In the book of revelation, the church at smyrna is famous for their poverty and persecution, yet jesus christ calls them rich. In addition to writing the notes on acts for the gospel transformation bible, i also wrote acts. The jewish legacy portrayed, in writings such as the fourth book of the. The book of acts, above all else, is a story about the churchand what a story it is. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 2 acts the beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church table of contents scripture passage page 1. The book of acts is full of historical details that have been verified by modern research. Acts as source material for the history of early christianity, studies in lukeacts eds.
The kids ages 7 have been entertaining themselves in various ways. I always thought persecution was only used for evil, but its amazing to see how god uses it to spread the. This perspectivechanging study will challenge your faith, connect you to the early church and inspire you to walk as they didin unity and reckless obedience to the way of jesus. The design of his book revolves around 1 key persons. Keener recognizes the hellenists were the special targets of persecution, although luke says saul was attaching all the church. Keener sees this as another example of lukes hyperbolic use of all in both the gospel and the book of acts 2. Some hebrew christians may have been effected even if saul targeted the hellenists.
However, as luke clearly indicates this was a gesture of favor to the jewish authorities luke 12. Up until now in the book of acts all the ministry has taken place in jerusalem. The church expands into judea, galilee and samaria acts 8. This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title, authors. Book of acts bible study for childrens sunday school. Thus when we face persecution or trials, we need to reaffirm our commitment to the sovereign lord and to his church. It is worth noting that in this history of the early christian church, luke mentioned neither pauls death ad 6468 nor the persecution of christians that broke out under nero ad 64. Our group has grown, though, and will be using rooms at the church now and would like to have the children study the same topic. The book of acts functions like a roadmap for the progress of the gospel.
Acts of the apostles 4 imprisonment in rome are 6062 a. This shows that persecution of the church is usually not for the bad things done. This is the first use of the word church in the book of acts. Its unfortunate this book is so expensive, nevertheless, if your desire is to learn about martyrdom and persecution in the early church then this is the book for you. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 5 first ten years. Long, dangerous travels, persecutions, issues of church policy, incorporation of. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the holy spirit. The nineteenthcentury archaeologist william ramsay started his career as a thoroughgoing skeptic, but after many years of examining the relevant evidence, much of which he himself had unearthed. In fact, this persecution was anticipated in the ministry of jesus and forms an important link between jesus and his apostles. The mission of god part 1 book structure spanning roughly thirty years of early church history and covering dozens of unique stories, geographical locations, and complex theological realities, the book of acts is what john calvin called a kind of vast treasure calvin, the acts of. Early church persecution the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Jul 10, 2014 designed for individuals and small groups alike, this 12week study through the book of acts explores the history of the early church after christs ascension. Most of the time it is good things that bring opposition.
There is no more thrilling part of the bible than the book of acts, and no better guide to it than albert mohler. A study of the acts of the apostles page 5 lesson two the beginning of the church christianity a. However, a close look at the book of acts lets us know that we are not left alone with his commands. References for the course are found in the course bibliography. Then i sought earnestly for the gift of tongues, and by this gift and by study, in a. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in jerusalem. Purpose of the book as indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist. The church as a separate entity, however, began to experience stiff opposition from both the jews and the romans acts 17. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in. Apostolic experience the book of acts records the growth of the church and concurrently the growth of persecution acts 8. But in acts, god took this type of judgment out of the churchs hand and did it himself. There are a number of really good books on the subject now that are less expensive castelli, york, slane, etc. The persecution of the church under the brief rule of herod agrippa i was an exception to the general attitude of indifference by the roman authorities acts 12.
Acts shows what the early church believed and practiced united. In the first lesson of acts, mike explains the difference between the empowering and the indwelling of the holy spirit. The record from the book of acts couldnt be clearer. Study guide for acts 5 by david guzik blue letter bible. This first volume takes in the ascension of jesus, the coming of the spirit, the birth of the church, the start of persecution, the conversion of saul, and the divine call to worldwide evangelism. The confrontation of the jews with the gospel, acts 2. In acts, the gospel expands not through human strength, but through weakness, opposition, and persecution.
The book of acts church of christ in zion, illinois. Acts is the only biblical book that chronicles the history of the church. One finds embedded in acts a record of christian defenses made to both jews e. Both were written by luke, a physician who traveled with the apostle paul. Thank you for your interest, and god bless your study of his word. How does god use persecution to strengthen and advance his. It is a record of amazing accuracy, without any proven flaw.
In the case of the early church, it took persecution to drive the church beyond the narrow confines of jerusalem and out into the wider world. As long as christians were considered a sect of judaism they were not harassed by the romans. How persecution purifies the church and spreads the gospel. Acts includes a great deal of specific detail in its account of the. A full chapter by chapter study would take more than six months, so feel free to select from our available lessons below. Jesus came to save sinners, of whom i am the worst. Acts ends abruptly with paul imprisoned in rome, waiting to bring his appeal before caesar. Actschapters 112 bible study book is a sixsession study that will equip you and your group members to understand significant events in the early church, like jesus commission and ascension, pentecost and the birth of the church, the persecution of the early christians, philip and the eunuch, pauls damascus road conversion, and peters vision. Book of acts week 7 study persecution in the early church acts 35 book of acts week 7, we want to take a look at the topic of persecution through the lens of acts 3, 4 and 5 and the apostle peters arrest, persecution and defense. Luke, our historian, begins with the lord being taken up into heaven, and shows us the apostles and the nucleus that would begin the church of christ on this earth. Beginning with the outpouring of the holy spirit on pentecost when the church was born, he shows how christ empowered his followers with divine authority to preach the gospel to all nations. Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the. One of two cities of lycaonia, to which paul and barnabas fled from persecutions in iconium acts 14.
First, verse 1b shows us that god makes persecution serve the great commission. Paul and the early church were not at odds with the laws of the old testament. Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. Oct 03, 2017 in the first lesson of acts, mike explains the difference between the empowering and the indwelling of the holy spirit. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. Luke the physician writes in the book of acts that there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of judea and samaria, except the apostles acts 8. May 23, 2018 the book of acts is a record of the growth of the early church, started by jesuss disciples and then expanded by the apostle paul. In joshua, god expected the people of god themselves to execute the judgment upon the offender. As we continue our studies we keep in mind that our main goal as a church it to help people become mature followers of jesus christ. Study guide for acts 4 24 persecution, scattering, and philip the evangelist. To better understand what could have caused the persecution of the christians within jerusalem, the record of christian activity in acts must be observed. The signs and preaching at samaria which resulted in the conversion of the samaritans.
My life group started studying the book of acts at homes. Bible study of acts lesson 7 bible study blueprint. Third, god uses persecution to advance the gospel and grow his kingdom in the world. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of. It shows how the early church coped with pagan and jewish thought, the roman government and hellenistic society. What would you think of christians who lived in poverty and were hated by their neighbors. Join gary petty as we explore the church in smyrna and how to deal with persecution.
Please study all lessons in all courses in order as listed in the menus on our web site. Its initial chapters describe the churchs founding and early years. Its an exciting ride, from the coming of the holy spirit at pentecost, to shipwrecks and imprisonments, to life changing sermons delivered by exfishermen. Persecution and scattering of the church sauls persecution 1 saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. This web page contains lesson plans for a multiweek study of your choice. Acts shows what the early church believed and practiced. The book of acts is a record of the growth of the early church, started by jesuss disciples and then expanded by the apostle paul. The apostles didnt leave jerusalem until they were forced to by persecution acts 8. We pick up the story in chapter 9 with the introduction of saul, an early persecutor of the church. Learning from the apostles christian bible studies.
If the book was just before or after pauls release, then it was likely written around 63 a. This book of the new testament begins where the first four come to a close. This applies primarily to christs death, but also to pauls sufferings and those of believers. Accusation, false see persecution apostasy caused by persecution matthew 24. Persecution of christians in the new testament wikipedia. Live with passion the christian life is meant to be vibrant and exciting. In noticing the comparison between the incident of ananias and sapphira and achan in the book of joshua, it is interesting also to look at the contrasts. In the first seven chapters of acts, during the apostles witness to jerusalem, the apostles were found in the temple preaching. Compared with the acts of the apostles, the gospel of luke contains few explicit examples of persecution against christians. Afterward, we will look at other areas of acts, most notably.
And on that day a great persecution began against the church in jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of judea and samaria, except the apostles. As this study shows persecution is an integral part in the book of acts. The title of the book of acts comes from the greek word praxis, a word often used in early. Scott cunningham did a through study on a theology of persecution in luke acts and he came to six conclusions. A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles. Book of acts week 7 study the nation of judah church. The book of acts is a key historical record of what the early church believed and practiced.
The rest of the book of acts will document this spread. Luke wrote the book of acts as a testament to the explosive spread of the gospel and the rapid growth of the church after christs ascension. The apostles did not run away from their persecutors and form monasteries inside of wellfortified walls. According to the book of acts, one of the first christian martyrs was stephen, a member of the early church who was brought before the sanhedrin, the assembly of jewish religious leaders, on. Step into the book of acts in a fresh way through this daring study by one of the worlds greatest scholars on christian persecution.
It shows that what jesus began to do and teach, now is being carried on by his servants acts 1. Respond to persecution by affirming our commitment to the lords work in the world. The acts of the apostles camp hill church of christ. This study gave me a fresh perspective on actsone that was new to meeven though ive grown up in the church and read through the book of acts many times.