WE-05-11-2022 – HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (continued); and PREPARATIONS FOR THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
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May 11, 2022
Wednesday Night Bible Study
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (continued)
Acts 1:1-11
2Timothy 2:15,
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a
workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately
handling the word of truth.
2Timothy 3:16-17,
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every
good work.
True repentance that brings salvation devotes itself to obey
God's Word, honor God the Father, exemplify the life of
God the Son, walking the power and wisdom of God the
Holy Spirit, as we reach out with the Love of Christ to all
who will listen.
- Prayer:
Probably the most difficult of all our spiritual exercise, it
embraces the kingdom of God and the people of God. It is
hard work to pray on behalf of God's will and God's people
in accordance with God's Word, for God's plan and purpose
through Christ to be accomplished. There are no “Me’s” or
“My’s” in the Lord’s prayer
(see Matthew 6:9-13).
9
“Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10
‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11
‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12
‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’]
- Worship:
He alone is worthy! We praise Him with all that we have and
all that we are that we bow before Him then stand and serve
Him
(see Matthew 22:37-40,
37 And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR
GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL,
AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
38 This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
AS YOURSELF.’
40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and
the Prophets.”
The Greatest Commandment).
- Evangelism:
Living as light and salt in this dark and decaying
generation, we purpose to live for Christ by our walk and
words, that others might come to know Him
(see Matthew 5:13-16).
the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and
trampled under foot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be
hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but
on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Teaching/Training:
Proclaiming God's Word accurately, completely,
understandably, and authoritatively, we seek to live out our
Christianity, while encouraging other believers to grow and
mature in Christ
(see Colossians 3:16-17).
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom
teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to
God.
17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
1John 2:3-6,
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep
His commandments.
4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not
keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly
been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in
the same manner as He walked.
God's Word tells us Jesus ascended from the Mount of
Olives, and it says He will return to the Mount of Olives at
His 2nd coming
(see Zechariah 14:4);
4 In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is
in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be
split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that
half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other
half toward the south.
in some ways His return will be similar to His departure, in
some ways it will be quite different
(see Revelation 1:7;
7 BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every
eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes
of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.
Revelation 19:11-16).
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and
He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness He judges and wages war.
12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many
diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one
knows except Himself.
13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is
called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen,
white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may
strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron;
and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the
Almighty.
16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written,
“KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
The Acts of the Apostles is a historic journey of the first
Disciples, the first witnesses who believed and trusted in
Jesus Christ as God's Son, Lord and Savior.
Like those first witnesses, we ought to commit to study,
understand, and apply God’s Word, as we encourage one
another to do the same, seeking to live out our faith, in
unity, as one body, going, making disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything
God has commanded us.
Pastor Mike
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STUDY NOTES HANDED OUT THIS WEEK
Title: Preparations for the Birth of the Church
Acts 1:12-26
See Acts 1:12-14…
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount
called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath
day’s journey away.
13 When they had entered the city, they went up to
the upper room where they were staying; that is,
Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and
Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son
of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the
son of James.
14 These all with one mind were continually devoting
themselves to prayer, along with the women, and
Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Jesus is gone, His followers are together: The
eleven disciples, “the women” (Mary Magdalene,
Mary the Mother of James, Mary the wife of
Clopas, Mary & Martha, Joanna, Susanna
[Matthew 27:55-56;
55 Many women were there looking on from a
distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while
ministering to Him.
56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the
mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the
sons of Zebedee.
Mark 15:40-41;
40 There were also some women looking on from a
distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and
Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and
Salome.
41 When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him
and minister to Him; and there were many other
women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
Luke 8:1-3;
1 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one
city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with
Him,
2 and also some women who had been healed of evil
spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called
Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward,
and Susanna, and many others who were
contributing to their support out of their private
means.
Luke 23:49;
49 And all His acquaintances and the women who
accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a
distance, seeing these things.
Luke 24:10;
10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and
Mary the mother of James; also the other women
with them were telling these things to the apostles.
John 19:25]);
25 Therefore the soldiers did these things.
But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother,
and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and
Mary Magdalene.
Jesus’ mother and siblings.
Jesus brothers didn't believe until after His
resurrection
(John 7:5);
5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him.
their conversions aren't given in Scripture, but
Jesus appeared to James
(1Corinthians 15:7),
7 then He appeared to James, then to all the
apostles;
who evidently influenced the rest of his siblings
to believe in Christ.
What were they thinking about in the upper
room? Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, resurrection?
Should Mary be worshipped? Can she redeem
us?
What does the Bible say
(Mark 3:31-35;
31 Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and
standing outside they sent word to Him and called
Him.
32 A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to
Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are
outside looking for You.”
33 Answering them, He said, “Who are My mother
and My brothers?”
34 Looking about at those who were sitting around
Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!
35 For whoever does the will of God, he is My
brother and sister and mother.”
Luke 1:39-50;
39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry
to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted
Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby
leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the
Holy Spirit.
42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb!
43 And how has it happened to me, that the mother
of my Lord would come to me?
44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting
reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for
joy.
45 And blessed is she who believed that there would
be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by
the Lord.”
46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of
His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will
count me blessed.
49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for
me;
And holy is His name.
50 “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER
GENERATION
TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.
Luke 11:27-28)?
27 While Jesus was saying these things, one of the
women in the crowd raised her voice and said to
Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the
breasts at which You nursed.”
28 But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Can we seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
What does the Bible say
(John 1:12-13;
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave
the right to become children of God, even to those
who believe in His name,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the
flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Ephesians 1:13-14;
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message
of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also
believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit
of promise,
14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with
a view to the redemption of God’s own possession,
to the praise of His glory.
Romans 10:9-10;
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in
righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses,
resulting in salvation.
1Corinthians 12:13).
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one
body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or
free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
See Acts 1:15-20…
15 At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the
brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and
twenty persons was there together), and said,
16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which
the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David
concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who
arrested Jesus.
17 For he was counted among us and received his
share in this ministry.”
18 (Now this man acquired a field with the price of
his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open
in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.
19 And it became known to all who were living in
Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field
was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE,
AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’;
and, ‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’
Peter is the recognized leader of the believers.
Peter's communications with Christ are
recorded more than any other Disciple.
Judas died a gruesome death
(Acts 1:18)!
18 (Now this man acquired a field with the price of
his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open
in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.
Matthew 27:5
5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple
sanctuary and departed; and he went away and
hanged himself.
says he “hanged himself."
The fate of Judas was foretold
(Acts 1:16,
16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which
the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David
concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who
arrested Jesus.
Acts 1:20,
20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE,
AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’;
and, ‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’
- Psalm 109:8).
8 Let his days be few;
Let another take his office.
Judas was replaced for there were to be twelve
apostles
(Matthew 19:27-28;
27 Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left
everything and followed You; what then will there be
for us?”
28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that
you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when
the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you
also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:28-30;
28 “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials;
29 and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom,
I grant you
30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My
kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation 20).
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven,
holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his
hand.
2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old,
who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a
thousand years;
3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and
sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the
nations any longer, until the thousand years were
completed; after these things he must be released
for a short time.
4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and
judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of
those who had been beheaded because of their
testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God,
and those who had not worshiped the beast or his
image, and had not received the mark on their
forehead and on their hand; and they came to life
and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the
thousand years were completed. This is the first
resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the
first resurrection; over these the second death has
no power, but they will be priests of God and of
Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
7 When the thousand years are completed, Satan
will be released from his prison,
8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are
in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to
gather them together for the war; the number of
them is like the sand of the seashore.
9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth
and surrounded the camp of the saints and the
beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and
devoured them.
10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into
the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and
the false prophet are also; and they will be
tormented day and night forever and ever.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat
upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled
away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small,
standing before the throne, and books were opened;
and another book was opened, which is the book of
life; and the dead were judged from the things which
were written in the books, according to their deeds.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it,
and death and Hades gave up the dead which were
in them; and they were judged, every one of them
according to their deeds.
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake
of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in
the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
See Acts 1:21-26…
21 Therefore it is necessary that of the men who
have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus
went in and out among us--
22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day
that He was taken up from us--one of these must
become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23 So they put forward two men, Joseph called
Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and
Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know
the hearts of all men, show which one of these two
You have chosen
25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from
which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
26 And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to
Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Judas' successor must meet certain qualifications.
- He had to witness the Lord's ministry, from
His baptism to His ascension back into
- He had to be a witness to the resurrected
- He had to be chosen by God.
There were two men met the first two
requirements: Joseph called Barsabbas, and Matthias.
The apostles prayed
(Acts 1:24),
24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know
the hearts of all men, show which one of these two
You have chosen
then cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias.
Jonah 1:7,
7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us
cast lots to find out who is responsible for this
calamity." The lot fell to Jonah.
Proverbs 16:33,
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.
This is the last mention of casting lots.
Why?
As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to guide
and equip us, with the Word of God, through
which we can make decisions based on God’s
Word.
The 12 apostles are now in place, so it is time
for the Church of Gods to her birthed.
Pastor Mike Hale