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Acts, Bible Studies

Acts 8 The Persecuted Church

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The Acts of the Holy Spirit Empowering the Church

It is now six years since the church started, and God allows persecution in order to , among other things, to spread the church. Chapter eight sees the persecution of the church led by Saul, Phillip in Samaria encountering Simon, a charlatan, and his subsequent encounter with an Ethiopian court official, and his genuine conversion.

And so persecution goes on to this day. Persecution.org estimates there are around 200 million Christians suffer some form of persecution for their faith. That day may not be long in coming for us. So while we are able, we must  be “Phillips”, used and usable of the Holy Spirit, to share the Good News.

Antsal, wife of one of the 21 men killed in Libya shares how she found peace.

Acts 8:2 – Does this mean we should make lamentation? Devout men means God fearers, not necessarily even Christians. These men did not understand about the fate of those who died in Christ until Paul explained this in 1Th 4:13-18.

Either way, may God give us more stout hearted men like these!

Acts 8:3 – Havoc – lit. describes the wounding of a wild boar. The boar loses all sense of sanity. Paul moves beyond consent to a frenzy of Satanic activity.

Acts 8:4 – They scattered, but look, they also preached the Word.

Acts 8:5-39 shows two back to back seeming conversions.  How can we be sure?

Re Simon, unsaved:

  1. Wrong view of self (v9-10). He projected himself with great pride, even to his conversion. i.e. his conversion too was proud and pompous
  2. Wrong view of supernatural power (v18-19). This is the practice of simony, trying to buy one’s way into power. He did not want power to change his character, but to further his ambitions. A true conversion is done in humility. “Make me a servant.
  3. A wrong view of the Spirit (v18-21). That purchase may be attempted by money, or through the flesh,
  4. Wrong view of sin. (v24) The conversion doesn’t take, he doesn’t want the sin rooted out, but to avoid the consequences. Simon  believed in signs and wonders and not God, to his own ends. His attitude was, what will it do for me.

Contrast this with the Ethiopian’s conversion:

  1. It was a sovereign work of the HS (v26) – note the HS working took Phillip out of a revival in Samaria to one guy out in the desert. The eunuch was cultured enough to be able to read Hebrew though he himself was a Gentile. The HS draws us, not vice versa Rom 3:10-12
  2. The searching heart of a sinner. We respond to the HS after HE seeks us out.,
  3. Scriptural basis for salvation (v35) – As opposed to being drawn by signs and wonders as was Simon. Rom 10:17
  4. The sincere expression of a servant(v37)  – The Eunuch’s response was ass a faithful response, not for his personal gain.

Persecution.org

Acts 8:6 – Here is Phillip, another table server-deacon we saw in Acts 6:5. If we are faithful in the little things, God will give you bigger and bigger responsibilities. And now Phillip followed Jesus example by going into the area were Jews would avoid John 4:4-42

Hearing miracles – the word of wisdom spoken as Jesus did to the woman at the well.

Acts 8:7 – 2Ki 17:7-41  This chapter of 2 Kings outlines the origin of the Samaritans. After reviewing this chapter, one can see the Pharisees calling the kettle black! (Being hypocrites)

Demons fled as Phillip was preaching and ministering. Demons are still alive and well in the 20th century. We offer psychological excuses for the present day work of demons and evil.

Acts 8:8 – Mat 2:10, Luke 2:10 The power of sin is broken. The joy of Christianity.

Acts 8:17 – Perhaps Phillip wasn’t gifted in the laying on of hands, reemphasizing the importance of the Body. Peter and John were empowered in this area, so they lay on hands. 1Co 1:14

And don’t get hung up on Baptism. It’s necessary, but it happens in various ways, (Acts 10)

Acts 8:18 – Simon does not appear to be possesed demonically, but wants to purchase a magic trick, as magicians do to this day.

Acts 8:20 – This absolutely refutes the buying of popeships during the Middle Ages. And Protestants are no better, as when the pastor is deeded the pastor, and the congregation buys back the church, or when an a person buys an “elder” position.

Acts 8:24 – HE didn’t ask for his heart to change, but to avoid the consequences of his sin.

Acts 8:25 – Tradition says that Simon went insane and buried himself alive, but not before starting the heresy of Gnosticism

Acts 8:26 – Revival is happening. People are being saved, and now the HS sends Phillip elsewhere. Note that the HS didn’t say why to go. Why go to a rock and sand filled desert? Go do step 1, and then you’ll get step 2.

Acts 8:27 – This was perhaps the second most important man in Ethiopia. He desired to know God, hence the trip to J-lem, but came back empty, as shown here.

God will do whatever it takes to tell a hungry person about Jesus. God will reach them. No one will be able to say they sought God and did not find Him.

Acts 8:30 – Wow! He ran! Enthusiasm is En-Theos, full of God.

Acts 8:32 – Isa 53:8f

Acts 8:35 – He spoke of Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. He also hopped right into Isaiah, connoting his knowledge of Scripture.

Acts 8:37 – Earlier, Simon believed with his head, and here the eunuch believes in his heart.

This is verse not in the NIV or RSV (See nivmiss.inx)

Acts 8:38 – Note immersion baptism here and elsewhere.

Acts 8:40 – He stayed there and raised 4 daughters who became prophetesses. A beautiful place on the beach. Phillip started waiting on tables, became a deacon, then an evangelist, then raised a family.

Apologetics, Bible Studies, Galatians

Galatians: Chapter 1

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The Letter to the Galatians is Paul’s warning and admonition to the Christians in Asia Minor to steer clear of people who “knew better” than the simple truth of Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel: Jesus plus zip, zero, nada.

Paul was being ions-upped by the Jews who had come in after him, claiming authority as teachers. Wrote Luther:

“In every way, they sought to undermine the authority of St. Paul. They said to the Galatians: “You have no right to think highly of Paul. He was the last to return to Christ. But we have seen Christ. We heard Him preach. Paul came later and is beneath us. Is it possible for us to be in error – we who have received the Holy Ghost? Paul stands alone. He has not seen Christ nor has he had much contact with the other apostles. Indeed, he persecuted the Church of Christ for a long time.””
Source: Luther commentary on Galatians at Gal 1:1

We share Paul’s uphill battle in defending the purity of the Gospel against its foes, without and within. In this sense, we share his ministry. Let’s be worthy of it.

Paul Authenticates His Ministry

Galatians1:11-12 Paul points out the origin of his Gospel: direct revelation; using the same word, apocalypses, found in Joh’s Book of Revelation.
Galatians 1:13-17 Personal testimony. People may refute what you believe, what the Bible “really” says, but they CANNOT refute your testimony; it is your DNA and story and testimony. And quite natural to use, simply relate your story. Paul’s authority is fully authenticated and apostolic. He did not shrink back from it.
Galatians 1:18-24 Paul explains and gives background to his authority through his testimony. The early years must have been difficult, having conspired to abet the death of Stephen, and persecuting other Christians.It was here that Paul began to understand the the grace of God (Discussion)

Shane Harper’s character, Josh Wheaton and others also  had to be brave:

Paul at the Jerusalem Council

Galatians 2:1-10 Paul narrates his validation of his ministry. He was living out the conclusions reached at the Jerusalem Council in 48, some 8-10 years earlier. In it (Acts 15) the question of how one is saved was resolved.What was necessary was that that they had to re-defend salvation by grace. It is not the natural bent of mankind, our pride demands participation, and negates the horror and suffering of the Cross.Instead, the Council said only to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols (to not cause consternation among weaker Christians), and fornication, a rampant epidemic of the day and easily excused.

 

Cult Spotlight – Mormonism:

Mormonism in a Nutshell:

Source: carm.org
Memory Verse – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” -Gal 2:20

Application – The Gospel is precious and  to be shared through the words of the Bible and our personal testimony.    

Apologetics, Jehovah Witnesses

Jesus is Jehovah God

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Who is Jesus? The answer to that critical question is what makes Christianity different from all religion and belief systems. If you believe what the Bible says is true, then indeed, Jesus is Jehovah God. Almost all other belief systems say that Jesus is a prophet, a good teacher, a higher power, a false prophet, a demon, a man, Michael the Archangel, the spirit brother of Lucifer, a non-corporeal spirit being, and on and on. In short, it seems that everybody gets to be God except Jesus.

What does Bible say?  We begin with references to the LORD in the Old Testament, and references to Jesus in the New Testament. These leave no doubt as to our Savior’s deity.

 

Old Testament New Testament
Prepare the way for Jehovah
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God” -Isa 40:3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'”” -Mat 3:3
Jehovah, Sender of Prophets
But I have been the LORD your God since the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, As in the days of the appointed festival. I have also spoken to the prophets, And I gave numerous visions, And through the prophets I gave parables. -Hosea 12:9-10 Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” -Mat 23:34-35
Call on the Name of Jehovah
“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” -Joel 2:32 ” ‘AND IT SHALL BE, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.’ – Acts 2:21
Jehovah the First and Last
“Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together. All of you, assemble yourselves, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; He shall do His pleasure on Babylon, And His arm shall be against the Chaldeans. I, even I, have spoken; Yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and his way will prosper. Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me.” -Isa 48:12-16 “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.'”-Rev 1:17 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” -Rev 1:11
“Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.'” (Isa 41:4) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Rev 22:13)
>”Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.” -Isa 44:6 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End ,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” -Rev 1:8
Jehovah’s Fellow and Equal
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is MyCompanion,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.” -Zec 13:7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, -Phil 2:5-6
Jehovah our Creator
” In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”-Gen 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” -John 1:1-3
“I said, “O my God Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations. Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.” -Psa 102:24-27 “But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” And: “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.” -Heb 1:8-10
Jehovah our Savior
“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” -Joel 2:32   “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.'” -Rom 10:9-13
Jehovah our Glory
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. -Psa 24:7-10 “…which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. – 1 Cor 2:8″My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” -James 2:1
“I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. -Isa 42:8 “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” -John 17:5
Jehovah our Righteousness
“Behold,the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. -Jer 23:5-6 “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” -1 Cor 1:30-31
Jehovah of Hosts
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!'” -Isa 6:1-3″Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.” – Isa 6:10 “But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” – John 12:37-41
Jehovah the Good Shepherd
“Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” -Isa 40:10-11 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” -John 10:14″Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.” -Heb 13:20
King Jehovah
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” -Psa 45:6 “But to the Son He says: ” Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. ” -Heb 1:8
I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King .” -Isa 43:15 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -Mat 25:34
Jehovah, Father of Living Water
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns; broken cisterns that can hold no water.” – Jeremiah 2:13 “Then the but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” – John 4:14

1The letter J is not found in the Hebrew alphabet. In the Old Testament, the name of deity is transliterated as YHWH, and is usually rendered as LORD. Sometimes this name has been rendered Jehovah, but although inaccurate, strictly speaking, as is the name Jesus (Y’shua in the Hebrew), it is indeed a secondary issue. The primary issue is that Jesus is Jehovah. “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”