Sunday School Lessons: Acts 13

Lesson 17

Paul's First Missionary Journey
Acts 13

Read Acts 1:8
This is the last major division of the book of Acts.  During the first division, the Gospel went “to the Jew first.”  The church was entirely composed of Jewish believers.  In the second division, Peter took the Gospel to Samaria. Now the Gospel is going into all the world through Saul.  In this section, Saul’s name changes to Paul and Paul becomes the leader of the church.

Map Summary:
Barnabas and Paul’s first stop is Cyprus, Barnabas’ home.  They cross the island and then sail from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia.  Then they leave the ship and travel into Asia Minor and into Galatia.  They visit Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.  They return through Attalia and sail back to Antioch.

Read verses 1-4
The chapter begins by listing the five leaders of the church in Antioch:  Barnabas, Simon, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul.  The leaders were fasting together and the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul for a special work.  Notice, Barnabas’ name comes first.  Before long, this will change and Paul’s name will come first because he will become the chief spokesman.

The men fasted and prayed and then laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul before sending them away.  The laying on of hands is a way of identifying with the two missionaries. They are in partnership with them and sending them out as their representatives.  Even so, notice that vs. 4 says that they were sent by the Holy Spirit.

Read vs. 5
Here you see the method that is always used:  the Gospel is taken to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. (Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16)  The Gospel was always preached first in the synagogue and then to the community at large.

Read vs. 6-12
In Paphos they came across a sorcerer (Bar-Jesus/Elymas).  He is also called a false prophet.  He was a companion of Sergius Paulus, the deputy of the country.  Paulus is called an intelligent man.  He calls for the missionaries to teach him about the word of God.  Elymas tried to influence Paulus from believing what Barnabas and Saul were teaching.  Paul, as he is called for the first time, was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized him as a child of the devil and enemy.  The Spirit enables Paul to strike him blind.  Sergius Paulus was astonished by this miracle and believed.

Re: Saul/Paul’s name
Saul was his Jewish name, Paul was his Roman name.  Paul was both a Jew and a Roman citizen.  He is now moving away from addressing only Jews and is here beginning to take up his calling as the Apostle to the Gentiles.  This may account for the name change.

Paul had the sign gifts of the apostles.  Do you remember why the apostles were able to perform miracles?  Remember, the New Testament had not yet been written and the church was moving away from the Mosaic Law which had authority over the Jews to the new life and liberty in Christ.  This was a big shift in thinking, and the miracles were proof of their authority, given to them by God.  How are we to judge today whether teachings have the authority of God? 

Vs 13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia.

John Mark leaves them here.  Luke doesn’t give us any details, but later we will learn that John Mark deserted them.  Paul later refuses to take John Mark on another missionary journey and Barnabas and Paul disagree so much that they go their separate ways.  But later on at the end of his life, Paul asks for John Mark to come to him (2 Tim 4:11)  John Mark is given a second chance and Paul accepts him.  This is the same John Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark.  God is a God of second chances.

Read vs 14-16
When they get to Antioch the went to the synagogue on the Sabbath.  After the service, it was customary to invite vistors to say something.  Paul stood up to preach.  He addresses his sermon to “Men of Israel and you who fear God.”  That tells us that there must have been Gentile proselytes there.

Read vs. 17-39
Paul’s sermon is a lot like Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost and Stephen’s sermon before the Sanhedrin.  He starts by reviewing Israel’s history as a nation, reminds them of the ministry of John the Baptist and then brings it up to the Gospel—the Person and the Work of Jesus Christ.  Central to his message is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He confirms that Jesus is the Messiah by referring to the Old Covenant scriptures and compares David’s death to Jesus’ and ends by declaring that all who believe are justified and that they could never be justified by the law of Moses!  This must have been shocking to them!  He then goes on and exhorts them not to reject the message. (vs. 40-41)

Read vs. 42-49
When the service was over the Gentiles asked Paul to preach to them the next Sabbath!  Some of the Jews and proselytes and some Gentiles followed after Paul and were encouraged to “continue in the grace of God.”

Vs. 44 next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

People must’ve been talking about what Paul had said in the synagogue because the whole city gathered to hear him speak!

45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

The Jews were jealous and started causing trouble.  But notice what Paul says:  “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you.”  That has been and will continue to be the pattern.  The Gospel goes first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.  Sadly, there is a pattern of rejection by the Jews.

Vs 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
The Word of God spread throughout the whole region, but Paul and Barnabas were run out of town by the Jews.
Vs. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Shaking the dust off the feet was a Jewish sign of rejection. (Read Matthew 10:14)  They go on to Iconium, and the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 11 and 12

Lesson 16
Acts 11 and 12

Read Acts 11:1-15   This section will serve as a review of Chapter 10.  

Why were the other Jewish believers criticizing him?  Why is Peter telling them everything that happened?  Do you think Peter understands why they are upset?

Read Acts 11:16-17
Peter begins remind them about what Jesus had said to them right before He ascended into heaven Acts 1:

1:4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with  the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

These Jewish believers knew exactly what Peter was talking about.  They had either experienced the happenings on the Day of Pentecost for themselves or had heard about what happened.

Read Acts 11:18
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
When they heard what Peter had to say, they fell silent.  Not only didn’t they argue with Peter, they glorified God!  They understood without a shadow of a doubt that God had accepted the Gentiles and given them salvation.  

Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Read Acts 11:19-24

Notice that the preaching up to this time has been to the Jews alone.  The Hellenists were Jews who spoke Greek and observed Greek customs.

So many people were being converted by faith in Christ that word got back to the church in Jerusalem.  They sent Barnabas to Antioch to see what was going on!  The first time the believers were called “Christians” was in Antioch. Do you remember what they were sometimes called before that?  With this mention of Antioch, we’re going to begin to notice that Antioch is an important center of Christianity, along with Jerusalem.

Barnabas became the pastor of the church in Antioch.  How is he described?  Do you remember when we first heard the description “full of the Holy Spirit and of faith?”  The church grew quickly so Barnabas went to Tarsus to bring Paul back to work with him in Antioch.  They stayed there a whole year and the church grew and many people were taught.

Acts 11:27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

The prophet Agabus, like all true prophets, spoke by the Spirit.  He brought news that there was going to be a famine.  So the church in Antioch sent gifts to the believers in Judea.  Notice who they selected to carry the gifts to Jerusalem; Saul!  The same man who “breathed out threats” and persecuted the church is now bringing help to the church in its time of need.

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 brings us back to persecution in the church, this time through King Herod.  King Herod Agrippa was the grandson of Herod the Great, who was the King who killed the boys who were born at the time that Christ was in an attempt to kill him.

Matthew 2: 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

This King Herod was against God and the people of God, too.  This marks a change in the persecutions of the early church.  Always before, the persecution of the church had been at the hands of the religious leaders (Sadducees).  The Jews were persecuting the believers.  Now the government joins in.

Herod killed James, the brother of John, with a sword.  This is not the James who wrote the book of James and was the leader of the believers in Jerusalem.  James is the second recorded martyr.

Read Acts 12:3-4

The Jews were pleased with the death of James, so Herod decided to go after Peter next.  They captured him and put him in jail.  It was the time of the Passover, so they were holding him until after Passover.  Peter was heavily guarded during this time.

Read Acts 12:5-12

The church in Jerusalem knew that Peter was in jail.  They prayed for him earnestly.
The night before he was to have been brought to Herod, Peter was chained to two men and there were guards outside his door.  He must have been asleep because the angel had to poke him in the side!  The angel raised him to his feet and the chains fell off.  The scripture doesn’t say that the men who had been chained to him were asleep, but there is no evidence that they were aware of what was happening.  The angel told him to get dressed and follow him.  Peter did, but he thought it was a vision.  He didn’t understand that he was really leaving the jail!
Read verse 10.  Think about how far they had to walk together, and yet no one followed after them.  As soon as they got out of the gates, the angel left him.  As soon as the angel left him, Peter “came to himself.”  Immediately, he understood what had happened! He knew that God had delivered him from the hand of Herod.
Peter went to Mary’s house, the mother of John Mark.  They were gathered there for prayer.

Read Acts 12:13-15 

They are gathered together, praying for Peter’s delivery from Herod but when he comes to them, they are shocked!  The servant girl leaves him standing at the gate.  When she tells them Peter is there, they think it’s his ghost!  But God heard their prayers and answered them.

Read Acts 16-17  Peter went in to them and told them what had happened.  He relieved their fears, but then he left.

Acts 12:18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

When Luke says there was no little disturbance, he is really saying “there was an unbelievably HUGE disturbance!”  Herod questioned the guards and then had them killed.  Then he left town.  He went to Caesarea, which we learned already was a Roman city, full of government officials.

Read Acts 12:19-23.

Why do you think the angel of the Lord struck him down?

Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other.

Read Acts 12:25. 

Barnabas and Saul finished their ministry in Jerusalem and returned to Antioch.  They took John Mark with them.

Next week we will start the missionary journeys of Paul, when the Gospel goes out into all the world.  Read Chapter 13 and 14 for next week.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

John Brown, Hebrews Quote 16

Hebrews by John Brown  p. 241
    Now, as it was with these persons that the high priest had to do—as it was their interests he had to manage with God, it was necessary that he should be a person who “could have—who was capable of having—compassion on them.”  The word translated “have compassion,” is rendered in the margin, reasonably bear with.  A person could not be expected to do the duties of a high priest aright if he could not enter into the feelings of those whom he represented.  If their faults excited no sentiment in his mind but disapprobation—if they moved him to no feeling but anger, he would not be fit to interpose in their behalf with God—he would not be inclined to do for them what was necessary for the expiation of their guilt, and the acceptance of their services.  But the Jewish high priest was one who was capable of pitying and bearing with the ignorant and the erring; “for he himself also was compassed with infirmity.”
    “Infirmity,” here, plainly is significant of sinful weakness, and probably also of the disagreeable effects resulting from it.  The Jewish high priest was himself a sinner.  He had personal experience of temptation, and the tendency of man to yield to temptation—of sin, and of the consequences of sin; so that he had the natural capacity, and ought to have had the moral capacity, of pitying his fellow sinners.  Of this truth, of which the Apostle makes use afterwards in illustrating the superiority of Jesus Christ to the Levitical high priests, we have a striking proof in the undeniable fact, that they were appointed to offer sacrifices for “their own sins, as well as for the sins of the people,”—a plain proof that they needed pardon as well as those in whose room they stood.  And it deserves particular notice, that the high priest was required first to offer sacrifices for himself that he might be purified and accepted in offering for the people,--an intimation that, in order to available interposition with God, the person who interposes must be considered as himself an object of His favorable regards.  Lev. Iv. 3, ix. 7, xvi. 6, 24.  Such is the Apostle’s description of the Levitical high priest.  From what has been said it is plain that there is no human ministry under the New Economy which corresponds to the priesthood or high-priesthood under the law.  There is an essential difference between the Christian ministry and the Levitical priesthood.  Christians do not need a human priesthood.  We have a great High Priest, who requires no coadjutors.  His character and work are perfect.

John Brown, Hebrews Quote 15

Hebrews by John Brown  p.235

‘Since we have a High Priest—one to interpose with God on our behalf—one to expiate our sins and to make intercession for us; since our High Priest is an illustrious personage, who has entered into the immediate presence of God, thus proving the acceptance of His sacrifice and the prevalence of His intercession; since He is indeed the only begotten of God, the divinity of whose nature gives infinite virtue to His sacrifice, and secures uniform success to His interpositions; and since, though so inconceivably great and glorious, He is not withstanding, from His having assumed our nature and submitted to our condition, at once capable of and disposed to sympathize with us in all our trials, having Himself, so far as the absolute purity of His nature admitted, been exposed to the same trials,--let us persevere in the acknowledgement we have made, and instead of falling before the temptations to abandon Christ and His cause, let us, in the exercise of an enlightened and affectionate devotion, seek from God, the propitiated Divinity, in the exercise of His pity for our weakness and misery, and of His grace towards us who are utterly undeserving, those aids of His good Spirit which are at once absolutely necessary and abundantly sufficient to enable us to “hold fast the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end,” amid all the trials to which we are exposed.’  The exhortation was peculiarly appropriate to the Hebrew Christians in their circumstances.  It is suited, however, to Christians of all countries and ages.  The grand leading outlines of state, character and education of true Christians are independent of the circumstances of time and place.  The two great duties of the Christian are, the believing study of the truth respecting Jesus Christ, and the cultivation of a habitual affectionate intercourse with God as the God of peace, under the influence of the faith of “the truth as it is in Jesus.”

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 10

Lesson 15
Acts 10

• Cornelius’ Vision
• Peter’s Vision
• Cornelius’ Conversion
• Gentiles Filled with the Holy Spirit

We learned last week that Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles, but it was Peter that the Holy Spirit used to open the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Review conversions of Ethiopian Eunuch and Saul/Paul

Read Acts 10:1-2

A centurion is an Roman officer in command of 100 men.  The Italian Cohorts were Roman soldiers from Italy.  Caesarea was a Roman city; Pilate lived there as well as the governor and government rulers.  Paul had been in Caesarea (Acts 9:30) and had most likely proclaimed Christ in the city, but during this time, he is in Arabia.

Name three thing we learn about Cornelius in these two verses.
    1.
    2.
    3.
Cornelius was not a believer in Jesus Christ, nor was he a Jewish proselyte.  He was what was known as a “proselyte of the Gate.”  He had not converted to Judaism, but he believed in God and knew that God must be revered and worshiped.  He followed the Jewish custom of the giving of alms and prayed to God.  He, unlike the Ethiopian eunuch, did not have the Scriptures and was untaught, but he knew that God was real and he desired to know Him, therefore he prayed.

Read Acts 10:3-8  Cornelius’ Vision

Here we see two things in verse three:  Cornelius saw a vision of an angel.  He recognized the vision had come from God in response to his prayers.  Also, it is encouraging to notice that Cornelius, a man who was outside of both the Jewish and the Christian faith was personally known by God.  Seeing the angel terrified him.  When angels appear to men, many times it causes them to be afraid.  He, like Saul, uses the Word “Lord” but in the case of Cornelius, it does not mean Lord God, it is a word of address to someone who is superior.  The angel tells him that “your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.”  This does not mean that Cornelius earned salvation because of his works of giving and praying, however it does tell us that such things do matter to God.  Notice that the angel tells him to send for Simon Peter and he tells him exactly where he can be found.  He sends two servants and a devout soldier to go and get Peter.  Notice, too, that Cornelius tells them all that has happened.

Read Acts 10:9-16

While Cornelius is back in Caesarea, and his servants are on their way to find Peter, God is preparing Peter.  God gives him a vision of all kinds of animals coming down from heaven and tells him to kill them and eat.  Now, the Jews had very strict rules about what kinds of animals could and could not be eaten.  Apparently, some or all of the animals in the sheet were the kind that could not be eaten.  They were “common and unclean.”
Notice that Peter knows it is the Lord who is speaking to Him.  He says, “By no means, Lord”  He calls him Lord but then tells him that he will not obey!  Peter was still living by the Jewish laws, but God is beginning to teach him that he is no longer under the Mosaic system and he is free from the dietary laws.  The vision was repeated three times.

Read Acts 10:17-23

While Peter was trying to figure out what the vision meant, Cornelius’ men arrived, asking for Simon Peter.  The Spirit told Peter that the men were there and that He had sent them.  (Cornelius chose the men but it was the Spirit who sent them!)  Peter was to go with the “without hesitation.”
Peter tells them who he is and asks them why they came.  Peter learns that an angel had invited him to go to Cornelius’ house.  He goes.

Read Acts 10:24-26

When he arrives, Cornelius is waiting there with all his friends and relatives! That took a lot of faith!  It also tells us something about Cornelius; he had influence on the people around him.
Cornelius starts to worship Peter, but Peter tells him to stand up because he is just a man, too.  We are only to worship God.

Read Acts 10:27-29

God has helped Peter to understand that the vision he had seen was not just about Jewish dietary laws being set aside, but also the wall that kept Jews and Gentiles apart.  It was unlawful for Jews to enter the house of a non-Jew or to even associate with them, but now Peter understood that God had taken away that prohibition.  
Peter asks Cornelius why he had sent for him.  He knew already that an angel had told him to send for Peter.  Why do you think Peter asked that question?  He didn’t start preaching right away.  Peter was being led by the Spirit of God to ask that question and we’ll see in Cornelius’ answer something very important.

Read verses 30-34

Notice what he says:  “we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Cornelius knows that they are in God’s presence and that God has commanded Peter to preach to them.  They are ready to listen—and obey.

Read Acts 10:34-43

Peter preaches about the Person and the Work of Jesus Christ.  He know that they have heard of what happened, but he repeats facts of Christ’s life, death,  and resurrection.  He also includes the commandment of Jesus to preach and testify concerning Him. (Acts 1:8)  He concludes by telling them that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins.

Read Acts 10:44-48

Peter didn’t get to finish his sermon because the Spirit fell on all who were there.  There were other Jewish Christians who had come with Peter and they, too, witnessed the gift of the Spirit on the Gentiles.  The Gentiles were baptized, just as had happened to the converts on the day of Pentecost.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 9

Lesson 14
Acts 9  
The Conversion of Saul

This is the first of three account of the conversion of Saul in the Book of Acts.  This account tells us what happened—just the facts.  The other two accounts are in chapters 22 and 26.

Read Acts 9:1-2
Still breathing threats and murder.  Saul wasn’t satisfied with the persecution of the believers in Jerusalem, he asked special permission to go to Damascus to find believers and bring them back bound to Jerusalem.  He was looking for people belonging to “the Way.”  This was what the early church was called in those day—people of the Way.

Read Acts 9:3-9

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Several important things stand out in Saul’s conversion.  First, it is evident from Jesus’ words that Saul was under conviction of sin.  He was “kicking against the goads.” (Explain about horses/donkeys/goads)  Saul had seen the stoning of Stephen and his response and it had made him mad, but having seen Stephen’s faith in death, probably made him think, too.  Stephen had seen into heaven.  He died full of faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Saul was under conviction and his way of responding was to lash out against the people of the Way.

Second, notice what happens when Jesus calls him by name and asks, “why are you persecuting me?”  To persecute the church is to persecute Jesus Himself!  Saul asks, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus tells Saul that it is He.  What is Saul’s response? He trembles and is astonished! He responds without reservation.  “Lord, what do you want me to do?”  He acknowledged Jesus as Lord and submitted to Him.

Saul was struck blind and led into Damascus, where he will wait to be told what he must do.  For three days he could not see and neither ate, nor drank.

Now we switch to a believer in Damascus named Ananias.  This is the only time in scripture that Ananias is mentioned, but he is greatly used by God.

Read Acts 9:10-12

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

What can we learn about Ananias from this passage?  About Saul?  About the Lord Jesus?

Read Acts 9:13-14

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Ananias is afraid of Saul because of what he had heard about him.  But notice, he is not afraid to talk to Jesus about his fears.  Jesus tells Ananias to ‘Go’ anyway, but He also lets Ananias in on His plans for Saul.  What two things does Jesus tell Ananias about Saul?  Who will Saul “bear His Name before?”

Read Acts 9:17-19

17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Ananias does just what Jesus told him to do and just what Jesus had told Saul would happen.  What does Ananias call Saul?  What is the significance of that?  Immediately he received his sight, got up and was baptized!  He ate and was strengthened and then stayed with the other believers at Damascus, and was spiritually strengthened by the very people he had set out to persecute and drag back to Jerusalem!

Read Acts 9:20-22
Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Immediately Saul began to preach.  What did he preach?  (the Person and Work of Jesus Christ)  Why is that important?  The people were amazed, both the believers and the Jews in Damascus.  He proved that Jesus is the Christ.  The Christ is the Messiah.  The Jews were waiting for their Messiah and Saul, with all his training in the Jewish Scriptures, having been taught by the great scholar, Gamaliel, used the scriptures to prove that Jesus is the Messiah.  Some Jews were convinced and believed, others plotted to kill Saul.

Read Acts 9:23-25
The Jews in Damascus were “laying in wait” to kill Saul, but the believers lowered him over the wall in a basket and he escaped .  We learn from Galatians 1:17 that Paul spent three years in Arabia before going to Jerusalem:

Galatians 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
   
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

 Acts 9:26-30

When Saul got to Jerusalem, the believers were afraid of him!  They didn’t believe him!  But Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement” helped him.  He took him to the apostles and told them all about Saul’s conversion and his bold preaching of the name of Jesus in Damascus.  He stayed with the apostles and began to preach in Jerusalem and again, the Hellenistic Jews tried to kill him.  (these were the same ones Saul had cooperated with in the stoning of Stephen) The believers saved him and sent him home to Tarsus.  It is thought that Saul stayed 10 years in Tarsus before returning to ministry with Barnabas in Antioch.

Read Acts 9:31
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.   

Notice where the Gospel has gone up to this point.  The church experiences peace and growth during this period.

In verse 32, we’ll return to Peter.

Read Acts 9:32-43
Peter is traveling throughout the region.  He heals two people.  In whose name does he heal?  What is the response of the people after these healings?

Please read Chapter 10 for next week. 

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 8

Lesson 13
Acts 8
Review the Stoning of Stephen and the introduction of Saul.

Chapter 8 begins a new division in the book of Acts.  Read Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The gospel now begins to move out of Jerusalem and into Judea and Samaria, just as Jesus had commanded.  Chapters 8-12 are accounts of the Gospel in Judea and Samaria.

Read Acts 8:1-3 Saul persecutes the church and the church scatters
8:1 And Saul approved of his execution. And 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. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
The apostles remained in Jerusalem, but the “great persecution” that began with the stoning of Stephen emboldened men like Saul, who became the chief persecutor of the church.  Read Philippians 3:6.
Read Acts 8:4-8 Philip preaches in Samaria

Saul’s persecution of the church did not hinder the church, rather it caused the believers to move out into other regions where they then preached the Gospel, just as Jesus had commanded.  According to Acts 11:19, the Gospel was preached in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.  Notice it says that Philip preached Christ.  That is the Gospel, or the Good News; the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.  The people received it “in one accord” and there was “much joy.”

Philip was one of the seven deacons appointed in chapter 6. He was able to perform miracles and signs and wonders.  Only the leaders were able to do miracles.  This was one way God confirmed that He was at work in their lives and ministry and that He gave their teachings authority.  Once the New Testament was written, however, and the apostles teachings were recorded, miracles ceased.  At that point, the Word of God became the authority, having been inspired by God, and then the true teacher or preacher of the Word of God’s authority was based on correct Biblical doctrine.

Read Acts 8:9-24 Simon the Magician
Vs. 9-11  Simon was a sorcerer.  The people of Samaria knew who he was.  He considered himself a “great one.”  He must have been able to do great works, because the people (from the least to the greatest!) considered him “the great power of God.”  Read vs. 11:  Why did the people believe him?  

Vs. 12-13  Philip preached the Gospel and many people believed and were baptized, including Simon the Magician.  He followed Philip and watched the signs and miracles that Philip was performing in the power of the Holy Spirit, but Simon was did not really believe unto Salvation.  He understood what Philip had preached, but it never reached his heart.  He may have been simply following the crowd, or desiring to be friends with Philip and he desired to do the same miracles that Philip was doing.  (We’ll see evidence of this in verses 18-19.)

On the outside, Simon looked like a real, true believer.  He did a lot of the things that a true believer does.  But it is possible to follow the crowd but not really put one’s faith in Jesus.  It is good for us to consider our own faith.  Read 2 Corinthians 13:5

Read vs. 14-17  When the apostles in Jerusalem heard there was a “move of the Spirit”, John and Peter came and laid hands on them to receive the Spirit, like they had on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

Read vs. 18-19  Simon wanted to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit.  He wanted to get rich with it, as he had done with his sorcery.

Read vs. 20-23 These verses prove that Simon was not converted (he was not a believer).  Peter doesn’t let him get away with it.  What does he tell him?  How does he know?  What must Simon the Magician do?

Read vs. 24 What is Simon’s response?  Does he pray for forgiveness?  Does he ask how to be saved?

Read vs. 25  The church is moving toward the uttermost ends of the earth!  It started in Jerusalem, it will soon move into Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome and from there throughout the whole world!  

Read Acts 8:25-40 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
In chapters 8, 9, and 10 we have three significant conversions.  The first, in this chapter, is the Ethiopian Eunuch.  Chapter Nine gives us the conversion of Saul (Paul) and Chapter Ten gives us the conversion of Cornelius.  Each of these are significant to the early church.  There are three things we will be looking for in each of these conversions:

1.  The Power and Work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
    The Holy Spirit brought Philip from Jerusalem to Samaria and many were saved.  Then He brought Philip to Gaza, where he meets the Ethiopian eunuch.  The Spirit had prepared Philip to preach and the eunuch to believe.  
2.  The Preaching of the Gospel
    Romans 10 tells us that faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  Read Romans 10:9-17
3. A Preacher  Romans 10 helps us to understand number 3.  God has ordained preaching as a means to proclaim the Gospel—and that requires a person!

Read Acts 8:26-34

Samaria is north of Jerusalem; now the Spirit is telling Philip to go south, to Gaza.  It is a desert land.  He asks Philip to leave a place full of new believers and go where there are very few people.  Philip obeys.  He meets an official of the Queen of Egypt—and he is reading the Prophet Isaiah.  He must have been a convert to Judaism because he was on his way to Jerusalem to worship.  What does Philip ask him?  Does the eunuch understand what he is reading?

The Ethiopian is reading from Isaiah 53. Read Isaiah 53:3-6
Of Whom is the passage from Isaiah referring?  (That’s what the eunuch wants to know, too!)

Read vs. 35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

This is an important concept.  Philip began to preach the Gospel, the Good News about the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, with the verses the eunuch was reading.  The whole Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, is about Jesus.  We should strive to learn it and understand it so well that we can begin with any scripture and share the Gospel!

Read 35-40.

The Ethiopian believed and was baptized.  Notice, that Philip asked him some questions!  He wanted to be very sure that the eunuch believed with all his heart.

When the man was baptized, Philip was “caught away” by the Spirit and the man went on his way, rejoicing.

Philip went on to Caesarea, carrying the Gospel message with him.  The Ethiopian returned to his home in Northern African and took the Gospel message with him!  Acts 1:8 is moving into the World!

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 7

Lesson 12
Acts Chapter 7

Stephen’s Sermon and Martyrdom

Introduction:
Review the charges brought against Stephen:

1.  He was a blasphemer (6:11)
2.  He was speaking against the temple (6:11)
2.  He was speaking against Moses and God. (6:11)
3.  He was changing the law of Moses (6:13, 14)

This is the longest recorded sermon in the book of Acts.  In this sermon, Stephen was building the case that throughout the entire history of the Israelites, the people disobeyed and rebelled against God.

Take turns reading Acts 7:1-53.

This passage starts with a question:  “Are these things so?”

After hearing the charges against him, what would you expect Stephen to do?  Did he defend himself?  Notice how he starts his sermon:  he calls them Brothers and Fathers.  Stephen spoke boldly against their actions but he treated them with respect.

Then he starts reviewing the history of the nation beginning with Abraham (verses 2-8) because God made covenant promises to Abraham when the nation of Israel began.  He starts in Mesopotamia, where Abraham was when God called him.  He reminded them of God’s promises to Abraham and that God had given Abraham a son, Isaac. (verses 4-5)  He talks about Isaac and his son Jacob, who gave birth to the twelve tribes of Israel. This is called the patriarchal period, or the Fathers of the Faith.
Then he begins to talk about Joseph (vs. 9) who was sold into slavery in Egypt.  This reminds the listeners of how the people of God were slaves in Egypt.  He then turns to Moses, who God used to deliver the people from their bondage. (vs. 20-44)  He reminds them that Moses had been rejected by the people and they were always rebelling against him and God.  He reviewed Moses’ entire life; 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the desert, and 40 years wandering in the wilderness.

36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt,

God had given Moses the Law and the children of Israel rebelled against Moses and against God over and over again.

In verses 47-50, Stephen brings the history up to the days of David and Solomon when the temple was built and reminds them that God does not live in a temple made by human hands.
Verses 51-53 holds the key to understanding Stephen’s sermon; it was not just a history lesson: 

51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Now he gets to his point:  the High Priest and the Sanhedrin were no different from their rebellious ancestors.  They had received the revelation of God from the prophets, from angels, and from Christ Himself, Read Hebrews 1:1-2 but they have not kept it.

Not only that, Stephen, like Peter, blamed them for putting to death Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Read Acts 54-60

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The religious leaders lost all control.  They cast him out of the city and stoned him to death.  They did not have the authority to do this.  Think about what a confusing and violent scene this was!  But how did Stephen respond?  How could he stay so calm?  How could he be so forgiving?

Stephen became the first believer to lose his life because of his belief in and witness for Christ—the first martyr.
Next week we’ll learn more about the young man mentioned in verse 58, Saul.
Please read Chapter 8 for next week.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

John Brown, Hebrews Quote 14

Hebrews  by John Brown   p. 218

    It can never be too strongly stated—it can scarcely be too frequently repeated—that the religion of Christ is pre-eminently a spiritual religion; that to have the mind and heart, the thoughts and the affections, subjected to the divine authority, conformed to the divine will, forms its essence; and when these are wanting, it does not exist, however ingeniously the man may speculate, however fluently he may talk, however plausible may be his profession, and however regular his performance of the external offices of Christian devotion.  “Keep thy heart with all diligence,” is an injunction which ought to be constantly before the mind of all who are called by the name of Christ.  “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.”  The word of God, whether of promise or of threatening, refers to principles as well as to actions, and to actions only so far as they are the result and expression of principles.  If our minds and hearts are not in accordance with God’s word, we sin; and we may rest assured that “our sin,” though not manifesting itself strongly in outward acts, “will,” as Moses says, “find us out.”  However orthodox, then, may be our professed creed, however regular our external conduct, if our views of truth are not conformed to the mind of Christ, if our tempers and dispositions are not regulated by the statements of His word and subjected to the influence of His Spirit, though we may be called by His name, though we may be students and preachers of His word, we “are none of His.”  We are in reality unbelievers; and the threatening of God, that the unbeliever shall not enter into His rest, is as really pointed against us as against the professed infidel or the open apostate, and will as certainly be executed in reference to us as in reference to them.

Christ of the Covenants

I'm re-reading Christ of the Covenants by O. Palmer Robertson.  Wow!  I heartily recommend this book--to be read and re-read. 

The first time I read it, I was exploring Covenant Theology and it was instrumental in helping me to understand the definitions and categories.  I've learned a thing or two since then and reading it this time is like reading a whole new book.

If you've never read it and you have any interest in learning more about Covenant Theology--this is the book to read--and re-read. 

John Brown, Hebrews Quote 13

Hebrews by John Brown p. 208

Now, this prophetic Psalm makes it quite plain that there is a divine rest into which men are invited to enter different from, and long subsequent to, the rest of Canaan. Ver. 8. “For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterwards have spoken of another day.” Jesus here, as in Acts vii. 45, is the Greek form of the name of Joshua, the conqueror of Canaan; and in both cases the Hebrew word should have been retained. If there had been no other rest of God but the rest of Canaan into which Joshua conducted the Israelites, then there would not have been any mention made of a period called a day, long posterior to the era of entering Canaan, during which men are invited to enter into the rest of God. But since mention is made of such a period, and as nothing that can be called a divine rest has been entered into by men since Israel entered into Canaan, it is plain that we must come to the Apostle’s conclusion, ver. 9 “There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God.”

These words, interpreted, as so many other passages of Scripture are, without reference to their connection, are usually explained of the celestial blessedness, and considered as intimating, that whatever may be the afflictions, and troubles, and labours of the saint here below, there remains for him rest above. This is truth, but it is not the truth here taught. The rest here is that state of holy happiness which Christians enjoy on earth as well as in heaven, and into which they enter by the “belief of the truth.” There is a rest far better than the rest of Israel in Canaan, which remains—after the rest of Canaan has passed away—for the peculiar people of God, the spiritual Israel under the new economy; and into this we are invited in the Gospel to enter by believing.

The word rest in this passage is not the same as that employed in the preceding context: it is a word equivalent to the rest of God,a sabbatism –a sacred rest; and the Apostle states the reason why he gives it this appellation in the 10^th verse. “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.” These words have by some interpreters of great name (Dr Owen and Dr Wardlaw) been referred to Christ. But, though it is true that Christ has entered into rest, and has ceased from the work of expiation as God as ceased from the work of creation, yet, as Christ is not mentioned in the immediate context, as He is never anywhere by way of eminence called, ‘He who hath entered into rest,’ and as this statement, however important in itself, has no bearing on the Apostle’s object, this mode of interpretation cannot be acquiesced in. “He that is entered into his rest” is a description of the same persons as “the people of God.” Those who consider the rest of God as exclusively descriptive of heaven, consider the words as expressing this idea: ‘They who have entered on the enjoyment of the celestial inheritance are completely at rest, as God was after the creation; they rest from their labours; and their rest resembles God’s.’ The words, viewed in this light, no doubt express a truth; but it is difficult to see how that truth is connected with the Apostle’s design, which seems to be, to show how the rest which, as appears from the 95^th Psalm, yet “remains for the people of God,” and into which they enter by believing, deserves to be called a sacred rest—a sabbatism—the rest of God. By “him that is entered into rest,” I understand the man who by believing is introduced into that state of holy happiness which is begun on earth and is perfected in heaven. This state of rest is called a sabbatism, or sacred rest—the rest of God; and it deserves the name, for he who has entered into it has fellowship with God—rests along with God.

Some have supposed that in the words, “hath ceased,” or rested, “from his works, even as God did from His,” there is a reference to the believer ceasing for ever from the vain attempts in which he previously engaged to make himself happy, and resting in the enjoyment of that happiness which through believing he possesses as the gift of God through Jesus Christ his Lord. He does not go about to establish his own method of justification, but he submits to God’s method of justification. He does not say, “Who will show me any good?” but, “This is the rest, and this is the refreshing.”

We are disposed to think the primary idea is that already hinted at: ‘He who has entered into his rest has fellowship with God—rests along with God; and therefore the rest well deserves to be called a sabbatism—a sacred rest. He who believes the truth enters on the enjoyment of a happiness which is of the same nature, and springs from the same sources, as the happiness of God. Jehovah rests and rejoices in the manifestation made of His all-perfect character in the person and work of Jesus Christ; and he who believes enters into this rest, and participates of this joy. Such, we apprehend, is the Apostle’s illustration of the principle—a promise of entering into God’s rest has been left us, or a divine rest remains for us.

John Brown, Hebrews Quote 12

Hebrews  by John Brown  p. 180

    To be hardened is to become insensible to the claims of Jesus Christ, so that they do not make their appropriate impression on the mind, in producing attention, faith, and obedience.  He is hardened who is careless, unbelieving, impenitent, and disobedient.

     Into this state the professors of Christianity among the Jews were in danger of falling “through the deceitfulness of sin”—that is, through sin’s deceiving them.  By “sin” I apprehend we are to understand anything inconsistent with the law of Christ, whom professing believers acknowledge as their Lord and Master; for example, the neglecting to assemble themselves together for the observance of the ordinances of Christianity, to which the Apostle particularly refers in a subsequent part of the Epistle.

    But how is such a sin as this calculated to deceive them, and by deceiving to “harden” them—to make them careless, unbelieving and disobedient, so as that they depart from Christ, and, in departing from Him, depart also from “the living God?”  It is natural for man to wish to stand well with himself.  Self-condemnation is one of the most intolerable of all feelings.  When a man has, from whatever motive, done something that is inconsistent with the law of Christ, he naturally sets himself to extenuate, to excuse, and, if possible, to defend his conduct.  There is perhaps an attempt made to convince the mind that there is really no violation of the law of Christ; that the ordinary way of interpreting that law is unduly strict; or that, if there was a violation, it was in his circumstances scarcely avoidable, and, if not justifiable altogether, yet deserving of but very slight blame.  In this state of mind, doubts of the reasonableness of the law he has transgressed, and of the authority to which it lays claim, present themselves to the mind, and, instead of being immediately dismissed, meet with a welcome reception.  These naturally lead to a repetition of the act of violation of the law of Christ, or to other violations to the law of Christ; and just as the backslider proceeds in his downward course, the process of thought above described is apt to become more and more habitual to him, till at last he becomes completely hardened against the claims which the word of Christ has on his attention, faith, and obedience, and finally “makes shipwreck of faith and a good conscience.”

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 6

Lesson 11
Acts 6

The appointment of deacons and the witness of Stephen

Read Acts 2:44-45. 

Do you remember how the early church lived together? 

What happened in Acts 4 that demonstrates how this early arrangement was beginning to break down?

In Acts 6, we’re going to see a further breaking down of their communal way of living and how the Apostles responded to the challenges.

Read Acts 6:1-7

6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Part of the reason all the believers were sharing everything equally was to make sure widows and orphans were being taken care of.  A dispute arose between the Hellenistic Jews and the Hebrew Jews.  The Hellenistic Jews were those that had been born and raised in a land other than Palestine.  They had grown up as Jews, but had also been raised with the customs of the lands from which they came.  The Hellenists were complaining that when the funds and possessions of the group were being distributed, the Hebrew widows were getting more than their fair share.

What was the Apostles’ response to this question of fairness?

What does it mean “to serve tables?”

To what did the Apostles devote themselves?

What are the 5 qualifications they were to look for in the seven men?
1. 

2.

3.

4.

5. 

Who chose the men?

Who were the men?

Only two of these men are heard from again in scripture—Stephen and Philip.  They were admirable men.  Stephen is singled out as a man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”  Nicolaus is refered to as a proselyte.  (Discuss the term)

All of the names of the men chosen were Hellenistic names. This does not necessarily mean that all the men were Hellenistic Jews, but we at least tell from this that the leadership of the early church was not leaving them out or treating them differently.

They brought the chosen men to the Apostles who prayed for them and laid hands on them.

Why did they pray for them?

Why did they lay hands on them?

These men, known as deacons, were chosen to serve the material needs of the early church and to oversee the distribution among its members.  This is not to say, though, that this was not a spiritual office.  It takes great wisdom and spiritual understanding to serve in that way.  

The Apostles could concentrate on their primary responsibilities: prayer and the ministry of the Word. The word of God continued to be preached more and more and people were coming to Christ in great numbers.  Even many of the priests became “obedient to the faith.”

What do you think the Sanhedrin would think about the priests becoming followers of Christ?  What do you think might happen?

Read Acts 6:8-15

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

What can we learn about Stephen from this passage?

Why were they so threatened by Stephen?

What are some of the things they did against him?

How do you think Stephen was able to be so calm in the face of false charges?

Next week we will look at Stephen’s address before the court. Please read Chapter 7 for next week.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 5 Pt. 2

Lesson 10
Acts 5:17-42

Read verses 17 and 18.
The Sadducees are leading the persecution.  They were filled with jealousy.  Why do you think that is?  This is the second time the apostles were arrested and put into prison.  Do you remember what happened the last time?
Read verses 19-21
Angels are God’s messengers.  God sent an angel, not only to get them out of prison, but to tell them what they were supposed to do.
What were they supposed to teach the people? (Review the content of the Gospel from Lesson 5 and 7)  They went to the temple first thing in the morning and began teaching.  In the meantime, the High Priest was calling the council together and sent for the apostles to be brought to them.  The Council (called the Sanhedrin) was the Jewish Religious counsel and was made up of about 70 men, both Pharisees and Saducees.  They had a great deal of power and influence during the Roman rule.
Read verses 21-26.  
The doors were still locked, the guards were still there, standing guard, but when they went to get them, they were gone!  This was a miracle.  What was the council’s response when they learned that, not only were the apostles not in prison, they were preaching to the people?  What did they do and why?  
Let’s review what we’ve already seen in Chapter 4:

4:5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

That time, they were afraid and they didn’t know what to do with them so they warned them and let them go, telling them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John said “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Now let’s see what happens this time:

5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

What are some of the facts of the Gospel that are in both of Peter’s responses?

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.

This time, the religious leaders were not just afraid—they were enraged and wanted to kill them!  What can you learn about the religious leaders by their actions?
Read verses 34-40
Gamaliel was a greatly respected and powerful man, a teacher.  He was the teacher of Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul.  Gamaliel gives examples of other men who had risen to prominence and had followers, but when they were killed the followers were scattered (or they went away because they no longer had someone to follow).  What was Gamaliel’s advice to the Sanhedrin?  Was this good advice?  What can you learn about Gamaliel by what he recommended?  Things are beginning to heat up now.  Instead of just another warning, they beat the Apostles this time before they let them go.  The warning was the same—stop talking to the people about Jesus!

41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

They rejoiced that they could suffer for Jesus’ name!  And “they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
What can you learn about the Apostles by their response?  

Proverbs 20:11  Even a child is known by his deeds,
      Whether what he does is pure and right. 

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 5 Pt. 1

Lesson 9

Review Acts 4:32-36
Review Barnabas’ offering and the state of the church as described in Chapter 4.  Chapter 5 starts with the ominous word, But. . .
Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:1-5  But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

There was nothing wrong with keeping the land for themselves, or, having sold it, keeping some money back for themselves.  As Peter said, it was their own and it was “at their disposal.”  They had the right to do with it however they saw fit.
What was wrong, then, with what Ananias and Sapphira had done?  (read Acts 5:3-4)
They lied to the Holy Spirit.  Notice, Peter says the Holy Spirit is God in vs. 4.
Who struck Ananias dead?
Read vs. 5  Do you think Peter knew what was coming?  Why or why not?
Everyone who was there was afraid.

Read Acts 5:6-9
6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

This time Peter knew what was going to happen.  And the great fear came upon the whole church now and upon all who heard what happened.
Ananias and Sapphira had been disciplined for their sin, but the whole church was made aware of what had happened.  It was a sad day for the church because up until that time, they had had all things in common.  We will see how it affected the church in Chapter 6.

Read Acts 5:12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Who did the signs and wonders?  
Why didn’t the people join the apostles on Solomon's Porch?
Ananias and Sapphira’s death cause the church to fear, but vs. 14 says “more than ever believers were added to the Lord.”
The people also desired to see miracles and to be healed.  Notice that verse 16 said they were ALL healed.  This was the power given to the apostles by the Holy Spirit for the early church.  The gifts were given to them to demonstrate the fact that they spoke with God’s authority.
What is our authority today?

Assignment:
Next week we will finish Chapter 5.  Please read the rest of the chapter which describes the second persecution of the church.  Review Chapter 4 and see if you can find similarities between the two accounts.  Pay special attention to Peter’s reaction and to his preaching.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 4 Pt. 2

Lesson 8
  

23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,

Who are “their own companions?”

When they heard what had happened, what was their response?

This is a meeting of the church.  We can learn a little about them by how they prayed. They began with Jesus (Lord) and acknowledged that He is God, the Creator of all things.

They included Old Testament scriptures in their prayer:

Read Psalm 2 (discuss Messianic Psalms)

25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:


     ‘ Why did the nations rage,
      And the people plot vain things?
       26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
      And the rulers were gathered together
      Against the LORD and against His Christ.’(Annointed One)

Psalm 2 was beginning to be fulfilled with Christ’s crucifixion.

Notice that they were in one accord (vs 24) which means they were in agreement.  They began their prayer with Christ—who He is and what He has done (The person and the work of Christ).(vs 24)  They acknowledged the authority of the Old Testament scriptures.

27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

Again, the understanding is that while it was God’s determined purpose that Christ, the anointed One would go to the cross, the blame is laid on whom?  Matthew Henry says that “. . . sin is not the less evil for God's bringing good out of it.”

Did they pray for the persecution to cease?  Did they ask God to deliver them from their enemies?  No, they asked for boldness to speak His Word. They asked Him to do miracles as a sign through Jesus’ name.

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

God answered their prayers, for He helped them to preach the Word of God with boldness and courage.
  

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Here is a description of how the early church lived and worked together.  What are some of the things you notice that is different from the church today?  Why was the early church able to share everything equally?  What quality did they have that allowed them to live in this way?

Vs 36—This is the first mention of Barnabas, who plays a very big role in the book of Acts.  Barnabas is a Levite.  (discuss the meaning of Levite)  He was from Cyprus, not Jerusalem.  He is called the Son of Encouragement.  The first thing we see Barnabas doing is letting go of worldy wealth and possessions.  This prepared him for the work that God had prepared for him.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 4 Pt. 1

Lesson 7
Chapter 4
Theme:  The results of Peter’s second sermon, the first persecution of the church and the power of the Holy Spirit
Summary:  5000 people were saved as a result of Peter’s sermon, the apostles were arrested and thrown into prison by the Sadducees because they preached the resurrection of Jesus.

 1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

The Pharisees were the religious rulers who arrested Christ and had him crucified.  Jesus was a threat to them while he was on earth because they were the teachers of the law and He was a threat to them.  Now that Christ was risen, the church begun and the Apostles were teaching, the enemies of the church were the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection.  They did not want the Apostles to teach the people that Jesus had risen from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

This was happening after Peter’s sermon on at the Beautiful gate and the people believed what Peter had preached.  Only the men were counted.  There were women and children among those who had heard the sermon, too.
  

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

These are the two men who had condemned Jesus to die. (Read John 18. starting in verse 13)  Peter had been there when Jesus had been brought in front of Annas the High Priest. It was then that Peter denied Jesus from fear of these men.  Now Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and unafraid before them.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

What had they done?  And in whose name had Peter done “it?”  Do you think they knew what had been done and said the day before?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?  When did the Holy Spirit come? When do we receive the Holy Spirit?  What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Here is Peter preaching again!  Peter was the disciple who denied Jesus but now the Holy Spirit is helping him to be bold. Let’s read verses 9-12 and identify the truths that he is preaching.  This is the Gospel—the Good News of the Person and the Work of Jesus Christ!

Who is the stone that was rejected and become the chief cornerstone?

Read Matthew 1:21 together.  The angels proclaimed His name as a fulfillment of the prophesy that God had promised a Savior.  Yet again, Peter is pointing out to them that they should have known that Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus is the only One who can save you.  The religious rulers thought that keeping the law would save them.  But Jesus is the only one who COULD keep the law and He kept it on our behalf.  When we trust in His life and death and resurrection, we are saved.
  

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

Peter and John were simple men but they had been with Jesus and He had changed them.  The religious rulers saw this and they had the healed man right there in front of them so they couldn’t really say anything against it.  Remember, all those people had seen and 5,000 had believed!

They knew they couldn’t convince people that no miracle had happened, so they decided to try to shut up the Apostles.

18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Notice that the Sadducees were untouched by what they had seen and heard.  They did not believe.  They knew it was true because the man was healed, but that did not convince them. Their hearts were hard.  Instead, they tried to figure out a way to make them quiet.  Peter and John were not afraid to tell the truth about Jesus.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 3

Lesson Six

Acts Three (in Jerusalem)
Theme of Chapter Three: The first miracle of the Church (the healing of the lame man, 3:1-11) and Peter’s Second Sermon (3:12-26)
Review:  Jesus is still at Work by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8)
What happened on the day of Pentecost? (church and coming of Spirit)
Where is Jesus now?
Where is the Holy Spirit now?
What is Jesus doing?
What is the Holy Spirit doing?
The Healing of the Lame Man
Today we will see the Work of Jesus through the Apostles in the healing of a lame man:

 1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.

This was the time of evening prayer, so the temple would be full of people gathered to pray.

2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

Notice, the man was crippled from birth.  He had to be carried there because he could not get there by himself—he could not help himself.  He was there to beg for alms.  This was the way he managed to provide for himself.

3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

The beggar was asking for Peter and John to give him money to take care of his daily needs for food and shelter.  The Apostles gave him their attention.  

 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
Instead of giving the man money for food that would soon disappear, the Apostles understood his true needs—the need for physical healing and the need for Christ.  He could not heal himself, he could not save himself.
7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.

Luke, the Doctor, is writing this account and he gives us details about the man’s healing—his lameness was in his feet and ankles.

 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

He was healed immediately and began to praise God, not Peter and John.  Did you notice?  Peter healed him in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  There was no question in anyone’s mind that the power of healing came from God.
The Jewish people would have recognized this as a fulfillment of scriptures:  Isaiah 35:6:
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
The people understood the significance of this lame man leaping and praising God!  The kingdom was at hand!  How do we know this?
The beggar was there every single day. What made this day different?  Why would this have seemed significant to the other people who had gathered for prayer?

9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Remember; these people knew about Christ’s miracles, His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.  They knew about the coming of the Spirit.  They were already wondering about whether Jesus truly WAS the Messiah.  The scriptures were being fulfilled right in front of their eyes!

 11While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.
The people followed Peter and John, just as they had followed Jesus. They were amazed!

Peter’s Second Sermon

12When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

As on the day of Pentecost, Peter tells them that his should not come as a surprise to them. Why not?  Notice, Peter does not take any credit for the healing power or even holiness.  He gives God all the glory!  He again reviews what has happened, their responsibility, and reveals the answer to how the man was healed:

13The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

 Notice he doesn’t allow them any room to argue.  They were all witnesses. They all saw what had happened.  What had they all seen?  What was Peter referring to?  And Peter begins to teach them through his preaching that they needed to believe in Jesus as their Messiah by faith.  

 17"Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.

Peter preaches again that even though they had acted in ignorance and had some responsibility in what had happened to Jesus, it was God’s plan, foretold by the prophets.  It’s as if he is saying “You know this already.”
He calls them to repent and turn back to God for the forgiveness of sin.  He tells them that Jesus is the promised Messiah.

21He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'
 24"Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. 25And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' 26When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

Peter is calling the nation of Israel to repent and be saved from coming judgment.  God had sent His Savior!  But would they listen and repent?
Israel was judged in 70 AD when Titus, the Roman General, destroyed the city, killing over a million and carrying away others as slaves.  
We’ll see the result of Peter’s sermon next week when we study chapter 4.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

Sunday School Lessons: Acts 2 Pt. 3

Lesson 5

Acts 2:14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!

Who was with Peter?
To whom was Peter speaking?

These were all Jews; the church was made up of all Jews on the day of Pentecost.  (Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, ends of the earth—eventually the church would expand to include Gentile believers)

Acts 2: 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

He is saying “this is LIKE what was spoken by Joel.  How do we know this?

Acts 2: 17" 'In the last days, God says,
      I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
   Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
      your young men will see visions,
      your old men will dream dreams.
 18Even on my servants, both men and women,
      I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
      and they will prophesy.
 19I will show wonders in the heaven above
      and signs on the earth below,
      blood and fire and billows of smoke.
 20The sun will be turned to darkness
      and the moon to blood
      before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
 21And everyone who calls
      on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Peter is quoting this as a reminder that the pouring out of the Holy Spirit was foretold.  The men were mocking the Apostles, suggesting they were drunk.  In this way, Peter is letting them know that this is nothing strange—they should have been expecting it!  We know that this isn’t a complete fulfillment of the Joel passage, though, because not everything that Joel predicted happened on that particular day.

Acts 2:22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

After Peter has just told them that what happened that day should not be surprising, he goes on to say two important things.

1. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection was not a surprise to God, nor did it happen outside of His control.  He determined it and He knew it would happen just the way it did.

    2.  Even though He planned it, that did not take the responsibility away from those who were responsible for bringing it about historically.

Who was responsible for bringing it about?
    Religious rulers
    Crowds
    Judas
    Roman government
    All of us, because of our sin

We needed a Savior!  Jesus went to the cross “for the joy that was set before Him (He) endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

The people that Peter was speaking to may have been part of the crowd that cried, “Crucify Him!”  

The theme of the first sermon preached in the newly formed church was about Christ—His life, His death, His burial, His resurrection!  Peter was telling them the Good News—the Gospel!

Acts 2:25David said about him:
   " 'I saw the Lord always before me.
      Because he is at my right hand,
      I will not be shaken.
 26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
      my body also will live in hope,
 27because you will not abandon me to the grave,
      nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
 28You have made known to me the paths of life;
      you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

Peter is quoting Psalm 16, where David is speaking about the resurrection of Christ.  It was a prophecy that has now been fulfilled:

29"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
   " 'The Lord said to my Lord:
      "Sit at my right hand
 35until I make your enemies
      a footstool for your feet." '
 36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Peter was reminding them that David could not have been talking about himself because he had died and they all knew where his grave was!  And in vs. 32, he reminds them that they were ALL witnesses of the resurrection.
Peter quotes Psalm 110 to let them know where Jesus is now and what He is doing.  He is in heaven, seated at the right Hand of the Father, and He is both Lord and Savior.  

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

This message convicted them of their sin.  They wanted to know what they should do.  Notice, these men are no longer mocking the Apostles, they are calling them “brothers.”

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
 40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Peter tells them they must repent and be baptized.  
Review the Great Commission.  Jesus had told the Apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit to come and now He is here.  He will be given to all believers—those present that day and every believer that God adds to the church—all whom the Lord our God will call.
Salvation belongs to God!
Peter continued to preach and warned them against going back to their old ways.
The hearers believed Peter and were baptized that day.  Three thousand!    
These new believers’ lives were changed!  They “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread (communion) and to prayer.  
What else did they do?
How did all this change effect their lives?
Who did the signs and wonders?
Who added to the church?

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.

John Brown, Hebrews Quote 11

Hebrews by John Brown  p.189

This statement—‘Almost all who came out of Egypt with Moses, after having heard the promise and command of God, provoked Him, by refusing to believe the promise and obey the command’—was well fitted to excite a salutary fear in the minds of the Hebrew Christians.  It cautioned them against resting in privileges, and thinking themselves safe merely because they had by profession forsaken Judaism, and had heard the promises and commands of God made known by Jesus Christ and His Apostles.  All who left Egypt did not enter Canaan.  All who by profession leave the world lying in wickedness do not, of course, enter into the heavenly rest.  Men may hear the Gospel, and yet not believe it.  The grace of God may come to them and yet come to them in vain.  But this is not all.  The great majority—almost all who came out of Egypt with Moses, almost all who heard the promise and command of God—were unbelieving and disobedient.  Was not this a most striking demonstration of the strength of the natural tendency to unbelief and disobedience in the human heart? and was it not reasonable and right that the Hebrews should take heed lest there was in any of them “and evil heart of unbelief,” when it was so plain that there was such a heart in the great majority of their ancestors?  Every new proof of the tendency of human nature to unbelief and disobedience should make us the more “jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy.”