A few weeks ago I had contemplated not returning to the Men's Monday Night Bible study after we had finished the book of Hebrews. I was drawn to something new that required more faith than I had. About a week later, Joe said that he would step out of the leadership role until the end of the year.
And then I heard the words from my mouth-
"I'll lead this study".
I am not a teacher, but I believe that when someone is called they need to answer. I won't be behind the wheel (laptop) here, God is. And he will help me through with every bit of reference material he throws my way.
The Goal is to maintain the Bible study on a weekly basis (even through football season).
The Goal is to help others understand the importance of the book of Acts.
The Goal is to help grow the church in a similar fashion that it was when Luke wrote the Book of Acts.
This blog was the Holy Spirit's idea too. This will enable all of the guys to see what will be discussed prior to the study. It will also be maintained so that any tidbit of information regarding the Book of Acts will be retrievable at anytime. Eventually I may open it up for postings by some of the men who attend on Monday night, but for now.
See you Monday....IN HIS NAME ALWAYS AND FOREVER....rich
A Bible Study on the Book of Acts. This information is intended to be used in conjunction with the Men's Monday Night Bible Study at BFC in Ventura.
Just Some Angels in the Bible
Old Testament references
Cherubim at entrance to Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:24Appear to Abraham, Genesis 18:1-33Saved Lot and his family, Genesis 19:1-22Intervened with Isaac, Genesis 22:11-18Heavenly vision of Jacob's Ladder, Genesis 28:12Accompanied Israel through the desert, Exodus 23:20 And Numbers 20:16
Aided the prophets
Isaiah 6:2-7Ezekiel 1:4-28Daniel 7:9-10Zechariah 1:9-19
New Testament references
Appeared in connection with birth of Christ
Matthew 1:20Luke 1:26-38
Appear to:
Paul, Acts 27:23Peter, Acts 12:7-11Cornelius, Acts 10:3-6Sadducees didn't believe in angels, Acts 23:812 Legions of Angels, Matthew 26:53
Mentioned by name:
Raphael, Tobit 12:15Michael, Daniel 10:13Revelation, 12:7Gabriel, Daniel 8:16Luke 1:19
Fall of the angels
Deuteronomy 32:172 Peter 2:4Jude 1:6Revelation 12:7-9
Cherubim at entrance to Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:24Appear to Abraham, Genesis 18:1-33Saved Lot and his family, Genesis 19:1-22Intervened with Isaac, Genesis 22:11-18Heavenly vision of Jacob's Ladder, Genesis 28:12Accompanied Israel through the desert, Exodus 23:20 And Numbers 20:16
Aided the prophets
Isaiah 6:2-7Ezekiel 1:4-28Daniel 7:9-10Zechariah 1:9-19
New Testament references
Appeared in connection with birth of Christ
Matthew 1:20Luke 1:26-38
Appear to:
Paul, Acts 27:23Peter, Acts 12:7-11Cornelius, Acts 10:3-6Sadducees didn't believe in angels, Acts 23:812 Legions of Angels, Matthew 26:53
Mentioned by name:
Raphael, Tobit 12:15Michael, Daniel 10:13Revelation, 12:7Gabriel, Daniel 8:16Luke 1:19
Fall of the angels
Deuteronomy 32:172 Peter 2:4Jude 1:6Revelation 12:7-9
A Samaritan is...
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary -
Samaritans--the name given to the new and mixed inhabitants whom Esarhaddon (B.C. 677), the king of Assyria, brought from Babylon and other places and settled in the cities of Samaria, instead of the original inhabitants whom Sargon (B.C. 721) had removed into captivity (2 Kings 17:24; comp. Ezra 4:2, 9, 10). These strangers (comp. Luke 17:18) amalgamated with the Jews still remaining in the land, and gradually abandoned their old idolatry and adopted partly the Jewish religion. After the return from the Captivity, the Jews in Jerusalem refused to allow them to take part with them in rebuilding the temple, and hence sprang up an open enmity between them. They erected a rival temple on Mount Gerizim, which was, however, destroyed by a Jewish king (B.C. 130). They then built another at Shechem. The bitter enmity between the Jews and Samaritans continued in the time of our Lord: the Jews had "no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9; comp. Luke 9:52, 53). Our Lord was in contempt called "a Samaritan" (John 8:48). Many of the Samaritans early embraced the gospel (John 4:5-42; Acts 8:25; 9:31; 15:3). Of these Samaritans there still remains a small population of about one hundred and sixty, who all reside in Shechem, where they carefully observe the religious customs of their fathers. They are the "smallest and oldest sect in the world."
Samaritans--the name given to the new and mixed inhabitants whom Esarhaddon (B.C. 677), the king of Assyria, brought from Babylon and other places and settled in the cities of Samaria, instead of the original inhabitants whom Sargon (B.C. 721) had removed into captivity (2 Kings 17:24; comp. Ezra 4:2, 9, 10). These strangers (comp. Luke 17:18) amalgamated with the Jews still remaining in the land, and gradually abandoned their old idolatry and adopted partly the Jewish religion. After the return from the Captivity, the Jews in Jerusalem refused to allow them to take part with them in rebuilding the temple, and hence sprang up an open enmity between them. They erected a rival temple on Mount Gerizim, which was, however, destroyed by a Jewish king (B.C. 130). They then built another at Shechem. The bitter enmity between the Jews and Samaritans continued in the time of our Lord: the Jews had "no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9; comp. Luke 9:52, 53). Our Lord was in contempt called "a Samaritan" (John 8:48). Many of the Samaritans early embraced the gospel (John 4:5-42; Acts 8:25; 9:31; 15:3). Of these Samaritans there still remains a small population of about one hundred and sixty, who all reside in Shechem, where they carefully observe the religious customs of their fathers. They are the "smallest and oldest sect in the world."
"Word for the Day"- Repentance
RepentanceRe*pent"ance\ (r[-e]*p[e^]nt"ans), n. [F. repentance.]
The act of repenting, or the state of being penitent; sorrow for what one has done or omitted to do; especially, contrition for sin. --Chaucer.
Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. --2. Cor. vii. 20.
Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God. --Hammond.
Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice from the conviction that it has offended God. Sorrow, fear, and anxiety are properly not parts, but adjuncts, of repentance; yet they are too closely connected with it to be easily separated. --Rambler.
Syn: Contrition; regret; penitence; contriteness; compunction.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
dictionary.com
The act of repenting, or the state of being penitent; sorrow for what one has done or omitted to do; especially, contrition for sin. --Chaucer.
Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. --2. Cor. vii. 20.
Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God. --Hammond.
Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice from the conviction that it has offended God. Sorrow, fear, and anxiety are properly not parts, but adjuncts, of repentance; yet they are too closely connected with it to be easily separated. --Rambler.
Syn: Contrition; regret; penitence; contriteness; compunction.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
dictionary.com
"Word for the Day"- Sanhedrin / Sadducee
San·hed·rin
(sān-hěd'rĭn, -hē'drĭn, sän-) n.
The highest judicial and ecclesiastical council of the ancient Jewish nation, composed of from 70 to 72 members.
[Hebrew sanhedrîn, from Greek sunedrion, council, from sunedros, sitting in council : sun-, syn- + hedrā, seat; see sed- in Indo-European roots.]
Sad·du·cee
–noun Judaism.
a member of a Palestinian sect, consisting mainly of priests and aristocrats, that flourished from the 1st century b.c. to the 1st century a.d. and differed from the Pharisees chiefly in its literal interpretation of the Bible, rejection of oral laws and traditions, and denial of an afterlife and the coming of the Messiah.
[Origin: bef. 1000; ME sadducees (pl.), OE saddūcéas < LL saddūcaeī < Gk saddoukaǐoi < Heb ṣədhūqī adherent of Zadok]
http://www.dictionary.com
(sān-hěd'rĭn, -hē'drĭn, sän-) n.
The highest judicial and ecclesiastical council of the ancient Jewish nation, composed of from 70 to 72 members.
[Hebrew sanhedrîn, from Greek sunedrion, council, from sunedros, sitting in council : sun-, syn- + hedrā, seat; see sed- in Indo-European roots.]
Sad·du·cee
–noun Judaism.
a member of a Palestinian sect, consisting mainly of priests and aristocrats, that flourished from the 1st century b.c. to the 1st century a.d. and differed from the Pharisees chiefly in its literal interpretation of the Bible, rejection of oral laws and traditions, and denial of an afterlife and the coming of the Messiah.
[Origin: bef. 1000; ME sadducees (pl.), OE saddūcéas < LL saddūcaeī < Gk saddoukaǐoi < Heb ṣədhūqī adherent of Zadok]
http://www.dictionary.com
Regularly Plagiarized References and Resources
- The MacArthur Bible Commentary- John MacArthur
- Halley’s Bible Handbook- Dr. Henry Halley
- Handy Dictionary of the Bible-Merrill C. Tenney
Key Words and Characters-
- Pentecost
- Mission
- Antioch
- Peter
- Paul (Saul)
- Gifts
- Holy Spirit
The Upper Room
What if you were there???
About Me
Favorite Linkage
Blog Archive
"Word for the Day"- Ascension
as·cen·sion
1) The act or process of ascending; ascent.
2) Astronomy The rising of a star above the horizon.
3) In Christianity, the bodily rising of Jesus into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection.
4) A feast celebrating this event, observed on Ascension Day.
http://www.dictionary.com/
1) The act or process of ascending; ascent.
2) Astronomy The rising of a star above the horizon.
3) In Christianity, the bodily rising of Jesus into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection.
4) A feast celebrating this event, observed on Ascension Day.
http://www.dictionary.com/
Gamaliel--Acts 5:34
The author of Acts of the Apostles, introduces Gamaliel as a Pharisee and celebrated scholar of the Mosaic Law[15]. In this passage, Saint Peter and the other apostles are described as being prosecuted by the Sanhedrin for continuing to preach the Gospel, despite the Jewish authorities having previously prohibited it; the passage describes Gamaliel as presenting an argument against killing the apostles, reminding the Sanhedrin about previous revolts, which had been based on beliefs that individuals such as Theudas and Judas of Galilee were the prophesied messiah. According to acts, his authority with his contemporaries was so great that they accepted his advice, regardless of how unwelcome it was; Gamaliel's concluding argument to them had been that:
if [the Gospel] be of men, it will come to naught, but if it be of God, ye will not be able to overthrow it; lest perhaps ye be found even to fight against God[16].
The Book of Acts later goes on to describe Paul of Tarsus recounting that he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel about Jewish religious law[17], although no details are given about which teachings Paul adopted from Gamaliel - and hence how much Gamaliel influenced aspects of Christianity. However, there is no other record of Gamaliel ever having taught in public[1], although the Talmud does describe Gamaliel as teaching a student who displayed impudence in learning, which a few scholars identify as a possible reference to Paul[18]. Helmut Koester, Professor of Divinity and of Ecclesiastical History at Harvard University, is doubtful that Paul studied under this famous rabbi, arguing that there is a marked contrast in the tolerance that Gamaliel is said to have expressed about Christianity, in contrast to the "murderous rage" against Christians that Paul is described as having prior to his conversion[19].
if [the Gospel] be of men, it will come to naught, but if it be of God, ye will not be able to overthrow it; lest perhaps ye be found even to fight against God[16].
The Book of Acts later goes on to describe Paul of Tarsus recounting that he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel about Jewish religious law[17], although no details are given about which teachings Paul adopted from Gamaliel - and hence how much Gamaliel influenced aspects of Christianity. However, there is no other record of Gamaliel ever having taught in public[1], although the Talmud does describe Gamaliel as teaching a student who displayed impudence in learning, which a few scholars identify as a possible reference to Paul[18]. Helmut Koester, Professor of Divinity and of Ecclesiastical History at Harvard University, is doubtful that Paul studied under this famous rabbi, arguing that there is a marked contrast in the tolerance that Gamaliel is said to have expressed about Christianity, in contrast to the "murderous rage" against Christians that Paul is described as having prior to his conversion[19].
Luke Who
Who was Acts written by?-
These are a few of the explanations people have used to give Luke credit as the author to the Book of Acts;
Both the Gospel of Luke and Acts were written to Theophilus (Lk 1:3 & Acts 1:1).
In Acts 1:1 the writer also references his previous book "The former account I made...".
It was common for ancient writers to continue their works...volume II of Luke's writing is what occurred in Acts, while volume I was the gospel of Luke.
When was Acts written?-
Most commentaries indicate that Acts was written between 63-70 AD..... Who was Luke?-
Luke was a personal friend and travel companion to Paul (Yes, thee Paul).
Luke was a physician (Col 4:14) some say he was Paul's personal doctor which would make sense.
Luke was only mentioned three times in the Bible, Col 4:14, Phm 1:24, II Tim 4:11.
As far as we know, Luke was the only Gentile writer of an entire book in The Bible. It can be assumed that Nebuchadnezzar wrote Daniel 4 (Stan).
Luke's Writing Style-
If you're used to reading technical manuals (or Moby Dick) Luke and Acts will sound familiar. Luke writes in the style of a good technician and brings life to the page that few books of the Bible do. From the beginning of Acts with the ascension of Christ through the early disagreements of the church and ending with a "pirate like" ship wreck on the island of Malta where Paul talks with the natives the book of Acts is hard to put down.
As we go through this study I want to stay the course of expository learning, however there are many topical areas such as these (Luke Who?) that I want us to venture down to better understand the day and time of this writing.
Guided by The Way- rich
These are a few of the explanations people have used to give Luke credit as the author to the Book of Acts;
Both the Gospel of Luke and Acts were written to Theophilus (Lk 1:3 & Acts 1:1).
In Acts 1:1 the writer also references his previous book "The former account I made...".
It was common for ancient writers to continue their works...volume II of Luke's writing is what occurred in Acts, while volume I was the gospel of Luke.
When was Acts written?-
Most commentaries indicate that Acts was written between 63-70 AD..... Who was Luke?-
Luke was a personal friend and travel companion to Paul (Yes, thee Paul).
Luke was a physician (Col 4:14) some say he was Paul's personal doctor which would make sense.
Luke was only mentioned three times in the Bible, Col 4:14, Phm 1:24, II Tim 4:11.
As far as we know, Luke was the only Gentile writer of an entire book in The Bible. It can be assumed that Nebuchadnezzar wrote Daniel 4 (Stan).
Luke's Writing Style-
If you're used to reading technical manuals (or Moby Dick) Luke and Acts will sound familiar. Luke writes in the style of a good technician and brings life to the page that few books of the Bible do. From the beginning of Acts with the ascension of Christ through the early disagreements of the church and ending with a "pirate like" ship wreck on the island of Malta where Paul talks with the natives the book of Acts is hard to put down.
As we go through this study I want to stay the course of expository learning, however there are many topical areas such as these (Luke Who?) that I want us to venture down to better understand the day and time of this writing.
Guided by The Way- rich