CONTEXT FOR ACTS, CHAPTER 6 Acts 6 introduces us to a Jesus-follower named Stephen. The apostles affirmed the choice of Stephen, along with six others, to make sure every Christian in Jerusalem has what they needed. But Stephen is also a skilled debater. As a Greek-speaking Jew from outside Judea, Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, and modern-day Asia Minor would naturally gravitate toward him. These travelers cannot defeat Stephen's logic, but they reject his message. They falsely accuse Stephen and bring him before the Sanhedrin. (bibleref.com) 1) Verses 1-7, The Choosing of the Seven, JEANNIE 6  In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews [ a ]  among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.   2  So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would no...

                                       READING THE BOOK OF ACTS: CHAPTER 5 Wednesday, June 29, 2022   CONTEXT FOR ACTS, CHAPTER 5 In Acts 5, persecution from unbelievers begins to accelerate. The Sanhedrin has become aware the apostles teach that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 4). Now, they start to push back in earnest, arresting and beating the apostles. Soon a mob will kill Stephen, a deacon (Acts 7:54-60), and the Sanhedrin will empower Saul to run down and arrest any Jesus follower he can find (Acts 8:1-3). The apostles will stay in Jerusalem. Other Jesus followers will carry His offer of forgiveness and reconciliation with God into the Roman Empire and beyond. The apostles' faithfulness and submission to the Holy Spirit are why we have the gospel message today. (bibleref.com) 1) Verses 1-11, Ananias and Sapphira, Mrs. Elnora 5  Now a man named Ananias, together with his wi...

  READING THE BOOK OF ACTS: CHAPTER 4 Wednesday, June 22, 2022 An Explanation of the Gift of Tongues   The 4 Administrations of Speaking in Tongues  1. Public: Known Tongues, and Unknown Tongues 2. Private: Unknown Tongues, A. Speaking to Angels, B. Speaking to God Common Misconceptions: #1 If you don't speak in tongues you are not saved. #2 Tongues are demonic. #3 This is a gift given by the Holy Spirit and therefore cannot be turned on and off like a light switch.    CONTEXT FOR ACTS, CHAPTER 4 Acts 4 gives the first hints of the persecution the church will face throughout its history. Peter and John attract attention when Peter heals a well-known lame beggar, and Peter uses this publicity to tell others about Christ. The Sanhedrin refuse to allow the apostles to continue teaching that Jesus rose from the dead. So, they arrest, warn, and eventually free Peter and John, but that is just the beginning. Soon, they will end up arresting and beating all of the...

         READING THE BOOK OF ACTS: CHAPTER 3       Wednesday, June 15, 2022 1. An Explanation for "Tongues of Fire" - Mrs. Elnora In the book of Acts, the tongues of fire represent the presence of God, the Holy Spirit. This fulfills John the Baptist's prophecy that the Messiah would baptize "with the Holy Spirit and with fire." In Matthew 3:11-12 , which says (11) I baptize you with water for repentance. But there is one coming who is more powerful that I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (12) His shovel fork is in his hand, and He will gather and store his wheat into the barn, but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire, a fire that cannot be put out.  This also means that the purifying work of the Holy Spirit carries on in our lives today.  (www.biblestudytools.com) The King James Version "cloven tongues" is somewhat misleading, for it is likely to suggest that ea...