Search The Scriptures — Study 19 — Acts 10:34-48

Study 19 From The book of Acts Is: Acts 10:34-48

1. What new truth had Peter learned from the vision? See verses 34, 35 and cf. verse 28. Notice that the work could not develop until Peter had learned this. Is our willingness to learn some divinely-revealed truth hindering God’s work in and through us?
2. When Peter addressed Jews, what truths did he use to awaken their conscience (cf. 2:36 and 3:13-15)?  What truth did he use now? Do you find any other indications in this address that it was spoken before a Gentile audience? What ought we to learn from these features concerning our presentation of the gospel to non-Christian?
3. Consider the character of Cornelius as revealed in this chapter. If he was such a devout man before, what did he gain by believing on Jesus? Cf. 11:13-15

Note. Verses 34, 35.  The meaning of Peter’s words is not that men can be saved by their own good works, but that men like Cornelius and his friends are not excluded from God’s favorable regard on the ground of their nationality.  Their devout spirit is just as pleasing in God’s sight as a similar spirit and behaviour would have been in a Jew.

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Search The Scriptures — Study 18 — Acts 9:43 – 10:33

Study 18  From The book of Acts Is: Acts 9: 43 – 10:33

1.  See Notes 1 and 2. Contrast the two towns of Joppa and Caesarea, and the two men and Cornelius.  The scene is not set for the Gentiles to receive the Gospel. Whose intervention was necessary to bring it about? Whom ought we to thank for our reception of the gospel?
2. How did God teach new truths to both Peter and Cornelius? Notice the prejudice that had to be removed and the obedience that was shown. Are you also willing to obey God when He teaches you something new and different from your natural prejudice or preference?

Notes:

1. 9:43. This verse really belongs to the Cornelius story. Joppa was a very Jewish town, loyal to ancient tradition; Caesarea was a semi-pagan city, modeled on Rome.
2. 10:1. Cornelius was a Gentile and a God-fearer, who joined with the Jewish worship, without becoming a proselyte.
3. 10:4. ‘As a memorial’: the word is that used in Lv. 2:2 in connection with the remembrance offering. The angel’s message assures Cornelius that though, in his uncircumcision, he had no share in the sacrifices of the Temple, yet his prayers and alms were acceptable before God.

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Search The Scriptures — Study 17 — Acts 9:32-42

Study 17 From The book of Acts Is: Acts 9:32-42

1. What evidences do you find in these verses that a widespread revival was going on at this time, and that Christ, dwelling in His people, still moved among men as Saviour, Teacher, Healer, and Friend? What prayer ought such a record to stir us to pray?
2. How do you picture Dorcas? What ideals of Christian character and service are exemplified in her? Can you find ways to go and do likewise?
3. Peter continues to heal in the name of the Lord Jesus, (a) Cf. Also 3:6, 7,16; 4:30; 5:12-16; 6:8 and 8:6,7 for other examples. (b) Compare what Peter did with the work of his Master. With verse 34, cf. Mk. 2:11 and Jn. 5:8; and with verses 40, 41 cf. Mk. 5:35-43. (c) Peter was experiencing what Christ had promised in Jn. 14:12. Peter believed the promises of Christ and experienced the co-operating power of God the Spirit. The question is---Do we? And if not, why not? 

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Search The Scriptures — Study 16 — Acts 9:19b-31

Study 16  From The book of Acts Is: Acts 9:19b-31

1. How did Paul prove his sincerity from the very beginning of his Christian life? Cf. 1 Jn. 3:14; Acts 26:19,20.
2. Comparing verse 31 with 6:7, notice how the church had extended its boundaries. Notice, also the two marks of healthy spiritual life that are especially mentioned in verse 31. Are these marks, together with those seen in Paul’s life (Question 1), found in yours
3. Compare the Jewish opposition and the Christian fellowship that Paul experienced at Damascus (verses 22-25) and Jerusalem (verses 26-30). May becoming a Christian today still give a person new enemies and new friends?

Note. The visit to Arabia of which Paul speak in Gal. 1:17 should probably be fitted in between verses 21 and 22 of the story in Acts 9.  

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Search The Scriptures — Study 15 — Acts 9: 1- 19a

Study 15 From The book of Acts Is: Acts 9: 1-19a

1. What do these verses reveal of Christ’s power, majesty and glory and also of His compassion, love and grace? Cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-14.
2. What task was Ananias given to do? In what way is he an example of the help we can give to a recently converted person?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 14 — Acts 8:26-40

Study 14  From The book of Acts Is: Acts 8:26-40.

1. Note how much of active interest and response the Ethiopian was already showing before Philip met him. What more did he need before he was able to go ‘on his way rejoicing’? What similar aids may we use in order to find God and to discover more of His truth for ourselves?
2. Learn from Philip (a) the qualities needed in and (b) the methods used by, one man an when leading another person to trust Christ. Are you willing to be sent on such an errand (verses 26, 29)?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 13 — Acts 8:5-25

Study 13 From The book of Acts Is: Acts 8:5-25

1.  Measure the success of Philip’s ministry in Samaria by the difficulties with which he had to contend. Cf. Jn. 4:9. To what was his success due? Cf. Jn. 14:12; Acts 1:8.  What results followed when the power of God was manifested? See verses 6, 18-21. In what ways should such a record make us give heed?
2. Simon was intellectually convinced of the truth and power of the gospel, but his heart was unchanged. How did this come to light? In what ways is it right or wrong for us to covet the power of God’s Spirit?

Note.  Verses 14-17.  The reason, no doubt, why the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon the Samaritan believers was that, as this was the first extension of the Church beyond the borders of the Jewish people, it was fitting that the seal of the Spirit (Eph. 1:13) should be given through Peter and John, as the representatives of the apostles. In a similar way Peter was chosen to go to Cornelius (10:5), though Philip was probably in Caesarea at the time.

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Search The Scriptures — Study 12 — Acts 7:44-8:4

Study 12 From The book of Acts Is: Acts 7:44-8:4

1.   In his conclusion (7:44-53) how does Stephen teach the divine origin and yet the inadequacy of both the Tabernacle or ‘tent of witness’ and the Temple or ‘house’ which Solomon built?  What charges does he bring against his accusers?  To what positive truths here indicated or implied ought we to pay heed?

2.   Consider the likeness between Stephen and his Lord in his life, character, and in his death.  Where did this likeness come from? How may we follow his example? Cf. 2 Cor. 3:18.

3.   What were the results for the Church of Stephen’s witness (a) in suffering (see 8:1, 3) and (b) in expansion (see 8:4, 5; 11:19, 20)? Notice what God can do through one man fully yielded to His service.

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Search The Scriptures — Study 11 — Acts 7:9-43

Study 11 From The book of Acts Is: Acts 7:9-43

Stephen’s speech seeks to show (a) that God’s presence with His people is not limited to a particular place or building (verses 2, 9, 10, 30, 34-38, 44-49); and (b) that far from overthrowing Moses, Christ is the promised Prophet like Moses of whom Moses himself spoke (verse 37).

   1.   God intended Joseph (verses 9-16) and Moses (verses 20-43) to deliver His people from bondage.  Notice (a) the places in which they lived, (b) the work they had to do, (c) the treatment they received from their brethren, and (d) the results they achieved. In What ways do they foreshadow the work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

2.   The tragedy of Israel’s spiritual blindness is described in verses 25 and 35-43. How did it manifest itself first in thought, will and desire (verse 39) and finally in action (verse 40-43)? What was its penalty? Does God still deal with His people like this?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 10 — Acts 6:1-7:8

Study 10 From The book of Acts Is: Acts 6:1-7:8

     1.   How did the apostles deal with the incipient troubles mentioned in 6:1? What three results followed for the widows, the Seven, and the Twelve?  What lessons may we learn from their handling of the situation?

2.   Notice three things about Stephen’s life and ministry (6: 5-15): (a) the outstanding features of his life (verses 5, 8); (b) the nature of the persecution against him (verses 11-13); (c) the charges laid against him (verses 13, 14).  Cf. Mk. 14:57, 58 and Acts 21:27, 28.  What are the indispensable qualifications for, and the possible consequences of, faithful witness for Christ?

Notes

1.   6:1. ‘Hellenists’ denote Jews who had lived abroad and spoke Greek. ‘Hebrews’ were Jews of Palestine who spoke the Jewish language.

2.   Stephen’s ministry marked a vital stage in the growth of the early church. His teaching ‘first drove a wedge between Judaism and Christianity’

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