Acts of the Apostles - session 3
Acts 4 - 7
Students usually honor me with the one important favor that I ask as they read the Book of Acts. Hope you will too! Using a hi-lighter, mark all the times that the Holy Spirit is mentioned in Acts. There is always one student who tops them all!
My Study Bible (NIV) records the Holy Spirit as being the secret of the early church. Of course, Peter did not want this kept a secret! In his audible prayer before the Believers, he prayed,
My Study Bible (NIV) records the Holy Spirit as being the secret of the early church. Of course, Peter did not want this kept a secret! In his audible prayer before the Believers, he prayed,
Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness, and stretch out your hand to perform miracles in the holy name of your servant Jesus.
Then the place was shaken with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word boldly (Acts 4:30).
A Word to the Wise
I was once in a church that boasted a beautiful stained glass window, with only one symbol in it. It was a large HAND. When I asked what that was, the reply came, "Don't you know that is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit?"
Many more joined the Believers as they witnessed the healings that took place. Peter and the apostles were AGAIN, brought before the Sanhedrin. This group wanted them put to death. Well . . . all except a man called Gamaliel. He reminded them that rebels had come and gone. If this was a human endeavor it would NOT last. Yet, if it was from GOD,
Many more joined the Believers as they witnessed the healings that took place. Peter and the apostles were AGAIN, brought before the Sanhedrin. This group wanted them put to death. Well . . . all except a man called Gamaliel. He reminded them that rebels had come and gone. If this was a human endeavor it would NOT last. Yet, if it was from GOD,
You will not be able to stop these men, you will find yourselves fighting against God. (Acts 5:39)
What a telling prophecy about the future of Christianity!
The small band of apostles found they could no longer preach, teach AND try to administer the church. They decided to chose seven helpers who were "known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). Philip and Stephen were among the chosen seven. "The number of disciples [followers of Jesus] increased rapidly." (Acts 6:7)
Stephen was a man "full of God's grace who did miraculous signs among the people." (Acts 6:8) He was brought before the Sanhedrin. Included in 51 verses of chapter seven is Stephen's account to the assembly. He reiterated God's plan down through the ages for the Hebrew people, leading up to the actual crucifixion of their own Messiah. If you have not read much of the Old Testament, this is a refreshing account well worth your time! Stephen ended his statement with,
The small band of apostles found they could no longer preach, teach AND try to administer the church. They decided to chose seven helpers who were "known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). Philip and Stephen were among the chosen seven. "The number of disciples [followers of Jesus] increased rapidly." (Acts 6:7)
Stephen was a man "full of God's grace who did miraculous signs among the people." (Acts 6:8) He was brought before the Sanhedrin. Included in 51 verses of chapter seven is Stephen's account to the assembly. He reiterated God's plan down through the ages for the Hebrew people, leading up to the actual crucifixion of their own Messiah. If you have not read much of the Old Testament, this is a refreshing account well worth your time! Stephen ended his statement with,
You are a stiff-neck people . . . you always resist the Holy Spirit. (Acts 7:51)
Before he was stoned to death, he said,
Look! I see heaven open and the Son of Man [Christ] standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56)
Before Stephen died, he asked God to forgive them, just as Jesus had done from the cross.
A young man by the name of Saul was a witness to the stoning of Stephen and "approved of his death" (Acts 7:59). Do remember this quote, because it always comes up for discussion.
Much persecution of the church took placed from then on. Yet, there were many, so filled with the Holy Spirit, that the church not only survived, but grew in strength and numbers! Next session we will explore this!
A young man by the name of Saul was a witness to the stoning of Stephen and "approved of his death" (Acts 7:59). Do remember this quote, because it always comes up for discussion.
Much persecution of the church took placed from then on. Yet, there were many, so filled with the Holy Spirit, that the church not only survived, but grew in strength and numbers! Next session we will explore this!